Resources for hand tools

Is Proper Torquing Part of Your Standard Work?

2012-04-18T08:53:44-05:00

Read enough original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommended procedures and you will notice that a common thread is proper torque values for fasteners. Many standard work (and standard operating) procedures in industrial facilities list recommended or required torque values for jobs like gasket replacements, motor alignments, bearing installations and gearbox rebuilds, yet we often see technicians performing these functions without torque wrenches on the jobsite. Availability and management reinforcement both play a major role here. Both need to be addressed.

Availability is the first to attack since you can’t very well require a technician to use a torque wrench if none are available. If you list torque values on your procedures but don’t have torque wrenches available, you lose credib

The Hidden Costs of Manual Tool Tracking

2011-10-26T08:27:48-05:00

I recently had a fascinating discussion with a friend who performs materials inspections for one of the world’s largest suppliers of aircraft parts and assemblies. His company had just switched from manual materials tracking to radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based tracking, and he calculated that the changeover had already saved them hundreds of thousands of dollars — maybe more.

Before they adopted RFID, materials frequently left his inspection facility and failed to make it to their intended destinations. Sometimes they were tracked down, and other times orders valued at as much as $300,000 vanished forever. RFID has entirely solved this problem.

This is an excellent example of the savings RFID can bring to a large operation. Although his story relates to materials inventory, tool tracking offers similar opportunities to reduce losses.

Material losses are easier to measure. When one-third of a million dollars’ worth of composite fabr

DeWalt, Empire Level agree to end private-label partnership

2011-01-17T08:50:41-06:00

DeWalt, the leading manufacturer of industrial power tools and accessories, and Empire Level Manufacturing Corporation, the industry leader in developing accurate levels and measuring tools, announced today that they will end their partnership on the private label line of professional box levels that Empire Level licensed, designed and manufactured in 2010 under the DeWalt brand.

Klein Tools to locate new technology center in Mansfield, Texas

2010-12-14T09:53:33-06:00

The Mansfield, Texas, city council on December 13 approved an economic development agreement with leading American tool manufacturer Klein Tools for the location of its new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTEC) in the city.

Back to basics: How to measure electricity with a clamp meter

2010-09-29T08:53:23-05:00

A clamp meter is an electrical tester that combines a basic digital multimeter with a current sensor. Clamps measure current. Probes measure voltage. Having a hinged "clamp" jaw integrated into an electrical meter allows users to simply clamp around wire, cables and other conductors at any point in the electrical system and measure its current, without disconnecting it.

Fluke offers grants to educators, students in industrial process control technology

2010-09-22T13:18:56-05:00

Fluke Corporation, a global leader in portable electronic test and measurement technology, will donate $65,000 worth of test instruments to schools and training programs for use in teaching students to diagnose and repair sophisticated industrial process control systems.

Atlas Copco acquires Kramer Air Tool

2010-09-08T08:23:07-05:00

Atlas Copco Tools & Assembly Systems LLC has agreed to acquire the sales and marketing operation of its current tool distributor Kramer Air Tool Inc., based in Michigan. The agreement further strengthens Atlas Copco’s presence, market coverage and support to customers.

Channellock launches new Web site

2010-08-02T11:11:07-05:00

Channellock, a leader in the design and manufacturing of high-quality pliers and hand tools, recently unveiled its latest American-made tool – a fully redesigned, improved Web site.

Cooper Industries and Danaher announce closing of tools joint venture

2010-07-06T08:08:39-05:00

Cooper Industries plc and Danaher Corporation on July 6 announced the completion of the joint venture combining Cooper’s Tools business with certain tools businesses from Danaher Corporation’s Tools and Components segment.

HTI recommends safe use of clamps through proper selection

2010-07-02T16:43:20-05:00

True or false: Railroad spikes are best driven with a tack hammer? The question may seem a bit absurd and the answer to it a resounding "FALSE!", but it does point out two common attitudes that are responsible for many injuries related to using hand tools improperly.

Don't cheat with wrenches

2010-06-22T10:43:41-05:00

Among the many definitions of "cheat" listed in Webster's Dictionary is the following: "To deceive by trickery." This definition seems to aptly describe wrench cheating, an unorthodox technique used by the unwary to get "extra power" by adding a length of pipe or other extension to a wrench handle to gain extra leverage.

GearWrench launches @Work video contest

2010-06-17T08:44:37-05:00

GearWrench on June 17 announced the launch of its “GearWrench @Work” contest, which allows tool users to upload a video for a chance to win an all expenses paid trip to Las Vegas in November to attend the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association’s (SEMA) annual conference. The GearWrench @Work contest kicks off today and will run through Friday, August 13.

Atlas Copco takes over distribution of its tools in southern U.S.

2010-06-02T08:26:24-05:00

Atlas Copco Tools & Assembly Systems LLC has agreed to take over the sales and marketing of products and services in southern United States from its current distributor Tooling Technologies Inc. The agreement further strengthens Atlas Copco’s presence, market coverage and support to customers in the region.

Danaher, Cooper Industries to combine tool businesses, form new company

2010-03-29T07:45:12-05:00

Danaher Corporation and Cooper Industries plc on March 26 announced they have reached an agreement to combine their respective tool businesses, Danaher Tool Group and Cooper Tools, in a joint venture.

U.S. power & hand tool demand to reach $14.5B in 2012

2009-07-30T00:00:00-05:00

Power and hand tool demand in the United States is forecast to increase 3.3 percent annually through 2012, reaching $14.5 billion. Although difficult in the shorter term, the U.S. construction outlook is expected to recover by 2012, creating demand in the professional sector. In the meantime, consumer demand will benefit from continued interest in DIY and home remodeling activities. Ongoing introduction of new products – especially improved cordless tools – will create gains in both markets. These and other trends are presented in Power & Hand Tools, a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland-based industry resea

May designated as National Hand Tool Safety Month

2009-03-19T00:00:00-05:00

The Hand Tools Institute has designated the month of May as “National Hand Tool Safety Month.” Misuse of hand tools contributes to thousands of hand tool related injuries each year requiring emergency hospital treatment.

Among the safety rules to be emphasized during the national campaign are:

A comprehensive guide to hand tool and power tool safety

2008-03-10T00:00:00-05:00

Tools are such a common part of our lives that it is difficult to remember that they may pose hazards. All tools are manufactured with safety in mind but, tragically, a serious accident often occurs before steps are taken to search out and avoid or eliminate tool-related hazards.

In the process of removing or avoiding the hazards, workers must learn to recognize the hazards associated with the different types of tools and the safety precautions necessary to prevent those hazards.

Hand tools hazards
Hand tools are non-powered. They include anything from axes to wrenches. The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.

Some examples:

Using a screwdriver as a chisel may cause the tip of the screwdriver to break and fly, hitting the user or other employees.
If a wooden handle on a tool such as a hammer or an axe is loose, splintered or cracked, the head of the tool may fly off a

Hand tools deserve respect for safety sake

2007-03-28T00:00:00-05:00

Hand tools are extensions of our hands. When we misuse our hands, we experience pain. When we misuse hand tools, the possibility of injury to ourselves or people working around us increases considerably. Furthermore, using a tool incorrectly can damage the tool or even cause the tool to fail. Here are some guidelines for hand tool safety.

Use the Right Tool for the Job

Using the correct tool for the job is the first step in safe hand tool use. Tools are designed for specific needs. That’s why you’ll find screwdrivers with various lengths and tip styles and pliers with different head shapes. Using any tool inappropriately is a step in the wrong direction. To avoid personal injury and tool damage, select the proper tool to do the job well and safely.

Quality professional hand tools will last many years if they are taken care of and treated with respect. Manufacturers design tools for specific applications. If you use your screwdriver as a chisel o

Give your hand tools a helping hand

2005-09-08T00:00:00-05:00

During a routine inspection at a local factory, an Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance officer noticed a worker using a 4-pound sledgehammer with a crack that extended halfway down the handle. Immediately, he cited the company for failing to make sure that the tools and equipment used by employees were safe (Sec. 1910.242(a)). Much to his surprise, the company appealed the citation, claiming that the sledgehammer was not dangerous. The Review Commission was also surprised.

Hand tool safety quiz

2005-09-08T00:00:00-05:00

Confused as to how and what hand tool to use when tackling a work project? You are not alone says the Hand Tool Institute, an association of North American hand tool manufacturers. The following 10 true or false questions deal with hand tools commonly found in most workplaces. Test your knowledge – 10 correct is excellent; 9 is good; 8 is fair; 7 or less, poor.

THE QUESTIONS