Produced by, Joe Wintermute ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician Basic Hand Tools. Produced by, Joe Wintermute ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Introduction The technicians job is made easer by a good selection of quality hand tools. Fast and efficient work is necessary to satisfy the customer and the employer. A efficient and productive technician also experiences greater job satisfaction and earns more money as a result.

Introduction. Good tools deserve good care, the technician should not jeopardize his ability with tools that are inadequate or of poor quality. Good tools are easier to keep clean and last longer than tools of inferior quality. Your tools represent a fairly large investment and should be treated accordingly.

Quality tools are? A)Lighter and more dependable. B) Easier to use C) Easier to keep clean D) A large investment. E) All of the above

Screwdrivers. Screwdrivers are used to install and remove screws. They come in many shapes and sizes.

Standard Screwdriver. A standard screwdriver has a single blade that fits into a slot on the screw.

Phillips Screwdriver. A Phillips screwdriver. Has two crossing blades that fit into a plus shaped screw slot. A reed prince is similar to a Phillips but has a slightly different tip shape.

Torx and Clutch Head. Torx screwdrivers have a star shaped tip. A clutch head has a tip that resembles a dog bone

What are screwdrivers used for? A) To remove and install screws. B) To pry off brake drums. C) To tighten belts. D) To loosen stubborn nuts and bolts E) To Chisel off rusted bolts

What is the difference between a Phillips and a reed prince A) They are the same B) The reed prince has a sharper cross. C) One has a cross and one has a line. D) None of the above.

When Selecting a Screwdriver. Pick one that has a wide and thick enough tip to completely fill the screw slot. If the screwdriver is to large or to small screwdriver or screw damage may occur. SCREWDRIVERS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO BE HAMMERED ON OR OR USED AS A PRYBAR!

Offset and Stubby. Are good in tight places. Such as a glove box.

Pliers. Pliers are used to grip, cut, crimp, hold and bend various parts. Never use pliers when other tools will work

Combination or Slip Joint. These are the most common type of pliers for the automotive technician. The slip joint allows the jaws to be adjusted to grasp different size parts.

Rib Joint. Rib Joint also called Channel Lock or water pump pliers. Open extra wide for holding extra large objects.

Needle Nose. Are used for handling extremely small parts or reaching into highly restricted areas. Do not twist too hard on needle nose pliers or the long thin jaws can become damaged.

Diagonal Cutting. Sometimes called side cutters. Are the most commonly used cutting pliers. The jaw shape allows cutting flush with a surface.

Vise Grip Also called locking pliers. Will clamp onto and hold a part. Because of their clamping power they can be used to remove fasteners with rounded or rusted off heads.

Snap Ring. Snap ring pliers have sharp, pointed tips. Which are used for installing or removing snap rings.

Extensions. An extension is used between its socket and its handle. It allows you to reach fasteners surrounded by parts. It gives room to swing the handle and turn the fastener.

Universal Joint. A universal joint allows the socket wrench to reach around obstructions. It is used between the socket and drive handle. Avoid putting too much bend into a U joint.

Socket Handles. Socket handles fit into the square opening in the top of the socket. They are available in ¼”, 3/8” and ½” plus ¾” and 1 inch for heavy duty work.

What type of ship was that? A) an submarine B) a battleship C) a aircraft carrier D) a corvette

Ratchet. A ratchet is the most commonly used and versatile socket handle. It has a small lever that is used to change the position of the ratcheting mechanism.

Flex Bar or Breaker Bar. A flex or breaker bar is the most powerful and strongest socket handle. It should be used when breaking loose large or extremely tight nuts and bolts.

Speed Handles. A speed handle is the fastest hand operated socket handle.

Wrenches. Wrenches are used to remove and install nuts and bolts. Wrench size is determined by measuring across the wrench jaws. Wrenches come in both conventional and metric sizes. The size is stamped on the open end of the wrench.

Open End Wrench. An open end wrench has an open jaw on both sides. Each side has a different size and angle. Open end wrenches have very weak jaws and should only be used for light duty work.

Box End Wrenches. A box wrench is closed on all sides. They are meant to completely surround and grip the head of the bolt or nut. Box wrenches will not round off a bolt or nut. A six point is used for extremely rusty or tight bolts.

Combination Wrench. Has one side that is a box and one that is a open end wrench. both sides are the same size. The combination gives you the advantages of having two wrenches in one.

Which type of wrench has two open jaws? A) combination B) flare C) open D) adjustable

Line or Flare Nut Wrench. Also called a tubing wrench. Is a box end wrench with a small opening or slit in the jaw. The opening allows the wrench to be slipped over fuel lines. It is used for soft fittings such as brake lines.

Other types of wrenches Adjustable or crescent wrench has jaws that can be adjusted to fit different size nuts or bolts. It should only be used when any other wrench will not fit.

Pipe Wrench. Often called a monkey wrench is an adjustable wrench used to grasp round objects. The toothed jaws actually dig into the object. Never use it on soft metal parts!

Allen Wrench Is a hexagon (6 sided) shaft type wrench. It is used to turn set screws on pulleys gears and knobs. To prevent damage insure that the wrench is fully inserted into the set screw.

Socket Wrench. Is a cylinder shaped box end tool used for removing or installing nuts or bolts. One end fits over the fastener and the other end fits into a handle for turning.

Socket Drive Sizes. Sockets come in five drive sizes. ¼, 3/8, ½ , ¾, and 1 inch. They also come in four different points 4,6,8 and 12 point

Generally. A ¼ inch drive socket and handle should be used for bolt and nut heads ¼ inch or smaller. A 3/8 drive should be used for ¼ to 5/8 inch drive. The larger ½ drive should be used for head sizes 5/8 to 1 ¼ inch And the ¾ and 1 inch are used for anything larger.

Hammers. Select the right size hammer for the job that you are doing. A heavy headed hammer should not be used to strike a tire as it will rebound and hit you in the fore head. Always check to be sure that the head is secure on the handle.

Hammer Rules. Never hit a hardened part with a steel hammer. Metal chips could fly off, use a brass or soft headed hammer Grasp hammer near the end of the handle and strike squarely.

What is the number one rule for hammer safety? A) never hit your thumb with the hammer B) never hit a hardened steel piece with a steel hammer C) never carry a hammer in your pocket D) Hammer?

Hammer Types. Ball peen hammer is the most commonly used type in the automotive industry. It has a flat face for general striking. Its round peen end is for shaping sheet metal or rivet heads.

Sledge Hammer Has a very large heavy head. Because of its weight it produces powerful blows.

Brass or Lead Hammer. Has a soft but fairly heavy head. It is useful where part surface scarring must be avoided. The soft head will deform to protect the part.

Plastic or Rawhide. Is light and has a soft head. It is used where light blows are needed to prevent part breakage. And damage to the surface of a small part.

Dead Blow Has a heavy metal face with lead shot it helps reduce the rebound effect. Directs most of the force towards the struck piece.

Rubber Mallet. Has a head made of solid rubber. It will rebound or bounce upon striking. It is not effective on solid metal parts. It is used ONLY for putting on hub caps.

Chisels and Punches Chisels are for cutting off damaged or badly rusted nuts, bolts and rivet heads. Use common sense when selecting a chisel shape. Punches come in several configurations. Center punch used for marking parts for reassembly. Starting punch it is used to drive holding parts partially out of their holes.

Punches. Pin punch. Aligning punch. Has a straight shank and is lighter than a starting punch, it is used after a starting punch to drive the shaft all the way out of the hole. Aligning punch. Is a long and tapered it is handy for lining up parts during assembly. An aligning punch can be inserted into holes in parts then be wiggled to match up the parts.

Copy this slide! Chisel and Punch Safety Rules Use the largest punch or chisel that will work, if a small punch is used on a large part the punch can rebound and fly out with tremendous force, the same is true for chisels. Keep both ends of the tool properly ground and shaped a chisel cutting edge should be sharp at a 60 degree angle.

This One Too! A starting pin punch should be kept square and flat. A center punch should have a sharp point! After prolonged hammering the tops of the punches or chisels become mushroomed this is dangerous Always redress mushroomed heads with a file! Do not use a grinder It will ruin the tool.

You should redress a chisel in a bench grinder. True or False A) true B) why not C) false D) I thought B was false