🧰 Description of Files, Hammers, Chisels, Hacksaw Frames & Blades

Electricians often need to do mechanical work like cutting, shaping, or assembling parts. For that, they use basic fitting tools like files, hammers, chisels, and hacksaws.

Let’s understand their types, specifications, and grades.

🗂️ 1. Files

📄 Description:

Files are cutting tools used to smooth, shape, or remove metal. They have rows of teeth and are used by hand.

🧰 Common Types:

• 🔹 Flat file – For flat surfaces

• 🔹 Half-round file – For curved + flat areas

• 🔹 Round file – For circular holes

• 🔹 Triangular file – For corners and sharp angles

• 🔹 Square file – For slots and keyways

📏 Specification:

• Length: 150 mm to 300 mm (6 to 12 inch)

• Material: High carbon steel

• Handle: Wooden or plastic, fitted tightly

🎚️ Grades:

🔨 2. Hammers

📄 Description:

Hammers are used to apply force (hit) on nails, tools, or metal pieces.

🧰 Common Types:

• 🔹 Ball peen hammer – Most used in fitting

• 🔹 Cross peen hammer – For tight corners

• 🔹 Claw hammer – For pulling nails (mostly in carpentry)

📏 Specification:

• Head weight: 200g, 300g, 500g

• Handle: Wooden or fiber-reinforced

• Material: Drop-forged carbon steel head

⛏️ 3. Chisels

📄 Description:

Chisels are cutting tools used to remove metal by striking with a hammer.

🧰 Common Types:

• 🔹 Cold chisel (Flat) – For general purpose

• 🔹 Cross-cut chisel – For grooves

• 🔹 Round nose chisel – For round grooves

• 🔹 Diamond point chisel – For sharp corners

📏 Specification:

• Length: 100 mm to 250 mm

• Cutting angle: 60° (standard)

• Material: High carbon steel, hardened tip

🪚 4. Hacksaw Frames

📄 Description:

Used to cut metal rods, pipes, or flats using a thin blade. The blade is fitted in a frame.

🧰 Types:

• 🔹 Fixed frame – Blade size cannot be changed

• 🔹 Adjustable frame – Can hold blades of different lengths

📏 Specification:

• Blade size: 150 mm to 300 mm

• Handle: Plastic or rubber grip

• Frame: Mild steel or aluminum

🪒 5. Hacksaw Blades

📄 Description:

Hacksaw blades are thin, toothed blades that cut metal when moved back and forth.

🧰 Types:

• 🔹 All-hard blade – Fully hardened; used for heavy cutting

• 🔹 Flexible blade – Soft back, hard teeth; less chance of breaking

📏 Specification:

• Length: 150 mm, 250 mm, 300 mm

• TPI (Teeth per Inch): 14, 18, 24, 32

🔧 Blade Selection by Material:

🧠 Summary Table

✅ Safety Tips While Using These Tools

• 🔹 Use tools with proper handles

• 🔹 Wear gloves and safety glasses

• 🔹 Cut in one direction (files and hacksaws)

• 🔹 Keep blades sharp and rust-free

• 🔹 Never strike hardened tools together

📘 Conclusion

Knowing the specification and grade of each tool helps electricians do neat, safe, and precise installations. These basic fitting tools are must-haves for every skilled electrician.

🧰 Right Tool = Right Work = Good Electrician!

✏️ Marking Tools: Description and Use

Before cutting, drilling, or assembling any workpiece, it is important to mark where the work has to be done. That’s where marking tools come in.

Marking tools help electricians and fitters draw lines, points, and shapes on metal, wood, or plastic for accurate work.

🧰 Common Marking Tools

1. ✏️ Scriber

• 🔹 Description: A sharp pointed steel tool.

• 🔹 Use: To draw fine lines on metal surfaces.

• 🔹 Tip: Used like a pen, but with a sharp tip to scratch the surface.

2. 📏 Steel Rule

• 🔹 Description: A flat, straight measuring tool made of stainless steel.

• 🔹 Use: For measuring and guiding straight lines.

• 🔹 Length: Commonly 150 mm, 300 mm.

3. 🪛 Centre Punch

• 🔹 Description: A pointed tool with a handle.

• 🔹 Use: To make a small dent (dot) at a drilling point.

• 🔹 Helps drill bit stay in place and not slip.

4. 📐 Try Square

• 🔹 Description: L-shaped tool with a blade and stock.

• 🔹 Use: To mark and check 90° right angles.

• 🔹 Material: Steel or cast iron.

5. 🧲 Surface Gauge / Marking Stand

• 🔹 Description: A base with a vertical adjustable rod and scriber.

• 🔹 Use: To mark accurate horizontal lines on a flat metal surface.

6. 🪵 Dot Punch

• 🔹 Description: Similar to centre punch, but with a sharper point angle.

• 🔹 Use: To make small, light marks for lines or curves before centre punching.

7. 🧮 Divider / Compass

• 🔹 Description: Two pointed legs joined at the top.

• 🔹 Use: To scribe circles or arcs on metal.

🛠️ Why Marking Tools Are Important?

⚠️ Safety Tips While Using Marking Tools

• 👀 Always wear safety goggles when using a punch

• 🧤 Use gloves while handling sharp scribers

• 🔨 Use a hammer carefully with centre/dot punch

• 📏 Keep tools rust-free and clean for accurate marking

• 🧰 Store tools safely after use

📘 Summary Table

💡 Conclusion

Marking is the first step in precision work. Good marking tools and techniques help electricians save time, avoid mistakes, and do perfect installations.

🔧 “Measure twice, mark once, cut once!” – A golden rule for every electrician.

🛠️ Types of Drills, Description & Drilling Machines

Drilling is a common task for electricians — whether it's for fixing panels, mounting switchboards, or running wires through walls and metal plates. Let's understand the tools used for this job.

🔩 What is Drilling?

Drilling is the process of making a round hole in a solid material using a rotating drill bit.

🧰 1. Types of Drills (Tools)

🔹 Twist Drill

• 📄 Description: Most common drill bit, spiral-shaped

• 📌 Use: For general purpose drilling in metal, plastic, and wood

🔹 Flat Drill

• 📄 Description: A flat cutting edge with no flutes

• 📌 Use: Used in earlier days for drilling soft metals

🔹 Center Drill

• 📄 Description: Short and stiff drill used to make a starting hole

• 📌 Use: Prevents regular drill bits from slipping

🔹 Countersink Drill

• 📄 Description: Cone-shaped drill

• 📌 Use: For making a recess so screw heads can sit flush with the surface

🔹 Auger Drill

• 📄 Description: Spiral-shaped drill with screw tip

• 📌 Use: Mainly used for wood drilling

🧰 2. Types of Drilling Machines

🔹 Hand Drill (Manual)

• 🔋 Power: No electricity needed

• 🖐️ Use: For light work in soft materials

• 🧰 Description: Operated by rotating handle manually

🔹 Electric Hand Drill

• ⚡ Power: Operated by electric motor

• 📌 Use: Light to medium work, wall drilling, box fitting

• 🧰 Easy to carry and used by electricians on site

🔹 Cordless Drill

• 🔋 Power: Battery-operated

• 🧳 Use: Portable and ideal for on-the-go tasks

• 🪛 Some models come with screw-driving features

🔹 Bench Drilling Machine

• 🪛 Mounted on a table or bench

• 📏 For precise drilling of small to medium parts

• ⚙️ Often used in workshops

🔹 Pillar Drilling Machine

• 🗼 Larger version of bench drill, stands on the floor

• 📌 Used for bigger components

• 🧱 More stable and powerful than hand drills

🔹 Radial Drilling Machine

• 📐 Arm can move in radial direction

• 📌 Suitable for large jobs where the hole position varies

• ⚙️ Used in factories

📏 Drill Bit Specifications

⚠️ Safety Tips While Drilling

• 👓 Always wear safety goggles

• 🧤 Wear gloves, but avoid loose clothes

• 🛑 Disconnect power before changing bits

• 📏 Mark the hole location clearly before drilling

• 🔩 Clamp the workpiece to prevent movement

• 🧯 Keep fire extinguisher nearby for emergencies

🧠 Summary Table

💡 Conclusion

Drilling is a vital part of electrical installations. Using the right type of drill and machine improves speed, safety, and precision.

🔧 Tip: Always start with a center punch to keep your drill steady!

🪵 Various Wooden Joints – Explained for Electricians

Electricians often work with wooden surfaces while installing switchboards, panels, or conduits. Understanding basic wood joints helps ensure safe and strong electrical fittings on wooden frames or boards.

Let’s look at the most common types of wooden joints used in electrical and carpentry work.

🔹 1. Butt Joint

🧰 Description: Two pieces of wood are simply butted together (end-to-end or at a corner).

📌 Use: Simple frames, temporary fixings

💡 Note: Weakest joint, often reinforced with screws or nails

🔹 2. Lap Joint

🧰 Description: One piece of wood overlaps the other

📌 Use: Wooden frames, base support structures

✅ Stronger than butt joint
🔩 Can be used with glue, nails, or screws

🔹 3. Dowel Joint

🧰 Description: Wooden dowels (small round pins) are inserted into holes in both wood pieces

📌 Use: Cabinet making, where screws are not preferred

🔧 Needs precision drilling
✔️ Strong and clean finish

🔹 4. Mortise and Tenon Joint

🧰 Description: One piece has a hole (mortise) and the other has a tongue (tenon) that fits into it

📌 Use: Heavy-duty wooden frames

🔩 Very strong joint
🪚 Common in traditional carpentry

🔹 5. Finger Joint (Box Joint)

🧰 Description: Interlocking “fingers” cut into both wood pieces

📌 Use: Box construction, drawers

✅ Strong and decorative
🔧 Needs accurate cutting

🔹 6. Dovetail Joint

🧰 Description: Similar to finger joint but with angled (tail-shaped) cuts

📌 Use: Drawers, furniture corners

🔐 Very strong against pulling apart
💡 Looks decorative too

🔹 7. Bridle Joint

🧰 Description: Like a mortise and tenon but open-ended

📌 Use: Frames, rails

🔩 Easier to cut than mortise and tenon
✔️ Strong and reliable

🧠 Summary Table

⚠️ Safety Tips While Working with Wooden Joints

• 🧤 Always wear gloves and goggles while cutting wood

• 🪚 Use sharp tools for clean cuts

• 📐 Measure and mark properly before making a joint

• 🔩 Use strong adhesive or screws for better strength

• 🔌 If using power tools, disconnect power before adjusting

💡 Conclusion

Even though electricians mostly deal with wires and tools, knowing wooden joints helps during panel fitting, board fixing, or mounting electrical systems. The right joint gives durability and safety to your work.

🧰 Good joint = Long-lasting and safe installation!