English Vocabulary for Hand Tools

Table of Contents

Have you ever wondered about those tools people use with their hands to fix and build things? Learning English vocabulary for hand tools can help you become a handy person and tackle small projects around the house. Do you want to know the names of tools like hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches? By mastering these words, you’ll be able to identify and use the right tool for different tasks. Are you ready to become a skilled DIYer?

Cutting Tools

1. Utility knife (noun) /ˈjuː.tɪ.lɪ.ti naɪf/: A versatile tool with a retractable sharp blade, typically used for cutting materials such as paper or cardboard.
Example: Jake carefully used the utility knife to open the package.

2. Chisel (noun) /ˈtʃɪ.zəl/: A tool with a shaped cutting edge for carving hard materials such as wood, stone, or metal.
Example: The sculptor picked up a chisel to work on the block of marble.

3. Handsaw (noun) /ˈhænd.sɔː/: A tool with a serrated blade used to cut through wood or other materials, powered by human effort.
Example: Dad used a handsaw to trim the branches from the tree.

4. Hacksaw (noun) /ˈhæk.sɔː/: A fine-toothed saw, primarily used for cutting metal.
Example: He picked up his hacksaw to cut the metal rod to the right length.

5. Bolt cutter (noun) /ˈboʊlt ˈkʌtər/: A tool used for cutting chains, padlocks, bolts and wire mesh.
Example: The worker used a bolt cutter to get through the locked gate.

6. Wire cutter (noun) /ˈwaɪər ˈkʌtər/: A tool used to cut wires.
Example: The electrician used a wire cutter to shorten the electrical wire.

7. Scissors (noun) /ˈsɪz.ərz/: A tool used for cutting paper, cloth and other thin materials, consisting of two blades pivoted together.
Example: She used the scissors to cut out the pattern for her new dress.

8. Shears (noun) /ʃɪrz/: A tool similar to scissors but often larger, used for cutting things such as cloth or hair.
Example: The gardener used shears to trim the hedge.

9. Box cutter (noun) /ˈbɒks ˈkʌtər/: A tool commonly used to open boxes, consisting of a small blade that can be retracted into the handle.
Example: He used a box cutter to open the large delivery box.

10. Glass cutter (noun) /ˈɡlɑːs ˈkʌtər/: A tool with a small, hard, metal wheel at its end, used to cut glass.
Example: The craftsman used a glass cutter to cut a piece of glass for the window repair.

Striking and Hammering Tools

1. Hammer (noun) /ˈhæm.ər/: A tool with a heavy metal head, used for breaking things and driving nails.
Example: He used a hammer to hang the picture on the wall.

2. Sledgehammer (noun) /ˈslɛdʒˌhæm.ər/: A large, heavy hammer, often used for jobs such as breaking rocks or driving stakes.
Example: To break the concrete, we needed a sledgehammer.

3. Mallet (noun) /ˈmæl.ɪt/: A hammer with a large, usually wooden head, used for hitting a chisel or other tool, or for striking a surface without causing damage.
Example: The carpenter used a mallet to fit the wooden pieces together.

4. Axe (noun) /æks/: A tool with a steel blade and a long handle used for chopping wood.
Example: He used an axe to split the firewood into smaller pieces.

5. Crowbar (noun) /ˈkroʊˌbɑːr/: A heavy iron rod with one end flattened and the other end forked, used for prying.
Example: She used a crowbar to pry open the crate.

6. Pickaxe (noun) /ˈpɪkˌæks/: A tool with a long handle and a curved, pointed, heavy metal head, used for breaking up hard ground or rock.
Example: The miner swung his pickaxe into the rock face.

7. Punch (noun) /pʌnʧ/: A tool for making a hole or indentation in a hard material with a sharp point.
Example: The leather worker used a punch to create holes in the belt.

8. Nail set (noun) /neɪl sɛt/: A tool used to drive the head of a nail flush with, or below, a surface.
Example: To avoid damaging the wood’s surface, he used a nail set to finish driving the nail.

9. Rivet gun (noun) /ˈrɪv.ɪt ɡʌn/: A tool used to drive rivets, typically in metal, to secure two objects together.
Example: The construction worker used a rivet gun to join the steel beams.

10. Chipping hammer (noun) /ˈʧɪp.ɪŋ ˈhæm.ər/: A hand tool for removing slag or for chipping dried concrete.
Example: After welding, the worker used a chipping hammer to remove the slag.

Fastening Tools

1. Screwdriver (noun) /ˈskruːˌdraɪ.vər/: A tool with a handle and a metal rod with a flat or cross-shaped end, used for turning screws.
Example: He used a screwdriver to assemble the bookshelf.

2. Hex key (noun) /hɛks ki/: A small tool in the shape of a hexagon that is used to turn bolts and screws with hexagonal heads.
Example: To assemble the furniture, we needed a hex key.

3. Wrench (noun) /rɛntʃ/: A tool with a handle and a shaped end used for turning and holding nuts and bolts.
Example: He used a wrench to tighten the bolt on the bicycle tire.

4. Spanner (noun) /ˈspæn.ər/: The British term for a wrench, a tool used for turning nuts and bolts.
Example: The plumber needed a spanner to tighten the pipe connection.

5. Pliers (noun) /ˈplaɪ.ərz/: A hand tool with two hinged arms used for holding, bending, or cutting.
Example: She used pliers to bend the wire into a circle.

6. Riveter (noun) /ˈrɪv.ɪ.tər/: A tool used for driving rivets.
Example: The mechanic used a riveter to fasten the car parts together.

7. Staple gun (noun) /ˈsteɪ.pl̩ ɡʌn/: A handheld machine used to drive heavy metal staples into wood, plastic, or masonry.
Example: The carpenter used a staple gun to secure the fabric to the chair.

8. Nail gun (noun) /neɪl ɡʌn/: A device used to drive nails into wood or some other kind of material.
Example: The roofer used a nail gun to secure the shingles on the roof.

9. Nut driver (noun) /nʌt ˈdraɪ.vər/: A tool similar to a screwdriver but with a socket attached for turning a nut or bolt.
Example: The electrician used a nut driver to secure the panel cover.

10. Pipe wrench (noun) /paɪp rɛntʃ/: A tool with adjustable jaws used for turning pipes and other cylindrical objects.
Example: He used a pipe wrench to tighten the water pipe connection.

Measuring and Marking Tools

1. Tape measure (noun) /ˈteɪp ˈmɛʒ.ər/: A long, flexible strip of plastic or metal marked at intervals, used to measure distance.
Example: I used a tape measure to find out the length of the table.

2. Ruler (noun) /ˈruː.lər/: A tool that is straight and marked with inches or centimeters for measuring.
Example: He used a ruler to draw straight lines on his project.

3. Level (noun) /ˈlɛv.əl/: A tool used to determine whether a surface is horizontally flat.
Example: The carpenter used a level to ensure the shelf was perfectly horizontal.

4. Square (noun) /skwɛər/: A tool used for drawing right angles and for checking whether angles are correct.
Example: The builder used a square to confirm the corners of the frame were at right angles.

5. Compass (noun) /ˈkʌm.pəs/: A tool for drawing circles or marking measurements that consists of two pointed parts joined at the top by a pivot.
Example: The designer used a compass to draw perfect circles on the blueprint.

6. Caliper (noun) /ˈkæl.ɪ.pər/: A device used to measure the distance between two opposite sides of an object.
Example: The engineer used a caliper to take precise measurements of the mechanical part.

7. Protractor (noun) /proʊˈtræk.tər/: A flat, semi-circular tool marked in degrees, used for measuring and drawing angles.
Example: The student used a protractor to measure the angles of a triangle in her math homework.

8. Chalk line (noun) /tʃɔːk laɪn/: A tool used in construction that consists of a line coated with chalk, and then snapped on a surface to leave a straight line of chalk.
Example: The carpenter snapped a chalk line to mark where the cut would be made on the board.

9. Scriber (noun) /ˈskraɪ.bər/: A pointed metal tool for marking lines on metal or stone.
Example: The mason used a scriber to mark the stone before he started cutting it.

10. Plumb bob (noun) /plʌm bɒb/: A heavy, pointed object that hangs from a string and is used for finding the vertical line of gravity.
Example: The builder used a plumb bob to ensure the wall was perfectly vertical.

Shaping and Sharpening Tools

1. File (noun) /faɪl/: A tool with a rough surface for cutting, smoothing, or shaping hard substances.
Example: The metalworker used a file to smooth down the edges of the steel piece.

2. Rasps (noun) /ræsp/: A type of file with sharp, small teeth used for shaping wood or other materials.
Example: The carpenter used rasps to shape the legs of the wooden chair.

3. Planer (noun) /ˈpleɪnər/: A tool used to flatten, reduce the thickness of, and impart a smooth surface to a rough piece of lumber.
Example: With the planer, the woodworker could make the surface of the wood smooth and even.

4. Whetstone (noun) /ˈwɛtstoʊn/: A fine-grained stone used for sharpening cutting tools.
Example: He sharpened his kitchen knives using a whetstone.

5. Sandpaper (noun) /ˈsændˌpeɪpər/: A type of paper that’s covered in a rough material, used for making surfaces smoother.
Example: The craftsman used sandpaper to smooth the wooden table’s surface.

6. Bench grinder (noun) /bɛntʃ ˈɡraɪndər/: A tool typically used to grind hard materials, such as tools, to sharpen them or repair damage.
Example: He used a bench grinder to sharpen his old, dull chisel.

7. Honing guide (noun) /ˈhoʊnɪŋ ɡaɪd/: A device used to hold a cutting edge, such as a knife or chisel, at a consistent angle when sharpening it on a stone or whetstone.
Example: The carpenter used a honing guide to maintain the correct angle when sharpening his plane blade.

8. Chainsaw sharpener (noun) /ˈtʃeɪnsɔː ˈʃɑːrpənər/: A device used to sharpen the teeth of a chainsaw blade.
Example: To keep his chainsaw working efficiently, he regularly used a chainsaw sharpener.

9. Bench vise (noun) /bɛntʃ vaɪs/: A mechanical tool that is attached to a workbench and used to hold an object firmly while work is done on it.
Example: The jeweler secured the piece of silver in a bench vise while she worked on it.

10. Workbench (noun) /ˈwɜːrkˌbɛntʃ/: A sturdy table at which manual work is done.
Example: His workbench was cluttered with tools and pieces of wood.

Congratulations on learning the English vocabulary for hand tools! Now you can confidently name and use a variety of tools to fix and build things. This knowledge will help you in everyday situations where you need to repair or assemble something using hand tools. Keep exploring the world of DIY projects and continue expanding your vocabulary to become a handy person!

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