Practical guide: Using hand toolsHand tools: Saws, drills and chisels

In workshops there are a range of common hand tools that can be used when working with different materials.

Part ofDesign and manufactureManufacture assignment

Hand tools: Saws, drills and chisels

There several types of hand tools commonly used in workshops to process and manufacture products.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide1 of 6, A coping saw, A coping saw

Saws and files

ToolUseMaterial
Tenon sawA brass back saw used for precision cuts such as woodwork jointsWood
Coping sawA tension saw that is used to cut on the back stroke to cut details and curvesWood
Hack saw/ Junior hack sawTension saws that have replaceable bladesWood, plastic, metal
Panel sawA basic rip saw that is used for rough cuttingWood
FileAn abrasive hand tool the removes and shapes materialsWood, plastic, metal
AbrafileA saw with a file blade that allows to cut in different directionsWood, plastic, metal
RaspSimilar to a file but with bigger teeth. They are rough tool that requires more finishing workWood
ToolTenon saw
UseA brass back saw used for precision cuts such as woodwork joints
MaterialWood
ToolCoping saw
UseA tension saw that is used to cut on the back stroke to cut details and curves
MaterialWood
ToolHack saw/ Junior hack saw
UseTension saws that have replaceable blades
MaterialWood, plastic, metal
ToolPanel saw
UseA basic rip saw that is used for rough cutting
MaterialWood
ToolFile
UseAn abrasive hand tool the removes and shapes materials
MaterialWood, plastic, metal
ToolAbrafile
UseA saw with a file blade that allows to cut in different directions
MaterialWood, plastic, metal
ToolRasp
UseSimilar to a file but with bigger teeth. They are rough tool that requires more finishing work
MaterialWood

Drills

ToolUseMaterial
Twist drillA standard drill bit with two twisted, fluted cutting edges to remove materialWood
Flat drillHas a flat face, a pin at the bottom, and two cutting edges. Allows for a flat blind hole to be drill or larger diameter holes to be cutWood
AugerHas a wider twist than a normal drill. It has a screw shaped end point. Not as clean cut as a twist or flat bit. It is used with a hand drillWood
Hole sawComprised of a twist drill surrounded by a large circular tube with a saw teeth. Allow for larger through-holes to be cutWood
Forstner bitUsed for drilling flat bottomed blind holes and is more stable to use than a flat bitWood
ToolTwist drill
UseA standard drill bit with two twisted, fluted cutting edges to remove material
MaterialWood
ToolFlat drill
UseHas a flat face, a pin at the bottom, and two cutting edges. Allows for a flat blind hole to be drill or larger diameter holes to be cut
MaterialWood
ToolAuger
UseHas a wider twist than a normal drill. It has a screw shaped end point. Not as clean cut as a twist or flat bit. It is used with a hand drill
MaterialWood
ToolHole saw
UseComprised of a twist drill surrounded by a large circular tube with a saw teeth. Allow for larger through-holes to be cut
MaterialWood
ToolForstner bit
UseUsed for drilling flat bottomed blind holes and is more stable to use than a flat bit
MaterialWood

Chisels, planes, and routers

ToolUseMaterial
Bevel chiselHas tapered angles that break away excess material away and give access tight cornersWood
Firmer chiselHas straight edges for direct chisellingWood
Mortice chiselDesigned for impact. Has a metal band called a ferrule on the end to stop the handle from splitting and a rubber support designed to absorb the shock from a malletWood
Skew chiselA long, flat, bevel-edged chisel with an angled tip used for turning spindles and for creating dovetail jointsWood
Cold chiselA hardened chisel used to shear metalMetal
PlaneA hand tool that removes material and smoothes the surface of wood by removing shavingsWood
Hand routerUsed to create a housing joint. Has a chisel tooth and can be set to a fixed depthWood
SurformHas a surface similar to a food grater. They can quickly shape wood but produce a rough surfaceWood
ToolBevel chisel
UseHas tapered angles that break away excess material away and give access tight corners
MaterialWood
ToolFirmer chisel
UseHas straight edges for direct chiselling
MaterialWood
ToolMortice chisel
UseDesigned for impact. Has a metal band called a ferrule on the end to stop the handle from splitting and a rubber support designed to absorb the shock from a mallet
MaterialWood
ToolSkew chisel
UseA long, flat, bevel-edged chisel with an angled tip used for turning spindles and for creating dovetail joints
MaterialWood
ToolCold chisel
UseA hardened chisel used to shear metal
MaterialMetal
ToolPlane
UseA hand tool that removes material and smoothes the surface of wood by removing shavings
MaterialWood
ToolHand router
UseUsed to create a housing joint. Has a chisel tooth and can be set to a fixed depth
MaterialWood
ToolSurform
UseHas a surface similar to a food grater. They can quickly shape wood but produce a rough surface
MaterialWood