Tool lexicon
How can you recognize good tools and what are the individual tools used for? Here is a brief explanation of the most important hand tools for crafting with children.
Our instruction manual contains more detailed descriptions and tips on how to use it correctly.
hammer
The hammer
Der Hammer beteht aus einem Kopf aus Stahl und einem Griff (meistens aus Holz). Beides sollte sicher miteinander verbunden sein.
Mit dem Hammer werden Nägel eingeschlagen. Es gibt viele verschiedene Hammerformen und Größen, unsere Empfehlung für Kinder ist der 200g-Hammer.
Mit dem Hammer werden Nägel eingeschlagen. Es gibt viele verschiedene Hammerformen und Größen, unsere Empfehlung für Kinder ist der 200g-Hammer.
Japanese saw
The Japanese saw
Die Japansäge ist ein Zugsäge. Sie hat ein sehr dünnes Sägeblatt mit nach hinten gerichteten Zähnen.
Durch das Sägen auf Zug ist wenig Kraft notwendig und auch dickere Holzleisten lassen sich mühelos zersägen.
Die Sägen sind sehr scharf, und bei falscher Handhabung auch etwas empfindlich. Es sollte nur Holz gesägt werden.
Durch das Sägen auf Zug ist wenig Kraft notwendig und auch dickere Holzleisten lassen sich mühelos zersägen.
Die Sägen sind sehr scharf, und bei falscher Handhabung auch etwas empfindlich. Es sollte nur Holz gesägt werden.
hand drill
The hand drill
The hand drill consists of a chuck in which a drill bit is clamped. This bit is mounted on a drill shaft, which in turn is driven by a wheel. The drill is held by the upper handle with one hand and turned with the other. This allows for good feel for the material and the force required for drilling. Depending on the drill bit, holes from 1 to 8 mm can be drilled.
screwdriver
The screwdriver
The screwdriver consists of a blade with a differently shaped tip, attached to a handle. It is suitable for tightening and loosening screws. The appropriate screwdriver must be used depending on the screw head. There are slotted screws, Phillips screws in various designs (Phillips and Pozidriv), Torx (star) screws, and many other screw heads.
fretsaw
The fret saw
Unlike most saws, a fret saw can cut curves, but only in thin materials. The fret saw has a large frame that can accommodate interchangeable blades of various thicknesses, suitable for wood, wood-based materials, plastic, and metal.
pincers
The pliers
The nippers (also called nail pullers) consist of two jaws that can be brought together similarly to scissors. They are mainly used to pull out crooked nails. To do this, the nail must be firmly clamped and the nippers bent downwards over one of the rounded sides. It may be necessary to reposition the nippers several times.
hacksaw
The hacksaw
The coping saw is a small bow saw with interchangeable blades. It is well-suited for sawing smaller pieces of wood, dowels, metal, or even plastic. The coping saw is a good beginner's saw, but it has the disadvantage of a limited cutting depth due to the frame.
screw clamp
The screw clamp
It consists of a griddled steel rail with two cross arms. The arm, with its screw thread and wooden handle, can be slid along the rail and locked in place. Workpieces can be secured to the table using the clamp. The clamp is also used for gluing wood together.
wood file
The wooden file
The file consists of a handle and a blade. The blade has many small, sharp teeth and grooves used to remove material. The file is used to shape wood. Edges are smoothed, and notches, grooves, and patterns can be filed. The file is used with two hands: one on the handle and the other resting loosely on the blade.
Combination pliers
The combination pliers
Combination pliers are a combination of different pliers, uniting pinching pliers, flat-nose pliers, and gripping pliers. As their name suggests, they are a true all-rounder. They can be used to grip nails and small metal parts, cut wire, or bend it into shapes.
Foxtail
The fox tail
The handsaw is probably the most familiar saw among children. This is mainly due to its descriptive name; it does indeed look a bit like a fox's tail. Using this type of saw requires considerable force. The cut is rather rough and splintery. This saw is suitable for rough preliminary cuts and outdoor use.
sandpaper
The sandpaper
Also called sandpaper or emery paper, it is a piece of sturdy paper or fabric coated with fine grains. These grains vary in size depending on the grit of the sandpaper. The grit number is printed on the back of the paper; the higher the number, the finer the sandpaper. Sandpaper is used to smooth and clean wooden surfaces, round edges, and remove splinters.
Carpenter's pencil
The carpenter's pencil
Formerly called a carpenter's pencil, this is an oval-shaped, somewhat thicker pencil with a rectangular lead. It is used for marking and sketching, for example, drill holes. Its special shape makes it particularly well-suited for working with wood. Unlike round pencils, it doesn't roll off the table as easily, and the rectangular lead allows for both thick and thin lines.
wood glue
The wood glue
Glue is an adhesive for wood. There are different types of glue for various applications; the most well-known is white glue. When gluing wood, the glue is applied to one or both sides, depending on the wood's absorbency. The clamping pressure is crucial for the strength of the glued joint. Therefore, the wood should be clamped together with a screw clamp.
measuring stick
The measuring stick
A ruler, also called a meter stick, is an important measuring tool. It unfolds and can be used to measure or mark lengths. They are available in wood and plastic in lengths of 1m, 2m, 3m, or 4m. In English-speaking countries, the measurements are divided into inches instead of centimeters, hence the name.
angle
The stop angle
Also known as a carpenter's square, it consists of a stop block and a prong. A carpenter's square is used to mark right angles. This is helpful when making perpendicular cuts. Carpenter's squares are also available as miter squares for 45° angles. Useful, for example, when building (picture) frames.
Plane
The plane
A plane is a device with a sharp blade that removes a thin strip of wood (similar to a vegetable peeler). Its uses can vary. A plane can be used to smooth a wooden surface or chamfer an edge. The plane is the classic symbolic tool of woodworking.
nail drill
The nail drill
A pilot drill is a small, handy drill bit made of turned steel. It comes in many different sizes and is suitable for pre-drilling small holes in soft wood, for example, to aid in the insertion of screws or nails. Many people also know these drill bits as chestnut drill bits.