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Questions tagged [hand-tools]

Hand tools are those powered by human muscles, as opposed to any other power source.

Examples of hand tools include screwdrivers, saw, hammer, chisel, knife, clamps, and are operated by the efforts of the operator only.

If your tool is powered by electricity, compressed air, hydraulics, or other sources, then its not a hand tool.

Hand-powered tools that multiply forces are still hand tools, like a yankee screwdriver, or a breast drill, that transform the magnitude or direction of forces.

132 questions
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What is this set of claw-levers and bolts?

This has been in my garage for a while, but I have no ideas what it is. Anyone out there know?
Eric V
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What (in the US) do you call the type of wrench that is made from a steel tube?

This is the sort of wrench I have in mind: In the Wikipedia article (Socket Wrench) displaying this image, it is described as a spark plug wrench, but there are wrenches of this style in many other sizes, and for many other purposes - anywhere one…
sdenham
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What is this old manual tool for?

I just found this in a pile of old tools, more or less related to plumbing. The edges are sharp. The ridges do not have the same size on both sides. Does anyone know what this is and what it is for?
Ratbert
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4
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What tool is a 'murphy bar'?

What is a 'murphy bar'? Googling it, I found it mainly as a drinking bar; a liquor cabinet that folds down, like a Murphy bed. Is it just a generic (dis-used?) term for prying under something to move it? I've heard tell of crow-bar like tools with…
Mazura
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4
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What is this tool's name/use?

My uncle left me this tool. Looks like a tire chain tightener or something you'd hook and stretch. Anyone know the name of this tool?
Jon Bartol
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4
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Is a new hand plane supposed to have a concave sole?

Just got a block plane from Lowes (the only one on the display). It has a cup on its sole. Is it supposed to be like that?
Trident D'Gao
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3
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Direction for deburring and filing tools

After cutting a metal block I need to deburr the corners and edges. If there a large edge that stands out, I like to use a file, rather than a small deburring tool. However I never understood why the deburring tool needs to be operated towards me,…
JHN
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What is the proper way to use a hand plane on wood?

I am installing threshold between a bamboo floor and tile, and the threshold sits too high above the tile. I would like to use a hand plane to reduce it. But I have never used a plane before, and would like to know the correct way to use it?
Jeff
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Cheap alternative to cutting boards

I need a cutting board for my leather project. The ones you can buy at the hobby store are ridiculously expensive the bigger board is the more insane goes the price. I dont believe the material of which these boards are made contributes to their…
Trident D'Gao
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What is this scissors-like tool?

It sets on a surface on 3 legs, has a pointed tip. What is it? Shaped like scissors but aren't. When you open it a flat piece comes out of the box
Anita Eason
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When to use hard vs soft side of mallet?

I have a mallet like this: I do plenty with it, like hammer in dowels, persuade woodworking joints to close, and other random things. However, I never have a reason for which side I use. They both seem to do the same job of "non-marring force…
David Doria
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What is the proper term for a huge chisel-like tool used for building log cabins?

Cabin builders use this tool for about the same purpose as a regular chisel. It is about 4" wide, 1 1/2 foot long, and with a 1 1/2-2 foot long handle. What do you call it?
user119333
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When using a Hand Saw (or Hack saw), Dust hides line

Whenever I start cutting a piece of wood with either a handsaw or hacksaw (i.e. manual saw), the dust covers the line I drew, thereby making following the line very difficult if not impossible. I am also wearing a dust mask, so I can't blow the dust…
Tahir Hassan
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Difference between lacquered and polished chisels

What's the difference between lacquered chisels and polished chisels? Are there any advantages of one over the other?
kate
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What kind of hammer is this?

I can't find this specific hammer anywhere online, does anyone know what it's called or used for?
Bryan K
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