Drill(s) and DIY book advice needed

s-j-cooper_2

Right, I'm going to buy a drill/ drills for basic DIY (putting up shelves etc). I've never owned a drill(!!), but I've decided to give basic DIY a go as I'm fed up of relying on relatives.

Can anyone point me in the direction of an appropriate drill(s) and recommend a decent DIY manual (not too expensive!)?

weekendwarrior

Here is a great drill for diy use-

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/99910/Power-Tools/SDS-Drills/Bosch-GBH2-18-SDS-Hammer-Drill-240V

Diy books have been partially replaced by websites, much cheaper and you can ask questions when you get stuck-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/index.htm

If you prefer video instructions-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.org/

andrew-b

If it's just for basic DIY i'd get a corded drill with hammer action plus decent extension lead and rcd circuit breaker. I've got a cheapy Wickes 810W hammer drill that i've given a fair bit of abuse. It is quite heavy for a drill though. It's powerful enough and coped easily with a foot long drill bit drilling through a cavity wall. The plastic support handle at the front is damaged on mine but thats my fault for using it to wrongly to channel out a wall for conduit!
For drill bits spend as much as you can afford. Cheap ones generally burn out pretty quick so will cost you more in the long run. To cut down on the number of drill bits you need to buy initially you can use HSS drill bits on wood as well as metal and plastic.

For Diy manuals..not sure as i've never bought one. Wickes also do a whole series of "Project" and "Good ideas" leaflets which may be handy to you http://www.wickes.co.uk/scat/goodidea . Plus there's plenty of diy website on the net such as http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/ to name one

Andy
p.s. beaten to the post on ultimatehandyman site !

shandypants5

You need a drill with a hammer action to drill into bricks.

If its only for general houshold stuff.. shelves and things then the B&Q cheapie range here is OK..
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9382376&fh_view_size=6&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=hammer+drill&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1208110923573&isSearch=true

I buy these things, use and abuse them at work and then take it back if and when it breaks(keep the receipt) then they give me another brand new one:rolleyes:

But if you want something to last years and years then spend a bit more money..

PS as for the drill bits themselves(the bit at the front that does the cutting) I would spend as much as the power tool cost on a set, as cheap ones are not worth the money...
You will need "masonry bits" to drill into walls and HSS (high speed steel) bits will pretty much drill most other substances.
Although if you are drilling a LOT of wood then you need to buy proper wood cutting bits

Good luck on the DIY..

onejontwo

Have you seen those drill bits on the Sunday QVC d.i.y channel? They reckon they drill through anything, tiles metal glass stone etc. All for around £40.

shandypants5

yeah they look AMAZING... I was almost tempted but I would like to have a real go on one to see if I can break it..lol

Pink_Piglet

I have also been looking to buy a drill for basic home DIY including some masonry drilling and saw that aldi have a corded hammer drill for £12.99 this thursday.

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/58_5700.htm

For those of you that know about drills, is it worth buying this as a starter drill, or would you suggest spending more on one that might last longer?

s-j-cooper_2

Pink_Piglet wrote: »

I have also been looking to buy a drill for basic home DIY including some masonry drilling and saw that aldi have a corded hammer drill for £12.99 this thursday.

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/58_5700.htm

For those of you that know about drills, is it worth buying this as a starter drill, or would you suggest spending more on one that might last longer?

It has a three year warranty so you could get your money back if it breaks!

Forris

IMO, power tools are one of those items where you definately get what you pay for. If you intend to get a fair bit of use out of a drill, then its worth spending £50-£60 at least, and going for a decent brand (Black & Decker, Ryobi, Worx, Bosch, etc).

As for books, I understand what people have said about the websites being free, but my best ever DIY purchase has to be the Reader's Digest DIY Manual. I do quite a bit of DIY and it has been my bible for the times when I'm doing something for the first time. And reading from a book is still way more satisfying than from a screen!!