How to learn to use tools safely?

[Kath1]

I want to renovate my house. It is an unfinished time capsule from 2016 when my husband left. I know no one. I can only afford to do the work myself. Why aren't Bunnings running workshops anymore?

I've tried joining a Men's Shed but can't coz I'm a woman. Please help. Don't want to resort to dating a Builder with Benefits. 

[Jason]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Kath1. We're so pleased to have you join us and are really passionate about wanting to help you build your D.I.Y. skills and confidence so you can improve your home. You'll note that we have many wonderful and inspiring members in the community sharing inspiring projects, including @Tara86, @2Belindas, @She_Skills and @prettyliving. Check out their stories in our About Us section as many are self-taught and were a similar situation to you not long ago. 

Apologies that we are not currently able to run D.I.Y. workshops within Bunnings stores. We certainly look forward to providing this service again as soon as possible. In the meantime, you might like to start by taking a look through our How To section as we have many easy-to-follow step-by-step articles labelled with their level of difficulty. Tackling a small project can really help build skills and confidence. The guides Essential hand tools for beginners and Essential power tools for beginners and beyond might also be a great starting point for what tools you might need. Of course there's also the Bunnings D.I.Y. Advice section with many step-by-step guides and videos on how to complete an incredibly wide variety of jobs around your house and garden.

We understand that it can feel overwhelming not knowing how or where to start. So we would encourage you to think about what room in your house most needs attention and what project in that room might be best to start with. Then you can share some photos and some detail about what you'd like to achieve, and our members will be more than happy to provide specific advice. Incredibly helpful members like @redracer01 and our very own @MitchellMc might even be able to create 3D rendered diagrams for you so you can better visualise what the end result might be. 

We're looking forward to seeing what you can achieve with some help from the Workshop community. 

Jason

[Kath1]

Thanks Jason. I've checked out Bunnings vids on using handtools.  Some are only 30 secs long. I want to know how to use them safely. And actual trade techniques so I don't wreck expensive material or hurt myself. 

If I could, I'd enrol in a Cert 2 Construction at TAFE.  Just so I can learn how to fix my dodgy house. But can't afford to leave my day job. 

[MitchellMc]

It's great to hear how keen you are to complete some D.I.Y. projects @Kath1!

As @Jason has mentioned, we'd be more than happy to walk you through the process of completing your first project. Are there any areas that need fixing or improving around your home? 

I believe there are various Women's sheds popping up all around the place, so it might be worth checking those out. I know the Men's sheds in my area are very open to having women join and are certainly not as exclusive as they once were. It might also be worth enquiring with a TAFE near you if there were any evening courses available. Our team in-store are always happy to show you the safety equipment needed when using our tools.

I look forward to hearing more about what projects you would like to complete and assisting you on your D.I.Y. adventure.

Mitchell

[Kath1]

Thanks Mitchell,

There's a women's shed 70km from my house.  It's at Huonville. Hope one opens on the eastern shore soon. 

[KevinMall]

Hi @Kath1, 

Sometimes you can strike gold with a google search starting with how to fix.....  Or how to repair........there are literally dozens if not hundreds of videos and you tube movies covering a vast array of jobs/tasks. Remember the vast majority of labour is often spent doing preparation work, so please don't let that put you off. One important safety tip .. please never work with power tools if fatigued/tired as this can severely affect and impact on your concentration levels. I know and it almost cost me my finger a month ago.

[Kath1]

Thanks for the advice

[REL-B]

Hi everyone,

Before I begin please be aware that I’m a complete NEWBIE in regards to home improvements so please be patient with my very basic questions and inquiries. 

I would like to know the best way to learn how to use an electric drill as I want to mount security cameras to the outside of my house. I have a drill and all screws ets needed but just want to learn how to use it first before I get up on the ladder and try it.

Thank you for your help and again please be patient with me !!! 🤓

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @REL-B 

Every single person in the forum started  with zero skills so it is really good you want to learn @REL-B  The more people you learn off the broarder  your skills will be. As your skills grow  you will learn similar skills more faster like a snow ball down hill

We can help you naterally but typing  responses isnt as good as as  watching plenty of  you tubes and bunning how to videos on the side to fast  track your knowlegde.

Do you own a drill yet please share you drill type  as different drills work best with certain techniques we  can mention.

So I will talk you through the first steps I am hoping you wont understand everything which is a great opertunity to ask more questions along the way.

Now  about you planned job  Camera job make sure you have  a comfortable safe non wobbly ladder  as  you will need to be close to ceiling to drill comfortably with cameras. It would be  best to practice screwing into a scrape bit of wood at waist height with good support and comfortable foot spacing to get the hang of this.  First learn to screw downwards into wood. 

Lets put a few dots on your practice  wood as  screw targets, (note the smaller the wood you will need to  clamp it to you work bench so it dosnt spin.  Larger pieces of wood will sit and not spin as they are bigger and heavier you will learn this in time.

Now  at Bunning  ask the bunnings guys in your tool shop you need to match  your screw driver tip with the screws you have  as there are several  screw types if they dont match  they wont engage to screw properly and  the bit and screw will just  sit  there grinding each other. Tell the Bunnings people what you are planning and  ask them  if you need any thing else to help you. Now your knowledge is building. While your at it get a magnetic screw driver tips they greatly help beginners and pros  alike as they hold your screw while you position  for screwing   upwards and down wards. 

So now you have your screws and matching magnetic driver tip your practice timber  hope full  pine  for starters

These rules apply to any powertool use as a guide.

Walk up the the timber try not have people to close to you especially children or distractions as you are learning power tools now.  make  sure your work area is free of clutter and obsticals  Position your feet comfortly and evenly spaced  Have your timber infront of you in easy reach  load a screw into the screw driver make sure it is set for drilling or screwing via the selector usually near the chuck of the drill.  the magnetic tip will stop screw falling out  point the screw and driver downwards and move screw tip to  first target screw point . Gently rest the screw point onto the timber at the same time pull the trigger on the drill 1/4 way to spin the drill in slowly to start screw. (note if the drill  falls over you are pushing too hard in the very begining to start the  screw off. Hold the wieght of the drill and try again)  Once the screw has started to go in push down harder on the drill with you drill hand and place  yuor other hand on the back of the drill to help put pressure  on the drill and  help  push and screw it in..

If the screw dosnt go in fully first time or crooked reverse the drill and reverse the screw a few turns then forwrds again pushing the drill and driver it hard and fast  with both hands on drill untill the screws in properly

While you are  learning  you should be standing over you screw point and drill and looking down  vertically (you wont see the screw  now )  The idea is  to open your eyes and seen all 4 top sides of the drill at  the same time  to know your drill is vertical .

(to visualize this concept stand a pen  pencil on a desk and stand over it, if you are seeing the side of the pencil it isnt straight. move the pencil until only the top edges are visable.)    

see I told you learning of visual  off vidoes will be  easier.  Screwing is not easy please  make lots of mistakes like we diid because they all will teach you Ultimatly when you have it right.

Well I will  let you  ask more questions  now 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @REL-B. It's amazing to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about learning to use a drill.

As @Jewelleryrescue mentioned, if you can post a picture of your drill, it will help us provide tailored advice. Also, will you be drilling into timber or masonry?

Practice is really the key. Grab that board @Jewelleryrescue was recommending and put 20 screws into it from different angles. By the end, you'll be a pro. When you do go to install your video camera, please ensure that there are no power cables or water pipes in the area you'll be drilling into.

Here's a great guide on How to use a power drill. Also, I've included a few videos below, which you'll find useful.

Please let us know if you have any questions, as we're here to help.

Mitchell