Hand Tools

Question 1

Saws are the main cutting tool

Answer 1

There are different saws for different materials:
Those with a fine pitch are suitable for cutting hard materials.
Those with a coarse pitch are suitable for cutting soft materials
Using the wrong tool could damage it or you.

Rip saw- cutting wood along the grain
Tenon saw- for making straight cuts in small bits of wood
Hacksaw- cutting metals or plastics
Coping saw- cutting curves in wood or plastic

Tips for using a saw:
Use the whole length of the blade
Don’t press too hard
Clean up rough edges with filing or sanding

Question 2

Chisels are used for shaping

Answer 2

Used to cut away and shape wood and metal
Wood chisels come in different profiles: hit with a mallet
Gougers are used for sculpting
Cold chisels are used in metals: hit with a hammer

Question 3

Planes, files and abrasive paper can shape and smooth

Answer 3

A Bench plane is used to shave off thin layers of material

Files have hundreds of small teeth to cut away at a material. Different ‘cuts’ are suitable for different processes: rough cuts are useful for removing material, whereas fine cuts are used for smoothing and finishing. They come in different profiles for different uses. Special files with very coarse teeth called cabinet rasps are used on wood.

Abrasive paper like glass or sandpaper are rubbed against the material you want to shape. They can be wrapped in a sanding block to apply a more even pressure, or to give better grip. There are different grit sizes, from rough to coarse, and different types are available for wood, metals and polymers.

Question 4

Drills make holes

Answer 4

A bradawl is used to help you drill in the correct place by making a dent in the material. This stops the drill from slipping.
A centre punch is useful for metal- when you hit it with a hammer it dents the surface
Depending on how hard the material is you can use a brace , a hand drill, or a power drill.
Drills work by rotating a bit against a material

Twist bits are used to drill small holes into wood metal or plastic. HSS are used on metals and plastics
Flat bits are used on wood and plastic to drill large, flat-bottom holes. Forstner bits make similar holes, but can only be used on machine drills.
Countersink bits make holes for countersunk screw holes
Hole saws are used to make large holes in thin materials.

Drill bits get hot so can pose a safety hazard

Question 5

Hand Tool safety

Answer 5

Make sure to use a clamp or vice to hold the materials in place
Keep fingers out of the way
Beware of exposed blades
Wear goggles to protect eyes.