HAND TOOLS

A hand tool is a device designed to carry out a particular function that does not require a motor but is powered entirely by the person that uses it. Many motorized tools make the job easier but you can always count on your hand tools to get it done. What happens when you have no electricity? What good will your electric saw or drill be to you?

You say you have battery powered tools? Every time you pull the trigger on that drill you are one step closer to being without its services. A hand drill can be purchased for a reasonable price and it never hurts to have it for a back-up. You should count on investing in a quality set of hand tools that will come in handy in numerous situations.

In general tools can be classified as:. hammers, mauls, sledges, screwdriver and bit, chopping tools, saws, chisels, planes, files and rasps, pry bars, brush-cutting tools and miscellaneous cutting tools.

Perhaps the most common and well-known of the hand tools is the hammer, which is designed to drive nails, break apart materials, or pry out nails or boards. It is a versatile tool that can accomplish many tasks, but be sure to invest in the right one. Hammers come in different lengths, which are intended for different jobs. Whatever hammer you decide on, be sure it is a well-built one-piece hammer or a two-piece hammer with the head solidly fixed to the handle.

You want versatility, the most bang for your buck. This would be a sixteen ounce, straight claw hammer with a wood or fiberglass handle. Heavy enough to actually drive a nail, light enough to keep you from test driving the new words you've heard lately.. Some of the new metal handle hammers are pretty nice and do have their advantages, such as not breaking when pulling nails. Be sure to look for the made in China symbol and put that one back.

The day finally surfaces when a project around the house requires a hammer. First we look through our junk to see if there isn't something, anything, we can use instead of going to the store. Not that we mind shopping, but just not for hammers.

How many of you have dealt with a sales person who speaks down to you? Well, I have a news bulletin. The guy who makes us feel that way knows almost as little as we do about hardware. Last week he worked in the warehouse, lugging freight. Another thing I realize is that most women could care less if a hammer is the right one as long as they get what they want out of it. This is fine if you feel that way. The women I'm speaking to here are the ones who are serious about having a set of tools worthy of the crafts-person they wish to become. Enough said about that.

With a little luck, the salesperson is not in the department when we start the great hunt. Let's say you're going to Home Depot for the simple reason that they are everywhere. (not literally, but close) We look overhead and find the sign for tools. As confidently as possible, we head on down the isle until we find the hammer rack. All of a sudden we are stepping into an ancient Egyptian tomb and looking at an entire wall of Hieroglyphics.

Hammers of all sizes and shaped are staring back at us. 'Oh da__,' we say, 'Why couldn't there be only one to choose from?' Well, gather around and I will attempt to explain what all these hammers do so that you can make an intelligent decision about your purchase. I'll start out by listing most of the styles of hammers so you can see the difference in them.

1.Framing hammer
2.Finish hammer (sometimes referred to as a claw hammer)
3.Roofing ax
4.Sheetrock ax
5.Mason's ax
6.Ball Peen

Framing hammer: The purpose of a framing hammer is to do exactly what the name says, build the wall. For anybody who didn't know, building a wall is referred to as framing it. Framing hammers come in several sizes. They start at 20 ounce and get heavier from there. In my tool collection I have a 32 ounce framing hammer and let me tell you, I don't mind one bit when they say it's a man's hammer.

The head of a framing hammer is referred to as a waffle head. One look at it and you'll see why. The reason for this is to insure that the hammer makes good contact with the nail. A good framer hits the nail twice. Once to set it and the second time to drive it home. Tap, bang, tap, bang – by the hour for the entire day. Most framers prefer a wooden handle, probably a Vaughn hammer or one of equal quality. The length of a good 20 ounce hammer is 16 inches, the same as the distance between two studs in a wall.

Finish hammer: Finish hammers come in many different weights, from little brad hammers to 20 oz. The head is smooth to prevent damage to the project. Here's a tip when driving a finish nail. Give the nail a tap to set it and then put a garden hose washer around it. The washer helps to protect the wood in case your hammer does an oops.

When the nail gets to the place where the washer impedes it from going any further, finish setting it with a nail punch. You should buy a set of 3 punches to insure that you have the correct size for the nail you are using. Here's another tip. When pulling a nail with your hammer, shove the claw end tightly around the nail to be pulled and roll the hammer sideways. The nail will ease itself out of the wood and not break your hammer handle in the process.

The other four hammers listed are job specific. The sheetrock ax has a hatchet thing on one end of the head and a round modest waffle head on the other. It's round in order to make a nice dimple in the sheet rock when the nail is hammered in.

The roofer's ax is more aggressive appearing then the sheetrock ax. It also has a adjustable guage thing on the head. This is used to measure width of the shingle allowed to show as the roofer works his way on the roof, course after course.

The mason's ax is also an aggressive tool hardly ever required by a homeowner, unless of course, you are planning to do some brick or rock work at your house. The ball peen hammer is used in metal work, also something most home owners don't involve themselves with.

The job is always made easier by having the right tool. Do not cheap skate on your tools and they will last you for years to come. Usually, if you are selective in your purchase, they will last for the rest of your life. One last tip, NEVER hit metal objects (other then nails) with a waffle head hammer. The little waffles could chip off and go flying into the operator's eye.

Feel free to stop by my fiction authors blog at
http://paidraspen.blogspot.com
or my back to the land blog at
http://back-to-the-land-again.blogspot.com