I Love My Cordless Drill

Recently I was asked what my favorite tool is. My Ryobi 12 volt Lithium Ion battery cordless drill was the first thing to pop into my head. Barely a week passes that I don't reach for my drill to assist with a few loose screws (not that I personally have any of those.) For a homeowner or DIYer, this tool is indispensable. It allows you to drill holes, remove or drive screws and – well – just look like you know what you are doing.

I don't just like this power tool, I love my cordless drill! Shhhh, don't tell Pretty Handsome Guy, he might be offended. My drill is my right hand man, helping me breeze through projects with power and speed.

About 15 years ago my father-in-law asked what I wanted for Christmas, and I boldly told him that I wanted a cordless drill. He kind of chuckled and said, "Heh heh. Okay." You see we didn't own a house at that time, and I was still a young woman in my 20's. But, I had big DIY dreams and I knew I wanted a power tool.

Christmas morning I opened a present to reveal a brand new 18 volt Ryobi Cordless Drill. It had loads of power, two torque settings and the whizzing whir that made me feel like I was one mean carpenter! Plus, it came with a flashlight attachment that would make any nighttime lurker look like a deer caught in the headlights.

I have owned two more Ryobi cordless drills since that Christmas present. The first one had to be replaced when the battery no longer held a charge (and buying a new battery cost almost as much as a new drill.) The second one met its demise when I accidentally drove a screw right up against a fence post and didn't notice that the chuck was winding the opposite way until the collar was stuck wide open.

So, it was back to my super box home improvement store to shop for a new drill.

As I was checking out the drills and learning about the merits of the lithium ion batteries, I asked about the voltage difference since I had been using a 14.4 volt drill. The salesman at the "Big Orange" told me that I wouldn't notice the difference between a 12 volt and a 14.4 volt. Pisshwah! I did notice a difference, especially when trying to drive screws into hardwoods! (My DIY abilities are sometimes underestimated by a few.) But, the salesman was correct, under normal daily use I don't notice the difference.

Two things that I DO really love about this new Ryobi 12 volt Lithium Ion drill:  

1. Battery Life: Yes, yes, yes! What you have heard is true. The battery does last much longer. I've told you how much I use my drill, and I have only charged the battery on this drill three times since January 2010. That is 11 mos. of use including laying a sub-floor in our living room. The only downside to the lithium ion battery (but also could be considered an upside) is that the drill doesn't slow or lose power until a few seconds before the battery is dead. Therefore there is very little warning that the battery is about to give up. At least this drill comes with a spare battery, so I always keep it charged.

2. Size and weight: 3.5 lbs. of cordless drill made me feel like I had some serious power in my hands! That is how much the old 18 volt Ryobi weighed. When I held the new 12 volt Ryobi drill, I embraced the lightness of its lithe 1.8 lbs! I can really appreciate the difference when reaching overhead to use the drill. Plus, this new drill with its smaller size and smaller grip fits perfectly in my hand.

As you can see below, my drill shows signs of being loved used frequently. But, it still works like the day I lifted it out of the box.

Some other features about this little green mean machine: 

It comes with a charger, extra battery, a phillips and flat head bit. There is a magnetic bit shelf right above the battery. And a canvas storage case. But, my drill doesn't get that much time stored away. It usually rests right here...

...ready to leap into action at a moments notice.

If you don't own a cordless drill, I implore you to add this DIY essential to your holiday wishlist!

(I was not paid or compensated to write this post. This is my honest opinion and true feelings about my beloved cordless drill!)

Installing Cabinet Knobs

I spent the weekend in Norfolk, VA with my two wonderful sisters (Alana and Caitlin) and Alana's boyfriend, Eddie. We had fun kicking some DIY butt! 

Most of the projects were centered around Alana's kitchen. The kitchen was remodeled a few years ago, but it was never really finished. Our mission this weekend was try to complete some of those unfinished projects.

One of the tasks we accomplished was installing knobs on the kitchen cabinets. Another was touching up paint on the walls (but that is another post for another day.)

  

Caitlin made a template out of cardboard that made it a snap to install the knobs.

First she measured the corner square on the cabinets. It was 1.5" square.

Then she made a hole in a piece of cardboard 3/4" from two edges of the template. This way we knew our hole would be centered in the square every time! And she marked the outside corner with a little arrow.

I lined up the template at the corner of the cabinet, making sure the arrow was pointed at the outside corner. (We used the edge of the raised panel, instead of the actual corner of the cabinet.)

I used my drill to make a mark where the hole would go.

Then I removed the template and slipped a piece of scrap wood behind where the hole was being drilled.

Then I drilled into the cabinet until I felt it enter the scrap wood.

Can you name my facial expression? a) I just got a whiff of old yeasty bread. b) I'm really concentration on my drilling. c) I'm trying not to laugh at my sister taking my picture.

Then Caitlin threaded the bolt through and screwed on the knobs. Perfectly beautiful and those of us with fat fingers and short fingernails can get into the cupboards now.

For your viewing pleasure, I thought you might get a laugh out of one of the outtakes of our  Charlie's Angels inspired picture. We were doing our best at making a sexy face. Caitlin said  "sexy facial expressions" must not run in the family. Not sure what's with that fish face I'm sporting. So much for my sexy look.

Hanging Jar Storage

Over the weekend I finally cleaned up our garage. This is our multi-purpose space, so it had multi-multi-multi items strewn everywhere.

Because our garage is small (fits 1.5 cars) space is a premium and I knew where I could find more space. One place I found space is under the shelves. Another place was inside my workbench (but, I'll show you that in another post.)

I had been saving jars and lids (which I had to fish out of the trash a few times. Ewww!) for storage of odds and ends in the workshop/garage.

This project turned out to be a super easy and quick project (unlike taming the wild multi-beast our garage had become.

1) First I put the jar lid on top of a scrap piece of wood. 2) Then I centered my drill. 3) And drilled through the lid (check the size of your screw to make sure you choose a drill bit that equals the diameter of the screw, but not large enough for the screw head to go through.

Then I used a screwdriver and attached the lid to the underside of my shelf.

Then simply screwed the jar into the lid! Repeated that process three more times and filled the jars with the odds and ends that needed a place to be stored.

Ultimately, I finished cleaning the garage so I have room to set up a spray tent and start working on this sad little chair I found on the curb. Look here to see her transformation! I have to tell you, it is going to be quite a job. I took her completely apart, but I can rebuild her. I have the technology. Better, stronger, faster than before! (oops, The Six Million Dollar Man started playing in my head.)

Update: I was feeling pretty embarrassed after showing you my messy garage. So, here is proof that I really did clean it up. We still have a lot of stuff to fit in a small area, but at least I can walk around and find things now!