skip to main content

The Single Life

What kind of tools?

16 years ago

Do you do your own repairs when something goes wrong or needs fixing? What kind of tools do you use, power tools? They can be kind of daunting at first.

One time a friend of mine wanted an electric broom so bad it was all she talked about for months. so for Christmas that year, her husband, got her one and put it under the tree. Lo and behold!!! when she unwrapped it, he had taken a straw broom and cut and taped a lead cord to it. It was too too funny, but very sad. They have sense divorced. Gotta make you wonder why? doesn't it?

Some times, I guess a persons sense of humor can cut another to the quick. I wonder if that might be what happens to a lot of folks, well it's food for thought isn't it?

At any rate, right now, I own a jig saw and an electric staple/brad gun. I have lots of stuff in my tool box. I love my battery screw gun. I do think some day I want an electric one. Mine isn't terribly powerful, but so far works fine, it is also for drilling. Just call me Ms. Fixit

Laughing..

Linda

Comments (6)

pris
16 years ago
circular saw
jig saw
assorted hand tools
tile laying tools
painting tools
tape measures
stud finders
levels (both laser and manual)
commercial tile cutter
battery screw driver
B & D drill with bit set

Now I'm looking for an excuse to not have to use them.

So far I've installed tile in living room, kitchen, breakfast room, laundry room, both bathrooms and my bedroom. (living room was done by professionals and when they got through there was grout EVERYWHERE. I had to tile over the fireplace because I couldn't get the grout and grout stain off the brick. That's when I decided I couldn't possibly do any worse so continued on with the rest of the house. Now only have nasty carpet in my office and spare bedroom and my allergies are much better.)

I demolished the master bath except for shower and toilet. Took out a big garden tub that I never used and a small vanity with two sinks. Tiled the floor and had cabinets installed where the tub and old vanity were. Then I tiled the top of the new vanity. Also removed the small vanity in the guest bath and had another built. The primary reason was the old vanities were way too short. I replaced them with taller units that didn't kill my back to brush my teeth in the morning. I also replaced the old toilets with "handicap" toilets to accomodate my bad knees.

I've painted the living room, guest bath and master suite so now I'm pretty burned out with DIY. The outside will be done by others. Not bragging --- Most of this had to be done and couldn't afford to have it all done by someone else. It's amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it. It's not perfect but I've found that I'm the only one that sees the flaws. Most people don't even notice unless I point them out.

The upshot of this is ladies---You really can do it!!!
gneegirl
16 years ago
You go pris - When are you coming to my house!! I will tell you though, you DON'T want me to paint anything. That's about the only thing I haven't mastered. I don't think I have the patience. I think that's why I don't sew. I do a very good job at the demo part!!

I can't tell you how many drills and cordless screwdrivers I have ( or had to re-buy because people borrow and don't return). Last week I bought a pair of pliers because all of mine disappeared. If anyone needs nails or screws, don't go to Sears or HD - I'm giving them away. I have so many that they should be paying rent. I always end up with extra screws when I put something together. OK, stop laughing - I didn't miss anything in installation!! I had a friend who would do things around the house for me. He passed away 2yrs ago, and I now have his legacy - either too many of one thing, or the missing of the other. He was famous for "borrowing"!! Now I'm stocking up again. I'd like to get a table saw - for what; not sure yet, but everytime I see one I think I should just make something.

Loved the Christmas gift story. Too bad it was such a dumb joke. But I guess the joke is on him now...
Related Discussions
What kind of tools......
Q
Comments (1)
Here are several tools I use all the time: Hand clippers bought at any garden center. Hand or Electric hedge trimmers for a large project also bought at any garden center. It looks like you have only little projects so you will not need these yet. Small pointed sharp scissors for little places. I use sewing scissors I bought at a flea market. Medium and Large pointed sharp scissors with a comfortable hand grip. I bought mine at Office Depo. Different size crochet needles for pulling little stems into position. You could raid you mom's sewing basket or buy these at Walmart.
...See More
Removing paint
Q
Comments (0)
I used Soygel to remove paint from my kitchen cabinets. It works very well on large surfaces. However, the hinges were painted over as well. I am wondering how to remove the paint from the hinges so I can get into the screws so that I can get the doors off. Soygel didn't work on that. What could I use - and what tool would be best to scrape? Soygel was great on masonry - as well. On 1/8 inch layer cut through 3 layers of paint, straight to the brick. But, I can't get anywhere with the mortar. What would be good to use there - and again - what kind of tool should I use? Thanx a lot!
...See More
Tool Question Please!
Q
Comments (5)
For me that would primarily involve a jointer and surface planer to dimension the individual sticks, a bunch of heavy clamps long enough to span the whole width during glue ups, my finely tuned hand planes to level the surface and my sliding table saw to cut the ends off square after the last glue-up. An industrial manufacturer would have oversize/automated versions of similar equipment, except their hand plane would be a wide-belt sander. Oh, and a router to shape the corners. Methods of work vary, though; if your guy is a competent woodworker you shouldn't get too hung up on the specific tools. I'd hate for you to dismiss your guy's ability to handle the job because I, whose work you haven't seen, said you need sash clamps and you didn't know that the pipe clamps he turns out to have are functionally equivalent. If he knows what he's doing he should be able to tell you whether he's equipped for the job. If he's not sure himself, and is planning to wing this project, then he should be the one asking questions.
...See More
What kind of tool is needed for Metal Door Screw?
Q
Comments (3)
What you've got there is a tamperproof screw. It can be tightened with a regular flat-bladed screwdriver, but there is no tool to easily remove it. If you really need to get it out, you're going to have to try some specialized techniques. Search on YouTube for "removing one way screw" or "removing tamperproof screw'" for ideas on what to try.
...See More
coolvt
16 years ago
The question is Pris, did that stud finder work? LOL. Sorry, couldn't let that one pass by. Years back in my area a well known lesbian activist was caught shoplifting at Sears. Yup, one of the items was a stud finder. That was a local joke for a long time.
Mark
gneegirl
16 years ago
Hey Mark - coolvt == cool Vette, or cool Vermont??????

gng
pris
16 years ago
Hi Mark,

If there is that kind of stud in my house, I'm going to start tearing out walls, lol. Of course, maybe she walled him up and forgot where she put him. You think??
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
I've done my share of DIY even while married. I was the handy one. Sad, really! I have a drill, a circular saw, a jig saw, sander, radial arm saw, assorted hand tools (hammers, mallets, wrenches, screw drivers, saws, putty knives, etc.) Just enough to get myself into trouble, I suppose. I'm a very good painter, though rather slow. I can change a light fixture but draw the line at anything electrical that is more complicated than that. I can install a vinyl floor and do masonry. I'm probably far more capable than I really want to be!

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Handy Finds for Painting Projects of All Kinds

By Decor Adventures

Make over rooms and furniture more easily and with better results with the right paint and gear

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Show Us Your One-of-a-Kind Chicken Coops

By Annie Thornton

Do you have a fun or stylish backyard shelter for your feathered friends? Post your pictures and stories in the Comments!

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Stylish Sink Types for Kitchens of All Kinds

By The Inman Company

Choose the wrong sink and your kitchen renovation efforts may go down the drain — these sinks will let you clean up in the style department

KITCHEN DESIGN Popular Cabinet Door Styles for Kitchens of All Kinds

By The Inman Company

Let our mini guide help you choose the right kitchen door style

PAINTING Bulletproof Decorating: How to Pick the Right Kind of Paint

Choose a paint with some heft and a little sheen for walls and ceilings with long-lasting good looks. Here are some getting-started tips

LIFE The Polite House: How Can I Kindly Get Party Guests to Use Coasters?

Here’s how to handle the age-old entertaining conundrum to protect your furniture — and friendships

MATERIALS Are You a Maker? Show Us Your Favorite Tool or Material

By Annie Thornton

Houzz Call: A tool or material can be a maker’s best friend. We’d like to see your favorite — and what it helps you achieve

MATERIALS 35 Makers Show Us What They Do With Their Favorite Tools

By Annie Thornton

Houzz readers express their creativity in an astonishing range of ways. View their tools — and their works — here

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: An Arsenal of Tools for Healthy Eating

By Mariko Jackson

Make cooking and juicing easier whether you follow a vegetarian, vegan, Paleo, primal or other diet

HOUSEKEEPING 20 Tools Every Homeowner Should Have

By Susan Stieglitz

You probably have a hammer, but that's just a start. These 20 tools and devices are superstars for household projects and repairs

Sponsored

Fresh Pointe Studio

4 Reviews

Industry Leading Interior Designers & Decorators | Delaware County, OH