DIFFICULTIES IN USING DIY HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE TOOLS

geek84

Hi Folks 

Can you kindly name some tools which you have problems with handling or operating in order to do general household maintenance? 

My nephew is doing a project at school on DIY  maintenance tools and problems which ordinary people face when handling or operating them.

 

Thanks in advance

Section62

Might be worth clarifying whether the project is about identifying a tool and developing an idea to improve it, or something more general about understanding ergonomics and dexterity.

E.g. many people have problems using screwdrivers and keeping the screwdriver and screw aligned and engaged.  The development of the PZ head and magnetic bits has solved that issue about as far as it is practically possible to do, and as an idea for a project there isn't much left to work with (a great variety of 'solutions' are already out there).

In my experience a lot of people struggle with measuring and marking - particularly with finding the middle or centre of something. That might be something interesting to work on, as there are some potentially quite simple methods and tools that could be designed to make the task easier.


Alternatively, could he design a replacement cordless drill battery that lasts forever, and doesn't stop accepting a charge after a couple of years?

Rosa_Damascena

All of them, I have a mental block when it comes to actually applying myself to anything DIY around the house! We could start with electric drills and masonry, hammer action doesn't work (for me) and that put me off for life.

stuart45

A lot of people don't use a handsaw properly, not letting the saw do the work. Certain tools in the wet trades can cause problems, as it can take a while to get the feel of them. 
Even the paint brush and roller is incorrectly used by a lot of DIYers.

donemedosh

One big problem I have is that all power hand tools are for right handed people I happen to be left handed & this can a pain as drills/circular saws have to power switch lock on the same side as I put my hand locking the power on sometimes. But after 40+ years in engineering Lefties learn to adapt. then as stuart said use the tools correctly. I many years ago had to teach apprentices how to use a saw / power tools etc & and that was not as easy as it sounds.

Bendy_House

Preventing drill bit 'wander' before it bites.

Keeping drills and power-screwdrivers level in use.

Not squishing fingers when using a hammer.

Keeping a saw blade perpendicular to the work.

Most of these already have 'solutions' available, but they are still the kinds of thing that keep me on my toes doing even basic DIY.

elsien

Drills. Always end up with more holes than strictly required, although that is almost invariably down to user end error rather than the tool itself. 

Bendy_House

The weight of an electric drill - especially SDS types - when used in awkward places which allow only one-handed use. Having to hold up the forwards-tipping weight of the drill as well as aiming for the target can be pretty knackering.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=arm+stabilising+brace&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiS_9Lru5X0AhVJ4hoKHY-6B50Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=arm+stabilising+brace&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECAAQQzoHCAAQsQMQQzoFCAAQgAQ6BggAEAUQHjoGCAAQCBAeOgQIABAeUKYNWNotYL8vaABwAHgAgAFRiAHyC5IBAjIymAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=qMCPYZKLBcnEa4_1nugJ

GDB2222

We have an elderly neighbour who gets men in to do work all the time. Including, for example, repressurising the central heating. I was on the point of offering to do that for her, when I realised that she really likes getting the men in to do these jobs. 

Gavin83

Bendy_House said:

Preventing drill bit 'wander' before it bites.

A centre punch is invaluable for this, although admittedly it’s still an extra tool on top of the drill and it doesn’t work for anything too hard, like masonry.

GDB2222

Gavin83 said:

Bendy_House said:

Preventing drill bit 'wander' before it bites.

A centre punch is invaluable for this, although admittedly it’s still an extra tool on top of the drill and it doesn’t work for anything too hard, like masonry.

The hardened nails in cable clips are excellent for that.