8: Power Tools

miter saw

A circular saw mounted on a pivot that is attached to a stabilizing frame or table.

ground fault circuit interpreter (GFCI)

A device that monitors the electric current flow along the hot and neutral wires of a circuit and interrupts electricity to the circuit if there is a difference between these current values.

floor jack

A device that uses a horizontally mounted bottle jack that pushes against a lever to lift the saddle arm and platform vertically.

battery charger

A device that uses standard 120-volt AC current to fully charge a battery in 1 to 16 hours.

jig saw

A handheld saw that uses a reciprocating blade action. It is used to make precise, often curved cuts in wood, metal, plastics, and other building materials.

radial arm saw

A heavy-duty circular saw mounted to a rotating, tilting, yoke-like frame that slides below a horizontal support arm. Ideally suited for use as a cut-off saw.

drill press

A large, variable- speed power drill mounted to a vertical stabilizing shaft with an adjustable table for securing workpieces. (

sander

A machine that uses abrasives to smooth rough wood surfaces and to remove small amounts of a wood surface.

cribbing

A method of using stacked timbers in a crisscross pattern to support a heavy load.

shields

A part attached to a machine to protect the user from moving parts and flying particles.

nail gun

A pneumatic tool that drives a sharp spike into wood and similar materials with a single power stroke.

router

A portable woodworking tool consisting of a powerful electric motor, a rotary cutting tool, and an adjustable base plate to control cutting depth.

lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery

A power source for cordless power tools that delivers uniform speed and torque down to about 20% of a full charge.

nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery

A rechargeable battery that is very sensitive to improper charging methods and storage conditions.

hook tooth configuration

A saw blade type that uses an aggressive 10° positive rake angle to make fast cuts.

skip tooth configuration

A saw blade type used for wood, plastics, and soft metals because the extended gullet allows more room for chips to clear from the kerf.

band saw

A saw that uses a continuous belt-like metal blade that is driven around at least two pulleys to cut material.

jack stand

A stand with adjustable height, used to support a vehicle that has been raised by a jack.

table saw

A stationary or semi- portable version of a circular saw that is ideal for ripping lumber into narrower boards and for making cuts in plywood.

jointer

A stationary tool that uses rotating blades to straighten and finish the edges of lumber for applications where boards are fitted side by side

Morse taper

A tapered shank that holds a drill bit entirely by the friction between the shank and the tapered socket.

impact driver

A tool that combines the torque of a power drill with an impact mechanism much like a hammer drill.

hammer drill

A tool that resembles a conventional power drill but has a stronger driving force. It is useful for drilling holes in hard materials such as concrete, masonry, and rock.

charge memory effect

Adverse result from charging certain battery types before they are completely discharged, which causes only a portion of the battery to accept charge

cordless power tool

Battery- operated tool that commonly uses between 9.6 volts-36 volts DC power.

hollow ground blades

Blades in which the tips of the teeth are thicker than the body of the blade, resulting in the removal of less material and reduced waste.

crosscutting

Cutting across the grain of lumber.

ripping

Cutting with the grain.

kickback

Event that can occur when a power tool sticks or binds momentarily in the work. The interruption can cause the tool to suddenly jump backward out of the work and toward the operator.

chuck key

Geared tool used to tighten and loosen the hold on the bit.

reciprocating saw

Handheld demolition tool that operates by mechanically moving a blade in a fast back-and-forth motion.

portable power drills

Handheld tools intended primarily for boring holes in wood, metals, and other common construction materials.

grinder

Machine that uses high- speed rotation and an abrasive to smooth and shape metal.

machine guard

Part attached to a machine to protect the user from moving parts and flying particles.

die grinder

Pneumatic tool used for finish work on small parts and for shaping surfaces with intricate contours that fit closely with other parts.

circular saw

Portable power saw with a round blade.

oscillating multi-tools

Portable power tools designed with a mechanism that rapidly vibrates a blade or other attachment back and forth in a narrow arc

bimetal blade

Reciprocating saw blade that combines the toughness of carbon steel with the hardness of HSS.

swarf

Sharp-edged waste material created by the action of drill bits boring into metal.

abrasives

Small, sharp-edged particles bound to certain consumable power tool attachments that are used for the removal of material.

brad nailer

Smaller versions of nail guns that drive very small fasteners for fine trim work.

hydraulic press

Sturdily framed machine that uses a hydraulic cylinder to apply pressure to objects for a variety of purposes.

grounded

Term that refers to a power tool that uses 120-volt AC power and has three separate conductors included in the power cord.

bit

The biting or cutting edge or part of a tool.

blade set

The difference between the overall width of a saw blade's teeth and the thickness of the blade material

rake angle

The number of degrees off perpendicular to the back of the blade each tooth in a band saw blade is angled.

nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery

The oldest type of rechargeable battery used in cordless power tools. Easily deteriorates when not charged and discharged properly.

chuck

The part of a drill that holds the bit in place.

lodging

The result of soft metal particles building up as deposits in the surface of an abrasive attachment.

gullet

The space between saw teeth that allows for waste removal.

flutes

The spiral hollows formed in drill bits to assist in the removal of waste material or the cutting edges of router bits.

planer

Tool used to shave layers of wood from lumber to smooth surfaces, remove saw marks, or adjust the thickness.

stationary power tools

Tools constructed with relatively heavy bases intended to stabilize the machine during operation.

portable power tools

Tools that are traditionally powered through an electric power cord plugged into standard 120-volt AC current. Larger tools may require 240-volt AC current. Some tools are powered by direct current (DC) power sources.

double-insulated

Tools that have plastic housing parts wherever a user normally touches the machine. The electric current is isolated from any exposed metal parts.

impact socket

Tools that look similar to sockets attached to ratchet handles but are made of much stronger steel to withstand the hammering effect of an impact driver.

bottle jack

Vertical cylinder with a piston or ram that is driven upward by the application of hydraulic force.