Hand tools
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Below are some of the most common tools used by installers.
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Claw hammer
A claw hammer is basically designed for driving in and pulling out nails. It is also used for hitting chisels and punches, and tapping components into position.
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Soft timbers can end up with '20 cent piece' indentations if you're not careful, and laminates can crack, indent or chip.
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Screw driver
Screwdrivers come in a range of head types, the most common being 'flat' (also called 'standard') and Phillips.
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If the head is too small or too big for the screw, it can easily slip out and damage the screw slot or scratch nearby surfaces.
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Bradawl
A bradawl is used to prepare a small hole for a screw, and is particularly useful when you need to break through a melamine surface by hand. To use a bradawl, push the head into the material while you're twisting it back and forth.
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Chisel
Chisels have a sharp edge designed for cutting wood. You can cut other materials with a chisel, such as melamine-faced particleboard, but it will blunt your chisel more quickly.
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When you're not using the chisel, make sure the edge is well protected from anything that might burr or blunten it, especially when it goes back into the toolbox.
This could include putting a cap on the end or rolling it up in a protective bag.
Learning activity
Audio 9 (mp3 |6|KB)Sharp chisels are a joy to use. Blunt chisels, by contrast, don't cut cleanly and can be downright dangerous if you have to apply excessive force to use them. So good hand-sharpening techniques with an oilstone are an essential part of every cabinetmaker's professional skills.
What are your skills like with hand sharpening? If you're unsure about the proper techniques to use, ask your supervisor or trainer for assistance. If you're already confident with your general technique, it's still worth practising your skills and trying to get the best result possible each time you hone the edge.
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