How to Properly Use These 4 Tricky Hand Tools

Which four common hand tools can be difficult to use?

1. Screwdriver
2. Hammer
3. Power drill
4. Wrench

Different types of hand tools are essential in any home. From simple repairs to full-blown DIYs, a decent collection of hand tools should . Their overall purpose seems easy enough to manage—but using them can also seem difficult at times.

Thankfully, using these hand tools can be manageable at best, especially when it comes to those tools that are known for their difficulty in use. Want to know how to manage? Here are some of the best ways to properly use these seemingly difficult hand tools:

Screwdriver

Screwdrivers are very common and incredibly versatile. Almost every furniture and gadget requires screws to keep the parts together. They do come in varieties as there are many types of screws. For instance, flathead screwdrivers are best suited for traditional flathead screws, while Phillips-head screwdrivers are best for cross-slotted screws. Despite this, they can arguably be interchangable at times if you’re really desperate and are lacking the correct screwdriver.

The important thing when using a screwdriver is a firm grip and a bit of strength if you’re unscrewing something. A good little rhyme to keep in mind is ‘lefty loosey, righty tighty’ so you know you’re twisting the right way.

Hammer 

Like most tools, hammers serve a double purpose – placing the nail on a surface and taking it out. The blunt end of the hammer is for driving the nail through. Good aim is key here – it’s important not to swing the hammer too far back as this increases the chances of missing your mark! Start off by gently placing the hammer on the nail (keeping it in place with your other hand) then hit the nail firmly multiple times until it’s able to stick up on its own. Remove the hand keeping the nail in place and keep hammering until it’s all the way through. Again, a good grip on the tool is very important here.

When you need to pry a nail out of the surface, use the claw of the hammer. Drive the top of the nail in between of the claw and wiggle it about until you can pull the nail out.

Power Drill 

Sometimes you’ll need help from the more powerful tools. While noisy when in use and annoying for many, a power drill is extremely useful! It is used to make holes on various types of surfaces such as wood, metal, or plastic. It usually comes with several attachments so you’ll really get your bang for buck. It goes without saying that a power drill isn’t something you should skimp money on!

Mark the areas where you need to drill holes so once you reach for the power drill all you have to do is, well, keep drilling holes. A steady hand is important when driving the drill in to keep the hole straight until you reach your desired level of depth.

Always exercise caution when using a power drill, even if you’re an expert.

Wrenches 

For larger screws and pipes, the wrench is the tool to use. They also come in different sizes and shapes. To use the wrench, wedge the screw in between its claw and move the wrench to the right to tighten. Alternatively, if you wish to loosen up a screw for whatever purpose, simply rotate the wrench the other way around by moving it to the left to loosen the screw. Same as the screwdriver, just remember ‘lefty loosey, righty tighty’.

Key Takeaway

Don’t be intimidated by the looks of these handy tools. Just as long as you do your research, read instructions, and even ask a knowledgeable salesperson at the hardware store, using these tools will eventually come naturally to you.

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