Hand Tools

Terminology (1)
 100 foot wind up  Box-end wrenches
tape  Brace
 Adjustable jaw  Carpenter’s pencil
wrenches  Cat’s paw
 Auger bit
 C-clamp
 Backsaw
 Center punch
 Bar clamp
 Chalk line
 Blacksmith’s vise  Combination open-
 Block plane end box-end wrench
 Terminology (2)
 Combination pliers  Fixed jaw wrenches
 Combination square  Flat bars
 Coping saw  Framing square
 Crosscut saw  Hand drill
 Crow bars  Hand screw clamp
 Curved claw hammers  Hand tool
 Diagonal side cutting  Jack plane
pliers  Keel or carpenter’s
 Digital level crayon
 Terminology (3)
 Keyhole or compass saw  Open-end wrenches
 Layout tool  Phillips or cross point
 Line level screwdrivers
 Locking tape measures  Pipe vise
 Locking pliers  Pipe wrenches
 Machinist’s vise  Plane
 Marking gauge  Plumb bob
 Miter clamp  Power tool
 Needle nose or long  Push drill
round nose pliers  Rasplane
 Ripsaw
 Selecting Hand Tools
Hand tools are the most effective
and efficient way to do many jobs

Tool: Any instrument used in

doing work
 Selecting Hand Tools
Hand tool: Any tool operated by
hand to do work
 Used to do a task or job that could
not be done with the bare hand or
without the tool
Power tool: Operated by some
source of power other than human
power
 Selecting Hand Tools
Use hand tools when electrical or
engine power is not available.
Hand tools are used to do the small
jobs and to do the work where
large machines cannot function.
 Knowing how to use a hand tool helps when
using a power tool designed for the same
type of job.
 Selecting Hand Tools
Begin by selecting a quality tool.
Good tools cost a little more than
inferior tools but are worth the
added investment.
 Buying brand names recognized
as high quality is usually best.
 Selecting Hand Tools.
Select the right tool to do a job
and use it properly.
Using the wrong tool can be
dangerous, can damage the tool,
and results in inferior work.
 Using the right tool in the wrong
way is also dangerous.
 Selecting Hand Tools
Evaluate the job to be done and
study information available to know
the type and size of tool needed to
successfully complete the job.
 For example a 12 oz. hammer would
be good for driving brads while a 16 or
20 oz. hammer would be better for
driving large nails.
 Selecting Hand Tools
Consider the number of times you
will use the tool and the cost of
the tool to determine whether to
buy or rent the tool.
 Layout Tools
Tool used to measure or mark
wood, metal, and other materials.
 Measuring Devices
Measuring is normally done using
rulers, wooden folding rules,
measuring tapes, or 100 foot wind
up tapes

Rulers: can be one foot,

yardsticks, and meter sticks
 Wooden Folding Rules
Generally 6 foot long and their
rigidness makes them useful in
making vertical measurements.
 Locking Tape Measures
Come in lengths ranging from 6
foot to 30 foot, a width of ½ to 1
inch, they lock open, and use a
spring to retract the tape with the
push of a button.
 Other Measuring Layout Tools
Electronic Tape Measure

Divider-----------

Marking Gauge---------

Chalk Line---------
Layout Tools:
 100 Foot Wind Up Tape
100 foot wind up tape is useful in
building layout work where
distances over 30 feet must be
measured.
 Standard English Measurement
Most construction in this country is
done using inches, feet, and yards

Metric measurements using

millimeters, centimeters, and
meters is used in many other
countries
 Once materials are measured and
marked, they need to be cut, shaped,
and bored as needed to prepare for
assembling
 Saws
Classified by use and teeth per
inch.
An 8-point saw would have 8 teeth
per inch.
Handsaws include the:
 Crosscut,
rip, compass or keyhole,
coping and backsaw.
 Crosscut Saw
Used to cut across the grain of
wood.
 Use the thumb to guide the starting of
the cut while pulling the saw upwards
slowly two or three times
Saw to the line using long steady
strokes with the saw at a 45
degree angle to the board
 Ripsaw
Used for sawing with the grain.

Hold the saw at a 60 degree angle

with the wood and use a wedge
between the cut surfaces if the
board binds.
 Keyhole or Compass Saw
12 to 14 inch long narrow saw that
starts at about ½ inch wide at the
handle tapering to a point at the
end of the blade.
 Used for cutting curves and circles.
A hole is generally drilled as a way
of starting the cut in the interior of
a piece of wood.
 Coping Saw
Small saw with a very thin blade
of fine teeth.
Used for cutting intricate curves in
thin material.
 Backsaw

Finish carpentry saw with fine

teeth generally used in a miter box
to cut molding and trim.
 Shaping Tools

Includes planes, wood chisel, and

rasps.
 Plane
Tool used to smooth surfaces and
change the size or shape of wood
materials.
Planes include:
 Jack Plane
 Smoothing Plane
 Block Plane
 Jack Plane
Usually 14 inches long
Used for smoothing long surfaces
by shaving with the grain of the
wood

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Smoothing Plane
Usually 8 inches long,

Used with the grain and to finish

smoothing

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Block Plane
Usually 6 to 6½ inches long
Used for smoothing the ends of
boards by cutting across the grain.
To avoid splitting corners, clamp a
piece of wood on both edges of
the board or plane from the edge
toward the center.
(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)
 (Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

Wood Chisel
Wedge-shaped cutting tool used
to cut notches and shaving off
excess wood
Come in a variety of widths and
are generally hit with a wooden
mallet.
 Wood Chisel
Keep the chisel sharp for safe and
effective use.
To mark a slot turn the bevel of
the chisel inward and up to cut
shallow, and down to cut deep.
 (Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

Wood Rasp
Also known as a wood file

Used for smoothing rough work

and for removing small amounts
of wood on curved and irregular-
shaped objects.
 Wood Rasp
Be sure the rasp has a handle.

Apply pressure on the forward
stroke.

Clean the rasp with a wire brush

or file card.
 Rasplane
Wood rasp in the shape of a plane

Use it in the same way as a wood

rasp
 Boring Tools
Includes the
 hand drill
 push drill
 brace and bit
 Hand Drill
Device with gears that drive its bit
much faster than the handle turns
It is used for small holes when it is
not convenient to use an electric
drill

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Push Drill
Also called an automatic drill
Has a spiral-shaped shaft that
turns clockwise when pushed
against an object
Can be operated with one hand,
allowing the operator to hold the
material being drilled with the other
 Brace
Device for holding and turning an
auger bit

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Auger Bit
Square tang to fit into the brace.

The cutting end has a feed screw,

cutting lips, and cutting spurs

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Auger Bit
Drill until the feed screw begins to
come through the wood, then
back out the bit, and turn the
wood over to finish the hole from
the other side
 Prevents the wood from
splintering out
(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)
 Holding or Gripping Tools
Help complete the job quicker,
easier, and safer
 Clamps and vises
 Used to hold or grip wood or metal while
being cut, shaped, bored, and fastened
Pliers,wrenches, and screwdrivers
 Used at times for holding, gripping, or
turning.
 Clamps
Types:
 C-clamp
 Bar clamp
 Hand Screw clamp
 Miter clamp
 Spring clamps
 Band clamp/Strap clamp/Pony clamp
 C-Clamps
Shaped like the letter C and
Comes in sizes ranging from 2 to
10 inches

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Bar Clamps

Adjustable clamp that can range

from a few inches to six feet

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Hand Screw Clamps
Requires two hands for tightening
Can span up to 10 inches

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Miter Clamps
Used for tightening corners
Example: Making a picture frame.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Spring Clamps
New type of clamp tightened by
squeezing the handle.
Often used when fastening
cabinet units together.
 Band Clamps
Also called a Strap clamp or Pony
clamp
 Has many uses
 May be ratchet tightened
 Comes in a variety of lengths
 Vises
Types:
 Machinist’s vise,
 Blacksmith’s vise,
 Utility vise
 Pipe vise
 Machinist’s Vise
Made for heavy duty work
Have jaws that grip materials to
keep them from slipping
Often mounted to a shop table.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Blacksmith’s Vise
Also made for heavy work
Mounted on the edge of a table.
Not as popular as it was in the
days of the blacksmith.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Utility Vise
Has a small anvil on the back
Has removable jaws
 Pipe Vise
Specially made to hold pipe
without denting or flattening it
 Pliers
Types:
 Combination pliers
 Needle nose pliers
 Diagonal side cutting pliers
 Channel lock pliers
 Locking pliers
 Combination Pliers
Also called slip joint and
adjustable
Have two sizes
Used to hold materials, turn bolts,
and cut wire.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

Needle Nose Pliers
 Also called Long Round Nose
pliers

 Used to
 Retrieve items,
 Place items in tight quarters, and

 Twist wire

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Diagonal Side Cutting Pliers

Used to cut wire.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Channel Lock Pliers
Several size adjustments
Used to hold material such as
pipe.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Locking Pliers
Commonly called vise grips
Adjustable
Can be locked on a nut, bolt, or
pipe.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Wrenches
Used for gripping and tightening
Include
 adjustable jaw,
 fixed jaw
 socket
 set screw, and
 pipe wrenches.
 Adjustable Jaw Wrenches
Sometimes called crescent
wrenches
Sized by the length of the handle
Can be adjusted to fix various
sizes.
 When using the wrench, pull
against the stronger, stationary jaw
of the wrench.
 Fixed Jaw Wrenches
Either box end, open end, or a
combination of the two.
Box End
 Come as either 6 or 12 point
 Used when the nut is very tight on
the bolt.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Fixed Jaw Wrenches
Open End Wrench
 Faster to use when loosening nuts
 Are generally offset to a 15
degree angle so that they can be
flipped over to loosen nuts in tight
quarters
 Combination open-end box-end wrench

Gives the advantages of both

designs in the same wrench.
 Socket Sets
Can have 6 or 12 point sockets.
Offer the option of a breaker bar
to loosen tight nuts.
Offer speed of a ratchet handle to
loosen the nuts quickly

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Set screw or Allen wrenches
Are hex shaped
Used to turn set screws.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Pipe wrenches
Are adjustable
Come in several sizes
Used with pipe and large nuts
Wrapping the pipe or nut may
prevent leaving jaw marks when a
pipe wrench is used.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Screwdrivers
Either:
 Standard
 Phillips
 Standard or Flat Blade
Used with standard size slots
Select a screwdriver that fills the
width and depth of the screw slot
Longer handles give the maximum
leverage for tightening and
loosening

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Phillips or cross point
Designed to be used with Phillips
screw heads.
Easier to tighten or loosen
because the screwdriver is less
likely to slip out of the screw slot
 Thisis the main reason that Phillips
screwdriver bits are often used with
portable drills to tighten screws quickly.
(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)
 Anticipated Problem:

What hand tools are used for

driving and wrecking?
 Driving and Wrecking Tools
Driving tools
 To fasten building materials
together.
 Examples:
 Hammers and Staplers
 Driving and Wrecking Tools
Wrecking Tools
 Totake building materials apart
 Examples:
 Crowbars, flat bars, cat’s paw,
and tack removers
 Driving Tools
Include
 Curved Claw hammers
 Straight Claw hammers
 Wooden Mallets
 Rubber Mallets
 Sledge Hammers
 Curved Claw hammers
Most commonly used hammers to
drive and pull nails.

Handles may be wood, metal, or

fiberglass.
 Curved Claw hammers
12 oz. hammer would be good for
brads.
16 oz. hammer would be a good
general purpose hammer.
20 oz. hammer would be good to
drive 16 and 20 penny spikes.
 Using a Curved Claw Hammer
Whatever the nail size:
 Hold the nail
 Tap it until it will stand on its own
 Then grip the handle near the end
hitting the nail square with a long
swinging stroke.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Using a Curved Claw Hammer
Resist the temptation to hit the
nail one too many times leaving
your hammer print in the wood.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Straight Claw hammers
Can be used to rip boards.
Just as good as the curved claw
hammer for driving nails
Not as effective when trying to pull
bent nails

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Mallets
Wooden Mallets may be used with
wood chisels made with a metal
shank.
Rubber Mallets are useful when
there is concern of damaging the
material that is being driven.

(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)

 Sledge hammer
Large hammer (5 to 10 pound)
with a long handle
 Used for driving stakes, wrecking
materials that need to be
removed, etc.
For maximum delivery of power
with the sledge two hands need to
be on the handle.(Pictures Courtesy, Interstate Publishers, Inc.)
 Wrecking Tools
Includes:
 Crow Bars
 Flat Bars
 Cat’s Paw
 Tack Puller
 Crow Bars
Have a straight end and a curved
end
Nail pulling notch in both ends
Used to pull nails and pry
materials apart
 Flat Bars
Also called wonder bars
Flat with one straight end and one
right angle bend end
Work well for pulling nails that are
already part way out
 Cat’s Paw
Small bar with a curved end and
nail pulling notch
Works well by digging out nails
that are completely set in the
wood.
 Tack Puller
Size of a small screwdriver with a
notch in the end
Used for pulling tacks or small
nails.
Works well for pulling roofing
nails.
 Review
 Identify hand tools. How are they used?
 Identify layout tools. How are they used?
 Identify cutting, shaping, and boring tools.
How are they used?
 Identify holding and turning tools. How are
they used?
 Identify driving and wrecking tools. How
are they used?