Lesson 5

Maintain Tools and Equipment

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this Lesson, you are expected to do the following:

  • LO 1. maintain hand tools and equipment; and

  • LO 2. perform basic preventive maintenance of electronic tools and equipment.

Definition of Terms

  • Soldering iron - used in joining two or more electronic components’ terminals and connecting wires on printed circuit board (PCB). The ideal power rating used for this purpose is 30 watts

  • Soldering gun- has a larger power rating, usually 100-140 watts. It is used for soldering work requiring higher temperature like direct chassis soldering. This device is also convenient for intermittent operation, since it heats almost instantaneously when you press the trigger

  • Desoldering tool- used to remove soldering lead when a component is to be removed from the PCB where it is soldered. The soldered joint is heated by a soldering iron or a soldering gun, and then the soldering tool pulls the molten solder out of the connection

  • Soldering iron stand- used to support a heated soldering iron when not in used

  • Paint brush- used in cleaning components mounted on printed circuit boards. It is also used in removing dust inside and outside of electronic apparatus

  • Mini-drill - a tool used for drilling small holes through printed circuit boards (PCB), wood or plastic. It consists of a chuck which is adjustable to handle drill bits from 1/32” to 1/16” diameter. This device is supplied with 12V dc voltage from a battery or from an adapter with 12V dc output

  • Screwdriver - instruments designed to drive in and take out screws. The two most common types used in the shop are the standard screwdrivers with a flat blade, and the Philip Screwdriver with the crossed tip to fit the recesses of a Philips-head screw. Both of these types are manufactured in various sizes and styles such as the standard, stubby, and offset. An important rule to remember in the use of screwdrivers is to use the right size for the right screw. Too big a size damages the slot of the screw and may even cause the screw to break. Too small a size will dent the screwdriver and also damage the slot of Philips screws

  • Pliers - designed for gripping the holding small parts in electronic servicing, assembly and troubleshooting

  • Side-cutting pliers - these are used mainly for gripping, bending, cutting small electronic components’ terminal or wire. When this pliers is provided with insulated handles, it is also called electrician’s pliers

  • Long-nosed pliers - these are manufactured either straight or bent. They are used for holding very small parts and for positioning in hard-to-get-at place. They are also very useful in making small loops or rings out of wires. This is sometimes called needle-nosed pliers. The bent kind is also known as crooked-nosed pliers

  • Diagonal-cutting pliers- or simply diagonals are useful in cutting excess terminals of components after soldering them in the printed circuit board

  • Nipper-type diagonal cutter- used for precise cutting of components’ terminal. This type of pliers is used where accuracy is a factor in cutting the excess leads of components soldered in the printed circuit board