Hand tools and portable power tools: use, maintenance and safety
Hand tools and portable power tools
This domain examines safe selection, correct use, adjustment and routine maintenance of hand tools and portable power tools.
Core rules
- Match the saw to the cut: rip saw for along the grain, crosscut saw for across, tenon saw for fine joinery, coping saw for curves.
- Set a plane by retracting the iron, checking sole flatness, adjusting mouth and cap iron, then advancing the iron for a fine shaving. A common bench chisel sharpening angle is 25° primary with a 30° micro-bevel.
- Mark from a datum face side and face edge; use a try square, marking gauge and knife line for accuracy.
- Power tools: inspect leads, plugs and guards before use; use an RCD; clamp the work; keep hands clear; use dust extraction; let the blade reach full speed and stop before moving.
- Maintenance: clean and sharpen blades, remove resin, check belts and brushes, store tools dry, and report damaged tools.
Worked example
You need to cut a 10 mm deep housing across a 150 mm pine shelf. Mark with a knife and square from the face edge. Use a router with an edge guide and a 12 mm straight cutter, or a tenon saw and chisel. Set the router depth by lowering the cutter until it just touches the surface, then zero the scale and add 10 mm. Clamp a straight edge; rout in several passes. Reasoning: a knife line reduces tear-out; shallow passes protect the cutter and improve finish.
Traps
Using a crosscut saw for ripping; planing without checking wind; forcing a blunt bit; removing a guard; routing freehand; measuring from a damaged edge.