COMMON HAND TOOLS

AND
THEIR PROPER USE

HAMMER
Pounding nails, pulling nails, crowbar action, tapping things into place it almost goes without saying
why you need hammer. An expensive hammer is long and lightweight; its leverage can assist you when
you take that wall down.
How to Use Hammers
1. Make sure the head is fastened securely. If the handle is loose, drive the wedge farther into the
handle. A loose hammer head is dangerous.
2. Grasp the hammer firmly near the end of the handle.
3. Start all work with light blows to get it started properly.

Philips Screwdriver & Flathead Screwdriver

a tool with a flattened, cross-shaped, or star-shaped tip that fits into the head of a screw to turn it.
 PLIERS
The serrated jaws of pliers assist with holding objects firmly, as well as with pulling, pinching or
bending metal.

ADJUSTABLE CRESCENT WRENCH

There is a screw built into the head of this wrench; turning it adjusts the size of the opening, so that it
fits onto most any hexagonal nut. Turning a nut with pliers just strips the edges, making it harder and
harder to get a good grip when tightening or loosening it.
How to Use Adjustable Wrenches
1. Place the wrench on the bolt to be turned. Be sure jaws are pointed in the direction in which the work is to be
turned.
2. Adjust the jaws until they fit the part tightly.

WIRE STRIPPER
This wire stripper has a blade for cutting wire to the proper length and several notches for scoring the
insulation around wires of varying sizes, which can then be pulled off. Wire has to be exposed without
the plastic coating to make electrical connections.

TAPE MEASURE
Tape measure is indispensable for estimating material quantities, figuring out placement of objects, and
calculating floor plans and furniture sizes. It's always a good idea to measure more than once to make
sure you've got it right.

LEVEL
Is an instrument designed to indicate whether a surface is horizontal (level) or vertical (plumb).
How to Use a Spirit Level
1. Clean the level, removing all buildup and dirt from the edges.
2. Mark a line along the bottom edge on the wall.
3. Flip the level over so that the bottom becomes the top. Put the new top edge along the marked
line. If the bubble is centered, your level is accurate. If not, it is defective.
4. Place the level on the surface of the object for which you want to find the true horizontal (the
horizon). Make sure the spirit tube runs parallel to the object. Allow the bubble to float to the
top of the spirit tube.
5. Put your eyes at level with the spirit tube. In order to get an accurate reading, close one eye.
6. Take note of where the bubble is inside the spirit tube. If its centered between the lines on the
tube, your object is level. If the bubble is to the right of the lines, your object slopes downward
right-to-left. If the bubble is to the left of the lines, your object slopes downward left-to-right.
7. To find the true vertical or "plumb," repeat the same process vertically.
 SAW
A saw is a tool consisting of a tough blade, wire, or chain with a hard toothed edge. It is used
to cut through material, very often wood. The cut is made by placing the toothed edge against the
material and moving it forcefully forth and less forcefully back or continuously forward. This force
may be applied by hand, or powered by steam, water, electricity or other power source. An abrasive
saw has a powered circular blade designed to cut through metal.