Carpentry:

 Introduction: Carpentry involves building and repairing structures and fixtures

using wood as the primary material.
 Tools and Equipment: Common tools include hammers, saws (circular saw,
handsaws), drills, chisels, planes, levels, measuring tapes, squares, and sanding
tools. Power tools like routers and table saws can improve efficiency for specific
tasks.
 Materials: Plywood, lumber (dimensional wood), composite boards, wood glue,
nails, screws, and various fasteners are commonly used.
 Safety: Wearing safety glasses, gloves, and proper footwear is crucial. Dust
masks and respirators are necessary when working with treated wood or creating
dust.
 Important Skills: Carpentry requires good hand-eye coordination, measuring
skills, knowledge of joint types, and the ability to follow blueprints or plans.

Carpentry:

 Hammers: Claw hammers are for pulling nails, while framing hammers drive
nails securely. Mallets made of rubber or wood are used for delicate striking
without damaging wood.
 Saws: Circular saws make precise cuts in wood. Handsaws like backsaws and
coping saws perform specific cutting tasks. Jigsaws allow for intricate curved
cuts.
 Drills: Electric drills with various drill bits create holes in wood for screws,
fasteners, or dowels.
 Chisels and Planes: Chisels are used for wood removal and shaping, while
planes smooth and flatten wood surfaces. Both require proper sharpening for
optimal performance.
 Levels and Squares: Levels ensure horizontal or vertical alignment, while
squares (speed squares, framing squares) check for square cuts and angles.
 Measuring and Marking Tools: Tape measures provide accurate
measurements. Marking tools like pencils, utility knives, and marking knives help
for layout and cutting guides.
 Sanding Tools: Sandpaper in various grits removes imperfections and
smoothens wood surfaces. Random orbital sanders are power tools for efficient
sanding of larger areas.

Utilizing Carpentry Tools:

 Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris.
 Use the right tool for the job. Don't force a tool to perform a task it's not designed
for.
 Sharpen cutting tools like saws, chisels, and plane blades regularly for clean cuts
and to prevent user fatigue.
  Clamp workpieces securely when using saws, drills, or chisels for better control
and safety.
 Follow proper cutting techniques to avoid kickback or splintering of wood.

Selecting Carpentry Tools:

 Consider the type and size of projects you'll be working on.

 Invest in quality tools made from durable materials for better performance and
longevity.
 A good starter set of carpentry tools might include a claw hammer, a backsaw, a
coping saw, a level, a tape measure, a utility knife, and a set of chisels.
 Power tools can increase efficiency, but prioritize mastering hand tools first.

Maintaining Carpentry Tools:

 Clean tools after each use to remove sawdust, dirt, and debris.
 Wipe down metal tools with a light coat of oil to prevent rust.
 Store tools properly in a dry place to prevent warping or damage.
 Regularly sharpen cutting tools using a sharpening stone or honing guide.

Masonry:

 Introduction: Masonry involves building structures and features using brick,

stone, concrete, and mortar (a binding paste).
 Tools and Equipment: Masons use hammers, chisels, trowels, levels, plumb
bobs, mixing tools (mortar hoes), angle grinders, and bricklaying hammers.
 Materials: Bricks, concrete blocks, various types of stone, mortar mix, and
concrete are the main building materials.
 Safety: Similar to carpentry, safety glasses, gloves, and proper footwear are
essential. Respirators are important when working with dust from concrete or
stone.
 Important Skills: Masons need good hand-eye coordination, physical strength,
spatial reasoning skills, and the ability to follow blueprints or plans.

Masonry:

 Hammers: Bricklaying hammers have a pointed peen for breaking bricks and a
flat face for striking chisels.
 Chisels: Cold chisels cut and shape stone, while brick chisels are used for
removing mortar or splitting bricks.
 Trowels: Pointing trowels have a pointed tip for applying mortar in tight spaces,
while gauging trowels are used for spreading mortar over larger areas.
 Levels and Plumb Bobs: Levels ensure horizontal surfaces, while plumb bobs
establish perfect verticality.
  Mixing Tools: Mortar hoes efficiently mix mortar, a paste used to bind bricks and
stones.

Utilizing Masonry Tools:

 Wear safety glasses, gloves, and proper footwear when working with masonry
materials.
 Use the appropriate size trowel for the job. A pointing trowel is used for detailed
work, while a gauging trowel handles larger areas.
 When laying bricks, ensure a consistent mortar bed thickness for a strong and
level wall.
 Strike the chisel with a controlled force using the mason's hammer for precise
stone or brick shaping.

Selecting Masonry Tools:

 Choose trowels made from high-quality stainless steel for easy cleaning and rust
resistance.
 Select hammers with a comfortable grip and appropriate weight for the task.
 A basic masonry toolset might include a brick hammer, a pointing trowel, a
gauging trowel, a level, and a plumb bob.

Maintaining Masonry Tools:

 Clean mortar residue from trowels after each use to prevent hardening.
 Sharpen chisels regularly using a sharpening stone or grinder.
 Oil metal tools to prevent rust.
 Store tools in a dry place to prevent damage.

Plumbing:

Wrenches: Adjustable wrenches fit various nut and bolt sizes, while pipe
wrenches grip and turn pipes without damaging the surface.

Pipe Cutters: Cutters specifically designed for copper, PVC, or PEX tubing
ensure clean cuts for proper connections.

Soldering Equipment: A soldering torch and soldering iron are used to join
copper pipes with solder.

Plungers and Drain Snakes: Plungers clear blockages in sinks and toilets with
water pressure. Drain snakes (augers) are long, flexible metal cables inserted
into drains to break up and remove clogs.
 Levels: Levels ensure proper pipe alignment to prevent drainage issues.

Utilizing Plumbing Tools:

Wear safety glasses and gloves when working with plumbing to protect yourself
from splashes or sharp edges.

Use the correct wrench size to avoid damaging pipes. An adjustable wrench
should be adjusted to fit the pipe snugly.

When cutting pipes, ensure clean and square cuts for proper connection.

Follow safety precautions when soldering, including proper ventilation and using
fire-resistant gloves.

Selecting Plumbing Tools:

Get a good quality adjustable wrench that can handle various sizes of nuts and
bolts commonly encountered in plumbing.

Invest in pipe cutters designed for the specific type of pipe you'll be working with
(copper, PVC, PEX).

A basic plumbing toolkit might include an adjustable wrench, a basin wrench for
faucets, a sink plunger, a toilet plunger, and a short drain snake.

Maintaining Plumbing Tools:

Wipe down wrenches and other metal tools after use to prevent rust.

Store plungers in a clean, dry place to prevent mold growth.

Clean drain snakes after use to remove debris and prevent clogs within the
snake itself.

Plumbing:

 Introduction: Plumbing involves installing and maintaining systems for water

supply, sanitation, and drainage within a building.
  Tools and Equipment: Plumbers use wrenches, pipe cutters, soldering
equipment, plungers, drain snakes, augers, levels, and various pipe fitting tools.
 Materials: Pipes (copper, PVC, PEX), valves, fittings, faucets, toilets, sinks, and
various plumbing fixtures are used.
 Safety: Safety glasses and gloves are essential to protect from cuts and burns.
Respiratory protection might be required when working with soldering or harsh
chemicals.
 Important Skills: Plumbers need problem-solving skills, good hand-eye
coordination, knowledge of plumbing codes, and the ability to diagnose and fix
plumbing issues.

SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding):

 Introduction: SMAW, also known as stick welding, is an arc welding process

that uses a consumable electrode covered in flux.
 Equipment: An SMAW welding machine, electrode holder, ground clamp,
welding helmet with a suitable shade lens, welding gloves, and chipping hammer
with a wire brush are the main tools.
 Materials: SMAW electrodes (rods), welding wire, and the metal pieces to be
welded are the primary materials.
 Safety: SMAW welding requires extensive safety precautions. This includes
wearing a welding helmet with the appropriate shade lens, leather welding
gloves, and flame-resistant clothing. Good ventilation is crucial to avoid inhaling
welding fumes.
 Important Skills: SMAW welders need good hand-eye coordination, the ability
to follow welding procedures, and knowledge of safe welding practices.

SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding):

 Electrode Holder: This tool securely grips the welding electrode and provides
electrical current.
 Ground Clamp: The ground clamp connects the welding machine to the metal
workpiece, completing the electrical circuit.
 Welding Helmet: A welding helmet with an appropriate shade lens protects your
eyes and face from intense ultraviolet light, sparks, and spatter.
 Chipping Hammer and Wire Brush: These tools clean slag (a byproduct of
welding) from the weld joint after welding.

Utilizing SMAW Tools:

 Always wear safety gear like a welding helmet, flame-resistant clothing, and
leather gloves when welding.
 Ensure proper ventilation to avoid inhaling welding fumes.
 Choose the correct electrode size and type for the metal thickness being welded.
  Use the appropriate amperage setting on the welding machine for the specific
electrode and metal thickness.

Selecting SMAW Tools:

 Select a welding machine with an amperage range suitable for the thickness of
metal you plan to weld.
 Choose an electrode holder with good insulation and a comfortable grip.
 A basic SMAW welding kit typically includes a welding machine, electrode holder,
ground clamp, welding helmet, chipping hammer, wire brush, and safety gear.

Maintaining SMAW Tools:

 Clean the welding machine's exterior after each use to remove spatter and
debris.
 Replace the welding helmet lens if it becomes scratched or pitted, as this can
compromise eye protection.
 Clean the chipping hammer and wire brush regularly to maintain their
effectiveness.