Guide to Tools

Home Improvement

Explore this comprehensive A-Z guide on tools, complete with pictures of essential power tools.
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Are you confused about the difference between an angle driver and an angle grinder? Look no further than this A-Z guide on the basics of toolboxes to help you get started.

A-C D-F G-I J-M N-Q R-T U-Z

A

Allen Wrench – Also called a hex key, this wrench is ideal for turning screws with hexagonal head sockets, or Allen screws.

Anchor Bolts – Heavy-duty bolts that attach the sill plate of a building to the foundation.

Angle Driver – This screwdriver is designed to work around difficult corners by turning at an angle.

Angle Grinder – A handheld tool with textured discs that attach to the head to grind, polish, and cut.

Angle Stop – A shutoff valve that disconnects the water line from the faucet or toilet.

Awl – A small tool with a pointed head that punctures small holes in leather and wood. Similar to an ice pick.

Adjustable Bevel Square – An angle-measuring tool with a base and a movable metal arm that is useful for cutting wood pieces that fit together, such as baseboards.

B

Backsaw – A handsaw equipped with a stiffening strip of metal across the top of the blade that prevents it from shifting around while sawing.

Balusters – Short columns or posts that support a rail.

Bolts – A type of fastener that screws into a nut.

Bench Grinder – A power tool that sharpens metal and is often used to sharpen dull tools.

Band Saw – A continuous wheel-driven power saw found in most woodworking shops.

Bevel-edge Chisel – A woodworking hand tool with a flat, angled head designed for carving joints and details.

C

Caulk – A waterproof sealant applied to cracks and crevices to make them watertight.

Circular Saw – A power saw with a circular, toothed blade that’s ideal for cutting lumber.

Chalk Line – Chalk-treated cord that marks out straight lines when snapped against a surface.

Crosscut Saw – A standard handsaw that cuts at right angles across the wood grain.

Clamp – A grip or fastener that holds materials together tightly.

Carpenter’s Square Tool – A tool used by carpenters to measure right angles.

Guide to Tool Boxes: D-F

D

Drills – Power tools with rotating bits that screw and bore holes.

Digital Protractor – An electric device that gives a digital readout of wall angles for cutting and installing trim.

Double Square – A squaring tool with an adjustable bevel blade.

Dovetail Saw – A fine-toothed backsaw used for detailed woodwork.

Doweling Jig – A type of drill guide that moves at a 90-degree angle to the object being drilled. Handy for positioning dowels in wood projects.

Drywall Hammer – A specialized hammer with a rounded head for driving nails into drywall.

Duplex Nails – Double-headed nails that pull out easily. Useful for temporary fastening.

E

Electric Screwdriver – A power tool that drives and removes screws.

Electrical Contact Cleaner – A cleaning solution made of compressed air and a solvent that’s used to dissolve food, grease, or other debris on electric parts.

The Electrical Tester Tools are devices used to determine the functionality of power sources and locate circuit problems. The Electric Drill is a rotor tool that runs on electricity and performs spinning, drilling, boring, and sanding tasks. Electrician’s Tape Black is an insulating tape used to block electrical currents during wiring projects. The Electronic Level is an electric device that detects the slope and angle of a surface. Epoxy is a strong resin adhesive used to bond a variety of materials. The Extension Ruler is a sturdy folding ruler.

Fasteners are a family of materials that hold various surfaces together, including glues, nails, bolts, screws, and clamps. Felt Paper is paper treated with tar for roofing insulation and is also known as tar paper. Files are abrasive metal slabs used to smooth down surfaces. Fish Tape is stiff, flat wiring used to run electrical cables through a wall or ceiling. Flooring Chisel is a hand tool that has a flattened, thin blade used for installing and removing flooring. The Finishing Sander, also known as a palm sander, is a power tool that is useful for final sanding work. The Fretsaw is a very fine-toothed backsaw with a 6-inch (15-centimeter) blade designed for cutting around curves. Furring Nails are nails that come with washers to create space between two surfaces.

The Galvanized Nails are steel-coated nails that resist rust. Glass and Ceramic Glue are chemical adhesives specially designed to bond glass and ceramic surfaces. Glues are chemical substances that bond surfaces to each other. Graduated Straightedge is a straightedge tool marked with graduated measurements. Gardening Tools include shovels, hoes, wheelbarrows, and other tools necessary for basic gardening. Greenboard is a type of waterproof drywall that works well in bathrooms and laundry rooms, also known as blueboard. Grouting Tools are sponges and brushes used to apply grout in joints and cavities.

The Hacksaw is a metal-cutting saw that has a slim, fine-toothed blade attached to a frame. The Hand Drill is a manual tool that converts crank motion into the circular motion of a drill chuck. The Hammer is a simple tool designed to manually drive nails, brads, and other fasteners into softer materials such as wood or drywall. Handsaws are handheld, manual saws that consist of a handle and serrated blade. The Hand Plane is a carpentry tool with a flat base and an angled blade for trimming and detail work. Hand Screw Clamps are a type of clamp used for binding wood objects at an angle.

The Insulated Screwdriver is a screwdriver outfitted with a plastic handle and coating to stop the flow of electricity. The Impact Hammer is a power tool used for drilling holes in concrete, also known as an impact drill.

The Jack Plane is a type of woodworking plane that smooths and squares off pieces of wood. The Jeweler’s Screwdriver has a fine head meant for screwing and extracting small screws. The Jigsaw is a power saw with a fine-toothed blade that works well on curves and is used for cutting a variety of shapes. The Joint Maker’s Square, also known as a miter square, is a small tool that marks out 45-degree angles.

Joint Compound is a substance that chemically binds and fills gaps and cracks between drywall and specific plumbing fixtures.

K

A Keyhole Saw is a specialized saw with a pointed blade and handle that is ideal for creating small holes in drywall or wood.

Knife Files are files shaped like knives that are used for sharpening screw threads.

L

A Level is a household tool that indicates whether a surface is flat or horizontal.

Locking Pliers are pliers that can be locked in place around the object they are gripping.

A Log Saw is a power saw designed for cutting logs and timber.

Lumber is raw wood material used for constructing fences, houses, and some furniture.

M

A Magnetic-tip Screwdriver has a magnetized tip that holds onto the screw during installation.

A Miter Saw is a circular saw that can cut across the wood grain and at angles.

Multipurpose Glues are chemical adhesives that can bond a variety of materials together.

A Mill File is a tool used for sharpening and shaping saws, gardening tools, and axes.

Measuring Tools are a collection of tools used to measure the length, width, and breadth of objects and the distances between them.

Tool Box Guide: N-Q

N

A Nest of Saws is a set of saw blades that can be attached to the same handle.

Nail Guns are handheld machines that can launch nails at high speed, completely embedding them in a piece of wood in just a fraction of a second.

Nails are fasteners made in various shapes, sizes, and metals.

A Narrow-belt Sander is a power sander that’s specialized for sanding narrow and tight surfaces.

A Nail Puller is a clamping tool designed to grip nail heads and extract fasteners from materials.

O

Organizing Your Tools is essential for maintaining their sharpness, preventing rust, and keeping them within reach.

An Orbital Sander is a vibrating disk sander that rotates in a circular direction, making it easier to control and providing smoother sanding.

P

A Power Drill is an electrical motor that rotates a replaceable drill bit to bore holes or turn screws.

Pliers are handheld tools that firmly grip objects to be turned, bent, or manipulated.

A Plane is a woodworking tool used for removing or shaping wood.

Power Saws are electrically powered saws that benefit from enhanced speed and power.

Plumbing Tools are a set of tools useful for fixing toilet and plumbing problems.

A Plum Line is a string or line with a weight attached to one end that serves as a vertical guide.

A Plumb Bob is the weight at the end of a plumb line that keeps it straight.

A Pry Bar, also known as a crowbar, is a curved piece of metal with a two-pronged claw at one end for freeing nails or other objects.

Q

Quick Action Clamps are highly useful clamps that have a fixed jaw on one side and adjust on the other side.

Quick-drying Glues are chemical adhesives meant to dry and bind surfaces quickly.

Tool Box Guide: R-T

R

A Ripsaw is a specialized handsaw used for manually cutting wood in the direction of the grain.

Reciprocal Saw is a kind of power saw that moves a blade back and forth using a reciprocating motor. It is useful for larger jobs that involve cutting wood, metal, plastic, and drywall. Router is a high-speed woodworking power tool that can cut and trim a multitude of shapes in wood. Rip Hammer is a heavier-duty hammer that has a straighter claw for more efficient prying or ripping. Right-angle Drill is a heavy-duty power drill designed to bore holes in the middle of stud spaces. It is used most commonly for plumbing and electrical work. Rubber Mallet is a rubber-headed mallet meant for pounding more fragile materials that might be damaged with a steel hammer head.

Saber Saw is a power saw driven by a reciprocating motor that moves a small saw blade up and down the object to be cut. It works well for quickly cutting and shaping wood, plastic, and even metal. Square is a woodworking measuring rule that shows whether components are perpendicular or at right angles to each other. Stud Finder is a battery-operated electromagnet that identifies the location of studs. Screwdriver is a handheld tool that fastens and removes screws. Sander is a tool that uses abrasives to remove surface material. Screws are threaded fasteners that provide more strength and holding power than nails. Sandpaper is coated abrasives used to smooth surfaces. Staple Gun is a power tool that automatically drives staples into various materials. Steel Wool is a bundle of thin metal fibers spun into a pad for scouring, polishing, and finishing. Swiss Army Knife is a pocket-sized gadget with a variety of miniature attachments, such as scissors, screwdrivers, and rulers.

Table Saw is a circular saw mounted on a table or workbench. Tape Measure is a portable measuring device used to quantify the size of an object or the distance between objects. Turning Tools is a class of handheld cutting tools that includes gouges, scrapers, chisels, and parting tools. Torpedo Level is a small leveling tool that tests whether a plane is straight. Tack Hammer is a lighter-weight hammer designed for small nail heads.

Tool Box Guide: U-Z

Universal Clamp is a clamp designed to hold edges of materials together. Utility Knives are hand tools with retractable blades, also known as box cutters. Upholsterer’s Hammer is a lightweight tool designed for hammering tacks. Voltage Tester is a tool consisting of a small neon bulb with two insulated wires that tests for electrical current in a circuit. Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter is a precise, battery-powered tool used to check the continuity and strength of an electrical current flowing through the wire or component. It’s used while the power is turned off, so there’s no danger of electric shock. Vice Grip is another name for locking pliers. Violin Plane, more commonly known as a palm plane, is a woodworking tool specialized for carving hollow instruments.

Wrench is a hand tool that grips and turns a bolt head or nut. Web Clamp is a clamp that tightens around large materials with a soft nylon webbing. Wet Saw is a saw made for cutting ceramic tile.

Common DIY Tools and Materials

A wood mallet is a wooden hammer with a wide face that is safer to use on wood than a metal hammer. Wire cutters are pliers that are designed to grip and cut through wire and metal. Wiring consists of insulated strands of conductors that carry electrical currents across circuits. Weatherstripping is used for weatherproofing cracks, joints, and openings in buildings. Wire nuts are color-coded caps used for wiring that denote wire size and capacity. A wood screw is a screw with a tapered shaft that penetrates wood more easily.

X

Yard Lumber

Yard lumber is home construction-grade lumber rated by size, length, and use.

Zigzag Folding Rule

A zigzag folding rule is a wooden ruler with metal joints that allow it to fold and extend.

FAQ

1. What is a tool guide?

A tool guide is a resource that provides information on various tools, their features, and how to use them. It can be a book, a website, or even a video series that helps people understand the different types of tools available and how to choose the right one for their needs.

2. What are the different types of tool guides?

There are several types of tool guides available, including general guides that cover a wide range of tools, as well as more specific guides that focus on a particular type of tool, such as power tools or hand tools. Some guides are also geared towards beginners, while others are more advanced and intended for experienced users.

3. How can a tool guide help me?

A tool guide can help you in several ways. It can provide you with information on the different types of tools available, their features, and how they are used. It can also help you choose the right tool for your needs, whether you are a beginner or an experienced user.

4. What should I look for in a good tool guide?

A good tool guide should be comprehensive, providing information on a wide range of tools and their features. It should also be well-organized and easy to navigate, with clear descriptions and illustrations. Additionally, a good tool guide should be up-to-date, reflecting the latest advancements in tool technology.

5. How do I choose the right tool for my needs?

When choosing a tool, consider the task you need to accomplish, the materials you will be working with, and your experience level. Look for a tool that is well-suited to your needs, with features that will help you get the job done efficiently and effectively.

6. What are some common types of power tools?

Common types of power tools include drills, saws, sanders, and grinders. These tools are powered by electricity or battery, and are designed to make tasks easier and more efficient.

7. What are some common types of hand tools?

Common types of hand tools include hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers. These tools are operated by hand, and are often used for smaller tasks or precision work.

8. How do I care for my tools?

To ensure your tools last as long as possible, it is important to care for them properly. This may include cleaning and oiling them regularly, storing them in a dry, protected area, and using them only for their intended purpose.

9. What are some safety tips for using tools?

When using tools, it is important to follow all safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer. This may include wearing protective gear, such as gloves and goggles, and using the tool in a well-lit area with plenty of ventilation. Additionally, it is important to use the tool only as intended, and to never use a tool that is damaged or malfunctioning.

10. How can I learn more about tools?

There are several ways to learn more about tools, including reading tool guides, watching instructional videos, and attending workshops or classes. You can also ask for advice and recommendations from experts or experienced users.

11. What are some reputable tool brands?

There are many reputable tool brands, including DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, and Milwaukee. These brands are known for their quality and durability, and are often recommended by professionals.

12. How do I know if a tool is right for me?

To determine if a tool is right for you, consider your needs and experience level, as well as the features and capabilities of the tool. Look for reviews and recommendations from other users, and consider trying out the tool before making a purchase.