Hand Tools

Pliers Used for a variety of gripping, clamping, bending, and cutting jobs in theatre.

Slip Joint Pliers Very common Have an adjustable pivot point that provides two ranges of jaw opening.

Needle Nose Pliers Useful for holding small objects Used to bend the lightest wire

Channel Locks Has a series of jaw ranges that allows them to be used for a wide variety of purposes. The long handles enable for a great deal of leverage.

Vise Grips Primary function is to grasp, lock, and hold almost any object. The size of the jaw opening and the amount of pressure applies by the jaws are adjustable by the screw a the base of the handle.

Wire Cutters Primarily used by electricians for cutting wire.

Wire Strippers Crimpers can strip away the insulation on the electric wire without cutting the wire. Is used to pressure clamp solderless connectors to electrical wire.

Wrenches Used to tighten nuts and bolts.

Combination Wrench Has two ends one open and one boxed. The open end has a non-adjustable smooth mouth. The mouth is a set size. The box end is made in standard sizes. Has a toothed head that must be fit over the nut.

Crescent Wrench Commonly known as a C-Wrench. Has smooth jaws that adapt to fit almost any small to medium sized nut. In our theatre most commonly used in stage lighting.

Pipe Wrench Is not a monkey wrench (has smooth jaws). Has serrated jaws that are made to bite into soft metal. Used to hold or twist pipes and their associated couplings.

Socket Set and Ratchet Handle Sockets are cylindrical wrenches used with a ratchet handle. Used to loosen and tighten nuts without removing the socket from the nut.

Allen Wrench A L-shaped hexagonal metal bar either end of which fits the socket of a screw or bolt The end of the wrench fits inside the bolt.

Measuring and Marking Tools These tools are used to measure dimensions and angles.

Standard Tape Measure Has a retractable ruler that can be locked in a specific dimension. Comes in a variety of lengths from 6-25 feet.

Rules for a Tape Measure Do not pull the blade all the way out. It is not a sword. Do not pull a release the blade. It will damage the spring inside. Do not measure vertically without a surface to support the blade.

How to Read a Tape Measure How to Read a Tape Measure Video

100’ Tape Measure The blade is made of a flexible plastic. The user has to manually roll the blade back it does not do it automatically. Used for measuring long distances like when laying out dimensions on a stage floor.

Level Used to check the accuracy of 90 and 180 degree angles. When the air bubble is in the middle of the two lines the piece is level. Comes in variety of lengths. Smaller levels are called speed or torpedo levels. These levels also have a magnetic strip on them to help hold them into place

Combination Square Has a 12 inch steel ruler with a moveable handle. Uses to measure 90 and 45 degree angles.

Framing Square A large steel L typically 16-24 inches. Used for checking the accuracy of 90 degree angles on platforms and flats.

Speed Square Used to measure 45 and 90 degree angles. Compact in size Has a lip on one side to help level the square to the piece of lumber.

Chalk Line Used to mark straight lines. A plastic housing holds a length of cotton line and chalk which coats the line. The line is stretched between two points and lightly snapped to leave a straight line.

Cutting tools Used to cut different types of materials. Includes lots of different types of tools.

Utility Knife Has a replaceable & retractable blade. Use the notch on the top of the knife to slide out the blade. Not called a box cutter!

Wood Chisel Has a steel blade used for gouging, paring, or smoothing wood. Has a wooden or plastic handle that is struck with a mallet.

Surform Tools Used to roughly shape wood by pulling it with or across the grain of the lumber. Has a thin disposable strip of sharpened protrusions.

Lumber Grain The grain of the lumber is the lines in the lumber. Crosscutting lumber Ripping lumber

Parts of a Hand Saw Handle Back Blade Toe Teeth Heel

Saw Terminology Kerf – the width of the blade. You must account for this for each cut that you make. The blade is 1/16”. TPI – Teeth Per Inch – The more teeth there are per inch the smoother the cut that you will have. It ranges from 40-120 TPI.

Cross Cut Hand Saw The blade has alternating teeth that allows the blade to slice through the grain like a knife. Can also rip a piece of lumber.

Rip Hand Saw The blade has aligned teeth that allows the blade to slice through the grain like a knife. The cut goes along the grain of the lumber.

Hammers Parts of a hammer

Types of Handles on a Hammer Wood – light weight, inexpensive, but breaks easily Metal – heavy, expensive, but does not break Fiberglass – lightweight, expensive, and does not break easily

Hammer Safety Wear goggles Use the proper weight of hammer Be aware of your surroundings Have a firm grip

Claw Hammer Designed to hammer in nails and pull them out. The name refers to the claw like shape of the nail pulling end of the hammer. Most common

Rip Hammer Designed to hammer in nails and destruct things. The name refers to the ability to rip things apart.

Rubber Mallet Large face Used to close paint cans and knock two pieces of wood together

Tack Hammer Two small faces No claw Used to hammer in tacks

Ball-Peen Hammer One flat face and one round face Used to shape metal

Screw Drivers

Safety Rules Do not use as a chisel or to open paint can Use the correct length Do not use to make a hole Be aware of your hand placement

Reasons for different lengths Torque vs reach The shorter the shaft of the screw driver the more torque the user will have The longer the shaft the less torque but more reach

Screws vs Nails Screws have 300 times more holding power. Threads cut into and deform wood to hold tightly. Can be removed easily Nails grip with friction hold and will loosen when wood shrinks. Once nails are entered they can not be removed easily

Types of screws

Flat Head Flat tip Screws have a single slot

Phillips Head Cross head Tip fits inside the cross of the screw head

Off Set Screwdriver Has both flathead and phiilips head One on each end

Robertson Screwdriver Shaped as a traditional screwdriver but the head is square No slippage of the screwdriver