Women and DIY

BigAlC

Something like this should do you: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-metal-stud-detectors/0418363/

Slightly expensive, but think of the saved costs compared to drilling a water pipe or similar.

In regards to fixings, bags of them will normally come in 25s 50s 100s etc at to be honest, for the amount you pay there is little point trying to find individual ones, and they will always be handy to have.

If you really don't want to buy bags of fixings then smaller trade independants might do ones you can pick individually, but beware they may also have a minimum transaction value - usually a tenner.

Al1x

My parents bought me this drill set a few years ago:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hitachi-KC10DFL-Micro-Series-2-Piece-Combo-Cordless-Drill-Kit-FREE-Delivery-/160927317719?pt=UK_Home_Power_Tools_Drills&hash=item257803fed7

I have managed a huge amount of tasks with them from building flat pack furniture to screwing up plasterbaord. I have managed to drill into the wall to put up some coat hooks as well but I know a sds would have done it quicker.

Also these drills are small and light weight so my arm didn't ache like when I borrowed my dads drill (I'm sure it was only the 14v version of my drill but feels really heavy of you are trying to screw plasterboard up on the ceiling.

cyclonebri1

futurelotterywinner wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

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

I knew you were expecting that 1 infact I'm sure the reason for softening your thread was an acceptance that there are certainly fewer female rather than male Diyers. I just thought I'd get it over with for you:A:A:A

The tools remain the same regardless of who is using them, with the possible exception of breaker drills etc.

Don't buy the best, buy an acceptable quality, this is DIY not 24/7 trade.
Again only buy what you need if you are simply tackling say a renovation job by job.
Buy online whenever possible, needs a little forward planning, but.....

I've retired from my normal job, but even today I'm still buying the odd tool for a specific build/project. Electric stapler/nail gun and 6ft spirit level are recent 1's that spring to mind.

Ist ever cement mixer only last year, can't be assed to do it by hand anymore.:D:D

It saves money and is dam enjoyable when finished.:T

pamsdish

futurelotterywinner wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

"Anyway, "Women and DIY", in the same sentence???:eek::eek::eek::eek: -" lol I waiting 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.

Go for the lidl/aldi specials, my husband was always happy with them, something about german engineering.
I tend to pick up any little bits I need from Wilkos, they do small amounts and they are my nearest store, since focus closed I have to travel 15 miles to a big D.I.Y.outlet.

drummer_666

pamsdish wrote: »

Go for the lidl/aldi specials, my husband was always happy with them, something about german engineering.

I second Lidl. I picked up a belt sander for £25 and did my lounge and hall floor with it. Worked great!

googler

futurelotterywinner wrote: »

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

From Wikipedia

"A gimlet is a hand tool for drilling small holes, mainly in wood, without splitting. It was defined in Joseph Gwilt's Architecture (1859) as "a piece of steel of a semi-cylindrical form, hollow on one side, having a cross handle at one end and a worm or screw at the other".[1]
A gimlet is always a small tool. A similar tool of larger size is called an auger. The cutting action of the gimlet is slightly different from an auger, however, as the end of the screw, and so the initial hole it makes, is smaller; the cutting edges pare away the wood which is moved out by the spiral sides, falling out through the entry hole. This also pulls the gimlet further into the hole as it is turned; unlike a bradawl, pressure is not required once the tip has been drawn in."

"A bradawl is a tool with a blade similar to that of a straight screwdriver and a handle made from wood or plastic. A bradawl is used to make an indentation in wood or other materials in order to ease the insertion of a nail or screw. The blade is placed across the fibres of the wood, cutting them when pressure is applied - the bradawl is then twisted through 90 degrees which displaces the fibres creating a hole. This cutting action helps to prevent splitting of the wood along the grain. The term bradawl is very often misused when meaning an awl - a simple pointed device - possibly because Brad is an old English word for a nail."

pamsdish

I use a bradawl if it will penetrate surface ,otherwise when you try to drill hole it jumps from intended spot, my OH always used a small bit to drill a "pilot" hole.