Women and DIY

futurelotterywinner

Hello and Happy New Year to you all!!

I want to start doing basic DIY around the house and have started to put together a tool kit.

Looking at Power Drills, I am not sure which one to go for. I want one so that I can hang picture frames, put notice boards up etc. I have bought a Draper 9.6v cordless drill (not opened it) but might exchange it for the 14.4v which is slightly more expensive.

My aim is to do declutter my house and make it look nice without costing the earth!!

Any advice would be welcome!!

Jx

jc808

look at what you need to do before buying your tools, youre doing it the wrong way round

futurelotterywinner

Hi JC808,

thanks for your reply.

The drill will be used for hanging curtain rails, fixing chest of drawers etc.

As regards to the tool kit at the moment it consists of a tool box, screw drivers and spanners - lol I said it was basic.

southcoastrgi

unfortunately your drill is going to be less than useless for anything else but as a screwdriver (even then it's not going to be much good), if you are thinking about drilling into walls you really need a 18v, but a good start on the rest, just buy tools as & when you need them that way you won't spend money you don't need to & you will build up a nice tool kit

googler

Your type of wall construction will dictate the type of fixings to use. Some of these don't require drilling.

As earlier poster said, decide what you need to do, how to do it, then acquire tools to match.....

27col

Tool kits are always better for being built up bit by by bit( no pun intended). But I agree that the drill that you have will be virtually useless for any serious work. I would not have one of less than 18volts. As Googler says, you first need to establish how the wall is constructed before you can decide how to fix something to it.

futurelotterywinner

Hi Southcoast, Googler and 27col, thanks for your replies.

I have taken the drill back following your advice as it is going to be useless. I am just overeager to start some tasks.

Many thanks for everyones help today.

Jx

maintenanceman

I think you might have a good parter with southcoastgirl. I don't know her but she has set you off in the right track. Its a boring long question but As you are a girl i woul recomend li ion cordless drill as it is a lot lighter than a Nicad . Otherwise buy something like abosch corded impact drill that will last u a lifetime. With any tools buy the best you can afford as buying cheap is a false economy and the good tools do the job for you. Anyways try to make anthing you do as straight forward and simple as you can. Good luck

maintenanceman

If you need any advise there are plenty of forums like DIY NOT or ask me

southcoastrgi

maintenanceman wrote: »

I think you might have a good parter with southcoastgirl. I don't know her but she has set you off in the right track

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

is there a specsaver near you

pamsdish

Since my husband died I have been doing all my own diy, I am a 62 year old pensioner. I was very lucky ??, he had all the tools already. Although he was so ill there was no work done for years.I have a 2 bedroom bungalow ,new build, which we have been here over 5 years and has not been decorated yet. So in spring I will be going through it all gradually.

I find to drill the walls the only thing that would go through the brick work is an electric hammer drill, I use the cordless for screws.I do not have the physical strength.
You do need to have some bits about you as it is tedious, as well as expensive to have to go and buy every time you want to do a job.

If I spot anything I might need on a "special" I do forward plan. ie I have bought painting equipment, as I know I will need new brushes and rollers.

If you see a good buy on things like mixed screws, rawl plugs, stock them.