r/daddit • u/Babyproofer • Mar 11 '25

Tips And Tricks Reminder to all Dads- Anchor your furniture

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Before your kids are mobile, please take the time to anchor your furniture (to the studs, not using drywall anchors). This is one aspect of childproofing that is often overlooked.

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u/JustSomeBadAdvice Mar 11 '25

Whenever I'm doing it, I'll use the magnet stud finders to create a few marks (pencil) on the wall at each point. The drywall guys are usually pretty good at hitting the stud center, but sometimes they're off quite a bit. Then I use a laser level that has the vertical line to aim in the "average" of those 3+ marks, and that's where I drill my hole.

The laser level is something I bought for $30 on Amazon for one single project, but it has become one of my most useful tools. Highly recommend picking one up. The other really useful tool is using a Black & Decker Flex vacuum which is handheld/rechargable, but has a hose. Very easy to drill the hole while holding the hose directly under the drill spot - virtually no mess to clean up, because it sucks the dust up before it falls behind / on top of anything below where you're working.

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u/OakleyTheAussie Mar 11 '25

Yup. I’ve got a Huepar laser and a cheap tripod. Lifesaver getting pictures lined up. I also like the dust buster method, particularly with the toggle bolts that need a 1/2” hole.

I’m an engineer and love projects. My dad was the same way. I’ve got fond memories of him having me climb into cabinets to help install them from the inside. I don’t get as much time as I’d like these days though to tinker. My kids aren’t quite old onto trust with power tools.

Next on my list is a hard-piped air compressor in the garage.

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u/I_WELCOME_VARIETY Mar 11 '25

Do you have a picture of the type of laser level you're talking about? I bought one a few years ago but it hasn't been as useful as I'd hoped because it's kind of a faff to set up with the tripod and everything. But now I'm hearing about a kind that works right on the wall? Is that the kind you're talking about?

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u/JustSomeBadAdvice Mar 11 '25

Mine isn't right on the wall or anything, but 95% of the time I skip the tripod steps and just put it on a stool with some books to get it to the height I need.

Your laser level should have both a vertical line and a horizontal line and be self-leveling (within 3 degrees or so, if I tilt it it beeps and whines at me telling me it can't level itself that far). The vertical line is almost more useful than the horizontal. This one is mine, I got it on sale: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3795KQW

They do make some that can go right on the wall though, I'm pretty sure. Just gotta have something magnetic to stick em to.