Standard Hand Tools

Standard hand tools are the common tools that are found in just about any workshop. These tools are used in all fields, not just auto repair. Some of these standard hand tools are screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, wrenches, and socket sets. Since these tools are used so often, most auto repair technicians will want to own a compete set of standard hand tools.

Most of these standard tools are probably familiar to you—you’ve probably used them and may even own them already. However, just to be sure that everyone understands the proper use of these tools, we’ll take a brief look at them.

Open-End, Box-End, and Combination Wrenches

The largest part of your tool collection will probably consist of wrenches. Wrenches are used to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts.
The size of a wrench is determined by the width of the opening at its end. Read More ...

Socket Wrenches

After the ordinary wrenches we just described, the socket wrench is probably the most commonly used automotive tool. This type of wrench is actually a separate handle that attaches to different-sized heads called sockets. Read More ...

Allen Wrenches and Torx Wrenches

An Allen wrench or hex wrench is a short, metal, six-sided rod that’s used to tighten screws and bolts that contain similar sixsided indentations. A typical Allen wrench has a right-angle bend near one end that forms a handle. The Torx wrench is similar to the Allen wrench, except that the end of the Torx wrench is star-shaped. Read More ...

Screwdrivers

Just about everyone is familiar with the standard screwdriver. The part you grip is called the handle, the steel part that extends from the handle is called the shaft, and the end that fits into the slot in the screw is called the blade. Read More ...

Pliers

Next to the screwdriver, pliers are probably the most commonly used hand tool. Different types of pliers are used for gripping and cutting functions. Read More ...

Hammers

Engine technicians use a variety of hammers in the shop, but the ball peen hammer is the favorite. The head of a ball peen hammer has two opposing hammering surfaces—a flat side and a rounded side. The flat side of the hammer head is used for regular hammering, and the ball end is sometimes used to round off rivets.

In situations where a ball peen hammer could damage the surface being struck, you should use a soft-faced hammer made of brass, plastic, or rubber instead. For example, you can use a brass hammer to drive in pins or align parts. A rubber mallet may be useful for tapping hubcaps or wheel covers into place.

Before you use any type of hammer, make sure the head is securely attached to the handle. Grip a hammer close to the end of the handle to provide better control of the tool and strike a stronger blow. Hammering can send metal particles flying, so wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.

Punches

Punches are used to make indentations in metal. Several common punches are illustrated in Figure A. You can use a center punch to mark the centers of holes to be drilled. The indentation provided by the punch gives the drill a place to start and bite quickly, which prevents the drill from “wandering.” A wandering drill can damage the surrounding metal surface or cause a hole to be incorrectly located. To use a center punch, hold the punch at a 90-degree angle to the metal surface, and strike the other end of the punch squarely with a ball peen hammer.

Starting punches and pin punches are normally used to remove pins and rivets. Figure (B) shows the removal of a pin. The starting punch is used to drive the pin part of the way out of the hole. The pointed end of the punch is held in place while the other end is struck with a ball peen hammer. Then, the pin punch is used to complete the job of punching out the pin.

Clamps and Vises

Clamps and vises are used to hold workpieces tightly so that both of your hands can be free to work on them. Whenever you’re working on automotive parts or components on a workbench, you should always use one of these tools to hold the workpiece firmly in place. Vises can help prevent injuries as well as damage to expensive parts and components.

C-clamps are portable clamps you can use to hold pieces of material together while you work on them. The bench vise is a useful holder that clamps onto a workbench or table edge. The underside of the vise usually contains a C-clamp that holds the vise onto the bench. You can open and close the jaws of the vise with a turning handle. The jaws of a bench vise are usually covered with soft metal that protects the surface of the workpiece from scratches and dents.

Taps and Dies

Taps and dies used to cut threads in metal holes. A tap cuts “female” threads (threads in a hole in a piece of metal), and a die cuts “male” threads (threads on a screw or bolt). These tools are especially useful when threads have been stripped and you need to cut new ones. There are three basic types of taps: taper, plug, and bottoming.

Taper taps have a pointed end. Plug taps have a slight taper, and bottoming taps have no taper at all. You can turn taps by using a special wrench called a tap wrench. A tap can cut threads in a hole all the way through a piece of metal or cut threads in blind holes (holes that don’t go all the way through).

A die is turned by using a die stock. The proper size of die is inserted into the die stock, the bolt or screw to be threaded is clamped in a vise, and the die is “screwed” down onto the bolt to cut the threads, as shown.

Extractors

A tool that’s similar in operation to the tap and die is the screw extractor. When a screw’s head has been accidentally sheared off, you can use a screw extractor to remove the screw. First, drill a small hole in the center of the broken screw. Then, thread in the screw extractor and twist the tool counterclockwise. As the screw extractor cuts threads into the broken screw, it will begin to twist out the screw.