Lesson 1

In this week's lesson we are going to focus on some of the most widely used and important tools in the construction business. They include:

There are many different kinds of hammers, which hammer you use depends on the job you are performing. Two of the most common hammers are the claw hammer and the ball peen hammer.

The claw hammer is used for driving and removing nails. The head of a claw hammer can weigh anywhere between 8 oz. to 20 oz. The most popular type of claw hammer has a metal head and a wooden handle. There are also claw hammers that are made out of metal completely, with a rubber grip.

To use a claw hammer to drive a nail, hold the nail straight, at a 90-degree angle to the surface being nailed. Firmly grip the lower edge of the handle and place the face of the hammer on the nail. Bring the hammer back and lightly tap the nail into the surface. Once the nail is driven deep enough to stand on its own, remove your fingers and continue hammering until finished.

A ball peen hammer is used in welding to reduce stress in the weld by peening or striking the joint. It is also used to tap chisels and punched. These hammers weigh between 6 ounces and 2 and a half pounds.

A mallet is similar to a hammer, except its head is made from a softer material, like rubber. When it is important to avoid damaging the object that needs striking it is best to use a mallet.

Screwdrivers are identified by the type of screw that they fit. Slotted, also known as standard, and Phillips head screwdrivers are the most common. It is not only important to use the right screwdriver for the screw you are working on, but also make sure the screwdriver is the right size. If the screwdriver is too small or too large it will not work correctly. One advantage of using screws is that they hold better than nails in most situations. When using a screwdriver, apply steady pressure to the head of the screw; turning clockwise to tighten, or counterclockwise to loosen.

A sledgehammer is a tool that has a large, flat metal head which can be used to pound stakes or posts into the ground. Another use is to break up cast iron or concrete. Sledgehammers can be long-handled or short-handled and weigh between 2 to 20 pounds. Double-faced sledgehammers have two flat faces, while a crosspeen sledgehammer has a flat face on one side and a pointed face on the other.

It is important to be very careful when using a sledgehammer because it could injure you or anyone near you, if it's not used correctly. Make sure to inspect the sledgehammer before using it to make sure there are no defects. Also, make sure that nobody is standing nearby. Holding the sledgehammer with both hands, one on top of the other, stand in front of the object that you want to drive. Lift the sledgehammer straight above the target and set the head on the target. Begin pounding the target gradually increasing the force of the swing. Never use your hand, or anybody else's to hold the object that is being pounded. Use a mallet to plant the object deep enough into the ground so that it can stand on its own before using a sledgehammer. Also, make sure you don't swing the sledgehammer behind you or above your head. That could not only lead to injury, it also limits the control you have in hitting your target.

Sometimes in construction, in order to build one thing you must first tear down another thing. Ripping bars and nail pullers do a good job at this.

A ripping bar, also known as a pry bar, is used for dismantling heavy duty building frames or concrete forms. They are between 12 and 36 inches long and have two specialized ends. One end has a deep curve that is used to pull nails. The other end, used to pry apart nailed building materials, has an angled, wedge shaped face.

The cat's paw, chisel bars, and flat bars are the three main types of nail pullers.

The cat's paw, which is used to pull nails that are either flush or slightly beneath the surface, has a straight rod and one curved claw. After the cat's paw has pulled the nail up a little bit, use a claw hammer or a ripping bar to pull it out completely.

The chisel bar can not only pull nails, but also split and rip apart pieces of wood. They have claws at both ends.

The flat bar, which can be used as a small pry bar, is designed to pull nails in tight areas.

Pliers come in many different forms. Some of the most common are:

Slip-joint pliers can be adjusted to two different sizes. They are used to hold wire and other objects.

Long-nose pliers, also known as needle-nose, can be used in tight spaces when other pliers can't reach. They have a long, thin nose that is used to hold and bend wire and metal strips. They can also cut light-gauge electrical wire.

Lineman pliers are used to cut heavy or large-gauge wire. They are also known as side cutters.

Tongue-and-groove pliers are also known as water pump pliers and box-joint utility pliers. They can adjust to five different sizes and are used to hold or turn large, round objects.

Vise-grip pliers can also be called locking pliers because the jaws lock onto an object by using the knob on the handle. They can be used as a substitute for vises, clamps, or pipe wrenches. One final note on pliers is that they should not be used to tighten nuts or bolts because that will cause damage.

Don't forget to take Quiz 1 and answer the Discussion Question!