BASIC HAND TOOLS

claw hammer

Carpenter's tool used to drive and pull nails.

nail set

Tool used to drive nail heads below the surface.

crosscut saw

A saw with small teeth (more teeth per inch) for cutting across the grain of wood.

rip saw

A saw with larger teeth (fewer teeth per inch) for cutting with the grain of wood.

coping saw

Hand saw with short thin blade held by a bow-shaped frame used to cut irregular shapes in wood.

back saw

A saw with very fine teeth and is often used in a miter box for cutting angles. The thin blade is reinforced with a ridge of thicker metal along the back of the saw. It cannot cut deeper than the ridge.

key hole saw

Short hand saw with a tapered blade used to cut curves or irregular shapes.

hack saw

A saw used for cutting metal.

sawhorse

A frame with legs, used to support pieces of wood being sawed.

bar clamp

A wood worker's tool used to glue boards together. Is made up of a long metal bar with a clamp jaw at each end.

quick clamp

These clamps have a ratchet mechansim that quickly slides into place. You squeeze the trigger to hold fast and squeeze again to release the grip.

scraper

A tool used for removing material from a surface.

steel file

A steel hand tool with small sharp teeth used for sharpening or shaping.

utility knife

An all purpose knife used for cutting.

metal vise

An adjustable metal device used for holding metal for forming or cutting.

hand drill

A small portable drill held and operated by hand.

wood worker's vise

An adjustable device used to hold wood for forming or cutting.

jack plane

A carpenter's plane for rough surfacing.

smoothing plane

A carpenter's plane for finish work.

flat head screw driver

A tool used to put in slotted screws.

phillips head screw driver

A tool used to put in cross-head screws.

safety glasses

Eye protection to protect eyes from the impact of foreign objects.

safety goggles

Eye protection to protect eyes from all directions.

face shield

Face and eye protection against flying debris.

rubber hammer

A common tool with a rubber head designed to protect the surface being struck.

rubber/plastic hammer

A combination tool with rubber and plastic heads designed to protect the surface being struck.

tack hammer

A light tool that is used to drive tacks. One surface is magnitized to hold the tack.

ball peen hammer

A tool having one end of the head hemispherical and used in working metal.

measuring tape

A retractable tool used to measure.

architect ruler

A tool used to measure "to scale".

surveyor's tape

A ruler able to accurately measure great lengths.

bench ruler

A tool commonly found on the work bench, which is usually longer than 12 inches.

cloth measuring tape

A flexible tool commonly used by a seamstress to measure shapes that may not be straight, such as the waist on a person.

chalk line

A tool used in the building trades to make a straight line on a vertical surface.

level

A tool with an indicator that establishes the horizontal or vertical, when a bubble is centered in a tube of liquid.

speed square

A trianglular marking tool containing both 90 and 45 degree angles. It has a flange on one side so you can "square" it against the material.

carpenter's square

An L-shaped tool used to mark or measure materials and check for uniformity and "square".

combination square

A sliding square mounted on a steel rule, used to mark a "square" line, find level, or measure.

dust mask

Mouth and nose protection against airborne particles.

wood chisel

A woodworking tool for cutting, shaping, or smoothing wood.

needle nose pliers

small pliers with long thin jaws for fine work

vice grips (locking pliers)

"locking pliers," can lock onto things, pull out screws, can be used as mini clamps

Channel Lock Pliers

grabbing/holding tool, reengage at different positions, adjustable pliers with a wide range of openings. serrated jaws grip large irregular objects

pliers

A clamping tool that can be used to hold objects while you're working on them

adjustable wrench

A wrench with a movable jaw that can be adjusted to fit different size bolts or nuts.

End Wrench

A wrench or spanner is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects—usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts—or keep them from turning.