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HOME TOOLS

Have a toolbox or inherit some tools and not sure what the tools actually do or how they are 101 used? We have you covered. Here is a breakdown of the most common household tools you may have at home and what they can be used for.

BY LINDSEY JOHNSON, MS, MCHES

Tools use two different kinds of measurements, metric and standard. Bolts are measured across the top of the head and can be listed in either the metric or the imperial (standard) system. Ensure that bolts and wrenches are using the same system to avoid confusion.

FLAT-HEAD SCREWDRIVER

• A tool with a flat, wedge-shaped tip used to tighten screws with a singular groove in the head of the screw

WRENCH

• Used to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts • Variety of styles depending on project • Comes with either fixed or adjustable heads

MALLET

• A type of hammer with a softer head made of wood, rubber or leather to strike an object without damaging it • Less powerful than a hammer but softer head minimizes damage • Used in carpentry to knock wooden pieces together or used to drive wooden dowels

DRILL AND DRILL BITS

• Used to drill holes into a solid surface such as wood or drywall • Also used to help tighten screws and fasteners • Drill bits come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different sized screws.

Selection of the proper drill bit depends not only on size but also on material such as wood or metal.

PHILLIPS HEAD SCREWDRIVER

• A tool with a cross-shaped tip used to tighten screws with the same pattern on the head of the screw

RATCHET AND SOCKET SET

• Ratchet is a type of wrench used with a socket, or hollow cylinder, that fits over nuts and bolts to help tighten them. • Sockets come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different sized nuts and bolts.

HAND SAW

• Hand-held tool used to cut pieces of wood or other objects • Suitable for smaller projects with minimal wood cutting

PLIERS

• Primarily used for gripping and holding smaller items • Also used to bend or cut wire and other materials • Variety of styles depending on project

ALLEN WRENCH

• Also called a Hex Key • Used to hand tighten bolts and screws with hexagonal sockets in the head • Contains blunt tips and is usually made out of a single piece of steel in an L-shape • Often used for assembling furniture (An IKEA favorite!)

HAMMER

• Hand tool with a wood, metal, or fiberglass handle and a metal head • Used to strike items with force • Often used to add nails to the wall for hanging pictures, or nailing together two pieces of wood.

TABLE SAW

• Also used to cut wood and other objects • Electric tool • Allows for greater precision and force than a hand saw • Suitable for larger projects that require precision and extensive cutting

NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS

• Type of pliers used to bend, cut, and hold items • Particularly useful for jewelry makers, artisans, electricians, and network engineers • Able to get into tight places

LEVEL

• Used to determine an exact horizontal or vertical plane • For horizontal, the liquid area in the center will have the air bubble exactly in the middle, indicating the horizon. • For vertical, the liquid area will be on the sides and the air bubble will rest in the center to determine a vertical line. • Useful for hanging pictures

NAILS

• Smooth heads and shafts • Affixed in place by a hammer or nail gun • Used for securing pieces of wood or other items together

SCREWS

• Head usually contains either a cross or a flat groove that corresponds with screwdriver head shapes. • Shaft of the screw has a threaded shank, which allows for good gripping. • Anchors are used with screws when hanging heavier objects on a wall and do not require the screw to be placed on a stud.

PUTTY KNIFE

• Used to apply spackle or putty to walls with holes or cracks • Also used to spread putty to seal bathtubs and showers