Construction Hand Tools

The most common hand tool, has a tip which fits into the head of a screw and is used to tighten or loosen screws.

• level

• hammer

• pliers

• screw driver

a screwdriver used for Phillips head screws

• needle nose pliers

• flat head screwdriver

• Phillips head screwdriver

• square or Robertson screwdriver

small pincers with long jaws, for bending wire, holding small objects, etc.

• pliers

• screwdriver

• wrench

• chisel

a hammer with one round end and one flat end; made of softer steel so you can use it on harder materials such as metal

• ball pein hammer

• mallet hammer

• nail or claw hammer

• sledge hammer

Also called a framing square.

–Used for laying out square corners

• rafter square

• architect's scale

• tape measure

• speed square

Tool used to mark long straight lines using string and chalk

• tape measure

• chalk line reel

• chalk board

• painter's tape

tool that contains small transparent vials of mineral spirits that are used to determine if an object is plumb (perpendicular to the ground) or parallel to the ground

• rafter square

• chalk line

• level

• builder's transit

A pointed weight that can be attached to a string which uses gravity to hang it perfectly vertical or perpendicular to the ground.

• chalk line

• builder's transit

• level

• plumb bob

tool that has a wide variety of uses; has a socket end and open-end, some are adjustable.

• screwdriver

• pliers

• wrench

• level

Can be used to score gypsum wall board, cut the backing on insulation, cut shingles, etc.

• hack saw

• shaving saw

• plumb bob

• utility knife