The Most Common Tools Used in Construction

If you work in the construction industry, you will already know that a substantial tool collection is always necessary. If you are just starting out in the trade though, you might be wondering which tools are most commonly used. To that end, below we list a few of the tools that those in the construction industry use most often.

Hand Tools

Screwdrivers

Screwdrivers are used to drive screws into wood or plasterboard. They are also used for electronic devices. Within the construction industry, a range of sizes and types will be used. Most tradesmen will have a collection of both flat head and cross-head screwdrivers to suit screws of all sizes. Although electric screwdrivers are also available, there are occasions when manual screwdrivers are preferable because they can provide more control over screwing and unscrewing.

Hammers

A hammer can be used for a variety of purposes, but most commonly it is designed for pushing nails into wood. There is more than one type of hammer though, and some come with a metal head on one side and a claw feature on the other, which can be used for removing nails. Construction workers will often have a regular claw hammer along with a more heavy-duty mallet, or even a sledge hammer.

Handsaw

Manual saws are often a part of the construction worker’s toolkit. When cutting in tight spaces or when using on delicate materials, a handsaw is generally easier than a power saw. As with most other tools, there is a variety of handsaws available, including a hacksaw, crosscut saw, and dovetail saw.

Wrenches

Wrenches are designed for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts. They can also be used to grip things like pipes and pipe fittings. Wrenches are available with open ends or rings. Some will come with an open head on one end and a ring on the other and they are available in various sizes. Nevertheless, you can buy an adjustable wrench that can be fitted to the required size.

Tape Measure

A tape measure is an essential tool in the construction industry as it ensures accurate measurements. Tape measures are available in various lengths and typically come with a lock mechanism that keeps it in place when extended.

Chisels

Chisels are used by carpenters to get rid of bumps in wood, but they can also be useful in doing the same with concrete. A chisel is also used for breaking up materials such as stone or concrete.

Power Tools

Saws

There are many types of power saws available today, and these are designed to cut through not only wood but also metal, plastic, stone, tile, and even concrete. According to the folk at Devour Tools, diamond blades are the best choice for cutting the hardest materials.

Drills

Power drills are available as either corded or cordless versions and are designed to drill holes into various materials. Drills are common in many construction trades, including carpentry and plumbing, because of how versatile they are.

Sanders

Although it is possible to sand wood by hand, for those in the carpentry trade an electric sander is ideal. It can make the job of sanding large areas much quicker.

Conclusion

Those who work in construction will typically have a large and diverse collection of tools at their disposal to make their jobs both quicker and easier. A variety of hand and power tools will mean that any job can be quickly completed and finished to a high standard. The most common tools include saws, hammers, screwdrivers, tape measures, and drills but there are many other tools that can prove useful too.