Women & Their Power Tools

AuntieWOW · January 13th, 2001, 01:38 AM

Got any helpful hints on home repair? Are you building or did you build your own home? Share your insights!

tupi · February 21st, 2001, 08:48 PM

I guess hubby thought I was kidding when I said I wanted a circular saw for Christmas. I want one of the small 4 inch once Makita makes. They're battery operated and easy to handle. I also want a dremel tool. I just know I can have a ball with one of those babies! I want to build new valances for over my windows. I also want to build a book case to MY specs not the store's. I guess I'll try asking for that saw for my birthday. To be honest I think he's scared to get it for me! No doubt he's thinking..oh, lord, what's she going to do next?

February 25th, 2001, 08:10 PM

{{tupi}} didn't you explain to him all the cool things you could do with the saw?

Power tools are very impowering <g>!

Nothing like being knowing you can fix what you have when you have to!

Tammy · February 26th, 2001, 02:19 AM

I remember being really little and watching my Dad use a table saw. I was totally fascinated by that thing. I was even more fascinated when I was a bit older and he taught me how to use it.

I always loved watching him use a router too, but I didn't get the chance to learn that. I still have the router though, so maybe some day I'll learn on my own.

Terri · February 26th, 2001, 09:53 AM

Tupi power tools are great and I got a dremel for Christmas. There is a sculpture in the lobby of our visual arts building made of steel. It's the image of a man holding up his hand and the hand has only three fingers. I asked my sculpture teacher about this she said "you know that band saw we use in the sculpture room?" I said yes. She said well that ate three of that man's fingers. He is an accomplished sculptur and was the sculpture teacher for years at my college and very well acquainted with power tools but he still lost two fingers to a band saw. Be careful with those power saws girl!

tupi · March 1st, 2001, 06:34 PM

Oh, I'm careful with power saws. I was standing next to my dad when he cut off two fingers with his circular saw. (They were able to reattach them.)

I also can't say enough good things about duct tape.

Tammy · March 1st, 2001, 06:57 PM

You know the thing that scares me? It's not the thought of cutting anything off, it's getting hit by something. Anyone that's ever seen a saw "throw" a chunk of wood knows what I'm talking about. I don't know why I'm more afraid of that than chopping things off..

I reckon I'm just a lil weird.. but I think that wasn't such a secret <g>

March 14th, 2001, 01:55 AM

We just got a jigsaw, a cordless drill and a dremel! Zylphan is all psyched to do a whole bunch of home repairs this spring and summer!

antiana · March 21st, 2001, 08:51 AM

{{{{{ All }}}}}

I just got a dremel. lol and I am very scared. So share away all knowledge of this little tool that seems to intimidate me.

My whole family is tool adept... not I!

Yeah, blood, flying things, and loud noises scare me. I just want to carve a turtle as a first project. lol

Terri · March 21st, 2001, 01:02 PM

antiana I am currently using primarily my dremel to do a wood carving from a cedar log (about 4 inches in diameter)I am also using wood carving tools and a couple of chisels. I got a set of wood carving bits for the dremel and it is working quite nicely on this totem type sculpture. Don't be afraid, just do it. It takes awhile to get used to the feel of it in your hand and to learn which way the different bits need to be guided and what they do. I found that holding the dremel tool itself like a pencil is the most comfortable way to use it and it is less likely to "get away" from you. Make sure you wear safety glasses whatever you are doing and if you plan on carving wood or plaster or stone with it, be sure to use a dust mask. They sell carving bits at our flea market for 6.75 a set, quite a savings over the 2-4 dollars a piece you will pay at Home Depot or Lowes. What do you want to carve your turtle out of?

antiana · March 21st, 2001, 04:39 PM

Oh! Thanks for the info. on the dremel Terri! I thought I would start on a soft wood first to just learn about roughing it out and handling of the tool. Eventually,I would like to move on to rose quartz and other stones. I do know how to use basic hand tools but power tools do scare me.lol Even sewing machines. Yes, I have seen at auctions, dremel bits alot cheaper than from the dealer. Especially the diamond dusted tips.

I would love to see what you are working on. Did you take a before picture of the piece of cedar and your work in progress. I do love the way nature already forms its own art. So forcing something into what you want it to be doesn't work for me. Maybe that's why power tools scare me they seem to force things. So, looking for the right piece of wood or stone is part of it for me. Guess it's a Zen thing... lol.

Terri · March 21st, 2001, 05:07 PM

Hi antiana, my piece of wood is cedar and to tell you the truth I am not a big fan of subtractive sculpture, I prefer to build up rather than take away but I have to do a subtractive sculpture for the Sculpture II class I am in, of either wood or stone, I chose wood. Stone carving calls for some pretty specialized tools. I didn't take any pictures because this piece is really experimental and I do not expect to finish it by semester end and I do not expect it to really amount to anything to look at. I have some other pieces that I did that I like much better. Good luck on your turtle.

tupi · March 22nd, 2001, 07:14 PM

/me envisions Terri's subtractive sculpture...started out as a 4 foot log....well, now it's a miniature sculpture!

Actually, Terri knows I love her artwork. I want a dremel tool for my birthday. I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet, but I know I'll use it. I could use it now for one of my projects.

I just finished working on an antique window that I took from the farm house where my father in law grew up. The frame has no metal in it except the glazing points. It's assembled totally with wooden pegs. I painted it with an oilbase paint, after I took out the window glass, and then put a crackle finish on it. I'm going to put the glass back in it and display photos from the farm on an art board behind the window. I think it'll look cool.

Savannah · June 21st, 2004, 12:23 PM

Mention the word POWER TOOLS and my face lights up

i lurve my power tools LOL
recently finished laying new overlay jarrah floorboards i am now in the middle of sanding back all my existing floorboards, turns out they are PINE, which is unusual for this area and era the house was built, jarrah is most common.
i bought a wonderful belt sander which does the job nicely, back breaking tho LOL. why didn't i hire and upright one you ask? well when i planned it all and purchased it i was actually very ill and thought i couldn't commit myself to doing more than "just a bit" at a time, meaning i would spend a fortune on hiring one, however now i am much healthier but still want to do it the hard way, since i already bought the belt sander.
wish me luck girls LOL
when it is all sanded i will stain it with a limewash as the pine looks rather boring.

brede · August 20th, 2004, 10:28 AM

I have tons of power tools. Greg and I don't play nice when it comes to tools, so we have duplicates of everything except the big ones. We successfully share the table saw, the compound mitre saw, and the grinder, gee, I guess that is it! We both have our own hand power tools and regular tools. He doesn't take care of his stuff so I don't want him to mess with my stuff. I keep mine organized and can always find what I want, he leaves his where ever he used them last. I just bought my own after a while.

Greg has automotive type tools, but I've had enough grease under my fingernails for one person. I was my Dad's helper when I was a kid. We completely rebuilt the engine of a 1952 MG TD. Dad was always disappointed that his two sons never had any interest.

I also helped my Mom with all the reupholstery work at night. That's actually fun.

February 21st, 2001, 08:48 PM	#2
tupi Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 144	power tools! well, heck yes! I guess hubby thought I was kidding when I said I wanted a circular saw for Christmas. I want one of the small 4 inch once Makita makes. They're battery operated and easy to handle. I also want a dremel tool. I just know I can have a ball with one of those babies! I want to build new valances for over my windows. I also want to build a book case to MY specs not the store's. I guess I'll try asking for that saw for my birthday. To be honest I think he's scared to get it for me! No doubt he's thinking..oh, lord, what's she going to do next?

February 25th, 2001, 08:10 PM	#3
MagnusPI Guest Posts: n/a	I love my power tools {{tupi}} didn't you explain to him all the cool things you could do with the saw? Power tools are very impowering <g>! Nothing like being knowing you can fix what you have when you have to!

February 26th, 2001, 09:53 AM	#5
Terri Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 382	Tupi power tools are great and I got a dremel for Christmas. There is a sculpture in the lobby of our visual arts building made of steel. It's the image of a man holding up his hand and the hand has only three fingers. I asked my sculpture teacher about this she said "you know that band saw we use in the sculpture room?" I said yes. She said well that ate three of that man's fingers. He is an accomplished sculptur and was the sculpture teacher for years at my college and very well acquainted with power tools but he still lost two fingers to a band saw. Be careful with those power saws girl! __________________ Let words touch wisdom teeth on way through mouth (Confucious)

March 21st, 2001, 01:02 PM	#10
Terri Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 382	antiana I am currently using primarily my dremel to do a wood carving from a cedar log (about 4 inches in diameter)I am also using wood carving tools and a couple of chisels. I got a set of wood carving bits for the dremel and it is working quite nicely on this totem type sculpture. Don't be afraid, just do it. It takes awhile to get used to the feel of it in your hand and to learn which way the different bits need to be guided and what they do. I found that holding the dremel tool itself like a pencil is the most comfortable way to use it and it is less likely to "get away" from you. Make sure you wear safety glasses whatever you are doing and if you plan on carving wood or plaster or stone with it, be sure to use a dust mask. They sell carving bits at our flea market for 6.75 a set, quite a savings over the 2-4 dollars a piece you will pay at Home Depot or Lowes. What do you want to carve your turtle out of? __________________ Let words touch wisdom teeth on way through mouth (Confucious)

March 21st, 2001, 05:07 PM	#12
Terri Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 382	Hi antiana, my piece of wood is cedar and to tell you the truth I am not a big fan of subtractive sculpture, I prefer to build up rather than take away but I have to do a subtractive sculpture for the Sculpture II class I am in, of either wood or stone, I chose wood. Stone carving calls for some pretty specialized tools. I didn't take any pictures because this piece is really experimental and I do not expect to finish it by semester end and I do not expect it to really amount to anything to look at. I have some other pieces that I did that I like much better. Good luck on your turtle. __________________ Let words touch wisdom teeth on way through mouth (Confucious)

January 13th, 2001, 01:38 AM	#1
AuntieWOW Guest Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 64	Got any helpful hints on home repair? Are you building or did you build your own home? Share your insights!

February 26th, 2001, 02:19 AM	#4
Tammy Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 143	I remember being really little and watching my Dad use a table saw. I was totally fascinated by that thing. I was even more fascinated when I was a bit older and he taught me how to use it. I always loved watching him use a router too, but I didn't get the chance to learn that. I still have the router though, so maybe some day I'll learn on my own.

March 1st, 2001, 06:34 PM	#6
tupi Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 144	Oh, I'm careful with power saws. I was standing next to my dad when he cut off two fingers with his circular saw. (They were able to reattach them.) I also can't say enough good things about duct tape.

March 1st, 2001, 06:57 PM	#7
Tammy Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 143	You know the thing that scares me? It's not the thought of cutting anything off, it's getting hit by something. Anyone that's ever seen a saw "throw" a chunk of wood knows what I'm talking about. I don't know why I'm more afraid of that than chopping things off.. I reckon I'm just a lil weird.. but I think that wasn't such a secret <g>

March 14th, 2001, 01:55 AM	#8
MagnusPI Guest Posts: n/a	We just got a jigsaw, a cordless drill and a dremel! Zylphan is all psyched to do a whole bunch of home repairs this spring and summer!

March 21st, 2001, 08:51 AM	#9
antiana Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: KY, USA Posts: 210	{{{{{ All }}}}} I just got a dremel. lol and I am very scared. So share away all knowledge of this little tool that seems to intimidate me. My whole family is tool adept... not I! Yeah, blood, flying things, and loud noises scare me. I just want to carve a turtle as a first project. lol

March 21st, 2001, 04:39 PM	#11
antiana Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: KY, USA Posts: 210	Oh! Thanks for the info. on the dremel Terri! I thought I would start on a soft wood first to just learn about roughing it out and handling of the tool. Eventually,I would like to move on to rose quartz and other stones. I do know how to use basic hand tools but power tools do scare me.lol Even sewing machines. Yes, I have seen at auctions, dremel bits alot cheaper than from the dealer. Especially the diamond dusted tips. I would love to see what you are working on. Did you take a before picture of the piece of cedar and your work in progress. I do love the way nature already forms its own art. So forcing something into what you want it to be doesn't work for me. Maybe that's why power tools scare me they seem to force things. So, looking for the right piece of wood or stone is part of it for me. Guess it's a Zen thing... lol.

March 22nd, 2001, 07:14 PM	#13
tupi Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 144	/me envisions Terri's subtractive sculpture...started out as a 4 foot log....well, now it's a miniature sculpture! Actually, Terri knows I love her artwork. I want a dremel tool for my birthday. I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet, but I know I'll use it. I could use it now for one of my projects. I just finished working on an antique window that I took from the farm house where my father in law grew up. The frame has no metal in it except the glazing points. It's assembled totally with wooden pegs. I painted it with an oilbase paint, after I took out the window glass, and then put a crackle finish on it. I'm going to put the glass back in it and display photos from the farm on an art board behind the window. I think it'll look cool.

June 21st, 2004, 12:23 PM	#14
Savannah Student of the Earth Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Western Australia Posts: 48	Mention the word POWER TOOLS and my face lights up i lurve my power tools LOL recently finished laying new overlay jarrah floorboards i am now in the middle of sanding back all my existing floorboards, turns out they are PINE, which is unusual for this area and era the house was built, jarrah is most common. i bought a wonderful belt sander which does the job nicely, back breaking tho LOL. why didn't i hire and upright one you ask? well when i planned it all and purchased it i was actually very ill and thought i couldn't commit myself to doing more than "just a bit" at a time, meaning i would spend a fortune on hiring one, however now i am much healthier but still want to do it the hard way, since i already bought the belt sander. wish me luck girls LOL when it is all sanded i will stain it with a limewash as the pine looks rather boring. __________________ "there are no impossible dreams, just our limited perception of what is possible..."

August 20th, 2004, 10:28 AM	#15
brede my new motorcycle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 574	I have tons of power tools. Greg and I don't play nice when it comes to tools, so we have duplicates of everything except the big ones. We successfully share the table saw, the compound mitre saw, and the grinder, gee, I guess that is it! We both have our own hand power tools and regular tools. He doesn't take care of his stuff so I don't want him to mess with my stuff. I keep mine organized and can always find what I want, he leaves his where ever he used them last. I just bought my own after a while. Greg has automotive type tools, but I've had enough grease under my fingernails for one person. I was my Dad's helper when I was a kid. We completely rebuilt the engine of a 1952 MG TD. Dad was always disappointed that his two sons never had any interest. I also helped my Mom with all the reupholstery work at night. That's actually fun. __________________ I wanted to be a pirate, but I couldn't grow a beard and rum makes me giggle.