Tool Box: Chalk Line

I love a chalk line.  It's instant gratification.

A chalk line is a case containing powdered chalk and reel of string.  You use it to make long, straight lines on flat surfaces like walls.  Mark the beginning and end locations of your line.  Shake the chalk line to make sure that the chalk is covering the string.  Fasten the end of the string at one mark.  Stretch the string over the surface, but don't place it against the surface.  Stretch taut and hold the string at your second marking.  With your other hand, pull the string away from your surface and let go. (Snap the line.)  Gently lift the string off of the surface and rewind it into the casing using the crank.

Tool Box: Cutting Edge Ruler

I have a generally unhealthy fear of knives stemming from an unfortunate incident cutting out paper dolls with a pocket knife in 4th grade.  When I entered design school though, I knew that I would have to confront fear and develop a very close bond with my Xacto knife.  Freshman year, I was mounting and trimming out a project the night before it was due.  Inadvertently, I let my finger slip over my straight edge, and I took off the side of my finger.

I always knew that being the child of artists made me different.  When I told my mom what I had done, her first question was, "Did you get blood on your project?"  (I didn't.)  After making sure that I was okay, my parents bought me a safety edge ruler.  What a great tool!  I survived the rest of my college career unscathed.

Tool Box: Google SketchUp, a Condiment for Design

After graduating, my student version of AutoCAD expired, and I suffered from some bouts of computer design withdrawal.  Thankfully, Google stepped in with a patch for my predicament.  It's Google SketchUp--a free*, downloadable CAD (computer aided design) program.  It doesn't have a lot of the features that you may be used to if you use AutoCAD, but for about $4,000 in savings, I can do without them.  SketchUp is a very user friendly application with great tutorials and an extensive library of pre-drawn components.

*Make sure that you download the regular version, not the pro version.

Tool Box: Cordless Drill

Last fall I decided that it was time for me to start building my own power tool collection.  My wonderful dad spent a day over the Thanksgiving holiday driving around with me in search of the perfect drill.

After inspecting about 30 options, I ended up with the Dewalt 9.6 volt cordless drill.  Though it's a lower voltage, it is a capable, quality tool--so much more than a glorified screwdriver.  It's not as heavy as it's higher voltage counterparts, and it has a nice balanced feel.  Of course it doesn't hurt that it's one of the better looking models.

Basics Use:
1.) Insert a bit into the chuck and tighten it.  (Depending on the model of drill you own, you may have a keyed or keyless chuck.)

2.) Hold the drill perpendicular to the surface of your work material, place the tip of the bit on the material and slowly depress the trigger.

3.) Maintain steady pressure on the trigger and drill while both drilling hole and backing the drill out.

Common Drill Bit Types:
1.) Twist Bit: most common bit type, used for drilling holes up to 1/2-inch

2.) Brad Point Bit: characterized by a center point which initially keeps the bit centered

3.) Spade Bit: a flat bit used to cut holes up to an inch and a half in diameter