Portable powered hand tools

Power supplies What are the main sources of power? Mains electricity at 230 V –In the event of a fault, electric shocks at 230 V can be fatal. Electricity at 110 V via a transformer –In the event of a fault, this is safer than 230 V. 11

Power supplies Electricity at 230 V or 110 V via a generator –Can cause nuisance from noise and emission of fumes. Rechargeable batteries –Safer in wet and damp conditions than using 230 V or 110 V. Compressed air –Can result in severe personal injury if misused. 22

Legislation and training What legislation is concerned with portable power tools? PUWER - the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations –The main objectives are to ensure all work equipment is: »suitable for its use »properly maintained »complete with safety devices and warning notices. 33

Legislation and training PAT certificate – portable appliance test certificate –A periodic test by a competent person to ensure that the appliance at the time of the test has no faults and is safe to use. Training –All users of portable power tools must be trained in their use by a competent person. –There is no minimum age for anyone to use a portable power tool, providing they have undertaken suitable training. 44

Portable power tool safety What are the main safety requirements when using portable power tools? Ensure the tool is in a safe condition and suitable for the intended purpose. All cable and hoses should be routed with care to avoid any tripping or trapping hazards. Extension leads should be fully unwound to avoid overheating. When using corded power tools, ensure the lead is over the shoulder to minimise the risk of contact with moving parts. 55

Portable power tool safety Ensure the user has been trained in its use. Wear the appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment): −Eye protection and dust mask when using tools producing dust or chips, such as drills, routers, planes, saws, nail guns and sanders. −Hearing protection when undertaking noisy work, such as using a nail gun or hammer drill. −Anti-vibration gloves when using a tool that produces vibrations, such as a hammer drill. 66

Drills and drivers Can you describe these drill features? 7 The chuck is where the drill and screwdriver bits are inserted and securely held. The trigger starts the rotation and may be equipped with a lock for continuous running and a variable speed control. 7

Drills and drivers The torque control enables different sizes of screw to be driven flush or below the surface and also provides maximum torque for drilling. The reverse action enables the removal of screws. The hammer action enables easy boring into brick, stone and concrete using masonry drills. 88

Drill bits Can you identify this drill bit? Carbon steel twist drills are suitable for general woodwork. However, high- speed steel drills (HSS), which stay sharper longer, are considered better quality and are suitable for drilling wood, metal and plastics. 99

Drill bits Can you identify these drill bits? Larger twist drills from 13 to 25 mm are made with reduced shanks to fit standard drill chucks. Brad point bits are wood bits that have a centre point to prevent them skidding off the mark when the power is applied. 10 Spade bits are also known as flat bits used for power drilling larger diameter holes in wood. 10

Drill bits Can you identify these drill bits? Masonry drills are similar to twist drills but have a tungsten carbide tip (TCT) fitted into a slot on the cutting end. They are used for boring into masonry. Forstner bits can be used to bore flat bottom or blind holes in wood. 11

Saws Can you identify this saw? Circular saws can be used for a wide range of sawing operations, including crosscutting, rip sawing, bevel and compound bevel cutting, rebating, grooving, trenching and the cutting of sheet material. 12

Saws Can you identify these saws? Plunge action circular saws are used mainly by kitchen installers for cutting apertures in worktops and by carpet fitters for trimming off the bottom of doors while still in-situ. Mitre or chop saws are used for square, mitred and compound bevelled crosscuts. 13

Saws What about this? Jig or reciprocating saws can be used with a fence for straight cutting. They are particularly useful for circular, shaped and pierced work. In addition, many models have adjustable sole plates that allow bevel cutting to be carried out. 14

Saws And this? Biscuit jointers are miniature plunging circular saws, developed principally to make a form of tongued- and-grooved joint for furniture and cabinetwork. 15 Compressed beech oval biscuits fit into the matching saw slots to form butted, mitred or edge-to-edge joints, in solid timber and board material. 15

Planers and routers Can you identify this? Portable planers are mainly used for edging work, although they are capable of both chamfering and rebating. 16 On site they are extremely useful for door hanging and truing up the edges of sheet material. Surfacing and cleaning up of timber can be carried out when required; however, it cannot be used to cut grooves. 16

Planers and routers Can you identify these? Routers have largely taken the place of a wide range of hand moulding, grooving and rebating planes. They are also used for trimming, recessing, housing, slot mortising, dovetailing and on many types of drilling and plunge cutting. Trimmers are small routers used mainly for laminate and other edge band trimming. 17

Planers and routers What about this? Router tables are used to mount a router upside down. Protruding above the table, the work piece is fed past the cutter. 18

Planers and routers And this? Vacuum extraction units are used to collect the wood chips and fine dust particles that are produced, especially when working with man-made board materials such as MDF. These should be used in addition to dust masks and eye protection. 19

Planers and routers 20 What are these? Router cutters are available in different sizes and shapes. High- speed steel cutters are suitable for most general woodworking. Tungsten carbide-tipped cutters hold their edge longer, especially when working abrasive timbers, hard glue lines, board material and plastics. –Resin may build up and clog the tip and ball bearing guide of cutters – the cutter should be removed and cleaned with the appropriate solvent. 20

Sanders Can you identify this sander? Belt sanders use a continuous abrasive belt that is fitted over rollers. They are ideal for jobs requiring rapid stock removal. 21

Sanders How about these? Orbital sanders work with an off-centre (eccentric) orbital action. Various grades of abrasive paper may be clipped to the sander’s base. It’s best to start off with a coarse grade to remove any high spots or roughness and follow with finer grades. They are also named by the size of the base plate. 22

Sanders Half-sheet orbital sander Palm or quarter-sheet orbital sander Delta (triangular base) orbital sander – for working into corners 23

Sanders Can you identify this sander? Random orbit sanders also work with an off-centre (eccentric) orbital action 24 plus a simultaneous rotation, to give a surface that is virtually scratch free. –Do not press down on a sander in use, as excessive pressure causes clogging of the abrasive material, particularly when sanding resinous timber. This will result in a poor finish and overheating of the motor. 24

Nail guns Can you identify this? Compressed air pin gun nailer/staplers – nailers are used for pinning mouldings and trim and staplers are used for fixing sheet material and general upholstered furniture frame assembly. 25

Nail guns What are these? Cordless gas-operated nail guns are used mainly on site for a range of fixings, including flooring, architraves and structural work. Cartridge-operated fixing tools are used for reliable fixings to a variety of materials, including concrete and steel, which normally require drilling and plugging or threading before a fixing is made. 26

Nail guns PPE When using nail guns, it is recommended that eye protection and ear protectors are worn at all times. In addition, a safety helmet will be required for site working. 27