Guide to Hand Tools News and Trends

Stay on top of news and trends for industrial hand tools

By Denise Brown

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Sign up for free hand tools news and trends online subscriptions

These free services give you the opportunity to see new products displays and reviews. Do keep in mind that the author of the newsletter may have his own personal products to promote. Even so, these free newsletters can provide all sorts of information for you.

I recommend: You can get a free subscription to Inside Woodworking. This newsletter can help keep you up to date on trends for construction hand tools. Tools of the Trade Online offers a number of articles on the current trends in the hand tools industry. You can use its articles to help guide you to the right professional tools for your business.

Read online guides to hand tools

These are similar to the newsletters, but they provide a larger quantity of products and reviews. These online references are good indicators of what's new and working well in the hand tools industry.

I recommend: ThomasNet showcases the latest industrial hand tools. This site not only feature small hand tools, but it also reviews hand power tools as well. ThomasNet is also an excellent reference to help you find hand tool manufacturers. Penton Media also showcases new hand tools on its New Equipment Digest website.

Stay current on hand tools news and trends by following blogs

You can find many informational articles and resources in blogs. While some of the articles may focus on power hand tools, others give invaluable tips on how to use basic hand tools.

I recommend: ToolCrib.com offers a blog on its website that offers reviews of new hand tools, as well as ways to use them. This blog also discuss problems that may occur when you work with certain materials. Cool Tools is another blog that offers reviews of new products.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you study hand tools news and trends, it's important that you don't rely on only one source of information. Read several articles from different sources to see what reviewers are saying about products before you make any purchases.

Guide to Hand Tools

Use the right industrial hand tools to get the job done

By Lori Carver

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy industrial hand tools wholesale from vendors

Car mechanics know the value of a good hand tool set, so they usually buy from a wholesale vendor that regularly visits the garage. Likewise, in the construction field, there are electric hand tools vendors providing quality hand tool sets at wholesale prices.

I recommend: Snap-on runs regular routes to garages and car dealerships offering electric hand tools and small hand tools to mechanics at wholesale prices. They can open an account for you, which you pay by directly debiting your pay check or in cash. You can arrange payment terms for your tools as well. SK Hand Tool offers a lifetime warranty on hand tools. Look at their entire line of hammers, screwdrivers, pliers and much more.

Purchase professional hand power tools for your business

Industrial strength hand tools live up to the beating you give them in your carpentry or construction business. Most professionals go through dozens of hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers in a year's time that eats away at the business profits.

I recommend: Craftsman provides an industrial strength hand tool and hand tool sets that will not break the bank. Sears services all hand tools warranties directly. If your tool fails, just return it the nearest Sears store where they repair it free of charge.

Choose accessories for your industrial tools

No matter the job, make sure you have the right screwdriver bit, knee pads, tool belt and other accessories you need.

I recommend: Time Motion Tools offers knife sharpeners, organizer bags, wall baskets and more. Find the right accessories for your hand tools here. Professional Equipment offers a full line of hand tools accessories including utility knife blades, socket wrench extensions and heavy-duty job site radio with charger. Look for the accessory you need from their large selection.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Your hand tool manufacturers warranty is limited and usually covers one year. Find out if an extended warranty is available and exactly what it covers and for how long a period. Replacing tools is very expensive so the additional coverage may save this business expense.

Guide to Hand Tools Basics

Purchase quality hand tools for any job, from maintenance to manufacturing

By Denise Brown

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Put hammers on your hand tools list

There are many types of hammers. Each type of hammer frequently comes in different weights with different head styles and handles.

I recommend: You can find many types of hammers, along with a list of their uses, at the DIY Network's website. The Hammer Source is one of the leading online working tools suppliers of hammers. You can find a hammer for every task on its website. Wright Tool offers a range of industrial quality hand tools, including hammers.

Include screwdrivers on your small hand tools list

Screwdrivers come with two basic types of head: Phillips and slotted. But it's possible to find screwdrivers in different lengths and sizes. Many newer screwdrivers come with interchangeable tips. And electric screwdrivers are one of the most popular hand power tools on the market today.

I recommend: A+ Electrical Safety Equipment offers screwdrivers and other hand tools online. Many of its hand tools fall into the category of personal protective equipment (PPE). MSC Industrial Direct. can provide you with many industrial hand tools, including screwdrivers, on its website. You can get screwdriver hand tool sets at discount prices.

Add wrenches and pliers to your hand tools storage box

Wrenches can be an adjustable or a fixed size. This is a versatile tool that should be in every tool kit. Pliers come with a variety of heads for different uses.

I recommend: The Louisiana State University AgCenter offers an explanation of the many uses of wrenches. Everyone should have a hand tool set of basic wrenches in their toolbox. Gizmo’s Industrial can provide wrench sets to add to your collection of professional tools. Pemro Distribution is a major supplier of hand tools, including many types of pliers.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While many public schools offer training in hand tools basics, don't assume that everyone knows how and when to use the proper industrial tools. While your employees may not need to use them every day, everyone should know where you keep the hand tools storage box and how to use the hand tools safely.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Metric or SAE

When considering wrenches, whether open-end, box or socket, you will need to know whether you are dealing with inches or metrics. America is slowly converting to metric measurements, but nuts and bolts measured in fractions of an inch are common. If you see SAE, you will be using fractions of an inch to determine wrench size.

I recommend: Tyler Tool shows a set of wrenches with sizes from 1/2-inch to 1-inch or 8 millimeters to 22 millimeters. The wrenches are comparable in size and display the difference in the two systems.

Torque

When assembling a mechanical device, the instructions may indicate that you need to tighten a nut to a certain torque stated in inch-pounds, foot-pounds, Newton metres or kilogram force metres for metrics. To do this, you will need a torque wrench that will tell you how much torque, or force, you are applying. Torque wrenches have a needle, gauge or adjustable release point to help you get the right tightness. You may also select a power torque wrench.

I recommend: For a discussion of torque and converting foot-pounds to Newton metres, go to Maryland Metrics. For a selection of torque wrenches and a discussion of torque, see eMaxaction.com.

Ratchet

A ratchet makes it possible to loosen or tighten a nut or bolt without removing the wrench from the nut or bolt head. The ratchet allows you to apply force in one direction, then reposition your wrench handle by swinging it the opposite direction. Ratchets can be socket or box-end wrenches.

I recommend: Northern Tool + Equipment gives you a closeup picture of a set of ratcheting box-end wrenches. The Tool Warehouse provides a large selection of ratchet wrenches, including socket handles.

Impact wrenches

Electricity or air powers most impact wrenches, which supply the torque to loosen or tighten screw, nuts or bolts. Impact wrenches use a hammering force to help loosen or tighten threaded fasteners.

I recommend: For pictures and details about air impact wrenches, go to Tool King. Dewalt supplies pictures and specifications for electrical impact wrenches.

Lithium ion

Some electrical hand tools use batteries for energy supply. A recent development is the lithium-ion battery.

I recommend: To find out about lithium-ion batteries, check out Battery University. Coastal Tool lists several lithium-ion, battery-powered hand tools.

Composite

Many manufacturers of non-power hand tools use steel to make the parts, but some now use composites instead of steel. Composites do not conduct electrical current, making them ideal for use by electricians.

I recommend: A + Electrical Safety Equipment offers a series of composite tools designed to promote safety while working with electrical systems. MotoGF sells an air impact wrench made of composite materials.