Hand Tools
Jan 03, 2016
Hand Tools
PliersUsed for a variety of gripping, clamping, bending, and cutting jobs in theatre.
Slip Joint Pliers Very common
Have an adjustable pivot point that provides two ranges of jaw opening.
Needle Nose PliersUseful for holding small
objects
Used to bend the lightest wire
Channel LocksHas a series of jaw ranges that
allows them to be used for a wide variety of purposes.
The long handles enable for a great deal of leverage.
Vise Grips Primary function is to grasp, lock, and hold almost any
object.
The size of the jaw opening and the amount of pressure applies by the jaws are adjustable by the screw a the base of the handle.
Wire CuttersPrimarily used by
electricians for cutting wire.
Wire Strippers Crimpers can strip away the insulation on the electric wire
without cutting the wire.
Is used to pressure clamp solderless connectors to electrical wire.
WrenchesUsed to tighten nuts and bolts.
Combination Wrench Has two ends one open and one boxed.
The open end has a non-adjustable smooth mouth. The mouth is a set size.
The box end is made in standard sizes. Has a toothed head that must be fit over the nut.
Crescent Wrench Commonly known as a C-Wrench.
Has smooth jaws that adapt to fit almost any small to medium sized nut.
In our theatre most commonly used in stage lighting.
Pipe Wrench Is not a monkey wrench (has smooth
jaws).
Has serrated jaws that are made to bite into soft metal.
Used to hold or twist pipes and their associated couplings.
Socket Set and Ratchet HandleSockets are cylindrical
wrenches used with a ratchet handle.
Used to loosen and tighten nuts without removing the socket from the nut.
Allen Wrench A L-shaped hexagonal metal bar either end
of which fits the socket of a screw or bolt
The end of the wrench fits inside the bolt.
Measuring and Marking ToolsThese tools are used to
measure dimensions and angles.
Standard Tape Measure
Has a retractable ruler that can be locked in a specific dimension.
Comes in a variety of lengths from 6-25 feet.
Rules for a Tape Measure
Do not pull the blade all the way out. It is not a sword. Do not pull a release the blade. It will
damage the spring inside. Do not measure vertically without a
surface to support the blade.
How to Read a Tape MeasureHow to Read a Tape Measure Video
100’ Tape Measure The blade is made of a flexible plastic.
The user has to manually roll the blade back it does not do it automatically.
Used for measuring long distances like when laying out dimensions on a stage floor.
Level Used to check the accuracy of 90 and 180 degree
angles.
When the air bubble is in the middle of the two lines the piece is level.
Comes in variety of lengths.
Smaller levels are called speed or torpedo levels. These levels also have a magnetic strip on them to help
hold them into place
Combination Square
Has a 12 inch steel ruler with a moveable handle.
Uses to measure 90 and 45 degree angles.
Framing Square
A large steel L typically 16-24 inches.
Used for checking the accuracy of 90 degree angles on platforms and flats.
Speed Square Used to measure 45 and 90 degree
angles.
Compact in size
Has a lip on one side to help level the square to the piece of lumber.
Chalk Line Used to mark straight lines.
A plastic housing holds a length of cotton line and chalk which coats the line.
The line is stretched between two points and lightly snapped to leave a straight line.
Cutting tools
Used to cut different types of materials.
Includes lots of different types of tools.
Utility Knife
Has a replaceable & retractable blade.
Use the notch on the top of the knife to slide out the blade.
Not called a box cutter!
Wood Chisel
Has a steel blade used for
gouging, paring, or smoothing wood.
Has a wooden or plastic handle that is struck with a mallet.
Surform Tools
Used to roughly shape wood by
pulling it with or across the grain
of the lumber.
Has a thin disposable strip of
sharpened protrusions.
Lumber Grain
The grain of the lumber is the lines in the lumber.
Crosscutting lumber
Ripping lumber
Parts of a Hand Saw
Handle Back Blade Toe Teeth Heel
Saw Terminology Kerf – the width of the blade. You must
account for this for each cut that you make. The blade is 1/16”.
TPI – Teeth Per Inch – The more teeth there are per inch the smoother the cut that you will have. It ranges from 40-120 TPI.
Cross Cut Hand Saw
The blade has alternating
teeth that allows the blade to slice through the grain like a knife.
Can also rip a piece of lumber.
Rip Hand Saw
The blade has aligned
teeth that allows the blade to slice through the grain like a knife.
The cut goes along the grain of the lumber.
Hammers
Parts of a hammer
Types of Handles on a Hammer
Wood – light weight, inexpensive, but breaks easily
Metal – heavy, expensive, but does not break
Fiberglass – lightweight, expensive, and does not break easily
Hammer Safety
Wear goggles
Use the proper weight of hammer
Be aware of your surroundings
Have a firm grip
Claw Hammer Designed to hammer in
nails and pull them out.
The name refers to the claw like shape of the nail pulling end of the hammer.
Most common
Rip Hammer
Designed to hammer in nails and destruct things.
The name refers to the ability to rip things apart.
Rubber Mallet Large face
Used to close paint cans and knock two pieces of wood together
Tack Hammer Two small faces
No claw
Used to hammer in tacks
Ball-Peen Hammer One flat face and one round
face
Used to shape metal
Screw Drivers
Safety Rules Do not use as a chisel or to open paint can
Use the correct length
Do not use to make a hole
Be aware of your hand placement
Reasons for different lengths Torque vs reach
The shorter the shaft of the screw driver the more torque the user will have
The longer the shaft the less torque but more reach
Screws vs Nails Screws have 300 times more holding
power. Threads cut into and deform wood to hold tightly. Can be removed easily
Nails grip with friction hold and will loosen when wood shrinks. Once nails are entered they can not be removed easily
Types of screws
Flat Head Flat tip Screws have a single slot
Phillips Head Cross head Tip fits inside the cross of the screw head
Off Set Screwdriver Has both
flathead and phiilips head
One on each end
Robertson Screwdriver Shaped as a traditional
screwdriver but the head is square
No slippage of the screwdriver