Frequently Asked Questions about hand tools
1. What are some basic tips when using hand tools?
2. What should I avoid when using hand tools?
3. What to watch for when buying hand tools?
4. I need to buy a chisel for a woodworking job..
5. I'm looking to put together a basic hand tool set...
6. Can you recommend a tool that makes a good gift?
7. What does the amp rating mean on power tools?
8. Which is better: wood or fiberglass handles on hammers?
9. How long a tape measure should I buy?
10. What are the advantages of locking pliers?
11. Can I drill a hole in concrete?
12. Do I need a special blade to cut plywood with my circular saw?
13. I want a hand saw for all-around use.
14. What size adjustable wrench should I buy for general use?
15. Do I need more than one Phillips head screwdriver?
16. What are the quality differences between drop forged and cast metal hand tools?
17. Can hacksaws cut other materials besides metal?
18. I want a hand tool to cut a rather intricate design in plywood.
19. What type of blade is designed to cut along the wood grain?
20. What weight hammer should I buy?
21. Why is there such a wide price range for claw hammers?
22. I want to pound a chair leg back into place.
23. Do you have a hammer I can use with a chisel?
24. I need a hex key wrench, but I don't know the size.
25. Do I need more than one Phillips head screwdriver?
26. I want to hide the nail head in some molding that I am installing.
27. I need a pair of pliers that I can use in tight quarters.
Q 1. What are some basic tips when using hand tools?
- Select the right tool for the job. Substitutes increase the chance of having an accident.
- Use tools designed to allow wrist to stay straight. Avoid using hand tools with your wrist bent.
- Ensure that employees are properly trained in the safe use of hand tools.
- Use good quality tools.
- Keep tools in good condition at all times.
( See Maintenance Tips)
- Inspect tools for defects before use. Replace or repair defective tools.
- Keep cutting tools sharp and cover sharp edges with suitable covering to protect the tool and to prevent injuries from unintended contact. .
- Replace cracked, splintered, or broken handles on files, hammers, screwdrivers, or sledges.
- Ensure that the handles of tools like hammers and axes fit tightly into the head of the tool.
- Replace worn jaws on wrenches, pipe tools and pliers.
- Redress burred or mushroomed heads of striking tools.
- Pull on a wrench or pliers. Never push unless you hold the tool with your palm open.
- Point sharp tools (e.g., saws, chisels, knives) laying on benches away from aisles and handles should not extend over the edge of the bench top.
- Maintain tools carefully. Keep them clean and dry, and store them properly after each use.
- Carry tools in a sturdy tool box to and from the worksite.
- Wear safety glasses or goggles and well-fitting gloves appropriate for the hazards to which you may be exposed when doing various tasks.
- Keep the work environment clean and tidy to avoid clutter which may cause accidents.
- Use a heavy belt or apron and hang tools at your sides, not behind your back.
- Keep the work environment clean and tidy to avoid clutter which may cause accidents
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Q 2. What should I avoid when using hand tools?
- Do not use tools for jobs they are not intended to do. For example, do not use a slot screw drivers as a chisel, pry bar, wedge or punch or wrenches as hammers..
- Do not apply excessive force or pressure on tools.
- Do not cut towards yourself when using cutting tools.
- Do not hold the stock in the palm of your hand when using a cutting tool or a screwdriver.
- Do not wear bulky gloves to operate hand tools.
- Do not throw tools. Hand them, handle first, directly to other workers.
- Do not carry tools in a way that interferes with using both hands on a ladder, while climbing on a structure, or when doing any hazardous work. If working on a ladder or scaffold, tools should be raised and lowered using a bucket and hand line.
- Do not carry a sharp tool in your pocket.
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Q 3. What to watch for when buying hand tools?
The most devastating problem is a crack in one of the castings. This often
happens on the sides of the plane, in the area around the mouth. If there
is a crack here, chances are the plane will not work well. There are often
cracks around the mouth on the bottom of the plane as well. Chips are often
seen in front of and behind the mouth. It they are in the front there is a
problem, since this will impede the proper function of the plane. Ones
behind the mouth, if small and not connected to cracks, can be considered
merely cosmetic.
Pitting from rust is common on the metal parts of old tools. Pitted
castings, while ugly, are not really a problem unless severe. On the sole
they can prevent the plane from leaving a smooth surface, which is of course
the whole point. Examine pitting closely beside and around the mouth.
Pitting is more of a problem when it occurs on the rear of the blade. This
often happens when water collects in the capillary reservoir formed by the
blade and the chip breaker. If it's light, it can be ground off when
flattening the blade. Sometimes it is too deep for this to be possible.
The blade can still be used for rough work, but it will never leave a smooth
surface. Note that an unpitted back is necessary only on a plane that
leaves a finished surface. Thus it is most crucial on smoothers and
moulding planes.
While looking at the blade, check for the length. New
blades should have 2" or so of iron below the notch.
Familiarize yourself with the function of the various adjustment mechanisms
and make sure they are in working order. With proper tension on the lever
cap, they should work smoothly without excessive pressure. Disassemble the
plane to make sure everything is as it should be, and that all parts are
there. Check important working surfaces for wear: the slot in the
adjustment wheel, the wheel on the end of the adjustment lever. Check to
see that the screw heads are not stripped or abused: this can be a sign of
rough handling.
Check the sole for flatness. The sole need not be optically flat,
but serious warping is a problem. Soles can be hollow, convex or twisted
along their length. If you can spot the problem by eye, it's best to pass
on the plane. If you plan to use the plane in a shooting board or for
shoulder work, make sure the sides are square to the sole. Sight down the
soles and fences of wooden planes. Be especially attentive to wooden planes
with mouths that cut completely cross the sole, like dados. These are
particularly prone to warping out of line.
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Q 4. I need to buy a chisel for a woodworking job. What size
do you recommend?
You can handle most of your needs with a 1/4 inch model and one larger one—either a 3/4 inch or 1 inch.
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Q 5. I'm looking to put together a basic hand tool set. What do I need?
The tools needed for basic home maintenance should cost you less than $150 and include:
- Tape measure
- Handsaw
- Hacksaw
- Hammer
- Screwdrivers
- Level
- Utility knife
- Pliers
- Locking pliers
- Adjustable wrench
- Plunger
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Q 6. Can you recommend a tool that makes a good gift?
I would consider a cordless drill, a bench grinder, a palm sander, a level, a square, a chalkline or a new ladder.
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Q 7. What does the amp rating mean on power tools? Generally, more amps translate into more power for electric tools.
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Q 8. Which is better: wood or fiberglass handles on hammers?
Some people say the wood provides a better feel and absorbs shock. While wood is durable, fiberglass is stronger.
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Q 9. How long a tape measure should I buy?
A 12-foot-long tape is handy for most household work, but I recommend a 25-foot one because it can also be used for carpentry, plumbing and other major projects.
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Q 10. What are the advantages of locking pliers?
They can turn many parts that no other tool can, and they are especially suited for clamping onto small parts and gripping pipe fittings. You can also use them when a nut or bolt head strips. But be careful because you can deform some parts if you overtighten them. TOP
Q 11. Can I drill a hole in concrete?
Yes a high-speed masonry bit is used on concrete, concrete block, cinder block, brick and stone.
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Q 12. Do I need a special blade to cut plywood with my circular saw?
Yes, a plywood blade has small teeth that provide a clean cut and reduce splintering.
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Q 13. I want a hand saw for all-around use. What do you recommend?
A 7- or 8-point crosscut would be a good choice.
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Q 14. What size adjustable wrench should I buy for general use?
When it comes to gripping, bigger is generally better. If you are going to get just one, I recommend a larger one: either 10-inch or 14-inch.
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Q 15. Do I need more than one Phillips head screwdriver?
Two sizes will handle most screws.
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Q 16. What are the quality differences between drop forged and cast metal hand tools?
During construction, drop forging removes more air bubbles. This means there are fewer weak spots.
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Q 17. Can hacksaws cut other materials besides metal?
Yes, the fine teeth of a hacksaw can cut other materials too tough for wood saws, such as bricks.
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Q 18. I want a hand tool to cut a rather intricate design in plywood.
A coping saw is best for this job.
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Q 19. What type of blade is designed to cut along the wood grain?
A rip blade also has teeth bent to the left and right, but its teeth are on the top of the blade, not on the inside. They like chisels that scoop out the wood as the saw moves along the grain.
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Q 20. What weight hammer should I buy?
Buy the heaviest hammer that you can control because the heavier the hammer, the easier it will be to drive nails. However, the heavier the hammer, the harder it is to hit nails on the head and the more quickly your arm muscles will become fatigued.
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Q 21. Why is there such a wide price range for claw hammers?
The higher-priced hammers have sturdier handles and better steel in their heads. These hammers will perform better and last longer.
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Q 22. I want to pound a chair leg back into place. What tool can provide the force without marring the surface?
Wood or rubber mallets are a good choice.
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Q 23. Do you have a hammer I can use with a chisel?
Yes, small sledge hammers weigh between 2 pounds and 4 pounds. A 2-pound model is a good choice.
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Q 24. I need a hex key wrench, but I don't know the size.
Since they are not expensive, an 18-piece all-purpose hex key wrench set is recommended
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Q 25. Do I need more than one Phillips head screwdriver?
Two sizes will handle most screws.
Q 26. I want to hide the nail head in some molding that I am installing.
Use a nail set to sink the nail head into the molding. Then you can fill the hole with a spackling compound, sand it smooth and paint it.
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Q 27. I need a pair of pliers that I can use in tight quarters.
Use a pair of needle-nose pliers, which are good for this task as well as gripping small items, precision work, cutting wire or bending wire to wrap a terminal. The jaws and cutting blades meet evenly. If you hold them up to the light, you should not be able to see any diagonal chinks of light coming though.
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