Treat it right: By using a screwdriver for a job it was not designed for you risk damaging the tool and injuring yourself. Try not to use a as a crowbar, chisel, hole punch, scraper, or paint stirrer. If you must use a screwdriver for one of these tasks, choose an old one that’s already [...]
Having the right screwdriver in hand makes most jobs a lot easier, A basic screwdriver set includes four standard slot-tip and four cross-tip (Phillips) drivers in various shaft lengths and blade sizes. Larger sets are also available. There is a second type of cross-headed screw in common use, called a Pozidriv. This has small extra [...]
Types of hammers Most types of hammers come in a variety of head weights and handle lengths. Handles made of ash, hickory, tubular steel (with a rubber grip), or fibreglass absorb shock well, are comfortable to hold, and provide a good grip. The head should be cleanly forged (not cast) of quality steel. The face [...]
Spanner techniques Pliers or wrench?: Always turn a nut with a wrench. Using pliers for this purpose will round the edges of the nut and make it even harder to remove later on. If necessary hold the bolt with pliers, but turn the nut with a wrench. Turn it right: When using an adjustable wrench, [...]
Staple gun operation Quick screen fix: A staple gun makes short work of small household repairs. For example, to repair a screen that has pulled out of its wood frame, staple the screen to the frame, folding a hem as you go. Doubling over the screen makes the fastening stronger and reduces the chance that [...]
Get into shaping A single-cut file has parallel rows of ridged teeth that smooth and sharpen metal. A double-cut file has a second, crossing, set of parallel ridges; it removes metal and wood excess rapidly. A rasp has individual teeth rather than ridges and gives a rough cut on wood and soft metals; the bigger [...]
Renew-a-screw: Removing and reseating a slotted or Philips-head screw often results in a damaged slot, especially if the blade of your screwdriver didn’t fit the slot in the first place. If you don’t have a replacement screw on hand, try restoring the old screw by running a hacksaw along the slot (or slots in the [...]
Some quick and basic tips on buying your first electric drill A good basic electric drill has a 10 mm chuck and a variable-speed reversing (VSR) capability. Such a drill accepts bits with shanks up to 10 mm and lets you control how fast you drill. Buy the best, most powerful model you can afford. [...]
Here’s the pitch: Used on resinous wood, a bit becomes coated with wood pitch. If allowed to build up, the pitch dulls the bit. To clean a bit, lay it on newspaper and spray it with oven cleaner. (Or to contain the fumes, you can put the bit inside a plastic bag and then spray.) [...]
More tips on how to drill safely and easily Straight bits: A bent bit is likely to break and damage your work. Because bits bend easily (especially the thinner ones), test them for straightness before use and discard any bent ones. To test a bit, roll it slowly with your fingertips on a flat surface. [...]
