Do It Yourself

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New to DIY. Are multi tools recommended? (mander.xyz)

submitted 1 year ago by Pandoras_Can_Opener@mander.xyz to c/diy

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See title. I have only very little tools so far, screwdriver with plenty of bits, hammer, drill. I've been thinking of buying more tools for general purpose home improvement. I like to work with wood, unsure what I will expand into later. Is a multitool a good fit for me?

If yes any recommendations what I want to look out for when buying one? If no any alternate recommendations?

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[–] AccmRazr@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Is there a specific DIY project in your near future you think you would use it for? If not, I wouldn’t recommend getting one and just have it sitting there. It would just be money best spent anywhere else.

Also, by drill do you mean an impact driver, drill, or drill with the hammer drill function? For home DIY, I find that having an impact driver, with a good set of impact ready drill bits and a variety of screw tips to be more useful than just a drill.

[–] Pandoras_Can_Opener@mander.xyz 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

English is not my native language and I struggle with the names for tools in my native too. So I think I have a drill and a drill with the hammer function (that's the one for concrete walls right?)

I still need to wrestle an answer out of google about what an impact driver is but ATM I am quite happy with the drill options I have.

No specific project. I come from an abusive home and wasn't taught about or set up with a tool starter kit or anything. I would just like to learn to be more handy. Do little things around the flat. I've recently added two large branches to the main room that frame a photo wall. Where my glaring lack of tools in general did not help.

[–] AccmRazr@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

Hey no worries. I understand completely and had a not too dissimilar upbringing. Good on you!

This may help you understand a bit more. https://youtu.be/43cuU0lP6To

[–] abhibeckert 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yes, you have a regular drill (also often called a hammer drill). You absolutely need one of those.

An "impact driver" is a specialised type of drill that works better for 99% of tasks, but it can't do 1% of them at all.

A regular drill is a motor that spins.

A hammer drill is a motor that spins while "hammering" in and out. You need that to drill into materials like concrete.

An "impact" drill is a motor that spins, but there's a special mechanism that "hammers" in a twisting motion instead of in and out.

Imagine a really stubborn screw - so tight that your regular drill wouldn't be able to undo it. So tight if you had a massive drill, you'd risk breaking your arm trying to turn the screw. A cheap impact driver will quickly and turn a screw like that with no fuss and without applying any force at all to your arm/body.

Even with a screw that your regular drill can undo, the impact driver will do it easier and quicker and with less force on your arm.

Also, have you ever stripped a screw head with your drill? Impact drivers never do that. They are more gentle despite being faster and more powerful.

The only drawback is you can't really drill holes with an impact driver. They just don't work well for that. So it would have to be your second drill, not your only one... but it'd be the one you use the most.

[–] Thavron@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

For home DIY, I find that having an impact driver, with a good set of impact ready drill bits and a variety of screw tips to be more useful than just a drill.

I kinda disagree. A good handheld electric drill can handle any variety of drill bits and screw bits. For most stuff, an impact driver isn't really needed. I have this one, for example.

[–] Pandoras_Can_Opener@mander.xyz 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah that's what I do and haven't had any issues. I still wonder about some of my more exotic bits. 🤣

[–] Thavron@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh by the way, if you wanna get to know new tools, check out Adam Savage on YouTube. Anytime he talks about tools (or nearly everything actually) you learn so many new things and.

[–] Pandoras_Can_Opener@mander.xyz 1 points 1 year ago

Will do. I've been looking for something like that thanks!

[–] AccmRazr@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The same can be said for an impact driver. Another benefit being that it’s extremely easy to use. I work in the trades, and for most everyone, the drill only comes out for specialty tasks where it serves better. Otherwise the impact driver is the daily do-all tool. Usually lighter in weight, and less cumbersome as well.

Edit: forgot to add that the impact driver also takes up less real estate and can fit in places most drills can’t.