What Hand Tools Are Used To Work With Metal?

Table of Contents

    Metalworking, a time-honoured craft, is as much about skill as the tools in your hands. From shaping and cutting to joining and finishing, each task in metalworking demands the right instrument for precision and quality. 

    While the craft’s essence has remained unchanged over the years, the tools and techniques have evolved, bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a curious novice, understanding the essential hand tools that have shaped this craft is crucial. 

    This guide explores the indispensable tools every metalworker should know about, delving into their specific roles and how they contribute to creating everything from intricate jewellery to robust industrial components.

    Let’s get straight to the point.

    Metalworking requires precision and the right-hand tools to achieve quality results. Essential tools include hammers, chisels, files, snips, wrenches, pliers, saws, scribes, drills, clamps, and measuring tools. 

    Each tool serves specific functions in shaping, cutting, and joining metal, whether for small projects like jewellery or large-scale structures. Understanding the use and application of these tools enhances efficiency, safety, and the overall quality of your metalworking projects.

    Hammers For Metalworking

    Hammers are among the most basic tools in metalworking. They are used for shaping, striking, and riveting metal pieces.

    metal tools

    Ball Peen Hammer

    The ball peen hammer is a staple in metalworking. Its rounded end is perfect for shaping metal, and the flat end is for striking. It is commonly used in tasks like riveting and shaping metal components.

    Cross Peen Hammer

    This hammer is ideal for precision work, especially when bending or shaping metal in tight spots. Its design allows for controlled strikes on small areas.

    Sledgehammer

    The sledgehammer is essential for heavy-duty metalwork. It delivers powerful blows, often when large metal pieces need to be shaped or adjusted.

    Chisels: Cutting And Shaping Metal

    Chisels are essential for cutting, shaping, and removing material from metal surfaces. They come in various forms, each suited to specific tasks.

    Cold Chisel

    A cold chisel is crafted specifically for cutting through cold metal. It’s commonly employed to remove rivets, cut bolts, and perform other tasks that involve separating metal components.

    Cape Chisel

    The cape chisel, with its narrow blade, is perfect for cutting grooves and slots in metal. Its design enables precise and controlled cuts, making it an essential tool for detailed metalwork.

    Files: Smoothing And Refining Metal

    Files are used to smooth, shape, and finish metal surfaces. They are critical for achieving fine detail and a polished finish.

    Flat File

    The flat file is the most common type, and it is used for general-purpose filing. It is effective in removing material and smoothing flat metal surfaces.

    Round File

    A round file is designed for enlarging holes and refining curved surfaces. It is particularly useful when working with round objects or internal curves.

    Half-Round File

    This versatile file has one flat side and one rounded side, making it suitable for flat and curved surface work.

    Snips And Shears: Cutting Metal Sheets

    Snips and shears are essential tools for accurately cutting metal sheets. Different types of snips are designed for specific cuts and varying metal thicknesses.

    Tin Snips

    Tin snips are ideal for cutting thin metal sheets like aluminium and brass. They are primarily used for making straight cuts.

    Aviation Snips

    Aviation snips are used for cutting tougher metals and are designed for making curved cuts. They come in left-cut, right-cut, and straight-cut versions, each tailored for different cutting directions.

    Beverly Shears

    Beverly shears, also known as throatless shears, are designed for cutting complex shapes and curves in metal sheets. Their unique design allows for both flexibility and precision.

    Wrenches: Gripping And Turning Metal Fasteners

    Wrenches are critical for gripping, tightening, and loosening nuts, bolts, and other metal fasteners. They come in various styles to accommodate different tasks.

    Adjustable Wrench

    An adjustable wrench, also known as a crescent wrench, is versatile and can be adjusted to fit various sizes of nuts and bolts. It is a convenient tool for general metalworking tasks.

    Pipe Wrench

    The pipe wrench is specifically designed for gripping and turning metal pipes. Its strong grip makes it indispensable in plumbing and pipefitting.

    Combination Wrench

    A combination wrench features an open end and a box end, providing versatility in gripping and turning metal fasteners.

    Pliers: Holding And Manipulating Metal

    Pliers are used for holding, bending, and manipulating metal objects, especially in tasks that require precision and control.

    Needle-Nose Pliers

    Needle-nose pliers have long, pointed jaws, making them ideal for reaching into tight spaces and working with small metal parts. They are commonly used for bending wire and holding delicate components.

    Locking Pliers (Vise-Grips)

    Locking pliers provide a secure grip on metal objects, allowing hands-free work. They are useful when firm hold is needed, such as clamping or bending metal.

    Slip-Joint Pliers

    Slip-joint pliers have adjustable jaws, making them versatile for gripping objects of different sizes. They are useful for various tasks, from holding small parts to bending metal.

    Saws For Cutting Metal

    Saws are indispensable in metalworking. They cut metal rods, pipes, and sheets. The type of saw chosen depends on the cut material and the precision required.

    Hacksaw

    The hacksaw is the most commonly used saw in metalworking. Its fine-toothed blade is ideal for cutting metal pipes, rods, and profiles. Hacksaws are known for making straight, clean cuts.

    Jeweller’s Saw

    A jeweller’s saw is designed for fine, detailed cutting of thin metal sheets. It is particularly useful for tasks requiring high precision, such as jewellery making or cutting intricate shapes.

    Coping Saw

    The coping saw is similar to the jeweller’s saw but is larger and used for cutting more substantial metal pieces with intricate curves. It is often employed in tasks that require detailed work on thicker materials.

    Scribes And Marking Tools: Precision In Metalworking

    Accurate marking is essential before cutting or drilling metal. Scribes and marking tools provide the precision to ensure clean, accurate results.

    Scriber

    A scriber is a sharp, pointed tool to scratch lines onto metal surfaces. This ensures that cuts and bends are made exactly where needed, providing a guide for further work.

    Centre Punch

    The centre punch is used to make a small indentation on metal surfaces. This helps guide drill bits and prevent them from slipping when starting a hole.

    Dividers

    Dividers mark out circles and arcs on metal surfaces, providing accuracy in design and layout.

    Drills And Drill Bits: Creating Holes In Metal

    Drills are essential for creating holes in metal, and the right drill bit is crucial for achieving clean, precise holes without damaging the material.

    Hand Drill

    Hand drills are used for smaller, detailed work or when a powered drill is unavailable. They are particularly useful for drilling small holes in thin metal sheets.

    Twist Drill Bits

    Twist drill bits are the most common type used in metalworking. They are designed to remove material and create clean, accurate holes efficiently.

    Step Drill Bits

    Step drill bits are used to drill holes of various diameters in thin metal. They are especially useful in applications where different hole sizes are needed.

    Clamps: Securing Metal Pieces

    Clamps are vital for holding metal pieces in place during cutting, welding, or assembly. They ensure stability and safety during these processes.

    C-Clamps

    C-clamps are versatile tools used to hold metal pieces together securely. They are adjustable and come in various sizes to accommodate different tasks.

    F-Clamps

    F-clamps have a sliding mechanism that allows quick adjustments, making them ideal for clamping large or awkwardly shaped metal pieces.

    Magnetic Clamps

    Magnetic clamps are particularly useful in welding and assembly processes. They provide a strong hold on metal pieces without requiring manual adjustment.

    Measuring And Layout Tools: Ensuring Accuracy

    line of hand tools

    Accuracy is critical in metalworking, and having the right measuring tools ensures the precision of cuts, bends, and assemblies.

    Steel Ruler

    A steel ruler provides accurate measurements and is durable enough to withstand the rigours of metalworking.

    Callipers

    Callipers measure metal objects’ thickness, diameter, and depth with high precision. They are essential for tasks that require exact measurements.

    Combination Square

    The combination square is a multi-purpose tool for measuring angles, depth, and length. It is invaluable in tasks requiring precise layout and alignment.

    Conclusion

    Metalworking is an art and a science that requires a blend of traditional skills and modern technology. Whether shaping, cutting, or joining metal, the tools and techniques you choose are critical to the success of your project. 

    By understanding the history and evolving practices of metalworking, you can ensure that your work is high-quality, safe, and efficient. As the industry continues to evolve with new technologies and trends, mastering these techniques will remain essential for achieving outstanding results, whether working on small-scale projects or large-scale industrial applications.

    FAQs About Metal

    What Is Metal Work Hand Tools?

    Metalworking hand tools are hand tools used in the metalworking field. They are powered solely by the operator. Marking-out tools are hand tools for marking lines on metal surfaces, checking alignment, or indicating points or positions on a workpiece.

    Which Tool Is Used for Hand?

    Categories of hand tools include wrenches, pliers, cutters, files, striking tools, struck or hammered tools, screwdrivers, vices, clamps, snips, hacksaws, drills, and knives.

    What Tool Can Break Metal?

    An angle grinder fitted with an abrasive metal-cutting disc works well to cut all kinds of metal, including bolts, angle iron, rebar, and even sheet metal. However, the discs wear down quickly, cut slowly, and shrink in diameter as you use them. Instead, we recommend using a diamond blade rated to cut ferrous metal.

    Can a Hacksaw Cut Metal?

    A hacksaw is mainly used for cutting thin metal such as aluminium, brass, steel, or copper. It is also used to cut plastics such as PVC, PEX, or ABS on pipes or sheet goods made of PVC, polystyrene, and more.

    Why Do We Use Hand Tools?

    Hand tools are common in all industries. They complement power tools and make the job easier for the user. Hand tools have a long history in our civilisation. We have developed hand tools to help us make difficult (or sometimes impossible) tasks easier.

    Google Rating
    5.0
    js_loader
    Scroll to Top