INFORMATION SHEET 4.

1-2
Hand Tools and Its Uses

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Identify different hand tools and its uses
2. Know the specification of various hand tools

INTRODUCTION

A tool is a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task. Tools

range from a traditional metal cutting part of a machine to an
element of a computer program that activates and controls a
particular function.

Proper Tool Selection

1. Know and understand in detail the usage of the work to be
accomplished.
2. Plan for the scope taking into account of the sequence of tasks.
3. Select the best tool for each task. This may require training in
proper use of the tools, field experience in their safe use and
following manufacturer’s guide and instructions for that
specific tool.
4. Obtain the tool along with its associated tools and consumable
parts as recommended by the manufacturer. Remember to
select and use the consumable parts according to their
manufacturer’s instruction.

Safe Use of Hand Tools

Misuse of hand tools may lead to injuries within ourselves
and/or people working around us. Also, incorrect use of hand
tools may damage the tool itself that causes the tool to fail.
Thus, hand tools must be safely used.

Guidelines for Hand Tools Safely

Use the right tool for the job

As tools are designed for specific needs, the first step in safe
hand tool is using the correct tool for the correct job. This is
the reason why there are screwdrivers with various lengths and
tip styles and pliers with different head shapes.

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Improper use of a tool is a step in the wrong direction.
Inappropriate use of hand tool causes injury, tool damage and
even equipment damage.

Use insulated tools when needed.

Insulated tools are designed to reduce the chance of injury if
the tool should come in contact with an energized source. As
we never know when a situation will arise where insulated tools
are required, we need to have some insulated tools in our
collections.
We must frequently inspect insulated tools for any wear or
cracking of the insulation. Keeping tools clean, dry and free
from surface contaminants is important as not to compromise
insulating properties. It is best not to use tools that have been
broken by cutting, worn or burned out.
Make note that tools with plastic clipped or slip-on-plastic
handles are not insulated. They are only featured for comfort.
Likewise, wrapping a tool with elastic tape does not promote
insulation.

Follow general safety and maintenance practices.

Improper use of tools is not only dangerous but also shows a
lack of understanding of tool safety, and disrespect for those
around you, thus, following safety and maintenance practice is
a must.
Wearing an approved eye protection is one of the safety
practices when using a hand tool. Through it, we can protect
our eyes from serious injuries.
Another safety practice is keeping cutting tools like knives,
bolts, cutters, and pliers sharp, lubricated and in good repair.
Cutting wire, bolts and similar materials must always be made
at a 90- degree angle to avoid clipping the edges of the knives.
Pliers must not also be rocked when attempting to cut
materials. This puts tremendous side pressure on cutting
surface that can result to tool failure.

Use well-designed, high quality tools.

For safer and easier job, investing in high quality tools is
advised.
If you are using pliers, take note of the qualities of high-quality
pliers. For jobs requiring extra leverage, use high-leverage
pliers. This plier gives more cutting and gripping power than
standard pliers. It is also best in jobs with repetitive cuts or
twisting numerous wire pairs. Pliers with hot riveting at the
joint ensure smooth movement across the full active range of
pliers. This reduces handle wobble for positive cut. For heavy-
duty cutting, use side-cutting and diagonal-cutting pliers.
 In using knives, choose sharp cutting knives and tempered
handles for better cutting result.
Further, for other tools not mentioned, you must look for
well-designed tools with a contoured thumb area for a firmer
grip or color-coded handles for easy tool identification.
Using well-designed and high-quality tools save time and give
professional results to you. Most importantly they help you do
your job safely.

Other Basic Safety Rules for Hand Tools

- Keep your hand free from oil and grease.
- Handle sharp-edged and pointed tool with care
by your side with the points and heavy ends
down.
- Secure all small work and short work with a vise
or clamp.
- Carry tools with its storage box for protection;
never put them in your pocket.
- Use tools in good condition not those that are
loose or cracked.
- Make sure your tools are all with handles.
- Clean the tools after using and return them to proper
storage place.
-
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

Answer the following;

1. Why is proper selection of hand tools in computer repair

important?
2. What are the things to be considered in selecting the
hand tools to be used in computer repair and
maintenance?
3. What is likely to happen if the technician incorrectly uses his
hand tools?
4. Why is it necessary to use the right-hand tool for the specific
job?
5. What are insulated tools? Why is it more appropriate to use
these kinds of tools?
6. What are some of the safety practices that should be observed
in a computer workshop or repair shop?
Preparing for the task to be undertaken includes proper tool
selection.

1. How do you select the best tool for the job? First, know and
understand in detail the scope of work to be accomplished,
second, plan for the scope taking into account the sequence of
tasks.

2. Selecting the best tool for each task requires training in the
proper use of the tools, field experience in their safe use, and
following the manufacturer’s guidance and instructions for
that specific tool.

3. When obtaining the tool all the associated tooling and

consumable parts, as recommended by the manufacturer,
must be included. In addition, related consumable parts must
also be selected and used according to their manufacturer’s
instructions.
SAFE USE OF TOOLS

Once selected, use the tool for the purpose for which it was designed.
Not all tools come with detailed instructions, but there are those that do
spell out the safety ―Do’s and Don’ts‖ for your safety. If there are set-
up/use options, operator judgment must always be based on what is the
safest way to use the tool.

Environmental Safety and Health Program requires the following:

• All tools be kept in good condition with regular maintenance

• The right tool be used for the job
• Each tool be examined before use AND damaged or defective tools NOT
to be used
• Tools be operated according to manufacturer’s instructions
• The right protective equipment for the tool and activity be used

HARDWARE TOOLS

To complete hardware repairs, it is important to have a toolkit that

should contain all of the necessary tools. As you gain experience, you
will learn which tools to have available for different types of jobs.
Hardware tools are grouped into these four categories:

• Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) tools

• Hand tools
• Cleaning tools
• Diagnostic tools

Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) Tools

Static electricity is easily generated by friction on carpets, tile flooring,

clothing, hair, fabric, and etc. The friction of moving air alone will charge
suspended particles and cause the buildup of static electrical charges on
people and objects in the environment. Grounded antistatic work mats
used with antistatic wrist straps provide the most basic means for the
controlled discharge of electrostatic electricity.

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Examples of ESD Tools

Anti-static wrist strap – used to prevent ESD

damage to computer equipment.

Anti-static mat – used to stand on or place

hardware on to prevent static electricity from
building up.
HAND TOOLS

A hand tool is a device for performing work on a material or a physical

system using only hands. The hand tools can be manually used
employing force, or electrically powered, using electrical current.
Examples of Hand Tools:

Flat head screwdriver – used to loosen

or tighten slotted screws.

Philips head screwdriver – used to

loosen or tighten crosshead screws.

Torx screwdriver - used to loosen or

tighten screws that have a star-like
depression on the top, a feature that is
mainly found on laptop.

Hex driver – sometimes called a nut

driver, is used to tighten nuts in the
same way that a screwdriver tightens
screws.
 Needle-nose plier – used to hold small
parts.

Wire cutter – used to strip and cut wires.

Tweezers – used to manipulate small

parts.

Part retriever – used to retrieve parts from

location that are to small for your hand to
fit.

Wire Stripper –

A tool designed to remove the protective

covering (jacket) off of a cable to expose the
inner wires. Because different wires come in
different shapes, there are dozens of
different wire strippers available. In the
picture is an example of a wire stripper that
strips cables when placed in-between the
blade and the holder and spun around the
cable until the cable jacket can be pulled off.
Crimping tools

A crimping tool is a device used to conjoin

two pieces of metal by deforming one or
both of them in a way that causes them to
hold each other. The result of the tool's
work is called a crimp. A good example of
crimping is the process of affixing a
connector to the end of a cable. For
instance, network cables and phone cables
are created using a crimping tool (shown
below) to join the RJ-45 and RJ-11
connectors to the both ends of either
phone or CAT5 cable.

Flashlight – used to light up areas that

you cannot see well.
CLEANING TOOLS

Having the appropriate cleaning tools is essential when maintaining or

repairing computers. Using these tools ensures that computer
components are not damaged during cleaning. Examples:

Lint-free cloth – used to clean different

computer components without
scratching or leaving debris.

Compressed air – used to blow away dust

and debris from different computer
parts without touching the
components.

Cable ties – used to bundle cables neatly

inside and outside of a computer.

Parts organizer – used to hold screw,

jumpers, fasteners and other small parts
and prevents them from getting mixed
together.
DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS

Computers are easier to use and more dependable with each new
generation of hardware and operating system update, but that doesn't
mean they're problem-free. Here's the most popular tools for diagnosing
your computer problems:

Multimeter – used to test the

integrity of circuits and the quality
of electricity in computer
components.

Loopback Adapter – used to test

the functionality of computer ports.

Network Cable Tester-

A cable tester is a device that is

used to test the strength and
connectivity of a particular type of
cable or other wired assemblies.
There are a number of different
types of cable testers, each able to
test a specific type of cable or wire
(some may be able to test different
types of cables or wires). A cable
tester can test whether a cable or
wire is set up properly, connected
correctly, and the communication
strength between the source and
destination.
 SELF CHECK 4.1-2

MULTIPIPLE CHOICE
Encircle the correct answer, Encircle the right tools according to the given
definition.
1. It is a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task
a. Han b. Diagnosti c. Occupationa d. Operatin
d c program l heal and g system
tool safety
procedures

2. It is use to prevent ESD damage to computer equipment.

a. Anti- b. Diagnostic c. Hand d. Operating
static program tool system
wrist
strap

3. It is use to stand on or place hardware on to prevent static

electricity from building up.
a. Anti- b. Anti- c. Hand d. Operating
static static tool system
wrist mat
strap

4. It is use to loosen or tighten slotted screws.

a. Anti- b. Philips c. Hand d. Flat head
static head tool screwdriver
wrist screwdriver
strap

5. It is use to loosen or tighten crosshead screws.

a. Anti- b. Philips c. Hand d. Flat head
static head tool screwdriver
wrist screwdriver
strap

6. It is use to loosen or tighten screws that have a star-like

depression on the top, a feature that is mainly found on laptop.
a. Anti- b. Philip c. Tor d. Flat
static s x head
wrist head scre screwdri
strap screw wdr ver
driver iver

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Hand tools and its uses
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7. Sometimes called a nut driver, is used to tighten nuts in the
same way that a screwdriver tightens screws.
a. Anti- b. Hex c. Tor d. Flat
static driver x head
wrist scre screwdri
strap wdri ver
ver

8. It use to hold small parts.

a. Needle b. Hex c. Torx d. Flat
-nose driver screw head
plier drive screwd
r river

9. It is used to manipulate small parts.

a. Needle b. Tweez c. Torx d. Flat
-nose ers scre head
plier wdri screwdri
ver ver

10.It is use to retrieve parts from location that are to small for your
hand to fit.
a. Needle b. Tweez c. Torx d. Part
-nose ers scre Retrieve
plier wdri r
ver

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Hand tools and its uses
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13
 ANSWER KEY 4.1-2

1. A
2. A
3. B
4. D
5. B
6. C
7. B
8. A
9. B
10. D