Women and DIY

27col

OP, may I suggest that you ask someone(if you know anyone, that is) who is well versed in DIY, to give you a few tips.
In my experience I have found that a lot of competent DIY'ers are more than ready to pass on their knowledge. One thing is for sure, it will help stop you making silly and expensive mistakes

custardy

personally I would stick with a mains powered drill for home use

cyclonebri1

southcoastrgi wrote: »

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

is there a specsaver near you

And I thought he was onto something.

Anyway, "Women and DIY", in the same sentence???:eek::eek::eek::eek:

But seriously before you get a battery drill you need a mains drill with a decent hammer facility.
It will cost 1/2 the deecent battery option and be twice as useful.

I know some disagree but I feel strongly that it's the best way.

Top tip?
Only buy the tools as you need them, I have stuff in the "it will be useful one day" cupboard that's been sat there 10 years, right next to the "get better box":rotfl::rotfl:

Leif

I have both corded and cordless drills. The 18V cordless is the only one I use. Yes, the corded does have more torque, but the convenience of the cordless wins.

When you buy screws, nails, drill bits and other small items, avoid B&Q and Homebase, they make a lot of money on small items. Use Ebay, some builders' merchants (some rip off the general public), some hardware stores (my local is fantastic, the one in the town is expensive). For drills it is worth having a cobalt set. By the way, Bosch drill bits are rubbish, poor quality, not cheap, despite the name.

robatwork

I have a cordless drill/screwdriver that is priceless for drilling into plasterboard and wood, and saves your hands when unscrewing especially. This has a variety of screwdriver bits.

I also have a mains powered hammer drill for when I need to get into masonary.

You will need high speed steel bits for wood and masonary bits for bricks, plaster etc.

I bought a big box of decent screws from screwfix (always get phillips type as they are easier to screw), and I have a big selection of rawlplugs.

A few sizes of Phillips and flat head screwdrivers, and I find my gimlet http://chestofbooks.com/home-improvement/woodworking/Cabinet-Making/images/Fig-23-Twist-Gimlet.jpg is great for starting off holes before I drill.

That lot should at least get you started on putting shelves up. Oh and a spirit level too so you can admire your handywork.....

BigAlC

Corded Drill & quality bits (as above really)
Spirit Level (& laser level if feeling flashy)
Tape Measure - 5m average
Cable / Pipe finder - VERY IMPORTANT TO REDUCE UNEXPECTED SHORTS OR LEAKS!
Good Hammer(s) I have claw hammer and smaller ball pein

If your house is plaster boarded walls (like a lot are now) then self tapping rawl plugs or similar are very useful. I also use these http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/plasterboard-cavity-anchors-fixings/6917982/

Filler knife / spreader

These are basic parts of a toolbox in my opinion along with screw drivers. For other tasks buy what you need when you need them according to the job, no point in going over the top with kit you may never use.

drummer_666

am I the only one wondering why it was titled 'women and DIY' probably just as many / nearly as many men who are new to diy and power tools

gibson123

I am a woman and I do DIY, I invested in a good solid hammer drill, (mains) yes it is heavy but it gets the job done very quickly so you don't have the drill on for long. Another must have is a ratchett screw-driver, one thing I struggle with is trying to get out tight screws, before getting the ratchett, I had to ask my brother to start off the really tight ones. I first bought a good starter kit, I think it was unbranded from B&Q, it has all the basics including a set of wood and masonry drills, a sander, a jigsaw an engraver and a solder iron. I gave the engraver and solder iron away to my BIL. The whole set was cheaper than two individual items because I got it in a sale and it came with a large box of miscellaneous sizes screws as an extra. I have had it for about 8 years and have never had to replace anything.

gibson123

Sorry that doesn't make sense, the first set had a power drill, but I have since replaced this with a heavier one, the first one was great for most indoor jobs, but I found doing things like trying to put up hanging baskets took forever. Everything else has done all the jobs required.

futurelotterywinner

Thanks for all the replies.

"Anyway, "Women and DIY", in the same sentence???:eek::eek::eek::eek: -" lol I was waiting for a comment like that to appear....but it did make me laugh!!

Is a gimlet the same as a bradawl as I have a bradawl and they look as if they do the same thing?

I am looking at the cable/pipe finder to find the best value price and reviews - are these also called stud detectors?

Screwfix is local to me and seem fairly cheap - only problem is quantity. I wanted 4 screws the other day but they only came in a pack of 50...but were only £1.45 ... lol maybe I can sell the rest on ebay!!

Lidl have a corded hammer drill on offer from Monday so I may look into that.

As I have said, the projects are very small to begin with, but with I will move onto bigger projects once I am happy with my handiwork.