Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

Myself and my co-workers moved into a new apt. complex this past weekend. It's nuts because ALL 2500 units have been sold, and people began moving in a month ago. The dumpsters aren't even being used- there's no point, because they would have to be emptied once an hour- there's a massive hill of debris right outside the ramp that leads to the parking garage. The activity is absolutely frenetic, and it will continue like this for ages, I'm sure.

Anyway, people are constantly coming by the apt.- salespeople, missionaries, even a woman who will remove stickers and sticky tape residue with some kind of miracle solvent (anybody know how to get that junk off? My co-workers think a brillo pad is fine, but 1. my hand is cramped from scrubbing and my muscles ache, and 2. I have ruined surfaces because brillo pads can scratch surfaces).

Also, I want to hang a planter on the wall, and it's heavy, so I need to drive the nail pretty far into the concrete wall. Hammering didn't work- I kept hitting the nail improperly, so it would fly out of the wall (so annoying!). Next, I tried a drill, but it runs on really low power, so that didn't work, either. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to drive a nail into a concrete wall? I keep bending the "concrete" nails, too. ARRRRGH!!! Should I buy a high power drill?

[peppermint]

try rubbing soju on the sticker residue- it disolves almost every thing else.

As for the planter- maybe you need a nail gun?

[JongnoGuru]

Yikes! Not a nailgun. And save the soju for after the planter is hung.

I have a couple of power drills, but I sure wouldn't buy one for this one small project. Pay the guy at the hardware store W5,000 (?). He'll bring his power drill, his masonry drill bits, a concrete-wall anchor (white or red little plastic sheath that fits over the screw -- see photo), and a wood screw.

1. Mark spot on wall
2. Drill hole using power drill & masonry bit
3. Insert & hammer home the plastic anchor
4. Screw the wood screw or hook into the anchor

If you don't own the apartment (and even more so if you do), you want to make sure you're not bashing holes or cracks in your walls.

These are those.

[peppermint]

I thought about those, but arent' they just for western style walls- the hollow kind with studs?

[JongnoGuru]

[periwinkle]

Thanks, guys!

My fiance insists that sheer force with a hammer will be fine. I guess I'll let him have a go at it, but I think he's going to end up bashing his thumb up. Live and learn, I guess! If he doesn't get the job done, I'll opt for the guy at the hardware store. Good info!

[the_beaver]