Maintains Hand, Power and Pneumatic Tools
Chapter A1 – Maintains hand, Power, and Pneumatic Tools
Prerequisite Knowledge:
- The ability to convert between the two is an asset
- Pocket tape, steel tape
Topic 1– Layout and Testing Tools
Steel Square
The steel or “framing” square has many uses. With graduations on both parts, named the “tongue” and the “body”, it can be used in a variety of situations. Steel squares come in both metric and imperial graduations. Its most obvious use is marking square lines, especially when marking wall plates as the tongue is long enough (12”) to span 2 – 2×6 plates. More importantly, the steel square is essential in laying out and marking all components of a roofing system as well as stair stringers.
***Of the many uses above; can you think of any that might be missing? List what you can think of:
*** List at least two different squares and their uses/limitations:
Protractor and Bevel
The protractor is useful for finding specific angles. It is calibrated to 180° and can find and measure any angle inside. It is often used in conjunction with a bevel, which is s tool that is strictly used to replicate and transfer angles, not measure them as the protractor does (see figure 44 right).
Pencil Compass
The pencil compass (also known as the scriber) is most commonly used for scribing circles or arcs (see figure 48). It can be precisely adjusted but required a measuring tool to establish a radius. For carpenters, it is often used to scribe irregular shapes and contours to achieve a coped joint (see figure 49 below).
Trammel Points
Trammels are a set of points set on a straight, rigid board that can be adjusted to different lengths. Similar to the compass, the points are set to the radius of the desired arc or circle. The length of the radius is only limited by the length of the board. It is capable of producing much larger radii than the compass.
Hand Levels
These levels can be made with either wood, metal, or composite materials. They function on the principle that air is lighter than water. The vial used contains a fluid (usually alcohol) that will not freeze. Most levels can be used to test for level or plumb, with longer levels containing multiple vials producing greater accuracy.
A common use of the hand level is to check walls for plumb. Often, studs contain a pronounced crook. In order to prevent the level from rocking on the crown, a straight edge must be used (see figure 69 right).
Plumb Bob
This tool is attached to a stringline and then hung down from or to a point to check for plumb. It is limited to a single point and can easily be affected by wind or unsteady hands. Some plumb bobs can be filled with mercury to achieve a greater weight/volume.
Water Level
An extremely accurate device which can be used to transfer elevations over long distances. As long as the two ends of the hose are left open, the water level at both ends will remain at the same elevation.
Image By Bd, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.