Renting and Want to DIY? A Guide to Buying and Using Power Drills and Basic Tools

Many renters want to improve their living space but worry about using tools or don't know what to buy. This guide covers the most common basic tools for rental renovations, including how to choose and use them.

1. Power Drill: The Most Important Tool

Types of Power Drills

Cordless Drill (Battery-Powered):

Most common, convenient and flexible
Suitable for drilling wood and driving screws
Rechargeable battery (12V-20V)
Home use recommendation: 12V is sufficient, 18V offers more power

Hammer Drill:

Combines rotation with a hammering action
Specifically for drilling into concrete and brick walls (for expansion anchors)
Most common use in rentals: hanging pictures, installing shelves requires drilling into walls

Rotary Hammer:

Much stronger impact force
Used for drilling through thick concrete walls; less common for home use

Home Buying Recommendations

Best for the Average Renter:

Cordless drill with hammer drill function (many home-use models have this)
Voltage: 12V (lightweight, handles most home tasks)
Included accessories: Various drill bit sets (twist bits for wood, carbide bits for concrete)

Choosing the Right Torque:

Home use for wood and light tasks: 15-25 N·m torque
Drilling into concrete (making holes in walls): Requires the hammer function, not higher torque

Common Drill Bit Types

Bit Type	Suitable Materials	Identifying Features
Twist Bit (HSS)	Metal, Wood	Standard spiral shape
Wood Bit	Wood	Pointed tip with a center spur
Carbide Hammer Bit	Concrete, Brick	SDS shank at the tip, dark color
Hole Saw	Thin panels (wood, drywall)	Circular saw-tooth structure

2. Drilling into Walls: A Practical Guide

Steps for Drilling into Concrete Walls

Use Cases: Hanging heavy shelves, TV mounts, shower caddies

Locate Pipes and Wires (Most Important):
- Use a wall scanner (to detect pipes, wires, or rebar)
- Generally, stay at least 15cm away from outlets to be safe
- If unsure about a wall: start with a small pilot hole, stop immediately if something feels wrong
Choose the Right Bit: Use a carbide hammer bit for concrete
Switch to Hammer Mode: Standard drill mode won't penetrate concrete
Stabilize the Drill: Keep it perpendicular to the wall; don't wobble side-to-side
Insert the Expansion Anchor: Push the plastic anchor into the hole
Drive the Screw: As the screw goes in, the anchor expands and locks in place

Depth Reference:

Load-bearing shelves: Aim for at least 50mm penetration into concrete
Light items (picture frames): 30-40mm is sufficient

Dealing with Drywall

Many rental walls are drywall (over a metal stud frame):

How to Identify:

Tap gently with your knuckles; a hollow sound = drywall
A solid, dull sound = concrete or brick

Drywall Drilling Characteristics:

Limited strength; cannot bear heavy loads directly
Heavy items must be anchored into the metal studs
Studs are typically spaced 40-60cm apart; a magnet can help locate metal studs

Drywall-Specific Fasteners:

Self-tapping screws (screw directly into drywall): For lightweight items
Toggle bolts / Drywall anchors: For medium weight

Maximum Load Reference:

Anchored into a stud: Can hold 10-20kg
Anchored into drywall only (no stud): Suitable only for decorative, lightweight items

3. No-Drill Mounting Solutions

Various No-Drill Tools

Construction Adhesive (Wall Glue):

Suitable for lightweight items (photo frames, decorations)
Load limit: Typically 1-3kg per application
Pros: No wall damage
Cons: Limited load capacity; may fail over time

Vacuum Suction Cups:

Suitable for smooth surfaces (tile, mirrors, tempered glass)
Not suitable for rough surfaces or painted walls (cannot form a vacuum seal)
Commonly used for bathroom shelves

3M Command Strips:

Removable without leaving residue
Suitable for light to medium-weight items
Different models have different weight capacities (1-7kg per strip)
Clean the wall surface before applying for best results

No-Drill Shelf and Cabinet Solutions:

Tension-pole shelving: Held in place by pressure between ceiling and floor
Freestanding bookshelves: Use their own weight for stability, no wall fixing needed
Wire storage racks: Floor-standing, no wall contact

4. Basic Hand Tool Checklist

Essential Basic Tools

Hammer:

16oz (approx. 450g) hammer: General purpose
For driving nails, assembling/disassembling furniture

Screwdriver Set:

Flathead (slotted): Various sizes
Phillips: Common screw type
Recommended: Buy a combo set with multiple sizes

Measuring Tools:

Tape Measure (5m): Essential for measuring dimensions
Spirit Level (Bubble Level): Ensures shelves are installed level
Pencil: For marking positions

Other Useful Tools:

Utility Knife: Opening packages, cutting various materials
Pliers: Gripping and tightening various parts
Electrical Tape: Temporarily securing cables

Common Rental Task Tools

Task	Required Tools
Installing Curtains	Power drill + hammer bit, tape measure, spirit level
Hanging Picture Frames	Hammer + push pins/small nails, or construction adhesive
Assembling Furniture	Hammer, Allen wrenches, Phillips screwdriver
Installing Shelves	Power drill, expansion anchors, tape measure, spirit level
Changing a Door Lock	Screwdriver, tape measure (to measure lock hole distance)

5. Safety Precautions

Electrical Safety

Before Using a Power Drill:

Confirm the work area has ground fault protection (GFCI/RCD)
Do not use power tools in damp environments
Unplug chargers when not in use

Confirm Pipes and Wires Before Drilling:

Water pipe in the wall: Drilling through it causes a leak (a serious problem)
Electrical wire in the wall: Drilling through it causes a short circuit (dangerous)
Always use a detector or carefully probe first

Protective Measures

When drilling into walls: Wear a dust mask (concrete dust is harmful)
When drilling: Protect your eyes (from flying debris)
When moving heavy objects: Know your limits, ask for help

6. The "Exit" Strategy for Rental Renovations

What's Safe vs. What Needs Caution

Relatively Safe Modifications:

Using construction adhesive to hang pictures (removable without marks upon move-out)
Suction cup organizers (no marks)
3M Command strips (remove as directed)
Adding furniture (take it with you when you leave)

Requires Landlord Approval:

Drilling holes for shelves (damages walls, requires repair)
Applying wallpaper (may damage existing walls)
Installing a wall-mounted TV (requires drilling)
Changing door locks (must be restored to original)

Recommendation: Take photos of the original state before any major modification, and restore it to its original condition when moving out.

7. Tool Storage

Choosing a Toolbox

Metal toolbox: Durable, professional
Plastic toolbox: Lightweight, easy to move
Canvas tool bag: Flexible, compact

Renter's Advice:

A lightweight tool bag is sufficient (you won't have many tools)
Store it in an easily accessible spot in a closet
Put tools back after use (to avoid losing them)

8. Summary

Essential Tool List (Renter's Starter Kit):

12V cordless drill (with hammer function) + drill bit set
Tape measure (5m)
Spirit level (bubble type)
Screwdriver set (flathead + Phillips)
Hammer (16oz)
3M Command strips set (for no-drill hanging)

Budget Reference: The basic tools above total approximately 300-600 RMB

The Two Most Important Points:

Locate pipes and wires before drilling into walls
Identify the wall type (concrete vs. drywall) to choose the right method