Introduction to Wood Hand Tools Basic 6 Basic Technology Lesson Note

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Formulate definition of wood hand tools
2. Identify measuring tools
3. Compare marking tools and cutting tools

Content

Definition of Wood Hand Tools

Wood hand tools are manually operated instruments used in woodworking to measure, mark, cut, shape, and join pieces of wood without requiring electrical power.

Importance:

• Develop manual skills
• Precise control
• Cost-effective
• Portable and quiet
• Foundation for all woodworking
• Safer for beginners

Categories of Wood Hand Tools

A. MEASURING TOOLS

1. RULER/STRAIGHT EDGE

Description:

• Flat bar with measurement markings
• Materials: Wood, metal, plastic
• Measurements: Centimeters, meters, inches

Uses:

• Measuring lengths
• Drawing straight lines
• Checking surface flatness

Common Sizes: 15cm, 30cm, 100cm

How to Use:

• Place at starting point (0 mark)
• Read measurement at end point
• Keep ruler flat and aligned

2. TAPE MEASURE

Description:

• Flexible steel ribbon in retractable case
• Hook at end for anchoring
• Locking mechanism

Features:

• Extends and retracts automatically
• Graduated markings (mm, cm, m)
• Some have inches too

Uses:

• Long distance measurements
• Curved surfaces
• Inside/outside measurements

Common Lengths: 3m, 5m, 8m

How to Use:

• Hook end on starting point
• Extend tape along surface
• Read measurement
• Lock if needed

Advantages: Flexible, measures long distances, portable

3. TRY SQUARE

Description:

• L-shaped tool
• Stock (handle) perpendicular to blade
• Fixed 90-degree angle

Parts:

• Stock: Thick wooden or metal handle
• Blade: Thin metal measuring edge

Uses:

• Checking right angles (90°)
• Marking perpendicular lines
• Testing if cuts are square
• Checking edge squareness

How to Use:

1. Place stock firmly against wood edge
2. Blade shows if cut is square
3. For marking, draw line along blade

4. CALIPER

Description:

• Two adjustable legs/arms
• Measures thickness or diameter

Types:

• Outside caliper: Measures external dimensions
• Inside caliper: Measures internal dimensions
• Vernier caliper: Precise measurements with scale

Uses:

• Measuring wood thickness
• Measuring diameter of round objects
• Transferring measurements
• Precise small measurements

5. SPIRIT LEVEL

Description:

• Tool with liquid-filled tubes containing air bubbles

Types:

• Horizontal level: Checks if surface is level
• Vertical level: Checks if surface is plumb (vertical)

How It Works:

• When bubble centered between lines, surface is level/plumb

Uses:

• Checking horizontal surfaces
• Checking vertical surfaces
• Installing shelves
• Hanging pictures

B. MARKING TOOLS

1. PENCIL (Carpenter’s Pencil)

Description:

• Flat, rectangular shape (carpenter’s pencil)
• Or regular round pencil
• Graphite core for marking

Features:

• Won’t roll off surfaces (flat type)
• Easy to sharpen
• Easy to erase

Uses:

• Drawing lines
• Marking measurements
• Making notes
• General marking

Best Practice: Keep sharp for accurate lines

2. MARKING GAUGE

Description:

• Tool with adjustable fence and marking pin/knife

Parts:

• Fence: Slides along beam, adjustable
• Beam: Main body
• Marking pin: Scribes line

Uses:

• Marking parallel lines to an edge
• Marking consistent depths
• Scribing for joints
• Repeating measurements

How to Use:

1. Set desired distance from fence to pin
2. Press fence against wood edge
3. Push forward, pin scores line parallel to edge

3. MARKING KNIFE

Description:

• Knife with fine, sharp blade
• Creates thin, precise cuts

Uses:

• More accurate than pencil
• Scoring before cutting
• Marking joint locations
• Creating clean lines

Advantage: Cuts wood fibers for cleaner cuts

4. CHALK LINE

Description:

• String coated with chalk in a case
• Rewinds automatically

Uses:

• Marking long, straight lines
• Large project layouts
• Rough surfaces

How to Use:

1. Extend string between two points
2. Hold tight
3. Snap string to leave chalk mark

5. COMPASS/DIVIDER

Description:

• Two adjustable legs with sharp points

Uses:

• Drawing circles
• Marking arcs
• Transferring measurements
• Stepping off equal distances

6. AWL (Scratch Awl)

Description:

• Sharp pointed tool with handle

Uses:

• Making starter holes for screws/nails
• Marking precise points
• Scribing lines
• Creating pilot holes

C. CUTTING TOOLS

1. HAND SAWS

Types of Hand Saws:

1. A) CROSS-CUT SAW

• Purpose: Cutting across wood grain
• Teeth: Angled to slice fibers
• Length: 20-26 inches
• Uses: Cutting boards to length

1. B) RIP SAW

• Purpose: Cutting along wood grain
• Teeth: Chisel-like, larger
• Uses: Cutting boards lengthwise
• Difference: Fewer, larger teeth than crosscut

1. C) BACK SAW (Tenon Saw)

• Purpose: Precise cuts
• Feature: Stiffening rib on back
• Teeth: Fine, numerous
• Uses: Cutting joints, fine work
• Advantage: Rigid back prevents bending

1. D) COPING SAW

• Purpose: Curved cuts
• Feature: Thin blade in C-shaped frame
• Uses: Cutting curves, interior cuts, detailed work
• Blade: Replaceable, can rotate

How to Use a Saw:

1. Mark cut line clearly
2. Secure workpiece
3. Start with gentle strokes
4. Use full length of blade
5. Let saw do the work (don’t force)
6. Follow line carefully
7. Support wood on both sides of cut

2. CHISELS

Description:

• Sharp cutting edge on one end
• Handle on other end

Parts:

• Blade: Flat, beveled cutting edge
• Handle: Wood or plastic grip

Sizes: Various widths (6mm, 12mm, 19mm, 25mm, etc.)

Types:

• Firmer chisel: General purpose
• Bevel-edge chisel: Lighter, fine work
• Mortise chisel: Heavy duty

Uses:

• Removing waste wood
• Cutting mortises (rectangular holes)
• Paring (shaving thin amounts)
• Shaping wood
• Creating joints

How to Use:

1. Secure workpiece
2. Hold chisel with both hands
3. Bevel side down for paring
4. Cut away from body
5. For heavy work, use mallet
6. Make shallow cuts

Safety:

• Always cut away from body
• Keep hands behind cutting edge
• Use sharp chisels
• Secure work
• Controlled movements

3. PLANE

Description:

• Tool that shaves thin layers from wood surface

Parts:

• Blade (iron): Does cutting
• Plane body: Holds blade at angle
• Handle and knob: For gripping
• Adjustment: Controls blade depth

Types:

• Smoothing plane: Finishing surfaces
• Jack plane: General purpose, medium length
• Block plane: Small, one-handed

Uses:

• Smoothing rough surfaces
• Flattening boards
• Reducing thickness
• Trimming to size
• Chamfering edges

How to Use:

1. Adjust blade depth (shallow cut)
2. Hold firmly with both hands
3. Push forward with even pressure
4. Plane with the grain
5. Lift at end of stroke

4. RASP AND FILE

Description:

• Tools with rough surfaces

Rasp:

• Coarse teeth
• Rapid material removal
• For wood

File:

• Finer teeth
• Smoother finish
• Can be used on wood or metal

Types:

• Flat
• Round
• Half-round

Uses:

• Shaping curves
• Smoothing edges
• Fine adjustments
• Finishing work

Comparison Table: Marking Tools

Comparison Table: Cutting Tools

Safety Rules

General Safety:

1. Wear safety glasses
2. Keep workspace clean and organized
3. Use sharp tools (dull tools are dangerous)
4. Secure workpiece before cutting
5. Cut away from body
6. Focus on task
7. Use proper technique
8. Ask for help when needed

Tool Care:

1. Clean after each use
2. Store properly
3. Keep sharp
4. Oil metal parts
5. Check for damage
6. Handle carefully