Power Tools...

by Sherry Hayden, Editor, Home at Work Online!

What's the deal with power tools?  I always used my trusty ratchet style screwdriver and never thought I had need of power tools, actually because they scared me to death.  Until I decided to put together a work center for my kitchen.  After 4 hours of really, really hard work, screws that "squeaked" at me and were really tough to get screwed all the way in, my husband said to me - you should have "soaped" those screws and they would've gone in easier or, better yet, why didn't you just use my power drill?  Then there was the molding project I worked on... got out my mitre box and saw, and went to work making my corners nice and even, sanded them by hand with a piece of sandpaper.  Well, I got away from doing projects like these because the pain in my back from the hard work and the long hours it took me to accomplish anything stopped being worth my time and energy.

Then I got to talking to some of my husband's friends who are mostly contractors.  They'd listen to me talk about my projects and how I accomplished them.  Then the laughter would start!  That's when I decided to try some of my husband's power tools.  Well, a power drill makes screws a breeze and in about 1/8th of the time your project is done!  A power mitre saw (which I love the best!!!) makes beautiful work of corner pieces and cuts small boards in seconds!  And, don't forget a small hand sander... I made a beautiful set of stairs for my son's bunk beds and spent a day sanding the wood.  (Imagine how long it would've taken me by hand!!!  That's one project that would have definitely been scraped!)  The only power tool that still scares me is my husband's circular saw, which I usually ask him to cut whatever I need.  The bigger circular saws are a little too heavy for me to feel like I'm actually in control with them.  I'm pushing for one of those small arts and crafts type circular saws for Christmas.  Oh, and DeWalt power tools are the most beautiful shade of yellow! (Aside from making some of the best equipment available!)  Boy, did I get in trouble with a friend of mine when I told him at the counter of a "professional" hardware store (in front of all the store help, of course...) that instead of buying some new DeWalt equipment, he should just paint all his other equipment yellow - it's such a pretty color!  (He told me I was never to allowed in that store with him again!  Oooopps!)

Anyway, I now have my own Black & Decker FireStorm Power Drill and a Black & Decker hand sander (both pieces of equipment I received as Christmas presents - one from my husband and one from his dad!).  I've gone crazy around my house doing all sorts of projects and I really enjoy doing them now because they don't take me anywhere near the time and effort that they used to. I changed the direction of my refrigerator doors, used my power drill and, not only did I get the screws in fast, I also got them in a lot tighter than I would've by hand.  Now some things you don't want screwed in too tight, small wood projects on small pieces of wood - those you "pre-drill" first.  I learned that one after splitting some small trim pieces on a shelf I was building again and again.  All you do is decide where you want your screw to go, drill a small hole first (similar in size to your screw!) and then drill in your screw.  It seems that this is the procedure for most of my projects these days so I went another step further.  I purchased one of those (as advertised by...) Bob Vila "quick drill" sets.  You put this "do-flinker" piece into the end of the drill, then whenever you want to drill you pop on a drill bit, then pop it off and pop on your screw bit.  It's really easy to accomplish drill - screw - drill - screw type projects in no time at all and you never have to touch your drill "chuck" (that's that thing stuck in the end of a drill that makes the bits stay in tight - terminology lesson from my ever so knowledgeable husband who hates words like "do-flinker" and "whatchamacallit").

Just remember, you've got a ton of help out there from companies like Sears, The Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.  Christopher Lowell's TV show on the Discovery Channel is also a wealth of help and he makes projects super simple and easy!  Most companies - The Home Depot, Lowe's and Christopher Lowell - have websites that actually offer printout instructions for a variety of projects.  Just pick your project, print it out and you've got your materials list, step-by-step instructions and, before you know it, a finished project that looks great!  They really want your business and are willing to share their knowledge to get it.  Both of those stores are two of my favorites just for that reason!  I've learned that, especially being a woman, any guy in any one of these stores will make a serious effort to help you achieve your project goals, they'll even cut your wood for you!  Of course, I like to play dumb sometimes to get the most step-by-step instruction available, but when I know what I'm talking about, I let it be known and most of these hardware guys get really impressed!  It's nice being able to do more than survive in a man's so-called arena of expertise!

So, my advice to you is -- give it the old college try!  Wood's not too expensive and if you screw it up the first time out, just go buy more wood and try it again!  You'll get it right before you know it and then you'll be unstoppable!  Good luck and be brave - power tools make life a whole lot easier on your back!!

FYI - websites to visit:  www.lowes.com, www.homedepot.com; and, my particular favorite, www.christopherlowell.com "You can do it"