What tools do I need?

A.Penny.Saved

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Before you take a step further or drill a single hole in a wall, get yourself a stud and metal/power detector.
This allows you to find the position of studs behind pleaster ceiling and in partition wall and also to detect cables and pipes buried in walls etc, more importantly it even detects if they are live.

I had 1 golden rule rule when I was collecting together a tool kit donkies years ago;
Don't buy a thing until you need it, even I have tools that have never been used.

I suppose the other rules is that if you are going to need a major item, and are going to use it many times, buy it at the onset and don't struggle for years as I did in my case before I bought a cement mixer (OK, a little advanced for your position I suppose but I'm sure you get the drift););)


Sorry APS, this was directed at the OP not you

No problem. I do have a two x metal detectors/cable/stud detectors. A regular metal detector for finding treasure :rotfl:and a hand held one for studs/live cables etc

I have witnessed electricians drilling into walls and hacking through plaster without using one.

bouicca21 wrote: »

If I do need a drill ... Lidl are advertising a 10.8v Li-Lon cordless drill for a mere £29.99 as next week's special offer. Is this likely to be a good deal or is it too cheap and a false economy?

As I think will be obvious from this thread I have absolutely no clue about tools (in my day girls did needlework ...). Really grateful for all the advice.

Oh......your female

jk

Personally I would avoid cordless drills for the amount of time you are likely to use one I just do not think they are worth the time, expense and finding that you have to recharge it the occasional moment that you need it.

It would be cheaper to get a corded drill. It would not be flat when you needed it, it would be cheaper and provide all the power that you will ever need. Get an extension cable along with it.

Going back to a tool kit, there sounds like a decent one @ screwfix now for £30. It would probably provide all the basics that you are likely to need. However it does not contain any sewing needles so you will have to source those somewhere else. :rotfl:

This toolkit reduced to £29.99 @ Screwfix would provide everything you are ever likely to need and a lot that you probably will never use. I do not know how long this deal will last. You can pick it up from one of their stores to save delivery costs.

BlueC wrote: »

IMO a cheap drill will be a source of irritation and not worthwhile. 10.8v is ok for driving screws but nowhere near enough power to be useful as a drill. I'd be looking for an 18v Li-Ion which will set you back about £80-£100 including battery and charger.

Or pay a fraction of that for a corded drill and extension. A corded drill will have no battery weight added to it so might be easier for a woman to handle.

bouicca21

Ta. Not only female but in possession of a free bus pass

Screwfix tool kit ordered (I think I even managed to quidco it). Didn't know you could get a metal detector for pipes and cables. I still remember the ex finding metal shavings on his drill - just a fraction left and he'd have been drilling into the mains water supply ...

missprice

Am in agreement about cordless drill.
I bought an all singing/dancing cordless drill.
Every single time I want to use it, maybe 3 times a year, it needs charging.

But as it does at least still work once charged, I can't bring myself to buy a new corded. Once it dies a death and joins the others in drill heaven, I shall buy a new one.

Other than that your basic screwdriver set, alternatively a driver with screw bits and socket bits.
A hammer
Pliers
Sandpaper
Allen keys
Adjustable spanner, actually 2 is better.

cyclonebri1

bouicca21 wrote: »

Ta. Not only female but in possession of a free bus pass

Screwfix tool kit ordered (I think I even managed to quidco it). Didn't know you could get a metal detector for pipes and cables. I still remember the ex finding metal shavings on his drill - just a fraction left and he'd have been drilling into the mains water supply ...

And that's why I posted.

As a geriatric but male member, (sorry matron), the same rules apply, check/measure 10 times then drill/chisel/bash once;););)

Look, I should have said earlier, a cordless drill is for convenience not necessity, you buy a mains drill first,, full stop

A.Penny.Saved

bouicca21 wrote: »

Ta. Not only female but in possession of a free bus pass

Screwfix tool kit ordered (I think I even managed to quidco it). Didn't know you could get a metal detector for pipes and cables. I still remember the ex finding metal shavings on his drill - just a fraction left and he'd have been drilling into the mains water supply ...

Don't try using your new toolkit in your enthusiasm to do your nails

Aldi have a basic hammer drill on sale from next thursday for £15. They often sell extension reels as well. A 3 year warranty so it's covered so that you know that you will get at least 3 years out of it. Therefore a small outlay of £5 a year for a drill.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thursday-12th-june/product-detail/ps/p/810w-hammer-drill-1/

Procrastinator333

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Look, I should have said earlier, a cordless drill is for convenience not necessity, you buy a mains drill first,, full stop

Each to their own, but personally I disagree. A decent cordless drill is a great multi tool. I use it for both screws and for drilling. I have not yet found anything it can't drill through quite happily. I do use mine for something most months, but I have never had a problem with the battery. And even if it is dead, they are Li-ion and take 30 mins for a full charge. Or 5 mins will let you do what you need.

You dont' have the faff of the cable with a cordless and it is much more practical to use on screws than a corded drill. But, you do have to buy a decent 18V one or they will be more trouble than they are worth. Buy cheap and you will have battery problems and it will never drive a screw or drill a hole properly. If you are planning to do a fair amount of DIY, £100-£150 on a decent cordless drill and drill/screw set is worth every penny imo.

cyclonebri1

Procrastinator333 wrote: »

Each to their own, but personally I disagree. A decent cordless drill is a great multi tool. I use it for both screws and for drilling. I have not yet found anything it can't drill through quite happily. I do use mine for something most months, but I have never had a problem with the battery. And even if it is dead, they are Li-ion and take 30 mins for a full charge. Or 5 mins will let you do what you need.

You dont' have the faff of the cable with a cordless and it is much more practical to use on screws than a corded drill. But, you do have to buy a decent 18V one or they will be more trouble than they are worth. Buy cheap and you will have battery problems and it will never drive a screw or drill a hole properly. If you are planning to do a fair amount of DIY, £100-£150 on a decent cordless drill and drill/screw set is worth every penny imo.

Yes they are just that, opinions,;);) so buy a decent corded drill for £50, save a £100 and you will still have the same drill 20 years later.

I used to purchase for an engineering unit, we always promoted 110v corded purely on lifespan of both batteries and drill itself and the capability/performance of the drill.
The critical issue is the cost of replacement batteries.

wallbash

Yes they are just that, opinions,;);) so buy a decent corded drill for £50, save a £100 and you will still have the same drill 20 years later.

And it will be ready as soon as you plug it in. Cordless ( as has been stated) is your 2nd drill purchase.

andydiysaver

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Before you take a step further or drill a single hole in a wall, get yourself a stud and metal/power detector.
This allows you to find the position of studs behind pleaster ceiling and in partition wall and also to detect cables and pipes buried in walls etc, more importantly it even detects if they are live.

true, but in my experience they're more accurate for alternating current than they are pipe, where they can often take the approach that any mass is bad- be that breeze block or be that pipe - they're far too skittish and are red more times than they're green. bit of common sense needs mixing in at this point, where do pipes lead up from on prev room/floor etc, don't go above or below a socket, odds are higher that electric is run there. do your test holes before really going for it etc.


I do use a stud myself - bosch one pretty good and I still say the things are hit/miss, you have to combo it up with a bit of common sense

bouicca21

I think corded will be fine. I'll be pitting shelves and pictures up and assembling flat pack. There is going to be a socket available for that. I'll also want some racking in the garage (en bloc, no electrical supply) but that will probably be free standing. So is that Aldi drill likely to be ok? It seems remarkably cheap. There is an Aldi nearby ...