Hey! Will You Hand Me That? Common shop hand tools & their uses. Scott Poague Holtville High School

Common Terms Tape- refers to flexible measuring devices that roll into a case. Made of steel, cloth, & fiber materials. Plumb- when an object is straight up and down. Bevel- sloping edge.

Layout & Measuring Tools A layout tool is used to measure, or mark wood, metal, & other materials. Used before any work is done.

Framing Square Also called a carpenters square Face has stamped measurements for rafter & stair layout Typically has a 2”x 24” blade & a 1 ½” x 16” blade

Combination Square 12” blade with adjustable square/miter head. Contains a bubble level for checking plumb. Can also be used to mark 45 degree miters.

Speed Square Used much the same way a framing square is. Has an adjustable guide for laying out angles.

Try Square Named try square because it is used to try or test the accuracy of cuts. Also used to mark lines in order to make a cut. Do not misuse square!

Miter Try Square Same as standard try square except that handle has a miter gauge in the handle for checking angles.

Push/Pull Rule Rules vary in lengths & widths. Typically made of flexible steel.

Folding Rule/Zig Zag Rule Typically used in finish carpentry & cabinetry work. Rigid rule of 2 to 8 feet in length. Made of wood, plastic, or metal Most contain a moveable metal gauge for measuring depth.

100-Foot Steel Tape Made of a thin, flexible blade that is used to measure distances up to 100 feet in length.

Fiberglass Tapes Similar to the steel tape, however they are made from a fiberglass material. These are typically found in lengths from 50’, 100’, & 200’.

Marking Gauge Used in fine carpentry to scribe a line on a board. Used instead of a pencil.

Level Levels vary in price from cheap for aluminum levels to very expensive for wooden levels. Lengths vary from 2’ to 8’.

Torpedo Level Used for small leveling jobs. Some torpedo levels are magnetic for attaching to metal.

Plumb Line/Plumb Bob A plumb line is a string with a round, pointed piece of metal attached called a plumb bob. The plumb line will hang perfectly vertical.

Sliding T Bevel Device used to lay out angles. Sometimes called a bevel square. A bevel Is a sloping edge.

Chalk Line A chord contained on a reel in powdered chalk, housed in a plastic or metal container. When stretched & snapped, the line leaves a thin trail of chalk making a straight line.

Cutting Tools

Handsaw Used to cut a cross a board or to rip. Teeth determine the type of saw, either a cross cut or rip saw. Differ by the amount of teeth & position in which teeth are filed. Pointed teeth are used on a cross cut saw, & knife like teeth are used on a rip saw.

Compass Saw Used to cut inside curves where other saws cannot cut. Cuts are usually started by boring a hole in the work piece.

Backsaw This crosscut saw with fine teeth. The blade is stiffened across the back. Used for accurate cabinet work and for making joints. Often used in a miter box for cutting mouldings.

Coping Saw Used to cut irregular shapes and curved patterns in thin wood. Blade is installed to cut on the pull stroke.

Hacksaw U-shaped frame that will allow several different lengths of blades. Typically used for cutting metal.

Jack Plane Most useful of all of the planes. “Jack of all trades” Can be used to joint edges or for making boards smooth. It is typically 14” long by 2” wide.

Block Plane Small plane usually 4”-8” in length. Typically held in the right hand. Best for planning across the wood grain & for planning small pieces.

Jointer Plane Similar to the jack plane,but 22” to 24” in length. Used for jointing edges of long boards. Largest of the hand planes.

Chisel Used by carpenters for trimming wood, cutting dados and grooves in wood. Chisels come in various widths. Never hit a chisel with a claw hammer unless it has a metal tip on the handle. Hit with mallet.

Pipe Cutter Used to cut PVC and other soft pipe. Can cut pipe from ¼” to 3”

Bastard File Flat file used for sharpening tools and blades.

Pliers

Diagonal Cutting Pliers (Dikes) Used to cut wire in electrical applications. Cutting jaws are at an angle.

Groove Joint Pliers Expandable jaws for holding, twisting, etc.

Needle Nose Pliers Used in wiring applications where wire is twisted or wrapped. Used in confined spaces.

Slip Joint Pliers Commonly used in mechanical work. Most common size is the 6”. Able to expand to grip larger items.

Snips Used for cutting tin, sheet metal, and other metal products.

Locking Pliers Lever-jawed pliers used around the farm, garage, or welding shop. Grip is adjusted by the screw in the end of the handle.

Screwdrivers

Phillips Head Screwdriver Screwdriver fits only Phillips head screws. Phillips head come in several sizes. Used in both mechanical & electrical applications.

Standard Screwdriver Not called a slotted screwdriver. Used in both mechanical & electrical applications.

Nut Drivers Typically used by mechanics for small screws and bolts. Nut drivers come in both SAE (7/16”) & Metric (6mm).

Wrenches

Ratchet w/Socket Used for mechanic work where repeated motion is occurring. Sizes vary from ¼” drive to ¾” drive. Ratchet & socket set Socket

Adjustable Wrench Similar to open end wrenches, but are adjustable. A good mechanic will never use this when another wrench is available.

Open End Wrench Solid, non-adjustable wrench with an opening on each end.

Boxed End Wrench Non-adjustable wrench used for mechanical work.

Combination Wrench Used for “breaking lose” nuts and bolts. Sometimes called a half and half.

Allen Wrench Hex shaped wrench called an “Allen Wrench”. Typically found in sets of several sizes.

Pipe Wrench Adjustable and used to turn pipe, conduit, or round stock. Size is figured by the length of the handle. Don’t confuse with a monkey wrench.

Hammers

Framing Hammer 22 ounce framing hammer used for framing houses, decks, etc.

Claw Hammer 16 ounce claw hammer for finish work where smaller nails are being used.

Ball Pein Hammer Used for shop work & metal work.

Tack Hammer Used mostly for upholstery work. It has a magnetic face that allows the user to start and drive tack without having to hold them.

Nail Sets Used to recess finish nails in finish construction. Nail sets come in various sizes as noted below. 1/32 2/32 3/32

Misc. Tools

Center Punch Used in metal working to make a starting point for drilling holes in metal. Prevents travel in drill bit when starting a hole.