Hand Tools

Hand tools are manually-operated tools that fit in the hand. They are used in many industries and applications to assemble, install, repair, and maintain machines, products, components, and equipment. Hand tools range from pliers to calipers and include screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammers. Pliers have two jaws and are designed to grip objects by using leverage. Calipers measure the distance between two symmetrically-opposing sides. Screwdrivers are devices that fit into the head of a screw to drive the screw into the object to be fastened. Wrenches are used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts. Hammers are hand tools that deliver repeated blows to an object. For example, a hammer is used to drive a nail into wood.

For every basic type of hand tool, many specialized varieties are available. For example, a standard wrench has two fixed jaws, but an adjustable pipe wrench has two serrated, movable jaws for gripping and turning a pipe. A standard hammer can be made from a common metal such as chrome, but titanium may be added to provide extra strength. In operations where precise measurements are crucial, specialized hand tools may be used to apply specific amounts of pressure, or to precisely measure the tension being applied. For example, torque wrenches and torque screwdrivers are used to set the amount of torque applied to the tightness of the screw or bolt. This torque amount is the rotational force generated when energy is applied to the hand tool.

Power source is an important consideration when selecting hand tools. Although most products can derive their power from the operator, other hand tools have been converted to power tools, that is, they derive their power from motors. Pneumatic hand tools and hydraulic hand tools are two common types of products. With pneumatic hand tools, compressed air is used to bring a greater force to the tool (e.g., a pneumatic torque wrench, an impact wrench, or air hammer). When hydraulic hand tools are used, however, the additional force is transferred to the tool from an incompressible liquid, generally oil. Hydraulics are used to power small hand tools such as a hydraulic torque wrench.

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