Hand tools: features, types, manufacturer rating

The real owner should always keep a basic set of hand tools in the house. With their help, you can quickly eliminate an unexpected problem in everyday life. With some types of hand tools, you will be able to carry out repair work. If you have at least a basic set of hand-held appliances in your house, then in the event of a minor breakdown of pieces of furniture or equipment, you will not need to turn to professionals for help.

You can read about what types of sets of hand tools are, what criteria should be relied on during their purchase and what safety measures should not be forgotten when using technical hand tools, you can read in this article.

Hand tools are technical devices. They have a special set of qualities, because of which they are indispensable both in everyday life and in professional activity. Hand tools are characterized by the following features:

• multifunctionality;
• ease of use;
• versatility (can be used in many areas);
• ergonomics.

Special attention should be paid to the wide range of applications of this kind of tools. The multifunctionality of such tools lies in the possibility of their use:

• for carpentry and locksmith works;
• for repair and household needs;
• to solve problems with electricity;
• by motorists to carry out installation or repair work of a car;
• plumbers when troubleshooting plumbing problems.

Generally, hand tools are not designed to operate on gasoline, battery, or direct connection to the mains. This means that such devices are noiseless, do not need timely recharging, fuel and the presence of a power source within the work site. The ability to operate this kind of tools without any prerequisites allows them to remain in demand to this day.when innovation has taken a confident step forward.

As for the required number of hand tools, here the decision is always yours alone. For some, it is quite enough to have a basic set of several screwdrivers, a hammer and pliers, while someone prefers to have a whole collection of separate sets. However, it is extremely difficult to do without basic components from a set of hand-held tools in everyday life.

At the moment, manufacturers around the world offer to purchase a wide variety of hand-made products. There are many tools that can come in handy in different situations. One of the main classifications of hand tools is division by purpose. These can be tools for processing metal or carrying out any work on wood (for woodworking), plastic, and so on.

It is worth noting that the functionality of hand tools is also different. With some tools, you can easily handle even the most difficult task.

To figure out what work can be done with hand tools, you need to familiarize yourself with each of them better.

• Hammer. It can be of different sizes.Refers to a percussion instrument. The most "running" is considered to be a medium-sized gun weighing 0.5 kilograms. Most models include striker and prong. Its main functions are to hammer in nails and smash objects through striking.
• Screwdriver. A locksmith tool that has a variety of bits and attachments. It is used for screwing in and out of threaded fasteners.
• Wrench. There are several types: with adjustable and non-adjustable throat. They are used for a rigid grip, with which it turns out to tighten or unscrew bolts, nuts and other elements.
• Roulette. Hand-held measuring tool. With its help, you can make accurate measurements of any details. Can be up to 10 meters long.
• Pliers (pliers). Pliers tool. They belong to the fitting and assembly type of equipment. They are distinguished by their diversity. Among the most popular varieties, it is customary to distinguish articulated (with grip regulation), with a retainer (you can fix the device in a certain position and go to another stage of work). The main functions of all types of pliers are to grip and compress parts of different sizes.
• Construction knife. It always stays sharp thanks to the replaceable blade structure. It can be of different widths, and is also equipped with special compartments for storing a spare blade. It is usually used for opening some packaging materials, for cutting, and so on.
• Bit. Woodworking joinery and carpentry tool. Experts recommend keeping two types of chisel in stock: specifically for cutting wood and for other types of work.

There are a myriad of hand tools that can be included in special tool kits. Their difference lies in their purpose. To understand which hand tools can be included in a particular set, you should familiarize yourself in more detail with the classification of tools.

• Clamping. Designed to secure the workpiece in the desired position on both sides using clamps.
• Measuring. Used to measure weight, volume, angles, length, and so on.
• Keys. Unscrew and twist the threaded elements.
• Painting. Needed for applying liquids or mixtures to any surfaces.
• Joiner's and locksmiths. Milling tools.
• Shock-lever. With their help, you can give the necessary shape, remove or hammer the fastening elements.
• Painting. Designed for applying thick mixtures on a flat surface.
• Hinge-pliers. Needed for cutting and at the same time reliable fixation of the processed material.
• Special purpose. Specialized tools.

You don't have to spend a lot of time reviewing and comparing to figure out which hand tool kits are truly great. You can save your time and just get acquainted with the products of world famous manufacturers of tool sets.

Among the universal building sets of hand tools, the products of the Berger and Jonnesway brands can be distinguished.

Berger BG128-1214 set:

• intended for processing metal, wood, plastic;
• the total number of elements in the set is 128 pieces (sockets, ratchet wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, side cutters and wrenches);
• case made of durable plastic with a strong lock made of metal elements.

Jonnesway set S04H524127S:

• reliable case made of PVC material;
• lifetime warranty (provided that all tools are used strictly according to the purpose specified by the manufacturer);
• the total number of elements in the set is 128 items (hammer, socket heads, hexagons, keys and center punch);
• The set includes a pointer with a magnetized tip as accessories.

Another group of tools that are quite popular among consumers is metalwork and carpentry.They can be used to perform many tasks, especially those where it is necessary to carry out the assembly process of any elements.

Hitachi 705315M Kit:

• all tools included in the set are made of high quality metal;
• can be used for metal and woodworking;
• long warranty period;
• consists of 112 tools (socket heads, magnetic and quick-change holders, drills, drills, bits);
• durable case.

Bosch X-Line 100 Kit:

• convenient case with folding holders for a set of drills;
• includes 100 elements;
• the building level acts as an addition to the set.

Also of note are the hand tool kits that are meant for electricians. They can be used in many areas. Jensen and Cablexpert are among the most reliable manufacturers of these kits.

Jensen JTK-67C Kit:

• all instruments are current-insulating as well as intrinsically safe;
• bag made of durable fabric;
• the set contains many components, the main of which are nippers and pliers, as well as screwdrivers, holders of various types, measuring tools, keys, bits, long-nose pliers, a hacksaw;
• a magnifying glass with illumination, a powerful flashlight, as well as an antistatic bracelet and a construction knife act as additional electrical devices.

Cablexpert TK-Elec Kit:

• soft and comfortable organizer case;
• the main components of this set include screwdrivers, pliers, extractors, a soldering iron and much more;
• it also has a variety of accessories, including an anti-static wrist strap.

Experts recommend that you familiarize yourself with the list of factors that you definitely need to pay attention to if you want to acquire a truly reliable tool.

The most durable and easy-to-use material is considered to be steel with impurities of other metals, for example, chromium. Steel itself is a fairly strong material that can easily withstand even the most severe loads. In an abbreviated form, steel may be designated "Cr-V".

Quality products will have an attractive and trustworthy appearance. There should be no roughness, chips and other defects both during visual and tactile contact with the instrument. If you notice that something is amiss, this indicates that during the production poor-quality final processing of the product was carried out or its manufacture was carried out on unreliable machines.

The texture of the handle of the tool should be soft and pleasant to the touch, and the hand should not slide over it. The shape of the handle should be comfortable for your hand. If the handle is rubberized or includes rubber inserts, then this indicates a high-quality approach to its manufacture.

If the product implies the presence of a hinge joint, then this detail must be paid attention to. The hinge itself should move smoothly, without difficulty, and the bushings should be properly fixed.

Over a long period of development of this industry, the best brands have long been revealed on the market. Their name speaks for itself. When purchasing a product from a well-known brand manufacturer, you can be sure that all components are made properly and from high quality materials. All you need to do is make sure that you are not buying a fake.

Choosing a whole set of hand tools, you should carefully choose the case itself, in which all the elements of the set are located. In quality kits, each device has its own place with mounts. Thus, you get a kind of tool organizer.

After you purchase a hand-held tool or even a whole set of such equipment, you should familiarize yourself with the instructions that came with them. This way you can learn about safety requirements during work. Each manufacturing company, referring to its own production characteristics, may include in the instruction special points for the operation of their products.

And yet, do not forget about the standard set of rules for the use of hand tools.

• Before starting to use any tool, it is necessary to assess its condition and check for any defects.
• When working with percussion instruments, be sure to wear special protective goggles to prevent dust and small particles from entering the eyes.
• The tools can only be used for their intended purpose.

A high-quality and serviceable tool can be determined by the following criteria:

• absence of chips or cracks on crustaceans or metal elements of tools;
• all impact tools must be firmly attached to their handles;
• wood handles should be made only of hard wood, for example, beech or birch, their moisture content should not exceed 12%.

In the next video, you will find a detailed overview of the hand tool.