13-different-types-of-hand-tools-list-and-their-uses

Introduction

Hand tools convert human force into precise mechanical work without external power sources. They form the backbone of woodworking, metalworking, electronics, automotive repair and countless DIY applications. Understanding their construction, geometry, material properties and safe operation ensures maximum efficiency and tool longevity.

Key Selection Criteria

Before diving into each tool’s specifics, consider:

  • Material Grade: High-carbon steel, chromium-vanadium alloys, stainless or tool-grade plastics.

  • Ergonomics: Handle profile, anti-vibration inserts, non-slip coatings.

  • Precision & Tolerance: Machined vs cast components, tip/form accuracy, calibration certificates (for measuring tools).

  • Durability: Heat treatment, surface coatings (chrome, phosphate, powder-coat).

  • Safety Ratings: Insulation class (e.g. 1 000 V for electrical screwdrivers), ESD compliance for electronics work.

1. Screwdrivers

Construction & Materials

  • Shaft: Hardened Cr-V steel, chrome-plated for corrosion resistance.

  • Tips: Machined to ±0.05 mm tolerance, often magnetic-coated.

  • Handle: Bi-material grips (TPR over PP), ergonomic lobed shapes to reduce hand fatigue.

Common Types

  • Slotted (flat-head)

  • Phillips, Pozidriv

  • Torx (star), Hex (Allen), Robertson (square)

Technical Specs

Type Tip Size Range Shaft Ø Handle Length Torque Range
Slotted 3–10 mm 4–8 mm 100–200 mm up to 15 Nm
Phillips #1–#4 — 5–10 mm 120–250 mm up to 20 Nm
Torx T6–T30 — 4–6 mm 100–200 mm up to 25 Nm
 

Variants & Uses

  • Insulated ESD-safe for PCB assembly.

  • Torque-limiting models prevent over-tightening.

  • Ratcheting screwdrivers accelerate repetitive fastening.

Maintenance

  • Clean tips of debris; replace worn bits.

  • Inspect handles for cracks; replace if compromised.

2. Hammers

Construction & Materials

  • Head: Forged carbon-steel, heat-treated to HRC 50–55.

  • Claw/peen faces ground flat within 0.1 mm.

  • Handle: Hickory or fibreglass with anti-vibration sleeves.

Types & Functions

  • Claw Hammer: Driving and removing nails.

  • Ball-Peen: Metalworking, rounding rivets.

  • Sledgehammer (2–5 kg): Demolition, stake setting.

Technical Specs

Model Head Mass Handle Length Face Diameter Use Case
Claw Hammer 450 g (16 oz) 300 mm 35 mm Carpentry
Ball-Peen 350–700 g 250–300 mm 30–40 mm Metal shaping
Sledgehammer 2–5 kg 500–900 mm 50–80 mm Heavy demolition
 

Maintenance & Safety

  • Check handle-to-head joint tightness.

  • Replace splintered handles immediately.

  • Use eye protection to guard against flying particles.

3. Pliers

Construction & Materials

  • Jaws: Cr-Mo or Cr-V alloy, induction-hardened to HRC 56–62.

  • Pivot: Precision riveted or bolted for consistent jaw alignment.

  • Grips: PVC or TPE insulation rated up to 1 000 V.

Main Variants

  • Slip-Joint: Adjustable jaw width for gripping various sizes.

  • Diagonal Cutters: Angle-ground cutting edges (HRC 58–62).

  • Needle-Nose: Long taper for fine-work in tight spaces.

  • Tongue-and-Groove (Channellock): Wide jaw opening for pipe work.

  • Locking (Vise-Grips): Self-locking lever for hands-free clamping.

Technical Specs

Type Max Jaw Opening Cutting Capacity Insulation
Slip-Joint 30–50 mm — None/ESD
Diagonal Cutters — Ø2.5 mm steel wire None/ESD
Needle-Nose 10–20 mm — ESD-safe
Locking Pliers 40–80 mm — None
 

Maintenance

  • Lubricate pivot every 3–6 months.

  • Sharpen cutter blades as needed; replace worn pairs.

4. Wrenches (Spanners)

Construction & Materials

  • One-piece drop-forged Cr-V alloy, chrome-plated.

  • Open-end jaws milled to ±0.2 mm.

  • Box-end 12- or 6-point for minimal cam-out.

Types & Features

  • Open-End & Combination: Quick access for general nuts/bolts.

  • Socket Wrench Sets: Interchangeable sockets (¼″, ⅜″, ½″ drives).

  • Torque Wrench: Click-type or digital display, ±3 % accuracy.

  • Ratcheting Wrench: Slim profile for confined spaces.

Technical Specs

Type Capacity Range Accuracy Drive Size
Adjustable (Crescent) 0–32 mm — —
Combination Wrench 6–32 mm — —
Torque Wrench 5–200 Nm ±3–5 % ½″, ⅜″
 

Maintenance

  • Re-calibrate torque wrenches annually.

  • Keep jaws clean; avoid overtightening to prevent deformation.

5. Tape Measures

Construction & Materials

  • Blade: Spring-steel, nylon-bonded to resist abrasion.

  • Housing: ABS or polypropylene with reinforced steel frame.

  • Brake: Locking pawl rated for full-blade load.

Specifications

Length Options Blade Width Standout Accuracy
3 m, 5 m, 8 m, 10 m 12–25 mm 2–7 m Class II (±1.5 mm/m)
 

Uses

  • Building layouts, cabinetry, machine set-ups.

  • Quick-measure calcs, area/volume via etched conversion grids.

Maintenance

  • Retract slowly to avoid blade deformation.

  • Wipe clean after use; store retracted to protect blade.

6. Hand Saws

Construction & Materials

  • Blade: High-carbon steel (SK2) for wood or M42 bi-metal for metal.

  • Teeth: Set and ground for crosscut versus rip cut; tooth pitch in TPI.

  • Handle: Polypropylene or hardwood ergonomics.

Types

  • Crosscut Saw (7–10 TPI): Clean cuts across wood grain.

  • Rip Saw (4–6 TPI): Fast cuts along the grain.

  • Hacksaw (18–32 TPI): Metal cutting with replaceable blades.

Technical Specs

Saw Type Blade Length Tooth Pitch (TPI) Material
Crosscut 300–500 mm 7–10 SK2 steel
Rip Saw 350–600 mm 4–6 SK2 steel
Hacksaw 300 mm 18–32 M42 bi-metal
 

Maintenance

  • Keep blades oiled to prevent rust.

  • Replace when teeth dull or pitch irregularly.

7. Utility Knives

Construction & Materials

  • Body: Zinc-alloy or reinforced ABS for impact resistance.

  • Blade: Snap-off high-carbon steel, hardness ~HRC 58.

  • Mechanism: Detent-style blade lock, quick-change slider.

Types & Applications

  • 9 mm Mini: Packaging, trimming drywall paper.

  • 18 mm Heavy-Duty: Cutting carpet, laminate, roofing material.

  • Folding & Auto-retract for safety in workshops and public spaces.

Maintenance

  • Replace segments or full blade when edge degrades.

  • Keep mechanism free of debris to ensure positive blade lock.

8. Chisels

Construction & Materials

  • Blade: High-carbon steel or Cr-Mo, induction-hardened to HRC 56–60.

  • Bevel Angle: 25–30° for woodworking, 40°+ for masonry/metal.

  • Ferrule: Steel cap on handle to absorb mallet impact.

Types & Uses

  • Bench Chisel (6–50 mm): Paring, chopping, mortising wood.

  • Cold Chisel (6–25 mm): Removing metal flash, splitting rivets.

  • Mortise Chisel: Thick cross-section for deep mortises.

Maintenance

  • Hone bevels regularly on whetstones (800–1 200 grit).

  • Strop edge with leather and compound for burr removal.

9. Mallets

Construction & Materials

  • Head: Rubber, rawhide or hardwood for non-marring strikes.

  • Handle: Hickory or composite with shock-absorbing insert.

Uses

  • Driving chisels without damaging handles.

  • Assembling delicate joinery, tapping parts into alignment.

Specifications

Head Material Mass Range Face Diameter Use Case
Rubber 200–500 g 40–60 mm Tile setting, leather
Rawhide/Wood 300–700 g 50–70 mm Wood joinery
 

Maintenance

  • Inspect for cracks in head; replace when compromised.

  • Store to avoid flattening rubber faces.

10. Combination Square

Construction & Materials

  • Blade: Stainless steel milled rack, etched graduations (mm/inches).

  • Head: Cast-aluminium body with hardened steel 90° and 45° faces.

  • Features: Spirit vial, scriber, centre-finding notch.

Specifications

Blade Length Graduation Pitch Angle Accuracy Features
150–300 mm 1 mm / 1⁄16″ ±0.1° Vial, centre finder, protractor
 

Uses

  • Layout: 90° corners, 45° mitres.

  • Depth and height measurements.

  • Checking squareness of machining setups.

Maintenance

  • Wipe blade and head free of debris; apply light oil to prevent rust.

11. Bench Vise

Construction & Materials

  • Body: Ductile iron or cast steel, machined jaws.

  • Screw: Trapezoidal or Acme thread for high-load clamping.

  • Anvil Face: Forged flat surface for light hammer work.

Specifications

Jaw Width Throat Depth Clamping Force Swivel Base
100–200 mm 50–100 mm up to 10 kN 360° locking
 

Uses

  • Secure workpieces for sawing, filing, drilling.

  • Light forging, staking on anvil face.

Maintenance

  • Keep screw and guides lubricated; clean metal swarf regularly.

12. Spirit Level

Construction & Materials

  • Frame: Extruded aluminium or reinforced plastic.

  • Vials: Acrylic tubes with ±0.5 mm/m accuracy, filled with ethanol or spirit.

  • End-caps: Protective bumpers to guard against drops.

Types & Uses

  • Torpedo (150–300 mm): Tight spaces.

  • Standard (600–1 200 mm): Framing, masonry.

  • Digital inclinometers: Fine-angle measurement to ±0.05°.

Maintenance

  • Verify zero-calibration on a certified flat surface.

  • Avoid extreme temperature swings that can distort vial readings.

13. Coping Saw

Construction & Materials

  • Frame: High-tensile steel U-shaped bow.

  • Blade: 0.3–0.6 mm spring-steel, 14–20 TPI.

  • Handle: Beechwood or plastic, D-shaped for one-handed control.

Specifications & Use

Frame Depth Blade Length Tooth Pitch Use Case
250–300 mm 150–200 mm 14–20 TPI Intricate curves in wood
 

Maintenance

  • Keep blade tensioned to avoid drift.

  • Replace blades when teeth break or lose sharpness.

 

Summary Table of 13 Hand Tools

No. Tool Core Function Key Material
1 Screwdriver Drive screws Cr-V steel
2 Hammer Strike, drive fasteners Carbon steel
3 Pliers Grip, cut, bend Cr-Mo steel
4 Wrench (Spanner) Torque fasteners Cr-V alloy
5 Tape Measure Linear measurement Spring steel
6 Hand Saw Cutting wood/metal SK2/M42 steel
7 Utility Knife General cutting High-carbon steel
8 Chisel Paring, chip removal High-carbon steel
9 Mallet Non-marring impact Rubber/wood
10 Combination Square Layout/angle measurement Aluminium/steel
11 Bench Vise Holding workpiece Ductile iron
12 Spirit Level Level/plumb verification Aluminium/plastic
13 Coping Saw Fine-detail cutting Spring steel
 
Storage, Maintenance & Safety

  • Store in dry, temperature-controlled environment.

  • Use pegboards, tool chests with foam inserts, blade protectors.

  • Regularly inspect for wear, corrosion, handle integrity.

  • Wear appropriate PPE: safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, hearing protection.

Future Trends

  • ESD-certified multi-tips in compact ratcheting handles.

  • Laser-guided layout tools integrated into traditional levels.

  • Smart torque wrenches with Bluetooth connectivity.

  • Composite materials reducing weight while retaining strength.

By mastering the technical nuances of these 13 hand tools—from metallurgy and geometry to ergonomics and maintenance—you’ll optimize precision, safety and productivity across every workshop discipline.

Choose from a list of 13 hand tools from QTE Technologies. QTE Technologies offers all types of hand tools from world-renowned and trusted brands at competitive prices and the best quality. We, a global MRO provider, serve customers in over 180 countries. Established in 2010, we supply over 1 million products across all industries and engineering disciplines. Additionally, you can reach us anytime via 24×7 chat support, phone, WhatsApp or email. Discover what our valued customers have to say about our services on our dedicated review page.

Post Author By QTE Technologies Editorial Staff (with a solid background in both technical and creative writing - accumulated 15+ years of experience).