Learning Outcome 1
Prepare Hand Tools
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Appropriate hand tools are identified.
Appropriate tools are selected according to task requirements.
What Do You Already Know?
Let us determine how much you already know about checking conditions of tools and equipment. Take this test.
What Do You Need To Know?
Read Information Sheet 1.1 very well; then, find out how much you can remember and how much you have learned by doing Self-check.
Basic Hand Tools Driving of Tools
Screw Drivers
These tools are made of steel hardened and tempered at the tip used to loosen or tighten screws with slotted heads. They come in various sizes and shapes.
A. Standard/Flat Screw Driver - blade tip is wedge-shaped and resembles a negative (-) sign. This is used to drive screws with a single slot ahead
B. Philips Screw Driver- has a cross tip resembling a positive (+) sign. This is used to drive screws with cross slot heads.
C. Jeweler's Screwdriver Set – is a set of small screw drivers composed of slotted and Phillips screwdrivers.
Soldering Tools
1. Soldering Iron – is a device for applying heat to melt solder in attaching two metal parts. A soldering iron is composed of a heated metal tip and an insulated handle. For electrical work, wires are usually soldered to printed circuit boards, other wires, or small terminals. A low-power iron (20-30 Watts) is suitable for this work.
2. Soldering Tool Stand – is a place where the soldering iron is placed during usage. This will keep the soldering iron away from flammable materials. The stand often comes with a sponge used in cleaning the tip of the soldering iron.
3. Desoldering tool is used in removing soldered wires and components on printed circuit boards for troubleshooting and repair purposes.
Splicing Tools
Boring Tools
Portable Electric drill - A small drilling machine with a chuck capacity of ¼‖ to 3/8‖. It is used in making holes on metal sheets and concrete walls.
12V Mini-Drill – is used to bore or drill holes in the printed circuit board (PCB) with sizes from 1/32” – 1/16”.
Metal Files These are hand tools having a series of sharp, parallel ridges or teeth. Most files have a narrow, pointed tang at one end to which a handle can be fitted.
· Flat File is parallel in width and tapered in thickness; they are used for flat surfaces and edges.
· Half Round File is tapered in width and thickness, coming to a point, and is narrower than a standard half round and used for filing inside of rings.
· Round File - is also called rat-tail file which is gradually tapered and used for many tasks that require a round tool, such as enlarging round holes or cutting a scalloped edge.
Cutting Tools
1. Utility Knife is a common tool used in cutting various trades and crafts for a variety of purposes.
Hacksaw - tool is used to cut metal conduit and armored cable.
Auxiliary Tools
1. Magnifying Glass is a convex lens which is used to produce a magnified image of an object. The lens is usually mounted on a frame with a handle. Roger Bacon is the original inventor of the magnifying glass. A magnifying glass works by creating a magnified virtual image of an object behind the lens. Some magnifying glasses are foldable with built-in light.
2. Paint Brush – made of bristles set in handle, use for cleaning dirty parts of a circuit or an object.
Electronic equipment
Aside from hand tools, equipment are also needed for more accurate and quality output. In this connection, three of the most used equipment are presented here for you to be familiar with their uses and the proper way of maintaining them.
Volt-Ohmmeter (VOM) - otherwise called as Multi-tester; is used to measure the voltage, resistance and current of a circuit. It is connected in parallel or series with the circuit depending on what to measure.
Always rest the function switch at 250V AC if an OFF position is not available in the instrument.
· For current and voltage measurements, always set the function switch in the correct setting which is a little higher than the expected current or voltage present in the circuit.
· Place the instrument in a cool dry place, away from any magnetic devices, and free from vibrations.
Oscilloscope. An oscilloscope (commonly abbreviated CRO, for cathode-ray oscilloscope, or scope) is a piece of electronic test equipment that allows signal voltages to be viewed, usually as a two-dimensional graph of one or more electrical potential differences (vertical axis) plotted as a function of time or of some other voltage (horizontal axis).
Signal generator. A signal generator is a device which produces simple wave forms.
Such devices contain an electronic oscillator, a circuit that is capable of creating a repetitive waveform. These are typically used in simple electronics repair and design where they are used to stimulate a circuit under test. These are typically used in simple electronics repair and design where they are used to stimulate a circuit under test. Oscilloscope and signal generator should be given regular checkup for at least once a week by connecting them in the power line. This will help prevent their components from having moisture that might cause trouble in their circuits.
In any activity involving skills, it is a standard procedure that you must always use the right tool or equipment properly that would fit in a particular task. In spite of this reminder or caution, some students abuse the use of tools and still practice the following common faults that must NOT be done.
Common Faults in Using Hand Tools
Pliers:
Do not increase the handle length of pliers to gain more leverage. Use a larger pair of pliers or bolt cutters if necessary.
Do not substitute pliers for a wrench when turning bolts and nuts. Pliers cannot grip these items properly and might cause a slip and create an accident.
Never use pliers as a hammer on the handle. Such abuse is likely to result in cracks or breaks.
Cut hardened wires only with pliers designed for that purpose.
Always cut the wires in right angle. Never rock from side to side or bend wire back and forth against the cutting edges.
Screwdrivers:
Never use screwdrivers as a pry bar, chisel, and punch stirrer or scraper.
Never use screwdrivers with broken or worn-out handles. Screwdrivers of these kinds should have tags to indicate that it is defective.
Never use pliers on a screwdriver for extra leverage. Only use wrench or screwdrivers specifically designed for purpose.
Utility Knives/ Blades:
Do not use dull blades because they require more force, thus are more likely to slip.
Replace the blade when it starts to “tear” instead of cut.
Never leave a knife unattended with the blade exposed.
Don’t bend or apply side loads to blades by using them to open cans or loosen tight cover of containers. Blades are brittle and can snap easily.
