Tips for Selecting Hand Tools
Hand tools can be easily judged for quality, long life and usefulness if you just learn a few simple rules. Here are some tips and tricks of the trade for making great selections without breaking the bank.
Look for add-ons and gadgets
The reason that all the great tools never change is they were already perfect. Improvements to grip, contact surface toughness and ergonomics can be very useful and add to the life of the tool. Big changes like changeable bits, reversible shafts, and ratchets contained in small handles are not true improvements. These kinds of changes only make the tool have weak points that are bound to fail in anything other than light and occasional use.
For instance a hand screwdriver that has ¼ inch hex recess and magnet in the end of the shaft and multiple bits with a ratchet in the handle has inherent problems. The shaft is weakened because the hollow to accept the bit is very thin walled and has a tendency to warp and enlarge allowing the bits to wobble. This can also make alignment difficult. The ratchet in the handle doesn’t last because the parts are so small and inexpensively made even the torque an average person can apply with one hand is enough to cause failure.
Look for tolerances in manufacturing
Hand tools with moving parts are especially subject to failure. Just because a tool has a nice chrome or matte finish does not mean it is a quality tool. Two-part hand tools such as hand pliers and water pump pliers can be judged by how smoothly they operate without being loose. If one handle can be twisted in comparison to the other than you can bet the tool is of low quality. Unfortunately tool manufacturers are all too familiar with the average consumer’s weaknesses. If the packaging is attractive enough and the appearance of the tool is expensive, they know they can skimp on the actual quality of the tool itself.
Look for comparisons between two tools
Many times you can quickly tell the difference in the true quality of a tool by comparing it side by side with another brand. A ratchet wrench, for instance, should have very little turn in the driving shaft before it clicks into the next locking tooth. Turn two ratchets upside down and turn the drive observing how far it turns before it clicks. Pick another and perform the same test. If one is higher quality than the other, the difference will be obvious. Take some time to play with the tools in the store before you decide which one to buy.
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Using Hand Tools and Hand Power Tools
Copyright (c) 2009 Richard Walker
Woodworking As a Hobby Can Seem to Be Overwhelming
For the novice wood worker, you may have some questions on using hand tools and hand power tools. It can be frustration knowing exactly how to use these tools safely and with minimum risk to yourself. If you have a desire to work with wood and make things that you can use in your home or to sell for an extra income, you may be overwhelmed with the amount of items that are available for wood working. When you are using hand tools and hand power tools, keep in mind that while these tools can be dangerous, they are merely tools to enable you to get your wood working project completed in a more efficient manner. Keep these tips in mind when you are working with hand tools and hand power tools.
General Tips on Circular Saw Safety and Use
Most circular saws come with a safety manual that you can read to get some safety tips. If you have purchased your circular saw used to save some money, the documentation may have not come with it. There are a few basic tips when using your circular saw. Fist off, never use your saw without first putting on protective eye wear as in safety goggles. When you are working with wood, chips can fly and you do not want to risk a wood chip flying into your eye and doing damage. You also want to make sure you do not carry the circular saw by the chord as this will damage it and possibly render your circular saw useless. Make sure when you are cutting that you keep the guard down to protect your fingers.
Power Tool Safety Tips
As stated above, you should always follow the manufacturers directions when using hand power tools. Also you should always wear safety goggles as stated above. You should never use your hand power tools where there is any water. You could be seriously injured or even killed by an electrical current running through the water and into your body. Keep your fingers away from blades or any moving objects on the tools themselves as serious cuts can result from not paying attention.
Buying Great Hand tools
When you purchase your hand tools and power hand tools, you do not need to spend a lot of money. This is not to say that you should sacrifice quality to save a few bucks. You can find good quality used power tools at a great price if you do some shopping around. Pawn shops are a great means to get quality hand tools and power hand tools. People who are down on their luck will sell their tools to the pawn shops at a discount and then the pawn shop resells them much cheaper than you could purchase them new. Make sure you look over the tools carefully and make sure that all parts are working and in good repair before you purchase them.
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