heavy painting, wall can hold up? And, drills?

[Bernard Arnest]

Hi!

I've been into woodworking for a while, but recently started carving marble. So, not really a painting, but same idea-- I've got a

1.25" thick marble relief that weighs about 80-90 lbs. Can this be safely hung on the wall? I'm guessing yes, absolutely. I consider that we have a railing bannister that was HELD INTO DRYWALL WITH A BUTTERFLY NUT, that held my 200 lbs! Well, for years at any rate; just repaired it properly this morning with a wooden support.

So if I make sure to hold it with brackets, into studs, at the four corners; there's no risk of ripping the studs from the wall? Just confirming.

Secondly; going back to college in three weeks. Thinking of getting my own drill; they're just so handy for hanging shelves, building bedframes, you name it. We have a dorm-owned circular saw that stays in the basement, but the communal cordless drill is always missing. SO-- is Delta worth it? Is ryobi decent? black&decker not too too cheap? What do you recommend? At home we have a 14V black&decker, and it mostly works well. Very occasionally it lacks the torque necessary. More importantly; the batteries run out very quickly, which is incredibly irritating. So unless technology is likely to advance rapidly, should I get a drill to last decades? What would that drill be? I have some birthday money; figure I'll shop craigslist for something used.

thanks! -Bernard

[Dan Espen]

If you are a contractor or will use your drill once a day, get a battery powered one.

Otherwise, line cord is the way to go.

Why pay for constant charging and battery replacement? I'd rather be able to use the tool all day when I need to.

I prefer to buy tools when I need them not before. What good does it do to have a drill in the house and the first time you need to use it, you also need a bit you don't have?

When you do buy tools, buy quality.

[aemeijers]

On the stone wall hanging- I'd go with cleats rather than just four fastening points. A rail fastened to wall across several studs, with a lip at the top to catch a matching upside-down rail fastened somehow to the sheet of stone. Maybe short coarse bolts epoxied into holes drilled into the stone? That is how they hang marble facings on building. Local gravestone company can probably assist you- they are used to hanging marble slabs on things. To keep it from falling (or drunks hurting themself, if this is at the dorm) add a couple clips at some point so it can't be lifted out of the cleat and kill somebody.

On tools in the dorm- It'll get 'borrowed' before the semester is over- I'd buy the first 25 buck remainder-table special you see at the big box. Wait to buy real tools till you get out in the real world. Forget cordless for occasional use- dorms have outlets everywhere. Along with the drill and a set of decent bits, buy a 20-foot grounded cord in some color like yellow or pink, that will be easy to find in the room of whoever 'borrowed' it. Mark it all with a permanent marker in big letters.

aem sends...