Chapter 3

Basic Hand Tools

Wrenches
 Wrenches are used to install and remove nuts and bolts.
 Wrench size is determined by measuring across the wrench jaws.
 Wrenches come in both conventional (inch) and metric (millimeter) sizes.
 The size is stamped on the side of the wrench.

Wrench Rules
 Always select the right size wrench. It must fit the bolt head snugly. A loose fitting
wrench will round-off the corners of the bolt head.
 Never hammer on a standard wrench to break loose a bolt. Use a longer wrench with
more leverage or a special slug wrench. A slug wrench is designed to be used with a
hammer.
 When possible, pull on the wrench. Then, if the wrench slips, you are less likely to hurt
your hand. When you must push, use the palm of your hand and keep your fingers open.
 Never use a steel bar or pipe to increase the length of a wrench for leverage. Excess
force can bend or break the wrench.
A. Open-End Wrenches- An open-end wrench has an open jaw on both ends. Each end is a
different size and set at an angle.
B. Box-end Wrenches- Box-end wrenches are completely closed on both ends. They fully surround
and grip the head of the bolt or nut.
C. Combination Wrenches- A combination wrench has a box-end jaw on one end and an open end
on the other. Both ends are usually the same size.
D. Line Wrenches- A line wrench, also called a tubing wrench or flare nut wrench, is a box-end
wrench with a small opening or split in the jaw. The opening allows the wrench to be slipped
over fuel lines, brake lines or power steering line and onto the fitting nut.
Wrench Sizes

Customary tool sizes are given in fractions of an inch.

The measurement is the width of the jaw opening. As
shown here, these sizes are not the same as bolt sizes.

Metric wrench sizes are given in millimeters. The

measurement is the wide of the jaw opening. The
wrench size is not the same as the bolt size.
Brain Teaser!

If 1 inch equals 25.4 mm (millimeters), would a

25mm (millimeter) wrench fit a 1 inch bolt?

If your answer is Yes, would the 25mm (millimeter)

wrench fit snug or loose?

If you answer is No, explain why not.

 Practice
• Name four rules for wrenches

– Never hammer on a wrench

– Never use “Cheater bars”
– Select the right size wrench for the job
– When possible pull on the wrench. Use the
palm of your hand if you have to push on the
wrench
Socket Wrenches
A socket is a cylinder-shaped, box-end tool for removing or installing bolts and nuts.
One end fits over the fastener. The other end has a square hole that fits on a handle
used for turning.

Different socket types. Note both standard and deep-well

sockets are shown.
Socket Drive Size
A socket’s drive size is the size of the square opening for the handle
 Socket Handles
Socket handles fit into the square opening in the top of the socket. Several types are shown. A
ratchet is the most commonly used. A flex bare, or breaker bar, is the most powerful and
strongest socket handle. A speed handle is the fastest hand operated socket handle.

Various socket handles. A- Ratchet B- Breaker bar or flex handle. C- Speed handle. D- T-handle E. Torque wrench
F- Flex driver.
Extensions
Extensions are used between a socket and its handle.
They allow the handle to be placed farther from the work piece, giving you room to swing
the handle and turn the fastener.
A universal joint is a swivel that lets the socket wrench reach around obstructions.
It is used between the socket and drive handle, with or without and extension.
 Practice
• What are the three common socket handle
drive sizes?

– ¼ inch (Quarter inch)

– 3/8 inch (Three-eights inch)
– ½ inch (Half inch)
Other Wrenches

Ratchet Wrench
Flex Combination Wrench
Half moon, 12 point wrench for tight quarters

Allen Wrenches are hexagonal (six sided)

shaft type wrench.. It is used to turn set screws
on pulleys, gears, and knobs. To prevent
damage make sure the Allen wrench is fully
inserted in the fastener before turning.
Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are used to remove or
install screws. They come in many
shapes and sizes.
A Standard screwdriver has a single
blade that fits into a slot in the screw
head.
A Phillips screwdriver has two crossing
blades that fit into a star-shaped scre slot.
A Reed and Prince screwdriver is similar
to a Phillips, but has a slightly different
tip shape.
Torx and clutch head are special types of
screwdrivers
Practice: Identify each screwdriver
A, Slotted Tip or Straight edge

B. Phillips

C. Reed and Prince

D. Torx

E. Clutch head
Screwdrivers

Offset Screwdriver

Stubby Screwdriver
Offset and stubby screwdrivers are good I tight places. For
example, a stubby screwdriver is needed for loosening
screws inside a glove box. Starting screwdrivers hold the Starting Screwdriver
screws securely until started in its hold. They prevent the
screw from being dropped or lost.
Some common types of screwdriver
tips

Use a screwdriver for the purpose it is intended for. NEVER USE A

SCREWDRIVER AS A CHISEL OR PRY BAR
Screwdrivers
An Impact Driver can be used to loosed extremely tight
screws.
When struck with a hammer, the driver exerts powerful
turning and downward forces.
When selecting a screwdriver, pick one that is wide and
thick enough to completely fill the screw slot. If too large
or too small, damage to the screwdriver or screw may
occur.
Most screwdrivers are not designed to be hammered on
or pried with.
Pliers

Pliers are used to grip, cut,crimp, hold, and been various parts. Different pliers are helpful for different
situations.
A. Combination pliers, or slip joint pliers, are the most common pliers used. The slip joint allows the
jaws to be adjusted to grasp different size parts.
B. Rib Joint pliers or Channel lock pliers, or water pump pliers open extra wide for holding very large
objects.
C. Needle nose pliers are excellent for handling extremely small parts or reaching into highly restricted
areas.
D. Diagonal cutting pliers are the most commonly used cutting pliers. The jaw shape allows cutting
flush with a surface
E. Locking pliers, or vise grips, clamp onto and hold a part.
F. Snap ring pliers have sharp pointed tips for installing and removing special clips called snap rings.
Hammers
Various types of hammers are used for operations that involve striking a
tool or part. It is important to use the right hammer and to use it
properly. The following are some general rules governing hammers.
 Select the right size hammer. If a large part is struck by a small
hammer, the hammer can fly backwards dangerously. If the hammer
is too large, however, it may damage the part.
 Always check that the hammer head is tight on the handle. If not, the
head may fly off and cause injury or damage.
 Never hit a hardened part with a steel hammer Metal chips may fly
off. Use a brass or lead hammer.
 Grasp the hammer near the end of the handle and strike the part or tool
squarely.
Hammers

A ball peen hammer is the most common type

of hammer used in automotive work. It has a
flat face for general striking. It also has around
end for shaping metal parts, such as sheet metal
or river heads.
A sledge hammer has a very large head. It is
usually the heaviest hammer and produces
powerful blows. A sledge hammer is
sometimes used to free frozen parts.
Hammers
The brass or lead hammer has a soft, heavy head
and is useful when scarring the surface of a part
must be avoided. The relatively soft head deforms
to protect the part surface from damage.
A plastic or rawhide hammer is light and has a soft
head. It is used where light blows are needed to
prevent part breakage or damage to surfaces on
small; and delicate parts.
A rubber mallet has a head made of solid rubber. It
will rebound, or bounce, upon striking and is not
effective on solid metal parts. It is recommended on
sheet metal or plastic parts, such as garnish molding
and wheel covers.
A dead blow hammer has a plastic-coated, metal
face and is filled with small metal balls called lead
shot. The extra weight prevents a rebound of the
hammer when striking. The plastic coating avoids
surface damage.
 Practice
• Which of the following hammers is used the
most in the automotive repair shop?
– Brass Hammer
– Sledge Hammer
– Ball Peen Hammer
– Rubber Mallet

– Answer: Ball Peen Hammer

Chisels and Punches
 Chisels are for cutting of damaged or badly rusted nuts, bolts, and rivet heads.
There are various chisel shapes. Use common sense when selecting a chisel shape.

 Punches also come in several configurations. A center punch is frequently used to

start a hold before drilling. The indentation made by a center punch will keep a drill
bit from moving when first starting to drill.
Chisel & Punch Rules
 Use the largest punch or chisel that will work. If a small punch is used on a
very large part, the punch can rebound and fly out with tremendous force.
The same is true for chisels.
 Keep both ends of a chisel or punch properly ground and shaped. A chisel’s
cutting edge should be sharp and square. A starting punch or a pin punch
should also be ground flat and square. A center punch should have a sharp
point.
 After prolonged hammering, the top of a chisel or punch can become
deformed and enlarged. This is called mushrooming. A mushroomed chisel
or punch is dangerous! Grind off the mushroom and form a chamfer.
 When grinding a chisel or punch, grind slowly to avoid overheating the tool.
Excessive heat will cause the tool to turn blue, lose its temper, and become
soft.
 Make sure to wear eye protections when using or grinding a chisel or punch.
Proper Chisel & Punch Top
Dressing
Chisel & Punch Designs
A. Flat Chisel
B. Cape Chisel
C. Round-nose cape chisel
D. Diamond-point chisel
E. Chisel or punch holder
F. Center punch
G. Pin punch
H. Long tapered punch
I. Starting punch
Files
Files remove burrs, nicks, and sharp
edges and perform other smoothing
operations.
They are useful when only a small
amount of material must be
removed.
A file is classified by its length,
shape, and cutting surface.
Generally, a coarse file with large
cutting edges should be used on soft
materials, such as plastic, brass, and
aluminum.
A fine file with small cutting edges
is needed to produce a smoother
surface and to curt harder materials,
like cast iron or steel.
File Safety Rules
 Never use a file without a handle securely attached. If the file’s pointed
tang is not covered by a a handle, it can puncture your hand or wrist.
 To prevent undue file wear, apply pressure only on the forward stroke.
Lift the file on the back stroke.
 When filing, place one hand on the handle and the other on the file tip.
Hold the file firmly but do not press too hard.
 Do not file too rapidly. One stroke every second is fast enough. Count to
yourself; one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, one
thousand four. This will time your strokes properly at about 50-60 strokes
per minute.
 If a file becomes clogged, clean it will a file card or a steel wire brush.
 Never hammer on or pry with a file. A file is very brittle and will break
easily. Bits of the file can fly into your face and eyes.
Saws
A hacksaw is the saw most
frequently used by a technician.
Various blade lengths can be
mounted in its adjustable frame.
The blade teeth should point
away from the handle, and the
blade should be fastened tightly
in the frame.

Select the appropriate blade for the job. As a rule of thumb, at least two saw teeth should
contact the material being cut at any given time. If not, the teeth can catch and break.
When cutting, place one hand on the hacksaw handle and the other on the end of the
frame. Press down lightly on the forward stroke and release pressure on the back stroke.
As with a file, use 50-60 strokes per minute. If cuts are made faster that this, the blade
will quickly over-heat, soften, and become dull.
Holding Tools
A Vise is used to hold parts during
cutting, drilling, hammering, and
pressing operations.
It is mounted on a workbench. Avoid
clamping a smooth, machined part in
the uncovered jaws of a vise.
If a machined surface is scarred, the
part may be ruined.
Vise caps or wood blocks should be
used when mounting precision parts in a
vise.
 Never hammer on a vise handle to tighten or loosen the vise. Use the weight of your body.
 Keep moving the moving parts of the vise clean and oiled.
 Wear safety glasses when using a vise.
 Be careful not to damage parts in the jaws of the vise.
 Use vise caps when a precision part is held in a vise.
Probe & Pickup Tools
Pickup and probing tools are needed
when bolts, nuts, or other small parts
are dropped and cannot be reached by
hand.
A magnetic pickup tool is a magnet
hinged to the end of a rod. It can
usually be shortened or lengthened
and swiveled to reach into any area.
A finger pickup tool grasps
nonmagnetic parts which will not
stick to a magnet.
A mirror probe allows you to look
around corners or behind parts.
Summary
 It is almost impossible to do even the simplest auto repair without using
some type of tool.
 Professional auto technicians invest thousands of dollars in tools. A
well selected set of tools will speed up repairs, improve work quality,
and increase profits.
 Purchase quality tools. Quality tools are lighter, stronger, easier to use,
and more dependable than off-brand bargain tools.
 Keep tools organized. There should be a place for every tool and every
tool should be in its place.
 Use the right tool for the job. A good technician will know when,
where, and why a particular tool will work better than another.
 A toolbox stores and protects a technician’s tools when not in use.
 A six-point wrench is the strongest wrench configuration.
 A socket is a cylinder-shaped, box-end tools for removing or installing
bolts and nuts.
Summary Continued
 Socket handles fit into the square opening in the top of the socket.
 A ratchet is the most commonly used and versatile socket handle. It
can either loosen or tighten bolts.
 Extensions are used between a socket and its handle
 Pliers are used to grip, cut, crimp, hold, and bend various parts.
 A hacksaw is the saw most frequently used by the technician.
 A vise is used to hold parts during cutting, drilling, hammering, and
pressing operations.
 Cleaning tools, such as scrapers and brushes, help a technician remove
carbon, rust, dirt, grease, old gaskets, and dried oil from parts.
 Pry bars are strong steel bars that are helpful during numerous
assembly, disassembly, and adjustment operations.