Power Tools and Measuring Tools Study Guide for McGraw-Hill's Firefighter Exams

Power tools are basically hand tools that use electrical, pneumatic, or fuel power. Many common hand tools discussed above are now also available as power tools. Different types of saws are available as power tools. A circular saw with a rotary blade is used for cutting wood; a reciprocating saw, with a thin, straight blade, is used for cutting metal, pipe, and wood; a lightweight jig, or saber saw is used to cut custom designs in soft wood and light metal; and a chain saw is used for logging, tree trimming, and harvesting firewood.

Drills use compressed air or are electrically powered to provide enhanced torque for general-purpose drilling, wire brushing, screwing, etc. on metal, wood, and concrete materials. They come with different-sized steel drill bits and other attachments.

A soldering iron is an electrically powered device, consisting of a handle upon which is mounted a heating element (bit) that applies heat to melt solder (lead and tin alloy) for joining metal components together. It is used in electrical work to connect wires and on circuit boards.

A sander uses compressed air or electric power to sand, polish, and otherwise provide prepainting preparation on both wood and metal.

A nail gun is a compressed air tool powered by electricity or a battery that provides fast, consistent nail penetration into lumber.

Other power tools include the impact socket wrench used in automotive work; a bench grinder used to polish and sharpen tools; an air chisel used to cut lightweight metal, masonry, and wood; and a spur point used for drilling holes for dowels in woodworking.

Measuring Tools

Common measuring devices are the tape measure, level, and the chalk line tool, which is a chalk-covered cord inside a metal casing that when stretched taut between two points and snapped leaves a straight chalk line on a surface. Calipers, devices used to measure the thickness and internal and external size of an object, are also used; some, known as Vernier calipers provide accuracy to 1/10000 inch.