DH wants a guide for deciding what drill to use.....

[katymac]

Does one exist?

He never knows what size screw/rawl plug/drill bit to use

It would make life much easier (for me)

dh says 4 rawplug go slightly than the screw size
drillbit size start with something that looks slightly too, small, then try a bigger drillbit if necc.
Does that help?

Thanks MsZebra - It's trial and error that caused this problem in the first place

I was kinda hoping for a guide/table/picture thingie for him (& my sanity)

is it recurring jobs or something specific?

He's just crap at DIY and always blames tools/lack of information - so I was really just having a go at him

You could probably Google for info on this but the simplest way I found was to look at/buy the packs of screws and rawl plugs from B&Q - all the packs tell you what they are suitable for i.e. what kind of wall (plasterboard or solid stone) and what job ( large screws for putting up cupboards etc and small for loo roll holders etc). The packs also tell you what size of drill bit to use. If you have solid stone walls you will need to use a masonry bit and/or hammer drill.
Can't believe that after being a long time lurker the first time I've posted to offer opinion/help it's about DIY!
Hope it does help!

He's just crap at DIY and always blames tools/lack of information

maybe you could do it instead ? There is no rule that says men have to be able to do this .

The guide usually is to go with something a bit smaller than you think you will need - you can always make it bigger with a bigger bit - but you can't make it smaller if it is too big .

And to think that I would have just drilled happily away, not giving a second thought to drill bits and plug bits!

Are you sure he's a man? No man would admit to not knowing what drill bit size to use, we all pretend to be Tommy Walsh from birth. I used to just start drilling and make a right mess so learned to start with a very small bit, and get slightly larger to get the hole ever so slightly wider than the middle of the rawlplug. Oh and get a drill with the measuring thingy on it so you don't drill too far into the wall/door.thingy.
But I'm rubbish so better off not listening to me. Hope that helps!

Or alternatively go to B&Q and pick up one of their many how to guides.

Throkenholt I do all basic electrics/plumbing, decorating, tiling, fitting carpets etc - but I find my arm struggles holding the drill

I have the same trouble when I play tennis, golf and windsurf - my arms/wrists are just quite weak

HappyDaddy - I have no complaints in the "man" department just the DIY

um - you select the bit then and get him to hold the drill - how about that for team work. Or get a new drill that isn't so heavy ?

Anyone actually tried to drill only to have the drill splay off and shoot up the wall?

As HappyDaddy says, we learn from our mistakes!

Wow Katymac, really impressed at your plumbing, electrics, carpet fitting experience! You're a braver woman than me!
p.s. if a hole has been drilled too large, just wrap a small piece of cardboard round the rawl plug and bob's yer uncle

Katym -- could you afford to buy a small portable drill? I saw them in B+Q in Norwich for £20 yesterday. Women do have weaker arms so weight is a big consideration; I can barely hold steady DH's electric drill, too. I had to use a portable drill for science work, in the past, and being able to hold it comfortably & steady was my main consideration in which one to buy, so naturally I got a lightweight one. I don't know if the lightest ones would drill into masonry, but probably could. Go try them out.