Right how do I learn to use a drill

[blackheartsgirl]

Please no snarky comments.

Since dh passed few weeks ago conveniently a few things have broken and need fixing.

Now I've always been useless at stuff, tried using a drill once many years ago, it was a disaster and dh was a dab hand at fixing stuff.

Now he's no longer with me, dd has decided pull her curtains off the track (she's actually snapped the track) he fixed it once. Now I've decided to just fix a pole there and get nice curtains for her.
But i need a drill and learn to use it.
And to build flat packs

I'm crap at that. I'm crap at everything actually. It's like learning to walk again, and I'm not doing very well. He helped me so much with the.mental load of my life and now I feel so useless again.

Please help and please for the love of all things nice don't kick me. I've had enough kicking the past 4 months

I’m sorry for your loss.

Have a look at YouTube. There’s some really informative videos that should help you.

Maybe try ‘Dad, how do I?’ On YouTube. The channel name is maybe a bit patronising (I don’t think so) but very helpful videos

Yeah there are some pretty good absolute beginners you tube videos that walk you through the basics and dos and don'ts.

Sorry for your loss, you can certainly learn to use a drill.
Here is some starter info, but by no means all you need to know.
There are different types of drill bit for different materials:
Wood bit
Masonry bit
Metal bit

Your drill will have a hammer 🔨 and drill function, slow and fast speeds, forward and reverse.

Use the Hammer setting for drilling into brick or concrete, such as putting up curtain rail, this goes in and out as well as up and down.

Always start on slow and then speed up. Make sure your drill bit is aimed straight or at the angle you want the screw to go in.

Hi, are the walls made of concrete?

If so I wouldn't try and drill them. I had this with a made to measure blind I bought. Where I need to drill is concrete lintel and apparently it's a nightmare - you need a hammer drill. DF said its a really difficult job to do. Also beams above a window are reinforced with steel rods to stop the concrete cracking so its one of the worst drilling jobs you could ever attempt he said.

This was enough for me to find a handy man- I got a local one with recommendations from Checkatrade. I found a couple of other jobs that need doing too. If you can afford it , finding a handy man is a good shout. About 20-25 p/h.

Ah thank you. I do have a very old ancient drill that's about 15 years old (I bought and never used I don't even know where all the bits are). Dp used it with confidence but I'm wondering if I should go ahead and buy another one that I'd feel confident to use.

There is a block of wood going above the window (I have plasterboard walls) so the screws go directly into that

This may sound a bit ‘odd’ but I think it’s a brilliant idea. - ask a handyman to show you how and pay him. One of our local ‘no job too small’ people offers a teaching service, so you get taught how to put up a shelf, fix a washer etc. The small stuff no one really gets taught to do, but you don’t need to spend ££ on getting a plumber in etc.
You tube is fab, but can’t beat someone actually correcting a mistake with you, before it gets to the ‘crap I need a plumber’ type stage. Iyswim.
But, failing that Homebase/b and q used to do ‘how do I?” Leaflets. Or check out the charity shops for the reader digest guide to diy. Massive book, but teachers you everything from laying a patio to wiring a plug.
Good luck, have fun!

Teaches. (I need a guide to typing.)

If you live in London, I recommend The Goodlife Centre in Southwark. They run lots of workshops including a fantastic 'drills for beginners'.

You could find a screw and an old piece of wood and have a practise.

There is a block of wood going above the window (I have plasterboard walls) so the screws go directly into that

You need to make sure you use plaster board raw plugs.

I would say (if you can afford it) buy a new drill because then you know exactly what type it is, what functions it has, it will have an instruction booklet or there'll be videos online that are for that exact one. Plus you will know all the drill bits are sharp etc and it is in good working order. You don't want to try using your old one and really knock your confidence if it's not going well when it turns out you aren't doing anything wrong, it's just the drill bits are old and blunt.

It's not only the house that I can use a drill in. Dh used to build raised beds for me and do great things with pallets. I want to be able to do that.
I'm in council so I can't do much anyway but I'd love to be able to fix the basic stuff.

And flat packs (bane of my life)
My friend did one last week and my ex (shudder) came on sat to do my daughters chest of drawers. I really dont want to rely on others all the time.

Even using a laptop..work, even attaching emails, spreadsheets, sorting out photos on it I'm lost.
I haven't had a laptop for years , couldn't afford one, had an old one. New one has bloody one drive which I don't want and have to pay extra for storage, it takes over everything.
I've disabled that though but new laptops are not as easy to work like the old ones are

Sorry for your loss OP.

I put up a curtain pole for the first time yesterday, DH had to inform me of the need for raw plugs as otherwise I'd have drilled straight into the wall 🤣🤦🏻‍♀️ YouTube is definitely your friend here, we've learnt how to take radiators down and fix floorboards in the last two weeks thanks to YouTube tutorials and saved a lot of money doing it ourselves. You've got this OP!

Flat pack stuff isn't too bad if you take it slow and follow the instructions. I always look for things that are either assembled or the reviews say stuff like "simple/took me 5 mins" type thing!
I've never used a drill either but I have a handyman who charges by the hour and does all the annoying bits that need doing

No I mean the strip of wood is attached to the plasterboard, the wood is solid,it sticks out. It's got normal screws in it already.

I've a shelf that goes directly into the plasterboard, that's got plaster board screws on the fixings.

I will get a new drill I think

I live near Wrexham North wales. We are sadly thinly on the ground when it comes to teaching DIY basics. Not even our local college does things like that.

So sorry for your loss.

By the sounds of what you are describing, there is a wooden strip attached over the plasterboard above the window. My DH does this regularly above windows to provide a stable attachment for blinds and curtains as otherwise you are dealing with plasterboard voids, concrete lintels etc as others have described.

As you have the convenient wood already there you can just use a standard drill and rawl plugs, no need to buy new tools.

If you would like any more (hopefully helpful) advice or just someone to talk it through with, please pm me.

Good luck!

OP
You can do this, I promise

For flat packs- invest in an electric screwdriver. Disclaimer, I don't have one, but I borrowed one a few weeks back, and I was so impressed with how speedy and powerful it is.

For drilling/ putting things on walls, THE most important thing is to have the right tools, and know what they are capable of.

A hammer drill will drill into concrete, fairly easily. You just have to make sure you have the right bit, and you have the hammer function on.

B&Q, Wickes and Homebase all have YouTube channels explaining various projects. Massively helpful!

Just remember- don't bother with American YouTube sites for this. They will talk about finding studs in the walls, which we don't have to worry about.

Other tips-
Yes, you need Rawl plugs. It is better to drill a smaller hole than you think you need to start ( or if you are unsure) You can drill a bigger hole if needed.

Keep an eye out for where your electrics are.

Just get some wood and screw things together/ drill holes to get familiar with your tools.

Thanks Alanna I may well pm you 😊

I've just bought a new drill, black and decker hammer drill from argos, had very good reviews. I really need something that's new and that I can find the bits for so I've took the plunge.

Spotcheck thank you. Actually I think dh does have an electric screw driver! God knows where though. But it is somewhere!

www.google.com/search?q=hang+a+curtain+rail+on+brick+wall&oq=hang+a+curtain+rail+on+brick+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j33i22i29i30.18103j0j1&client=ms-unknown&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_4I0AYa21NaaZ1fAP8rii2A019

The video that comes up is good. I find some skip steps, but that goes through it step by step.

Just, have a go. If you mess it up, you can just fill the hole, and have another try.

I bought a set of decent screws and rawl plugs from Amazon- massively helpful to have a variety of sizes.

Screwfix do a paper catalogue so you can see pictures and names of tools, components and fastenings.

In under an hour? That's very impressive!!

I'm so very sorry to hear about your lovely DH. Life is very unfair!

You are doing brilliantly to just be putting one foot in front of the other & getting you & DD through each day!