I can't believe I'm building a chicken coop.

[jolly wattles]

Your drill sounds like one my SIL would use who re-models homes. He's too far away to go borrow one of his. Mine--12V re-charge battery, not one for just hanging pictures etc. but it is not heavy duty or professional grade. It has been good for anything I have done with it. I'm re-modeling my house and it has worked for lots of different tasks. I can't justify buying an expensive drill I will use for one project. May just have to fight with these deck screws to get it done.

Then I'd suggest pilot holes with a 1/8 drill bit. 12 volts is typically pretty weak for driving a deck screw. Good luck with the endeavor.

 

[jolly wattles]

BTW don't know you're local hardware store situation but some will rent you a drill (typically a corded drill) to help and usually pretty cheap.

 

[jeria]

Appreciating suggestions, this is my first foray into building anything. 3 inch screws, all new wood. I'm going to try drilling the pilot holes whenever I can work on it again. No idea on renting one, my old corded one went the way of the robbers. Maybe check out a couple pawn shops to see what they might have for an older corded heavier duty one as I pass by several in my weekday trips to work. I do have a garden shed and maybe a small front porch deck to build next year so would also help on those 2 projects.

 

[jeria]

This first wall is teaching me a lot that will make the rest of the build easier. Like the order to put the pieces together and that I probably need a stronger drill. UGG this coop is getting dang expensive. It should last once I get it built unlike a pre-fab one that I had planned on until I read too many bad reviews.

 

[aart]

Seriously, drill the pilot holes, work smarter not harder
It's a pain to change from drill bit to driver bit, but the screws will drive much easier.

A better tool is always a good investment, especially a drill/driver.
18 volts is way more powerful than 12.
I slogged along for years with a 12v...18v was heaven.
Tho that 12v was slick, had a quick release removable chuck, which made it ideal for drilling pilot holes with drill bit in chuck then removing that to expose the driver bit.
Was a bit wonky tho, don't think they make them anymore, but it worked great for me.

 

[jeria]

I may be female but I love tools. I love having the right tool for any job, definitely makes for smarter not harder. More $$ I don't want to spend but.... I love the tool I bought to cut hardware cloth and welded wire fencing.

I used to have 2 drills so could switch back and forth-- a recharge one and my corded one so that was handy. My right arm is sore today after just putting together 4 2x4's.

 

[debid]

Seriously, drill the pilot holes, work smarter not harder
It's a pain to change from drill bit to driver bit, but the screws will drive much easier.

A better tool is always a good investment, especially a drill/driver.
18 volts is way more powerful than 12.
I slogged along for years with a 12v...18v was heaven.
Tho that 12v was slick, had a quick release removable chuck, which made it ideal for drilling pilot holes with drill bit in chuck then removing that to expose the driver bit.
Was a bit wonky tho, don't think they make them anymore, but it worked great for me.

My husband has a quick change bit. It drills a pilot hole, flip it over, screw in the screw. Works on any drill, best time saver ever. This isn't exactly it as his came in a set but like this:
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW2700-Drill-Drive-Complete/dp/B0000DD6LX

 

[debid]

I may be female but I love tools. I love having the right tool for any job, definitely makes for smarter not harder. More $$ I don't want to spend but.... I love the tool I bought to cut hardware cloth and welded wire fencing.

I used to have 2 drills so could switch back and forth-- a recharge one and my corded one so that was handy. My right arm is sore today after just putting together 4 2x4's.

I actually chose our new cordless drill driver by going to the displays at Lowe's and HD and seeing which ones fit my hand best. It's easier for him to use one with a reach that's very easy than for me to use one where the reach is difficult. Glad I did -- the one I thought I liked on paper was awkward to hold. The Porter Cable won and the 20V was a huge upgrade on the old 12.

 

[ewerbos]

I'm assuming you're using a cordless drill. So if so what power battery does it use? Ryobi sells many variants. If you're using one that is basically a house drill made for hanging pictures lol then yes you'll have problems driving a deck screw in a hard wood. I use mine at work so it's pretty good. A Dewalt 20v max 3 speed with a hammer drill option. Lithium battery.

I love the DeWalt 20v MAX impact driver. My husband was very skeptical of buying a battery-powered impact driver, but it has made our coop construction (and garden box construction) way easier than it would otherwise be (we were drilling pilot holes previously). Our coop is much further from our house than an extension cord can reach, however, so that also contributes to our need for it.

 

[aart]

I may be female but I love tools. I love having the right tool for any job, definitely makes for smarter not harder. More $$ I don't want to spend but.... I love the tool I bought to cut hardware cloth and welded wire fencing.

I used to have 2 drills so could switch back and forth-- a recharge one and my corded one so that was handy. My right arm is sore today after just putting together 4 2x4's.

Me too, nothing wrong with that!
So what's the HC cutter you got..power shears?

My husband has a quick change bit. It drills a pilot hole, flip it over, screw in the screw. Works on any drill, best time saver ever. This isn't exactly it as his came in a set but like this:
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW2700-Drill-Drive-Complete/dp/B0000DD6LX

Oooooo.....yanked my tool junkie chain big time!

I actually chose our new cordless drill driver by going to the displays at Lowe's and HD and seeing which ones fit my hand best. It's easier for him to use one with a reach that's very easy than for me to use one where the reach is difficult. Glad I did -- the one I thought I liked on paper was awkward to hold. The Porter Cable won and the 20V was a huge upgrade on the old 12.

Absolutely!! I've got a Makita 18v now, was the only one that 'felt right'. The lithium batteries are sweet too, never had one before, fast recharge...like 15 minutes, just long enough for a break but not too long to lose momentum...and saved money not buying a second battery as with the old kind.