A slide titled "Two Types of Tools" displays a small tool image in the upper right corner, listing "Power Tools and Hand Tools." A series of images showcase men and women utilizing power and hand tools across different work settings.
There are two main types of tools in agriculture, power tools and hand tools. To determine which tool is the correct one for the job, it’s important for you to think about what you need done and the purpose of the tool. You may also want to think about your preferences. Do you want to perform the job accurately or quickly or both? A deep understanding of each of these types of tools can help you use them accurately.
Images feature hand tools like measuring tape, hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches, alongside a man using a measuring tool.
Hand tools offer precision and maneuverability. They don’t require power to use, which can be advantageous in certain situations. There are many types of hand tools. A few of the most common types are measuring tools, hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches. These tools are found in most homeowner’s tool boxes. They can be common or specialized. There are dozens of different types of measuring tools, hammers, wrenches, and screwdrivers. Each has a specialized purpose.
Measuring is a common task on the farm, in the shop, and even in your home. Tape measures are a common measuring tool that can easily be carried to any job.
The slide presents four images displaying various types of measuring tools, followed by a demonstration of proper hammer grip and usage by a man.
Folding rules and squares are also types of measuring tools that can be used for different jobs in carpentry and construction. A hammer is used for driving and pulling nails, as well as bending metal. Learning the proper grip and swinging technique is important so you are both swift and efficient in your hammer work.
A man employs a screwdriver to fasten a screw into wood, accompanied by images of flat head and Phillips head screwdrivers.
A screwdriver is a tool for twisting screws to either drive them into a substance or remove them. Using a screwdriver requires a turning motion to extract or drive fasteners. The power needed for this turning is called torque. There are many types of screwdrivers, but two are most common. The first is a flat-head screwdriver, which is just like it says, flat. The other is a Philips-head screwdriver, which has a cross pattern. Other types include star-head, squarehead, and torx screwdrivers.
A series of images illustrate wrenches being used to tighten nuts and bolts across different settings. This transitions to a slide with the heading “wrenches” featuring four images showcasing different types of wrenches, followed by slides presenting four additional hand tools with a heading “Hand tools”.
A wrench is used to apply torque, or a twisting motion, to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts. Because nuts and bolts come in a wide variety of sizes, both metric and standard, there are also a wide variety of shapes and sizes of wrenches. When working, you will commonly see open-ended, box-ended, combination, and socket wrenches. Each allows the user to get access to different angles and use varying degrees of torque. There are a great number of other hand tools available. Always be sure to understand the use for and skill required for any hand tool before using it.
A man works with a power tool, followed by a sequence of images displaying power tools being utilized for cutting, drilling, and smoothing surfaces.
Power tools help perform difficult and sometimes complex tasks. They can also reduce operational time and help conserve human energy for the user. Because power tools operate with electrical power, care should be taken to ensure safe operation of all power tools. Power tools cut materials, drill holes, and smooth surfaces, among other functions.
This transitions to a slide with the heading "Power Tools." One by one, images showcase four categories of power tools: Portable, Stationary, Pneumatic, and Petroleum. Portable power tools like circular saws, jigsaws, power drills, and sanders are displayed.
Power tools can be placed into these general categories: portable power tools, stationary power tools, pneumatic tools, and petroleum-powered tools. Examples of portable power tools include circular saws, jigsaws, power drills, and sanders. Prior to use, you should fully read all operating instructions for any power tool.
Scenes show a man cutting wood with a circular saw, a woman working with stationary power tools, another man using a pneumatic tool, painting with a paint sprayer, mowing the lawn with a lawnmower, and operating a snowblower.
All guards and safety devices should be in place when using power tools. Stationary power tools include drill presses, band saws, and table saws. With instruction and practice, each of these tools can reduce the amount of time to perform many agricultural building and construction functions. Pneumatic tools use compressed gas to operate, with compressed air being the most common gas used. Examples include paint sprayers, jackhammers, and air-operated impact wrenches. Petroleum-powered tools are commonly used where access to electricity is not practical. A lawn mower is an example of a petroleum-powered tool. Weed eaters, blowers, snow blowers, and chainsaws are other examples of petroleum-powered tools.
A man displays dirty gloves to the camera, followed by a glimpse of a defective hammer. The scene transitions to two men in work helmets discussing something, then shifts to a boy wearing protective goggles.
Regardless of the tool used, safety precautions must always be followed when using tools to ensure the safety of the user and bystanders. Never use a damaged or defective tool. Always read the manufacturer’s safety procedures, use protective gear, and properly maintain your tools.
The video ends with a man seen working with a power tool.
People are constantly inventing new tools to make jobs easier. You may invent a tool someday. The right tool makes all the difference in completing the job well.