SAMI

MAKERSPACE

M A K E : AN E

L E C T R O N I CS W

O R K S H O P

TOOL

BASICS

THIS PRESENTATION:• Safety• Hand tools versus power tools • Pliers • Diagonal cutters (and other types of cutters)• Wire strippers• Wrenches • Screwdrivers (standard and precision) • Saws • Misc. (hammers, pry bars, files, etc. )

SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE!• Always use a tool in the

manner for which is was designed.

• Never apply excessive force to a tool.

• Always wear appropriate protective gear.

PLIERS

So man

y typ

es…

PLIERS• There is little agreement on the names, but they are mostly

descriptive (“needle-nosed,” “duck-billed,” “curved-nosed”)• Primary use: to hold on to small things (bolts, wires)• Additional uses: some pliers are used for crimping or

stripping wires. • Do not use for: • Large items (for example on a bolt where a socket wrench could be

used)• Prying

CUTTER

SDiag

onal

and ot

her typ

es…

CUTTERS• Description: “Diagonal cutters” are made for cutting close

to a surface. Some pliers include cutters, but you can not get close to the surface.

• Primary use: Cutting wires. Use larger tools for thicker wire.

• Additional use: With a fine touch, you can strip insulation off wires.

• Do not use for: cutting through sheets of material. “Snips” or saws are the right tool for that.

WIRE

STRIPP

ER

S

WIRE STRIPPERS • Description: A plier-like tool that makes it easy to remove

insulation from wire without cutting the inner metal. • Primary use: For removing insulation from the last inch or

two of wire.• Additional use: There is usually also a cutter on these tools.

Some have “gauge holes” to measure the thickness of wire. • Do not use for: This can’t remove the insulation from coated

wire (use sandpaper or knife). There is sometimes a plier-like nose, but it would be better to use real pliers if you have them on hand.

WRENCHE

S

• Description: a wide variety of tools characterized by a lever that turns something with parallel sides (like a hex-bolt). Some are plier-like (pipe wrench), but most people think of the “crescent wrench.”

• Primary use: Holding or rotating objects with parallel sides (bolts, sockets)

• Additional use: Adjustable wrenches (pipe wrenches and vice-grips) are a great way to get a firm grip on something that you are drilling/sanding/etc.

• Do not use for: Apply force only in the intended direction; do not use as a pry bar.

SCREW

DRIVERS

SCREW DRIVERS• Description: A handle (metal or plastic) attached to a metal

shaft with a distinctively shaped head. Each head fits a specific, corresponding type of screw.

• Primary use: For tightening and loosening screws. • Additional use: Lots of thing are adjusted with screwdrivers

(like trim-pots)• Do not use for: Again, this is not a lever. Do not pry objects

open using a screwdriver. Do not use this as a awl or punch.

SO MANY TYPES….

These small screwdrivers have a spinning top. Keep pressure on this with your finger.

It is hard to get much torque from these type of screwdrivers.

PRECISION SCREWDRIVERS

SAWS

SAWS• Description: A flat metal blade with sharp teeth on at least

one side that is connected to a handle. There are a wide variety, each with its own specific purpose. Use the right saw for the right type and size of material.

• Primary use: For cutting through various materials. • Additional use: None. Just for cutting. • Do not use for: cutting through the wrong type of material.

Wood saws shouldn’t be used to cut metal.

BACK SAWA back saw has a reinforced strip of metal opposite the cutting edge. This adds rigidity and increases the precision of the saw.

Often paired with a “miter box” to make straight cuts at specific angles:

A wood saw for cutting against the grain of the wood.

CROSS CUT SAW

Fine-toothed, thin blade is held in tension. Made for cutting through metal.

HACK SAW

HAMMER

HAMMERS• Description: An often misused tool, hammers have a head

(various shapes and materials) attached to a handle. Made to be swung and hit against objects.

• Primary use: For hammering in nails or similar type of objects.

• Additional use: Some types have a prying tool to remove nails. Some hammers are made for shaping metal.

• Do not use for: Breaking open objects.