In the first year of marriage, I found myself wanting to complete various household projects that required using a power tool. Specifically, I needed to use the cordless drill. Initially, I found it to be quite intimidating and would wait for Matt to get home so I could finish my project. One day, after bumping into a bi-fold door that separated the kitchen from the dining room one too many times, I figured I had enough. I grabbed the cordless drill and was determined to take it down myself.

While a cordless drill is pretty easy to use, the drill bit was too big and I needed to figure out how to change it. While sometimes a minor setback like this with no manual in sight would have led me to throw in the towel, I was determined. So, I’m here to share my wealth of information gleaned from Google searches and Matt’s experience.

Here, I’ve put together a little video outlining the basic instructions to using a cordless drill, so check it out:

(I should also put a disclaimer saying that I’m not a professional — which is probably painfully obvious — and that I recommend consulting your manual for specific guidelines, but most importantly, safety instructions! Don’t mess around, be smart and be safe when using power tools!)

Now that you’ve done and watched the video, I have a couple tips. One: You’ll need to put some “oomph” into drilling. I always thought you let the tool do all the work. That led to a couple stripped screws — meaning the drill bit never caught onto the screw and the screw’s grooves no longer engage with the drill bit. Two: I didn’t make sure the screw went all the way into the wall/wood. For most jobs, you’ll want the screw to be flush with the surface.

Other helpful hints would be to get a stud finder to make sure you’re screwing into wood and not just drywall. If you must screw into drywall, you’ll want to get some plastic drywall anchors to have it be more sturdy.

Here is one simple project where the use of a cordless drill came in handy. It’s actually when I first learned to use it!

Measuring and installing the parts for the towel bar to attach to the wall.

Here Matt's using the cordless drill. I did the other side, but it just wasn't documented.

Proof we can follow instructions -- yay!

Cheesing out with a job well done.

I hope I’ve inspired you ladies — and men! — to not be intimidated by a cordless drill. I still have much to learn about power tools, does anyone have any other tips to share?