A Project, A Challenge (Throw Down) Part II

End of Part I "After mastering all of the other projects in my house, this tiny one was shaking my confidence (along with my right arm for several hours.) I actually spent the afternoon drilling one hole. ONE HOLE. There were 24 more to go. What was I doing wrong?"

Part II  Where do I go from here?
I was truly frustrated and hurting. At this point, there was only one thing that made sense. Okay, two things. Take a walk, return, and have a glass of wine. Those two always give me some perspective. Maybe it's the female version of a man grabbing a beer from his garage refrigerator, sitting on a metal stool and cursing. 

Once calm, I was going with the theory that it was the drill's fault. When I first bought my place, I went out and purchased some tools. Cheap tools. At the time I was thinking, "why would you pay $99 for a drill, when you can get a perfectly good one for $35? Apparently there is a reason. I saved and paid over $200 for a Le Cruset dutch oven because of it's quality. Are tools any different? No. So after researching the internet, I found my solution and went shopping. It was truly a game changer. 

First of all, when some men are talking about T & A, they may be referring to torque and amps (which really means thrust and power), okay, maybe it does sound the same. But seriously, it's all the difference when it comes to drills. The higher the torque and amp rating, the better the performance . Amps being the most important. My $35 drill had 6 amps, my new one has 8. In my research, I also learned that, while being a pound heavier, electric drills, because or their T & A, are easier for woman to use because they require less pressure...i.e. less shoulder pain! 

I was amazed at what I was reading. It was also in my mind that when I watched the Rehab Addict on HGTV, host Nicole Curtis (tiny, thin, blond with well toned arms) uses a DeWalt drill. So off the store I went. Now, I am the "Norm" at Home Depot where everybody knows my name. Clerks in the isles feel the need to rescue me when I start staring at tools. "JP, what brings you in again?" But today, I knew exactly what I wanted.

Small tip on the end made the difference

"I want a DeWalt, corded drill with at least 8 amps." He looked down his crinkled nose, "do you mean a cordless drill?" 
By now I had grabbed the yellow box. "Nope. I want this one." 
He shrugged "okay, what are you doing anyway?" 
"I'm trying to install door hardware on my kitchen cabinets." 
"Ooooh, that can be difficult", he added. "Are you using a brad bit?"
"A what bit?" I asked.
"A brad bit. It's for wood. Has a little point on the end. Makes perfect holes."
Shit. 

So, I headed home with an 8 amp DeWalt corded drill and a package of 3/16" titanium brad wood bits! The result? The new drill put the new bit through the cabinets like butter. I had the whole kitchen done in less than 30 minutes!! 

This shouldn't be so hard! It shouldn't take anger, pain, and hours of research for a woman to do a simple task! With the divorce rate (sadly) at 50% plus, there are many smart, single women out there that need to know the landscape of what was typically a man's world. We can do this!

With that said, I am making a pitch...a plea really, to Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and all other home improvement stores to think outside the box. Start a "Girls Home Repair Night" on Fridays. Set up work stations with drills, saws, plumbing tools, electrical switches and outlets. Anything that would help us keep our houses functioning without calling expensive contractors for every little thing.

I promise you, a packed house. In return, you would have knowledgeable, loyal, customers. A whole new breed of shoppers in your stores. If possible, find handy women (like myself) to teach the classes. Women on a mission to learn and spend. How bad can that be for your business? PS. Best to serve wine and cheese as refreshments. After all, we're not animals.