Tools and Equipment
What the exam tests
This domain tests correct selection, safe use and care of hand tools, lifting equipment, torque tools and measuring instruments. Questions often ask why a tool is chosen or what damage follows misuse.
Core rules
- Use the correct size and type: six-point sockets for damaged hex nuts, flare-nut spanners for brake pipes, and pullers for press-fit parts.
- Pull a spanner toward you where possible; do not extend it with a cheater bar. Inspect for cracks, mushroomed heads and loose handles.
- A torque wrench is a setting instrument, not a breaker bar. Set it to the specified value, apply load smoothly at the handle and recalibrate after heavy use or drops.
- On a bench grinder, keep the rest close to the wheel, wear eye protection and never grind on the side of a wheel.
- Use a hydraulic press with correct support and guards; never stand in line with a press ram under load.
- Clean and store tools dry; measuring tools go back in cases.
Worked example
A cylinder-head bolt specifies 90 N·m. The technician cleans the threads, fits the correct socket, sets a click-type torque wrench to 90 N·m and tightens in the manual's sequence. Reasoning: dirty threads reduce friction and give a false torque; a loose socket can round the head; sequence prevents head distortion. The wrench clicks at the set torque, so the technician stops and does not use it to loosen the bolt.
Traps that cost marks
Using an adjustable wrench on a tight hex, mixing imperial and metric sockets, over-torquing with a cheater bar, using a cracked socket, and leaving a chuck key in a drill.