Difference between revisions of "Hand tool"

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(not much)
(fill in, + split off Scissors section)
Line 5: Line 5:
  
 
===Tape measure===
 
===Tape measure===
 +
====Steel====
 +
* More accurate than fibreglass
 +
* Steel tape breaks eventually
 +
* Stiff springy tape
 +
* Popular & cheap
 +
====Fibreglass====
 +
* Floppy tape
 +
* Tape is not perfectl dimensionally stable, so small inaccuracies may occur
 +
* Long lived
  
 
===Ruler===
 
===Ruler===
Line 25: Line 34:
 
===Pen & Pencil===
 
===Pen & Pencil===
  
−
===Scissors===
+
===[[Scissors]]===
−
* Wallpaper - long blades & short handles for fast low pressure cutting
+
See [[Scissors]] article for information on
−
* Bone - short serrated blades, long handles, gives high pressures
+
* [[Scissors|Household scissors]]
 +
* [[Scissors|Wallpaper scissors]]
 +
* [[Scissors|Bone scissors]]
 +
* [[Scissors|Craft scissors]]
 +
* [[Scissors|Children's scissors]]
 +
* [[Scissors|Nail scissors]]
  
 
===Gloves===
 
===Gloves===
Line 33: Line 47:
 
* Leather
 
* Leather
 
* Cotton
 
* Cotton
 +
* Latex
  
−
===Tape===
+
===[[Tapes|Tape]]===
 +
See [[Tapes]] for a full list of the numerous types of tape & their uses in DIY & construction. These include:
 
* Insulating - pvc
 
* Insulating - pvc
 
* Building - fairly tough, rippable
 
* Building - fairly tough, rippable
−
* Masking - easily removed if not left on long
+
* Masking  
−
* Cellophane - low cost light duty limited life tape
+
* Cellophane - minimum cost low performance tape
−
* [[Duct Tape]] - tough tape for most jobs except ducting
+
* [[Duct Tape]] - reinforced tape for most jobs except ducting
−
* Foil tape - for ducts
+
* Foil tape
−
* Amalgamating tape -
+
* Amalgamating tape
−
* Friction tape - obsolete cloth insulating tape with very poor adhesion
+
* Friction tape
−
* Wall tape - crack repair tape, ultrathin cloth.
+
* Wall tape - crack repair tape
 
* Clear waterproof tape - repairs to glass & plastic cracks.
 
* Clear waterproof tape - repairs to glass & plastic cracks.
 
* Paper tape - tapes over PB joints before painting for a low cost non-filled job.
 
* Paper tape - tapes over PB joints before painting for a low cost non-filled job.
−
* Plasterboard tape - an open mesh tape applied to joints before filling, reduces cracking & prevents cracked filler falling out
+
* Plasterboard tape - an open mesh tape
 +
 
 +
& many more
 +
 
  
 
==[[Clamps]] & Pliers==
 
==[[Clamps]] & Pliers==
Line 56: Line 75:
 
===F clamp===
 
===F clamp===
  
−
===Sash
+
===Sash C
  
 
===Pliers===
 
===Pliers===
Line 87: Line 106:
 
See [[Knives]] for more info
 
See [[Knives]] for more info
  
−
===Stanley Knife===
+
===[[Knives|Stanley Knife]]===
 
* Tough general purpose DIY knife
 
* Tough general purpose DIY knife
 +
* More popular for self defence in its earlier days
  
−
===Wallpaper knife===
+
===[[Knives|Wallpaper knife]]===
 
* Lightweight plastic knife with snapoff blade
 
* Lightweight plastic knife with snapoff blade
 
* 9mm & 18m blades
 
* 9mm & 18m blades
  
−
===Pocket Knife===
+
===[[Knives|Pocket Knife]]===
 
The forerunner of the above knife types, these are no longer popular for DIY use.
 
The forerunner of the above knife types, these are no longer popular for DIY use.
  
−
===Craft knife, X-acto knife===
+
===[[Knives|Craft knife, X-acto knife]]===
 
These are small knives sometimes used in DIY, but more popular for craft use. The handles look a bit like a writing pen, and the blades used are scalpel blades and other blades of a similar size.
 
These are small knives sometimes used in DIY, but more popular for craft use. The handles look a bit like a writing pen, and the blades used are scalpel blades and other blades of a similar size.
 
* Many blade shapes are available.
 
* Many blade shapes are available.
 
* X-Acto is another trade mark that has fallen into general usage
 
* X-Acto is another trade mark that has fallen into general usage
  
−
===Scalpel===
+
===[[Knives|Scalpel]]===
 
* More used for DIY surgery than house maintance.
 
* More used for DIY surgery than house maintance.
 
* Useful for removing splinters
 
* Useful for removing splinters
 +
* Can be useful for appliance repairs
  
−
===Rotary Knife===
+
===[[Knives|Rotary Knife]]===
 
* score or cut into soft materials such as lino & vinyl tiles
 
* score or cut into soft materials such as lino & vinyl tiles
−
* Not much use for other DIY tasks, due to little cutting power.
+
* Not much use for other DIY tasks, very little cutting power.
  
  
−
==Levels==
+
==[[Levels]]==
 
===[[Spirit Level]]===
 
===[[Spirit Level]]===
  
Line 118: Line 139:
 
* Much more versatile than spirit level
 
* Much more versatile than spirit level
  
−
===Plumb bob===
+
===[[Levels|Plumb bob]]===
−
 
+
* weight on string
 +
* accurately indicates the vertical
  
 
==[[Paint]]ing==
 
==[[Paint]]ing==
 
===Paint brush===
 
===Paint brush===
 +
* Decorator's brushes are widely available in sizes from 0.5" to 6"
 +
* Brushes several feet wide are occasionally seen in use for exterior painting
 
* The worst ones are identified by pulling on the bristles to see if some come out.
 
* The worst ones are identified by pulling on the bristles to see if some come out.
  
 
===Artists brushes===
 
===Artists brushes===
−
* For fine detail, tight access
+
* For fine detail
 +
* for tight access
 
* For touchup jobs
 
* For touchup jobs
 +
 +
===Block Brush===
 +
A thicker brush for bulk application of thin paints, eg some lime paints & wood preservatives.
  
 
===Paint kettle===
 
===Paint kettle===
 +
* Carrying a small amount of paint is less fatiguing and
 +
* Reduces magnitude of spills
  
 
===Scraper===
 
===Scraper===
 +
* Paint removal
  
 
===Sandpaper===
 
===Sandpaper===
 +
* smoothing
 +
* stock removal
  
 
===Sanding Block===
 
===Sanding Block===
 +
* use with sandpaper to apply an even pressure and help achieve a flatter result
  
 
===Shave hook===
 
===Shave hook===
−
Often blunt when bought. Sharpening them makes them work!
+
* Paint removal
 +
* Often blunt when bought. Sharpening them makes them work!
  
 
===[[Paint|Paint Guard]]===
 
===[[Paint|Paint Guard]]===
 +
* Hand held plastic strip to keep paint off other items, eg carpet
  
 
===Sprayer===
 
===Sprayer===
Line 151: Line 187:
  
 
===Cold Chisel===
 
===Cold Chisel===
 +
* For masonry
  
 
===Line===
 
===Line===
  
 
===Bucket handle===
 
===Bucket handle===
−
* Shaping pointing
+
* Shapes pointing
  
 
===Blower===
 
===Blower===
 
* Clears holes drilled in masonry
 
* Clears holes drilled in masonry
 
* Quick, easy and avoids a face/eye full of brick dust.
 
* Quick, easy and avoids a face/eye full of brick dust.
−
* A bendy straw also works
 
  
  
 
==Plastering==
 
==Plastering==
 
===Float===
 
===Float===
 +
* rectangular tool for smoothing
 +
* steel
 +
** general purpose float
 +
** for cement render, gypsum plaster,
 +
* wood
 +
** used mainly with lime plaster
 +
** draws fat to the surface less than steel
 +
* plastic
 +
** textured surface
 +
** for?
  
 
===Plasterer's Hawk===
 
===Plasterer's Hawk===
 +
* small handheld platform for mixed plaster
  
 
===Trowel===
 
===Trowel===
Line 173: Line 220:
  
 
===Small tools===
 
===Small tools===
 +
* detailing, ribbon work & decorative work
  
 
===Corner trowels===
 
===Corner trowels===
−
 
+
* right angles trowels for internal & external corners
  
 
==Woodwork==
 
==Woodwork==
Line 181: Line 229:
  
 
===Plane===
 
===Plane===
 +
smoothing, flattening & stock removal of wood & non-brittle plastics
  
 
===Bradawl===
 
===Bradawl===
Line 187: Line 236:
  
 
===Countersink===
 
===Countersink===
 +
* drills a shallow hole for a screw head
 +
* several patterns available
 +
** rose
  
 
===Profile Gauge===
 
===Profile Gauge===
 +
* Use to transfer profiles from one item to another or to paper
 +
* A row of lots of pins held in place by friction
  
 
===Hand drill===
 
===Hand drill===
 +
* Not often used since cordless drills became popular
 +
* allow much finer control than mains electric drills
 +
* relatively slow
 +
* Pattern of top handle is the main difference seen among hand drills, and this affects stability in use
 +
* Very old hand drills may have types of chuck rarely seen today, eg a 2 jaw chuck.
 +
* most have a quarter inch chuck
  
 
===Moulding Plane===
 
===Moulding Plane===
Line 199: Line 259:
 
* Type of hand drill
 
* Type of hand drill
 
* Top end of drill designed to be pressed against the chest in use
 
* Top end of drill designed to be pressed against the chest in use
 +
** this stabilises the drill, and allows more force to be applied
  
 
===Brace===
 
===Brace===
Line 207: Line 268:
  
 
===Bevel===
 
===Bevel===
 +
* For transferring & copying angles
 +
* When using a bevel for repeat angles in construction, it can move, ruining workpieces. Thus draw round it when the angle has been taken, and check the bevel against this drawing before it is used on each workpiece
  
 
===Set Square===
 
===Set Square===
 +
* 90 degree tool that overlaps the edge of workpiece
 +
* fastest way to mark an exact line across timber
  
 
===Ruler===
 
===Ruler===
 +
* plastic, aluminium or wood.
 +
* rigid or folding
 +
 +
===Yardstick===
 +
* Yard long ruler
  
 
===Rasp===
 
===Rasp===
 +
* coarse file for wood stock removal
  
 
===Saw===
 
===Saw===
−
Various types
+
Many types
  
 
===Cabinet Scraper===
 
===Cabinet Scraper===
Line 273: Line 344:
 
===Claw hammer===
 
===Claw hammer===
 
* Most popular hammer
 
* Most popular hammer
 +
* general purpose hammer
 
* Nail pulling claws on one side
 
* Nail pulling claws on one side
 +
* Various weights, with 12oz - 16oz being most popular
 +
 +
===?name for light hammer===
 +
* light hammer, 4oz typical
 +
* for driving pins & small nails
 +
* easier to use & more precise than a claw hammer
 +
* limited hitting force available
 +
* one flat face, one cold chisel face
  
 
===Clubhammer===
 
===Clubhammer===
−
* Heavier, eg 4lb
+
* medium heavy hammer
 +
* 2 flat faces
 +
* 4lb is most common size
  
 
===Ball pein hammer===
 
===Ball pein hammer===
−
* One rounded striking face
+
* One rounded striking face, one flat
  
 
===Sledge hammer===
 
===Sledge hammer===
 
* Very heavy hammer
 
* Very heavy hammer
−
* Long handle
+
* Long handle for maximum swing
−
* Used for serious violence, eg concrete breaking
+
* for serious violence, eg concrete breaking
  
 
===Dead blow hammer===
 
===Dead blow hammer===
Line 291: Line 373:
  
 
===(non sparking) hammer===
 
===(non sparking) hammer===
 +
* copper faced hammer does not produce sparks
  
 
===Scutch hammer===
 
===Scutch hammer===
Line 296: Line 379:
 
* Replaceable toolface
 
* Replaceable toolface
  
−
===Wood Mallet===
+
===Mallets===
−
 
+
====Wood Mallet====
−
===Rubber Mallet===
+
* Inserting fence posts
  
−
===Plastic Mallet===
+
====Rubber Mallet====
 +
* softest mallet
 +
* light duty hitting where no dent may be left
  
 +
====Plastic Mallet====
 +
* similar to rubber mallet but not as soft
  
 
==Bars==
 
==Bars==
Line 314: Line 401:
 
==Material Handling==
 
==Material Handling==
 
===Shovel===
 
===Shovel===
 +
* for moving loose material
  
 
===Spade===
 
===Spade===
−
* Stainles steel gives less friction
+
* for digging
 +
* Stainless steel gives less friction
  
 
===Fork===
 
===Fork===
−
* Stainles steel gives less friction
+
* Stainless steel gives less friction
  
 
===Wheelbarrow===
 
===Wheelbarrow===
 
* Dyson's original ballbarrows are much less likely to sink into mud, giving much easier ride on wet soil, but they're no longer made.
 
* Dyson's original ballbarrows are much less likely to sink into mud, giving much easier ride on wet soil, but they're no longer made.
 +
* plastic, nothing like as robust as metal barrows
 +
* ideal for gardening
  
−
===Carrying handle===
+
===Carrying handle?===
 
* Enables one person to carry 8x4 sheets
 
* Enables one person to carry 8x4 sheets
  
 
===Sieve===
 
===Sieve===
 +
* separate aggregate of differing sizes
 +
* remove clumps from cat litter
 
* Power sieves exist now fwiw
 
* Power sieves exist now fwiw
  
 
===Bucket===
 
===Bucket===
 +
 +
===Scoop===
 +
 +
===Trowel (garden)
  
  
Line 340: Line 437:
 
===Tinsnips===
 
===Tinsnips===
 
* Sheet metal cutting scissors
 
* Sheet metal cutting scissors
−
* Uncomfortable to use
+
* designed for thin sheet only
 +
* Uncomfortable & difficult with anything thicker
 +
* cuts straight lines
 +
* mostly useful for fabrication
  
 
===Aviation Tinsnips===
 
===Aviation Tinsnips===
 
* A much improved design of sheet metal cutter.
 
* A much improved design of sheet metal cutter.
 +
* greater cutting force
 +
* greater comfort
 +
* causes more distortion to the workpiece
 +
* mostly useful for dismantling
  
 
===Wire strippers===
 
===Wire strippers===
−
Any of a number of designs of wirestripper
+
* Any of a number of designs of wirestripper
  
 
===Axe===
 
===Axe===
 +
* wood chopping
  
 
===Meat Cleaver===
 
===Meat Cleaver===
−
Designed for butchers, these make a good small axe for trimming small trees and general gardening. Add some red paint if you want to keep the neighbours away.
+
* Designed for butchers, these make a good small axe for trimming small trees and general gardening.
 +
* Add some red paint if you want to keep the neighbours away.
  
 
===Bolt Croppers===
 
===Bolt Croppers===
Line 363: Line 469:
 
===Pipe cutter - wheel type===
 
===Pipe cutter - wheel type===
 
* ring turn, eg Monument
 
* ring turn, eg Monument
 +
* for copper pipe
  
 
===Pipe cutter - pvc chopper type===
 
===Pipe cutter - pvc chopper type===
−
 
+
* fast cutting of pvc pipe
  
 
==More==
 
==More==
 
===Jeweller's screwdrivers===
 
===Jeweller's screwdrivers===
 +
* tiny screwdrivers
 
* For repairing small appliances
 
* For repairing small appliances
  
 
===Hex bit Screwdriver===
 
===Hex bit Screwdriver===
 +
* screwdriver wth standardised interchangeable bits
 +
* more robust & versatile than conventional screwdriver
  
 
===Spanner===
 
===Spanner===
 +
* drives nuts & bolts with hex head.
  
 
===Ratchet Spanner===
 
===Ratchet Spanner===
 +
* drives one way
  
 
===Sockets===
 
===Sockets===
 +
* drive nuts & bolts with hex head.
 +
* generally more torque & control than spanners
 +
* can drive recessed items
 +
* come with any of several drive sizes:
 +
** 1/4" - for very light duty work eg appliance case screws
 +
** 3/8"
 +
** 1/2" - good for general purpose use
 +
** 3/4" - good for heavy duty work, eg washing machine bearings and tougher items on cars
 +
** 1" - industrial duty
 +
* see also torque wrench
  
 
===Extension Bar===
 
===Extension Bar===
Line 388: Line 510:
  
 
===Torch===
 
===Torch===
 +
* may mean a battery light or gas flame
  
 
===Grindstone===
 
===Grindstone===
Line 394: Line 517:
  
 
===Pincers===
 
===Pincers===
 +
* cuts tiles
  
 
===Nail puller===
 
===Nail puller===
 +
* removes nails
  
 
===Pickaxe===
 
===Pickaxe===
 
* Breaking up hard & stony soil
 
* Breaking up hard & stony soil
  
−
===Feeler Guage===
+
===Feeler Gauge===
 +
* set of slips of very thin steel
 +
* measures tiny gaps
  
 
===Allen Keys===
 
===Allen Keys===
  
 
===Self Adjusting Spanners===
 
===Self Adjusting Spanners===
 +
* saves carrying many spanners
 +
* performance poor compared to fixed size spanners
  
 
==Metalwork==
 
==Metalwork==
  
 
===Centre punch===
 
===Centre punch===
 +
* Dents metal to prevent wander while starting to drill a hole
 +
 +
===Automatic Centre punch===
 +
* Just press, a hammering mechanism is built in.
  
 
===File===
 
===File===
 +
* various sizes
 +
** rat's tail file
 +
* different teeth size for different materialsworkpieces
 +
** wood
 +
** steel
 +
 +
  
 
More hand tools:  
 
More hand tools:  
Line 433: Line 573:
  
 
===Oil filter wrench===
 
===Oil filter wrench===
−
- chain
+
* Various types
−
- strap
+
** chain
−
- set of fingers driven by socket bar.
+
** strap
 +
** set of fingers driven by socket bar.
  
 
===Jack===
 
===Jack===
Line 472: Line 613:
 
===Roofer's  Square===
 
===Roofer's  Square===
 
===Carpenter's Square===
 
===Carpenter's Square===
 +
 
===Torx keys===
 
===Torx keys===
 +
 
===Torque wrench===
 
===Torque wrench===
 +
 
===Scales===
 
===Scales===
 
* Used as a substitute for a torque wrench
 
* Used as a substitute for a torque wrench
 
* 15lbs at 1 foot gives 15 lbfoot, 15lbs at 2' gives 30lbft.
 
* 15lbs at 1 foot gives 15 lbfoot, 15lbs at 2' gives 30lbft.
 +
 
===Secateurs===
 
===Secateurs===
 +
* Garden trimming
 +
 
===Bulb planter===
 
===Bulb planter===
 +
* Makes bulb planting very quick
 +
* pointed stick with handle
 +
 
===Micrometer===
 
===Micrometer===
 +
* highly accurate measurement of small distances
 +
 
===Sandpaper===
 
===Sandpaper===
 +
* smoothing & material removal
 +
* different grit densities for different purposes
 +
** high density for hand sanding, low density avoids clogging with power tools
 +
 
===Dentist's mirror===
 
===Dentist's mirror===
 
* Small mirror on stick enables seeing into unseeable places
 
* Small mirror on stick enables seeing into unseeable places
 
* Strips of mirror out of dead scanners can also be used
 
* Strips of mirror out of dead scanners can also be used
 +
 
===Inspection Lamp===
 
===Inspection Lamp===
 
aka Drop lamp
 
aka Drop lamp
 
* hand held lamp designed to use up your stock of spare mains bulbs
 
* hand held lamp designed to use up your stock of spare mains bulbs
 +
 
===?Stapler===
 
===?Stapler===
−
===Crimper===
+
 
 +
===Crimper, non-ratchet===
 +
* attaches crimp connectors to cables, but the connection is invariably weak & inadequte
 +
 
 
===Crimper, ratchet===
 
===Crimper, ratchet===
 +
* attaches crimp connectors to cables properly
 +
 
===Magnet on string===
 
===Magnet on string===
 +
* Retrieve objects dropped in voids
 +
 
===Draw tape===
 
===Draw tape===
−
===Copmuter?===
+
* Threading wires through otherwise inaccessible voids, eg under floor, within walls
−
===Camera?===
+
 
−
===Mobile to call an ambulance!===
+
===Computer===
 +
 
 +
===Camera===
 +
* Records damage or other issues before a job starts
 +
* A simple way to enable near identical reassmebly of complex items
 +
 
 +
===Mobile===
 +
* to call an ambulance!
 +
 
 
===Kneepads===
 
===Kneepads===
 +
 
===Toolbelt===
 
===Toolbelt===
 +
 
===Hard hat===
 
===Hard hat===
 +
 
===Goggles===
 
===Goggles===
 +
* Protect eyes
 +
** Direct vent suitable for nuisance dusts only
 +
** Indirect vent suitable for potential eye injury situations, such as angle grinders
 +
 
===Ear defenders===
 
===Ear defenders===
 +
* Several types available
 +
** foam rubber in-ear
 +
** headphone style
 +
** active noise cancellers
 +
 
===Bogroll===
 
===Bogroll===
 
* One sheet in each ear reduces noise levels
 
* One sheet in each ear reduces noise levels
 +
 
===Ladder===
 
===Ladder===
 
incl multiway ladder
 
incl multiway ladder
 +
 
===Access tower===
 
===Access tower===
 +
 
===Rope===
 
===Rope===
 +
 
===S hooks===
 
===S hooks===
 +
 
===Toolbox===
 
===Toolbox===
 +
 
===Toolchest===
 
===Toolchest===
 +
 
===Carrierbag===
 
===Carrierbag===
 +
* budget toolbag
 +
 
Cleaning sht link
 
Cleaning sht link
 +
 
===Dustsheets===
 
===Dustsheets===
−
===Newpaper===
+
* Plastic or cloth sheets for keeping dust & paint off floors, furniture, woodwork, etc
 +
 
 +
===Newspaper===
 +
* used as dust sheet
 +
 
 
===1st aid kit===
 
===1st aid kit===
 +
 
===Fire exting?===
 
===Fire exting?===
 +
 
===Fugenboy===
 
===Fugenboy===
 +
* Shaping & smoothing tool for silicone sealant & similar
 +
* Polypropylene
 +
 
===Pipe bender===
 
===Pipe bender===
 +
* Used with pipe bending spring or sand to bend copper pipe
 +
 
===Storage cases for small parts===
 
===Storage cases for small parts===
 +
 
===Magnifying glass?===
 
===Magnifying glass?===
 +
 
===Dustmask, filters===
 
===Dustmask, filters===
 +
* Wide range of qualities available
 +
* Most are not suitable for some types of dust
 +
* Budget masks are for nontoxic nuisance dusts only, and reduce rather than prevent dust ingress
 +
 
===Laser level===
 
===Laser level===
 +
 
===Grout spreader===
 
===Grout spreader===
 +
* Straight rubber edge pushes grout between tiles while wiping it off the tile fronts.
 +
 
===Sponge===
 
===Sponge===
−
===Metal, wire n stud detector===
+
 
 +
===Metal, wire & stud detector===
 
* Beware of faulty ones that don't go off when pointed at yourself!
 
* Beware of faulty ones that don't go off when pointed at yourself!
 +
 
===Space suit===
 
===Space suit===
 +
* For hazardous substances
 +
* Prevents personal contamination
 +
 
===Impact driver===
 
===Impact driver===
 
* A hammer driven screwdriver
 
* A hammer driven screwdriver
 
* The power tool of the same name is something different
 
* The power tool of the same name is something different
 +
 
===Hot gloog gun===
 
===Hot gloog gun===
 
* Bodger's special
 
* Bodger's special
 +
 
===Sawboard===
 
===Sawboard===
 +
* Used with a circular saw
 +
* Enables greater accuracy
 +
 
===Mitre saw, hand type===
 
===Mitre saw, hand type===
 +
* Guide frame to enable accurate angles to be cut in wood etc
 +
 
===Tray & towels===
 
===Tray & towels===
 
* For catching water spilt from CH
 
* For catching water spilt from CH
 +
 
===Pump===
 
===Pump===
 
For de-flooding house after CH work.
 
For de-flooding house after CH work.
 +
 
===Freezer===
 
===Freezer===
 
* freezes pipes to enable plumbing. If quick.
 
* freezes pipes to enable plumbing. If quick.
 +
 
===Box spanner===
 
===Box spanner===
−
===Letterpunch===
+
* Tube with hexagonal end to drives nuts.
−
===sawhorse===
+
* Turned by a bar inserted through holes in the tube
−
===Fibro cutter===
+
* US usage of the term is different.
 +
 
 +
===Letter punch & Number punches===
 +
* Stamps text into metals
  
 +
===Sawhorse===
  
 +
===Fibro cutter===
 +
* Cuts asbestos cement sheet.
 +
* Not suitable for modern sheet replacements for asbestos.
  
  

Revision as of 17:21, 25 April 2007

Hand Tools


General

Tape measure

Steel

  • More accurate than fibreglass
  • Steel tape breaks eventually
  • Stiff springy tape
  • Popular & cheap

Fibreglass

  • Floppy tape
  • Tape is not perfectl dimensionally stable, so small inaccuracies may occur
  • Long lived

Ruler

Screwdriver

  • Standard
  • Long
  • Stubby
  • 90 degree cranked
  • Ratchet
  • Flexible

Bits Holder

  • Not to be confused with swmbo
  • Holds a set of hex shanked screwdriver bits
  • Small pocket sized one is handy

Security bits

Pen & Pencil

Scissors

See Scissors article for information on

Gloves

  • Rubber
  • Leather
  • Cotton
  • Latex

Tape

See Tapes for a full list of the numerous types of tape & their uses in DIY & construction. These include:

  • Insulating - pvc
  • Building - fairly tough, rippable
  • Masking
  • Cellophane - minimum cost low performance tape
  • Duct Tape - reinforced tape for most jobs except ducting
  • Foil tape
  • Amalgamating tape
  • Friction tape
  • Wall tape - crack repair tape
  • Clear waterproof tape - repairs to glass & plastic cracks.
  • Paper tape - tapes over PB joints before painting for a low cost non-filled job.
  • Plasterboard tape - an open mesh tape

& many more


Clamps & Pliers

Mole grips

C clamp

F clamp

===Sash C

Pliers

Long nosed Pliers

Pliers for use in very confined spaces

Circlip Pliers

Pliers for fitting and removing circlips

Round nosed Pliers

Sidecutters

Type of wirecutting pliers

Fencing pliers

  • Hammer, wire cutter and tensioner in one

Grozz Pliers

  • Glasswork

Waterpump pliers

  • Slotted hinge mechanism allows large sizes to be gripped

Parallel Pliers

  • Not often found in DIY use, but give much better performance than standard pliers.


Knives

See Knives for more info

Stanley Knife

  • Tough general purpose DIY knife
  • More popular for self defence in its earlier days

Wallpaper knife

  • Lightweight plastic knife with snapoff blade
  • 9mm & 18m blades

Pocket Knife

The forerunner of the above knife types, these are no longer popular for DIY use.

Craft knife, X-acto knife

These are small knives sometimes used in DIY, but more popular for craft use. The handles look a bit like a writing pen, and the blades used are scalpel blades and other blades of a similar size.

  • Many blade shapes are available.
  • X-Acto is another trade mark that has fallen into general usage

Scalpel

  • More used for DIY surgery than house maintance.
  • Useful for removing splinters
  • Can be useful for appliance repairs

Rotary Knife

  • score or cut into soft materials such as lino & vinyl tiles
  • Not much use for other DIY tasks, very little cutting power.


Levels

Spirit Level

Card Level

  • Finds any angle with card & a pin.
  • Much more versatile than spirit level

Plumb bob

  • weight on string
  • accurately indicates the vertical

Painting

Paint brush

  • Decorator's brushes are widely available in sizes from 0.5" to 6"
  • Brushes several feet wide are occasionally seen in use for exterior painting
  • The worst ones are identified by pulling on the bristles to see if some come out.

Artists brushes

  • For fine detail
  • for tight access
  • For touchup jobs

Block Brush

A thicker brush for bulk application of thin paints, eg some lime paints & wood preservatives.

Paint kettle

  • Carrying a small amount of paint is less fatiguing and
  • Reduces magnitude of spills

Scraper

  • Paint removal

Sandpaper

  • smoothing
  • stock removal

Sanding Block

  • use with sandpaper to apply an even pressure and help achieve a flatter result

Shave hook

  • Paint removal
  • Often blunt when bought. Sharpening them makes them work!

Paint Guard

  • Hand held plastic strip to keep paint off other items, eg carpet

Sprayer

Paint Roller, Tray & Sleeves

Masonry

Brick trowel

Cold Chisel

  • For masonry

Line

Bucket handle

  • Shapes pointing

Blower

  • Clears holes drilled in masonry
  • Quick, easy and avoids a face/eye full of brick dust.


Plastering

Float

  • rectangular tool for smoothing
  • steel
    • general purpose float
    • for cement render, gypsum plaster,
  • wood
    • used mainly with lime plaster
    • draws fat to the surface less than steel
  • plastic
    • textured surface
    • for?

Plasterer's Hawk

  • small handheld platform for mixed plaster

Trowel

Featheredge

Small tools

  • detailing, ribbon work & decorative work

Corner trowels

  • right angles trowels for internal & external corners

Woodwork

Wood Chisel

Plane

smoothing, flattening & stock removal of wood & non-brittle plastics

Bradawl

  • Marks wood for drilling
  • Loosens rope knots

Countersink

  • drills a shallow hole for a screw head
  • several patterns available
    • rose

Profile Gauge

  • Use to transfer profiles from one item to another or to paper
  • A row of lots of pins held in place by friction

Hand drill

  • Not often used since cordless drills became popular
  • allow much finer control than mains electric drills
  • relatively slow
  • Pattern of top handle is the main difference seen among hand drills, and this affects stability in use
  • Very old hand drills may have types of chuck rarely seen today, eg a 2 jaw chuck.
  • most have a quarter inch chuck

Moulding Plane

  • Produces moulded timber profiles
  • Now replaced by routers & spindle moulders

Breast drill

  • Type of hand drill
  • Top end of drill designed to be pressed against the chest in use
    • this stabilises the drill, and allows more force to be applied

Brace

  • Another type of drill

Spoke Shave

  • A very short plane for use on curved surfaces and in restricted spaces

Bevel

  • For transferring & copying angles
  • When using a bevel for repeat angles in construction, it can move, ruining workpieces. Thus draw round it when the angle has been taken, and check the bevel against this drawing before it is used on each workpiece

Set Square

  • 90 degree tool that overlaps the edge of workpiece
  • fastest way to mark an exact line across timber

Ruler

  • plastic, aluminium or wood.
  • rigid or folding

Yardstick

  • Yard long ruler

Rasp

  • coarse file for wood stock removal

Saw

Many types

Cabinet Scraper

more woodwork hand tools:

Backsaw Bar clamp Bench hook Bow drill Bow saw Broadaxe Bucksaw C-clamp Card scraper Japanese chisel Coping saw Crosscut saw Drawknife F-clamp Framing hammer Fretsaw Froe Gimlet Gouge Gripe (tool) Hand saw Hatchet Japanese saw Keyhole saw Miter saw Mitre box Mitre clamp Pipe clamp Plywood saw P cont. Pole lathe Rip saw Robertson screwdriver Sanding block Saw set Scratch stock Sharpening jig Sharpening stone Shooting board Slick (tool) Staple gun Two-man saw Upholstery hammer Utility knife Vise (tool) X-acto knife, craft knife scalpel


Hammers

Claw hammer

  • Most popular hammer
  • general purpose hammer
  • Nail pulling claws on one side
  • Various weights, with 12oz - 16oz being most popular

?name for light hammer

  • light hammer, 4oz typical
  • for driving pins & small nails
  • easier to use & more precise than a claw hammer
  • limited hitting force available
  • one flat face, one cold chisel face

Clubhammer

  • medium heavy hammer
  • 2 flat faces
  • 4lb is most common size

Ball pein hammer

  • One rounded striking face, one flat

Sledge hammer

  • Very heavy hammer
  • Long handle for maximum swing
  • for serious violence, eg concrete breaking

Dead blow hammer

  • No rebound
  • Hollow head contains shot

(non sparking) hammer

  • copper faced hammer does not produce sparks

Scutch hammer

  • Breaks bricks cleanly
  • Replaceable toolface

Mallets

Wood Mallet

  • Inserting fence posts

Rubber Mallet

  • softest mallet
  • light duty hitting where no dent may be left

Plastic Mallet

  • similar to rubber mallet but not as soft

Bars

Prybar

Crowbar

Wrecking bar

  • Demolition


Material Handling

Shovel

  • for moving loose material

Spade

  • for digging
  • Stainless steel gives less friction

Fork

  • Stainless steel gives less friction

Wheelbarrow

  • Dyson's original ballbarrows are much less likely to sink into mud, giving much easier ride on wet soil, but they're no longer made.
  • plastic, nothing like as robust as metal barrows
  • ideal for gardening

Carrying handle?

  • Enables one person to carry 8x4 sheets

Sieve

  • separate aggregate of differing sizes
  • remove clumps from cat litter
  • Power sieves exist now fwiw

Bucket

Scoop

===Trowel (garden)


Cutters

Wirecutters

  • Good idea to keep separate cutters for steel wire and copper wire, as iron & steel wires damage cutters.

Tinsnips

  • Sheet metal cutting scissors
  • designed for thin sheet only
  • Uncomfortable & difficult with anything thicker
  • cuts straight lines
  • mostly useful for fabrication

Aviation Tinsnips

  • A much improved design of sheet metal cutter.
  • greater cutting force
  • greater comfort
  • causes more distortion to the workpiece
  • mostly useful for dismantling

Wire strippers

  • Any of a number of designs of wirestripper

Axe

  • wood chopping

Meat Cleaver

  • Designed for butchers, these make a good small axe for trimming small trees and general gardening.
  • Add some red paint if you want to keep the neighbours away.

Bolt Croppers

  • Heaviest of all hand cutters
  • Cut rebar, brass locks, bolts, threaded rod, small bar, chain
  • Will not cut hardened steel

Tile Nippers

  • Cut tiles.

Pipe cutter - wheel type

  • ring turn, eg Monument
  • for copper pipe

Pipe cutter - pvc chopper type

  • fast cutting of pvc pipe

More

Jeweller's screwdrivers

  • tiny screwdrivers
  • For repairing small appliances

Hex bit Screwdriver

  • screwdriver wth standardised interchangeable bits
  • more robust & versatile than conventional screwdriver

Spanner

  • drives nuts & bolts with hex head.

Ratchet Spanner

  • drives one way

Sockets

  • drive nuts & bolts with hex head.
  • generally more torque & control than spanners
  • can drive recessed items
  • come with any of several drive sizes:
    • 1/4" - for very light duty work eg appliance case screws
    • 3/8"
    • 1/2" - good for general purpose use
    • 3/4" - good for heavy duty work, eg washing machine bearings and tougher items on cars
    • 1" - industrial duty
  • see also torque wrench

Extension Bar

  • The type manufactured for socket sets gives increased torque.
  • Ordinary hollow bar fitted over hand tools is famed in industry for assorted safety risks.

Blowlamp

  • Soldering plumbing
  • Applying unmodified flat roofing felt in winter

Torch

  • may mean a battery light or gas flame

Grindstone

For sharpening Very large grindstones on broom handles were formerly used for terrazzo. Thank god for power tools.

Pincers

  • cuts tiles

Nail puller

  • removes nails

Pickaxe

  • Breaking up hard & stony soil

Feeler Gauge

  • set of slips of very thin steel
  • measures tiny gaps

Allen Keys

Self Adjusting Spanners

  • saves carrying many spanners
  • performance poor compared to fixed size spanners

Metalwork

Centre punch

  • Dents metal to prevent wander while starting to drill a hole

Automatic Centre punch

  • Just press, a hammering mechanism is built in.

File

  • various sizes
    • rat's tail file
  • different teeth size for different materialsworkpieces
    • wood
    • steel


More hand tools: C-clamp Combination square Die grinder Drift pin F-clamp Hacksaw Hand scraper Machinist square Magnetic base Rotary tool Scriber Tongs Tube & pipe benders Vise (tool)


Car

Oil filter wrench

  • Various types
    • chain
    • strap
    • set of fingers driven by socket bar.

Jack

Hydraulic Jack

Various types

Bottle Jack

One of the more popular types of hydraulic jack

Other hydralic one used in garages

Screw Jack

2 concentric screws, forerunner of the hydraulic bottle jack, not sure of correct name

Scissor Jack

A very popular DIYer's jack.

Side Jack

Minimum cost jack often supplied with vehicle. The quickest way to remove old unwanted jacking points.

Inflatable Jack

This is a large bag that connects to the exhaust. Exhaust gases inflate the bag, lifting the vehicle up. Used where ground is too soft for other types of jack, such as desert use. The only useful jack for these situations.

Axle stands

Ramps

Pressure Gauge

Pump

Spatula

Hoist

Engine Stand

More... yet to be put under the right headings

Framing Square

Roofer's Square

Carpenter's Square

Torx keys

Torque wrench

Scales

  • Used as a substitute for a torque wrench
  • 15lbs at 1 foot gives 15 lbfoot, 15lbs at 2' gives 30lbft.

Secateurs

  • Garden trimming

Bulb planter

  • Makes bulb planting very quick
  • pointed stick with handle

Micrometer

  • highly accurate measurement of small distances

Sandpaper

  • smoothing & material removal
  • different grit densities for different purposes
    • high density for hand sanding, low density avoids clogging with power tools

Dentist's mirror

  • Small mirror on stick enables seeing into unseeable places
  • Strips of mirror out of dead scanners can also be used

Inspection Lamp

aka Drop lamp

  • hand held lamp designed to use up your stock of spare mains bulbs

?Stapler

Crimper, non-ratchet

  • attaches crimp connectors to cables, but the connection is invariably weak & inadequte

Crimper, ratchet

  • attaches crimp connectors to cables properly

Magnet on string

  • Retrieve objects dropped in voids

Draw tape

  • Threading wires through otherwise inaccessible voids, eg under floor, within walls

Computer

Camera

  • Records damage or other issues before a job starts
  • A simple way to enable near identical reassmebly of complex items

Mobile

  • to call an ambulance!

Kneepads

Toolbelt

Hard hat

Goggles

  • Protect eyes
    • Direct vent suitable for nuisance dusts only
    • Indirect vent suitable for potential eye injury situations, such as angle grinders

Ear defenders

  • Several types available
    • foam rubber in-ear
    • headphone style
    • active noise cancellers

Bogroll

  • One sheet in each ear reduces noise levels

Ladder

incl multiway ladder

Access tower

Rope

S hooks

Toolbox

Toolchest

Carrierbag

  • budget toolbag

Cleaning sht link

Dustsheets

  • Plastic or cloth sheets for keeping dust & paint off floors, furniture, woodwork, etc

Newspaper

  • used as dust sheet

1st aid kit

Fire exting?

Fugenboy

  • Shaping & smoothing tool for silicone sealant & similar
  • Polypropylene

Pipe bender

  • Used with pipe bending spring or sand to bend copper pipe

Storage cases for small parts

Magnifying glass?

Dustmask, filters

  • Wide range of qualities available
  • Most are not suitable for some types of dust
  • Budget masks are for nontoxic nuisance dusts only, and reduce rather than prevent dust ingress

Laser level

Grout spreader

  • Straight rubber edge pushes grout between tiles while wiping it off the tile fronts.

Sponge

Metal, wire & stud detector

  • Beware of faulty ones that don't go off when pointed at yourself!

Space suit

  • For hazardous substances
  • Prevents personal contamination

Impact driver

  • A hammer driven screwdriver
  • The power tool of the same name is something different

Hot gloog gun

  • Bodger's special

Sawboard

  • Used with a circular saw
  • Enables greater accuracy

Mitre saw, hand type

  • Guide frame to enable accurate angles to be cut in wood etc

Tray & towels

  • For catching water spilt from CH

Pump

For de-flooding house after CH work.

Freezer

  • freezes pipes to enable plumbing. If quick.

Box spanner

  • Tube with hexagonal end to drives nuts.
  • Turned by a bar inserted through holes in the tube
  • US usage of the term is different.

Letter punch & Number punches

  • Stamps text into metals

Sawhorse

Fibro cutter

  • Cuts asbestos cement sheet.
  • Not suitable for modern sheet replacements for asbestos.



See Also

Wiki Contents

Wiki Subject Categories

Drain clearing hand tools

Clamps Levels Paint Knives

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