Are You Using the Right Tools for the Job?
There is no better way to mess up a home improvement job than by using the wrong tools for the job. You want to make sure you have the right tools and the right size to eliminate the risk of having to start over. There are hundreds of tools that you may have to use during some project, but for this article I will focus on wrenches, hand saws, and other hand tools.When it comes to wrenches, there are over 10 different wrenches you may come across for the job. The most basic kind is the open-end wrench, which provides grip on two sides of the head while allowing another side to be open so the wrench can be placed on a nut. Another common wrench is the box wrench, which has an enclosed head and provides more leverage by enclosing the nut. The other two commonly known wrenches are the combination wrench and the adjustable wrench. As their names imply, the combination wrench is a combination of the open-end and box wrench while the adjustable wrench allows you to adjust the size of the head.Much like wrenches, there are around 14 different kinds of hand saws as well. The rip saw has teeth that are cross-filed to ensure that the chisel point is set square to the direction of cutting. Because of the large, chisel-shaped teeth, it is made to cut with the wood grain. The ragged cut that this hand saw makes is unsatisfactory for finish work.A crosscut hand saw is best used for cutting across wood grain and helps produce a smoother cut than rip saws. This can also be used to cut plywood. The last hand saw worth mentioning is the hacksaw, which is used to cut metal or plastic. This hand saw consists of a blade held in a steel frame with high tension to hold the blade rigidly straight. The last topic I will hit on is your basic hand tools that are of necessity for many home improvement jobs. These consist of hammers, pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers and cutting tools and so on. While there are a hundred different styles and models for hand tools, the best way to find what you are looking for is to decide what kind of job you are doing. For instance, there are cutting tools for cutting ceramic, different axes and hand saws. Once you know exactly what you are looking for, take the time to do further research and you can narrow down your choices.
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Woodworking Tools
Most people think “power tools” when they think of woodworking, but hand tools are also important for woodworking. If you are just starting out in woodworking, you want to make sure you get the right tools, and not spend a lot on unnecessary items.
You will need a number of hand tools to properly shape wood:
Clamps-It is a good idea to have a variety of sizes, but they do not cost much, and they last a long time, so used ones will serve as well as new ones.
Bench chisels-Get about 6 of these, ranging from one quarter of an inch to one inch.
Wire brushes-Good, stiff ones
Saws-At least a back saw, a tenon and a dovetail saw. They get a lot of use, so if you buy them used, make sure the teeth are not damaged, but you can have the sharpened.
Files-Start with a ten inch bastard mill file; you can add others later.
Hammer-A good quality 16 ounce hammer.
Mallet-Needed for driving chisels
Allen wrenches-Various sizes
Screwdrivers-A set of various sizes in both Phillips head and flat head.
Awls-Marking and Scratching
Pliers-Channel lock and Needle nose
Scrapers-A paint scraper and a hand scraper
Miscellaneous-T bevel, tape measure, steel ruler, level, putty knife, utility knife and protractor
The ideal way to set up a woodworking shop is to buy a small quantity of good quality tools rather than a lot of cheap hand tools. You’ll only end up paying more in the long run if you buy cheap tools, since they will have to be replaced often. Brand names to look for are Armstrong, Stanley and Snap On.
You can buy used tools if you look for ones in good condition. There are many antique or German made hand tools on sale. Hand tools last longer than power tools, since they are no mechanical parts to cause problems, so older ones are not a problem. Older hand tools are also frequently of better quality than newer ones.
Many hand tools can be found at yard or garage sales, but you may have to search a lot to get everything you need. Check the newspapers for ones that are offering tools (sellers frequently mention the types of merchandise they have)and visit as many yard sales as you can to build your collection.
Another excellent source for used hand tools is flea markets. Since there are so many more tables, you can cover a lot more ground than you can at garage or yard sales. Just remember that flea market merchants are used to haggling over price, so don’t pay the first price they quote, you will probably be paying too much.
At both yard sales and flea markets, you can get a better bargain if you wait till the end of the day, since the sellers may then be happy just to get rid of their stuff. Another hint is that if someone is selling a number of tools, they may be willing to give you a quantity discount.
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