| You know Uncle Will: the poster boy for Yankee | | | | hanging over. |
| Ingenuity. He's the guy who can solve any household | | | | * For many jobs, you'll need to drill a hole first. |
| problem with little more than a hammer and | | | | * Do not strike a screwdriver handle with a hammer. It |
| screwdriver. | | | | could splinter and shatter. |
| One day Will used a screwdriver instead of a pry bar | | | | * Never use the handle as a striking tool. |
| to rip boards off an old deck. When the screwdriver | | | | * Do not use them as pry bars, scrapers, lid removers, |
| snapped under the strain, he fell and broke his two | | | | punches or chisels. |
| front teeth. That's genius? | | | | * Don't hold work in one hand while using a |
| There is a right way and a wrong way to use hand | | | | screwdriver in the other. If the blade slips, you could |
| tools, but a lot of people don't seem to know it. In fact, | | | | get hurt. |
| according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety | | | | * Screws are designed to be driven with the proper |
| Commission, each year more than 100,000 injuries | | | | type of screwdriver. If you fail to take the time to |
| require hospital treatment due to misuse of hand tools. | | | | match the screw with the screwdriver, the tool's blade |
| First Steps To A Quality Job | | | | can slip out of the screw's slot, resulting in an injury. |
| * Buy the best tool you can afford. Cheap tools are | | | | * Use insulated screwdrivers when working around |
| more likely to break, and more difficult to use. Buy | | | | electricity, but also turn off the power. |
| several versions or sizes of the same tool to assure | | | | Wrenches |
| you have the right tool for the right job. | | | | * For better control, pull the wrench toward you; don't |
| * Use a hand tool for the job it was manufactured to | | | | push it away from you. On high-torque jobs, stand |
| perform. | | | | firmly. |
| * Inspect tools for cracks, chips, mushrooming, and | | | | * Replace wrenches when the teeth become marred |
| wear. Discard damaged tools promptly. | | | | or worn. |
| * Be sure handles are fixed firmly into a tool's working | | | | * Do not substitute pliers for work a wrench should do. |
| end. | | | | * Never hammer with a wrench. |
| * Plan your job before you start. | | | | * Never put your face or head level with a wrench |
| * Check for hidden hazards, e.g., electric wires in a wall. | | | | handle. |
| * Shut the current off when working near electricity. | | | | * Never use a handle extender while turning a wrench. |
| * Organize the tools in a toolbox. | | | | Switch to a wrench with a longer handle or one |
| * Position your body securely while working with the | | | | designed to withstand more force. Homemade handle |
| tool. Wear eye protection. | | | | extenders can slip off and break. |
| * Concentrate! No matter how trivial the task seems. | | | | * Use a box or socket wrench to free a tight or |
| Striking And Struck Tools | | | | frozen nut. |
| * Wear safety goggles any time you're using one of | | | | * Make sure the wrench fits a nut or bolt exactly. Limit |
| these tools. | | | | your use of adjustable wrenches. |
| * A hammer head should be at least 3/8" larger in | | | | Cordless Tools |
| diameter than the striking surface of a chisel, punch, | | | | * Read and thoroughly understand the instruction |
| wedge or other struck tools. | | | | manual. |
| * Strike a hammer with the face parallel to the surface | | | | * Do not operate cordless tools in or near flammable |
| being struck. Glancing, off-center blows can throw | | | | liquids, or in explosive atmospheres. |
| dangerous splinters into the air. | | | | * Keep the tool and the recharging unit in an area not |
| * Use the right hammer for the job. | | | | accessible to children. |
| * Do not use one hammer to strike another hammer | | | | * Remove batteries or lock the switch in its "OFF" |
| or a hatchet. | | | | position before changing accessories, adjusting or |
| * Never use a striking tool with a loose or damaged | | | | cleaning the tool. |
| handle. | | | | * When cutting, drilling or driving into walls, floors, or |
| * Pull nails or pry wood away from your face. | | | | wherever live electrical wires may be encountered, |
| * Sharpen struck tools before use. Aim the blow or cut | | | | hold the tool only by the insulated gripping surfaces. |
| away from your body. | | | | * Do not touch the drill bit, blade or cutter immediately |
| Screwdrivers | | | | after operation. It may be extremely hot. |
| * The blade tip should fit a slotted screw, without | | | | |