A claw hammer is a tool primarily used for pounding nails into, or extracting nails from, another object. A classic claw hammer has a leather-wrapped handle.

As the saying goes, "measure twice and cut once!" Every shop student, carpenter and engineer alike should use a tape measure for accurate measurements!

A good utility knife is a necessary tool for any woodworker. There are many different kinds, but the kind that uses disposable blades is the most common.

Moisture meters are used to measure the percentage of water in a given substance. Did you know that newly-cut logs can have a moisture content of 80% or more?

Chiseling involves forcing the blade of the chisel into some material to cut it. The driving force may be applied by hand, or by using a mallet or hammer.

Every woodworker needs a good level or two! Did you know that level means horizontal, while plumb refers to the vertical level? A good level will have both!

A screwdriver is classified by its tip, which is shaped to fit the driving surfaces on the corresponding screw head. Two of the most common screwdrivers are the blade type for slotted screws and Phillips for cross-recess types.

A sliding T bevel can also be called a bevel gauge or false square. It is an adjustable gauge for setting and transferring angles, and the handle is usually made of wood or plastic.

A block plane is a small woodworking hand plane which typically has the blade bedded at a lower angle than other planes, with the bevel up. It is designed to cut end grain and is typically small enough to be used with one hand.

A caliper is used to measure the distance between two opposite sides of an object. It is used not only in woodworking, but also in mechanical engineering, metalworking, forestry, science and medicine!

Clamps are vital to any woodworking project. They come in C-clamps, F-clamps and even K-clamps. Shop class teachers will tell you that you can never have too many clamps!

Hand saws are also known as panel saws or fish saws. The hand saw may have rip teeth or cross-cut teeth.

A featherboard is a safety device used when working with stationary routers or power saws, such as table saws or bandsaws. Its purpose is to apply pressure against a workpiece, keeping it flat against a machine table or fence.

Metal detectors are essential for woodworkers. They help keep metal away from cutting surfaces. Always check before ruining your blades, bits and knives!

A sawhorse is a beam with four legs used to support a board or plank for sawing. Did you know it is also known as a mule and sometimes even a pony by some woodworkers?

A tool storage system is your own personal way of organizing your tools. Some people use a pegboard over their work bench. Some people leave their tool belts intact. It all depends on how they will best remember where everything is!

Mason jars and carpenters can be best friends! Carpenters often use them in their tool storage system to separate and easily locate nails, fasteners, screws and more!

A router is a hand or power tool that a worker uses to hollow out an area in relatively hard material like wood or plastic. Routers are primarily used when building cabinetry.

Ok, so it's not a "tool" per se, but it is an essential item to have in the shop! It is used to quickly and powerfully pick up sawdust or even small wood chippings before the mess gets everywhere, including into your eyes!

A bench grinder is a benchtop type of grinding machine used to drive abrasive wheels. Did you know this piece of equipment comes standard in metal fabrication shops and machine shops?

A circular saw is considered to be one of the most valuable tools in your shop. The circular saw was invented in the late 18th century and was in common use in sawmills in the United States by the middle of the 19th century.

Drills are not only found in shop class, they are also used for metalworking, construction and do-it-yourself projects! There are many varieties of power drills, including cordless drill, hammer drill and mill drill.

The sabre saw is a hand-held powered reciprocating saw. It is larger than a jigsaw, but similar in action. It uses a toothed blade to cut through wood and other soft materials.

Another name for a table saw is a sawbench. Current ones on the market are made by Delta, SawStop, Bosch, Makita, Ryobi and DeWalt.

A rip fence is an important part of a safe work environment when it comes to shop. A good rip fence protects the operator by ensuring that the wood being cut is lined up so the grain of the wood is ripped cleanly.

A miter gauge is a device used for holding workpieces at a set angle while being cut on table saws or band saws, or while being sanded on stationary disk sanders. The miter gauge and the workpiece are generally held together by hand and moved across the worktable while making the cut.

A dado refers to a groove cut in the face of a board, into which the edge of another board is then fixed. These are often used to affix the shelves of a bookcase.

A miter saw is used to make accurate crosscuts in a workpiece by pulling a large backsaw or a mounted circular saw blade down onto a board in a quick motion. These saws are also referred to as chop saws.

A bandsaw has a long, sharp blade consisting of a continuous band of toothed metal stretched between two or more wheels to cut material. Today they are all powered by electric motors, but that wasn't always the case.

Did you know that the radial arm saw was invented by Raymond DeWalt in 1922? It was the primary tool used for cutting long pieces of stock to length until the introduction of the power miter saw in the 1970s.

A drill press is also known as a pedestal drill, pillar drill or bench drill. These can be found mounted on a stand or bolted to the floor or workbench.

Generally all planes are used to flatten, reduce the thickness of, and impart a smooth surface to a rough piece of lumber or timber. There are special types of planes that are designed to cut joints or even decorative moldings!

Did you know that the jointer derives its name from its primary function of producing flat edges on boards, prior to joining them edge-to-edge to produce wider boards? Also, be mindful when traveling - "planer" is the normal term in the United Kingdom and Australia for what is called a "jointer" in North America!

While there are many different types of mallets, wooden ones are used primarily in carpentry. Its purpose is to knock wooden pieces together or to drive dowels or chisels. Also, a wooden mallet will not damage a metal tool when striking!

It is important to observe all safety rules when participating in shop class or any other form of carpentry. Safety goggles will protect your eyes against foreign objects such as sawdust, wood chips or other accidents.

A modern bow saw is a metal-framed crosscut saw in the shape of a bow with a coarse wide blade. It is also known as a Swede saw, Finn saw or buck saw.

A coping saw is a type of bow saw. It is used to cut intricate shapes along the outside of a workpiece, as well as to create interior cutouts. It was most likely invented in the middle of the 16th century.

Do not be confused - an air compressor is NOT an air pump. An air pump does not contain an air tank for storing pressurized air and it is generally much slower, quieter and less expensive than an air compressor!

Operating a power tool such as a saw or striking a chisel with a mallet in the dark is strictly ill-advised! Make sure to always have a bright work light to help you see and stay safe!

There are many different kinds of vises - for engineers, machines, vacuums, etc. When it comes to woodworking, a woodworking vise is attached to a workbench and is usually flush with its work surface.

Lineman's pliers are a type of pliers used by linemen and other tradesmen primarily for gripping, twisting, bending and cutting wire and cable. They have a gripping joint at their snub nose and cutting edge in their craw.