Boarding a Loft?
- Thread starter Gimpymoo
- Start date
This just dropped into my inbox.
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=77831&cm_mmc=Single_Product-_-E07W41A-_-Trade-_-Image
Makita 18v drill with 3 batteries.
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=77831&cm_mmc=Single_Product-_-E07W41A-_-Trade-_-Image
Makita 18v drill with 3 batteries.
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/n...refview=search&ts=1195048115723&isSearch=true
I just stuck that one in mine, fitted directly into the loft access (this was already boxed in on the loft side so very sturdy). Didn't need to do any joist cutting, it just screws straight onto the floor panels i had laid in the loft before hand (using the srcewing/countersink method above), very easy to pull down and put back up also.
I just stuck that one in mine, fitted directly into the loft access (this was already boxed in on the loft side so very sturdy). Didn't need to do any joist cutting, it just screws straight onto the floor panels i had laid in the loft before hand (using the srcewing/countersink method above), very easy to pull down and put back up also.
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/n...efview=search&ts=1195054698248&isSearch=false
Would that be better than the Makita?
Or This:
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/n...efview=search&ts=1195054808283&isSearch=false
That seems just what im after, thanks.
You say you just attach it to the newly laid boards?
Minus a further 20% for me!!
Staff discount!
Here's a pic i took before i finished boarding the loft out, you can see pretty much how it fits. The red lines are the joists, then there is a piece of 2x2 (i think) either side of the loft hatch (to make a box). The ladder itself attaches across the piece of wood between the joists that was put in for the loft access hatch to be secure, this is how it hinges down out of the loft. There is then the easy open/close mechanism that is basically a loaded spring to help you push the ladder up a bit more easily (i.e. you can give it a shove up with the metal pole using 1 hand and it's very easy to push!) that needs a bit more space behind the ladder to be fixed to the floor boards.
1, cheap drills are far heavier.
2, cheap drills use cheap cells in their batteries and they don't hold their charge at all
3, cheap drills will snap in half if you drop it from a step ladder etc, Ive done this a few times now. They are heavy and weak which don't go together. Ive dropped my makita out of a bedroom window, it bounced off the window cill and fell onto concrete and was fine
.I could probably think of loads of other reasons why a Makita would be better then a cheapo £35 driver but there the main reasons. You get what you pay for with power tools and that Makita linked above is a bargain for such a good tool. It will be far superior to that Black and Decker as well
. 18v is a bit overkill for what you want, but the 14.4v isn't as good a deal.
you certainly don't need to predrill and countersink for the screws. just use 40mm x 4mm chipboad screws. get a magnetic bit holder and so long as you use good quality screws (spax or reisser) and a good quality screwdriver bit (and the correct type) then the screw will stick to the screwdriver bit and you will be able to screw it straight in.
if you use cheap screws, or a rubbish or worn out bit then the screw wobbles as you try to screw it in and it all becomes a bit of a chore.
if you use a good driver then you can sometimes screw them in on the fast speed, but that's a bit of an advanced trick for a beginner so best to steer clear of that.
a decent screwdriver is more than worth the extra money. they are lighter, more compact, more powerful and have longer lasting batteries, plus other useful stuff like electronic brake and one handed chuck, fast charger etc. 12v is more than enough for screws.
if you use cheap screws, or a rubbish or worn out bit then the screw wobbles as you try to screw it in and it all becomes a bit of a chore.
if you use a good driver then you can sometimes screw them in on the fast speed, but that's a bit of an advanced trick for a beginner so best to steer clear of that.
a decent screwdriver is more than worth the extra money. they are lighter, more compact, more powerful and have longer lasting batteries, plus other useful stuff like electronic brake and one handed chuck, fast charger etc. 12v is more than enough for screws.