04 April 2009

My New Drill

I have a project and as usual, a problem. The project is to mount a flat screen TV on a brick wall. I have the mount and I've read the instructions and that's where the problem started. The instructions call for a ½" masonry bit and the biggest one I have is nowhere near big enough. Cool. I get a free pass to the hardware store. The wife looks askance at this but she wants the TV up and I'm off before she can add a food store list to my errand. I love hardware stores. Wire, nails, wood and tools enough to make me sing but I nobly head straight for the tool area where I meander over to the wall of drill bits. I expect to have a couple of choices at least. Nothing doing. The biggest masonry bit I see is half the size I need so I ask the tool guy for help. He smiles and drags me over to the hammer drills. I have never used one and he explains them briefly but well enough that I understand I'm getting a new toy.

I make the marks where I'll need to drill and brace myself for a long slog drilling four half inch holes in brick. My previous experiences with standard drills and masonry bits leads me to expect that this will be several hours of hard going. Five seconds later my first hole is done. Five minutes later all four holes are drilled and the mount is bolted to the wall. I am in awe. I cannot believe how well this tool is suited to its purpose. My new drill and I are waiting for neighbors & friends to need us to make holes in concrete, stone or brick for them. Joy.