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Unit: Hand and power tools

Supporting: LMFFM2001A: Use furniture making sector hand and power tools

Section 1: Types of tools

Hammering and nailing


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Audio for slide 1 (mp3 |6|KB)
Cabinetmakers have a range of hammers and mallets to choose from when they need to insert a fastener, tap something into position, or use with a chisel.

There are also various power tools that can be used for some of these tasks, particularly for driving in nails and staples.

Below is the general range of hammers, mallets and nail and staple guns.

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Hammers and mallets

Claw hammer                                                                                                                     
Has a flat head on one side for driving nails and tapping items, and a claw on the other side for withdrawing nails.

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Warrington hammer                                                                                                                     
Has a standard flat head on one side, and a 'cross pein' on the other side to start a small nail or brad without hitting your fingers.

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Ball pein hammer                                                                                                                     
Has a standard flat head on one side and a 'ball pein' on the other, used for beating metal and other functions.

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Mallet                                                                                                                      
For tapping woodworking chisels.

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Audio for slide 6 (mp3 |6|KB)

Nail guns and staple guns

Nail gun                                                                                                                     
Used to fire nails into timber and wood-based panels, such as particleboard, plywood and MDF.

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Staple gun                                                                                                                      
Used to fire staples, particularly when fixing panels to the backs of cabinets.

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Powder actuated gun (e.g. 'Hilti' and 'Ramset' gun)                                                                                                                     
Used to fire fasteners into concrete and steel with an explosive charge.

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Learning activity

Audio 9 (mp3 |6|KB)

What sorts of hammers do you use at work?

Name each type of hammer, mallet or gun, and briefly describe what tasks you use it for.

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