Safe Use of Agricultural Mechanics Hand Tools

Sharpen Cutting Tools Hand tools used for cutting should be sharp to improve safety and efficiency

Use Proper Tool Using the proper tool for the job can reduce or eliminate injuries

Teeth Fine or small teeth on a saw blade make a smoother cut, but coarse or large teeth cut faster

Adjustable Wrench Is used to turn various size nuts and bolts

Brick Trowel Is used to place and spread mortar

Ball Peen Hammer Is used to hammer metal objects such as punches, chisels, or parts of small engines

Cold Chisel Is used to cut metal

Combination Square Is used to mark 45 degree and 90 degree angles

Combination Wrench Is used to turn both hex and square nuts

Concrete Float Is used to level concrete

Coping Saw Is used to cut curves in wood

Countersink Is used to flare the top of a hole to recess the head for a flathead screw or bolt

Crosscut Saw Blade is used to cut across the grain of wood

RIP SAW BLADE CROSS CUT BLADE

Hacksaw Is used to cut metal, and there should be at least three teeth in contact with the metal

Long Nose Pliers Are used to reach into recessed areas

Measuring Tools For wood are usually divided into 16 parts per inch or 1/16ths

Miter Saw Is used to cut angles

Nail Hammer Is used to drive nails to fasten one board to another

Rip Nail

Ripping Hammer Is used to remove wood and to drive nails

Rip Saw Blade Is used to cut with the grain of the wood

Slip Joint Pliers Are used to hold various sizes of materials

T Bevel Is used to find and transfer various angles

Try Square Is used to mark 90 degree angles

Vise Grip Pliers Are used for extra firm holding or gripping

Wire Strippers Are used to remove insulation from electrical wires, to gauge wires sizes, and to crimp terminals

Wrecking Bar Is used to rip and pry wood

Hammer Hold handle near the end away from hammer head to improve accuracy and leverage

Hammer Large nails require the use of a heavier hammer than small nails

Hammer Using nails to fasten wood is fast, but is the weakest method

Hammer Many types of nails are available The correct type should be used for the job

Hammer Common nails are use most in construction, but finishing nails should be used when the head needs to be set below the surface of the wood

Measuring and Marking Tools “Measure twice, cut once” is a good rule to follow to reduce the amount of wasted time and materials

Measuring and Marking Tools Most wood measuring tools are divided into 1/16” marks

Measuring and Marking Tools The shortest lines on the rule are usually 1/16” measurements

Measuring and Marking Tools The string of a chalk line should be stretched tight and snapped in the middle to mark an accurate long straight line

Measuring and Marking Tools A scratch awl, file, or scriber can be used to mark a scratch on metal

Measuring and Marking Tools Soapstone is used to mark metal without leaving a permanent scratch

Metal Cutting Tools Files – since files only cut on the forward stroke, pressure should be reduced on the backstroke

Metal Cutting Tools Hacksaws – teeth should point away from the handle because most cutting is done on forward strokes

Metal Cutting Tools Taps and dies – When used to cut threads in metal, oil should be used for lubrication

Screwdrivers Used the correct size and type for the job

Screwdrivers A heavy duty screwdriver has a square shank so that a wrench can be used to help remove large screws

Saws DO NOT saw out the marked line because board will be too small if it was measured and marked accurately

Saws Saw on the waste side of the mark

Saws Hand crosscut saw is used to cut off ends of boards across the grain

Saws Hand ripsaw is used to rip a board

Saws Coping saw has a very narrow, thin blade that can be removed and inserted in a hole to saw out a hole in the middle of a board

Saws A coping saw can be use to cope molding and saw curves

Squares Handle should be held firmly against edge of board

Squares The combination square can be used as a miter square, plumb bob, level, depth gauge, marking gauge, and inside and outside try square

Squares A framing square has rafter tables

Sanding Sand with the grain and use fine or very fine sandpaper to prevent scratches

Sanding Coarse sandpaper is used to remove large amounts of wood when sanding, but it leaves scratches in the wood

Safe Use of Agricultural Mechanics Hand Tools