Can You Match the Tool to the Job It's Used For?

Jody Mabry

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Have you ever used a wrench to hammer a nail into a piece of wood? Or clamped down on pliers to turn a screw into a wall? Using the wrong tool for a job contributes to millions of injuries a year, from a scratch or a small cut, to loss of limb, to very severe injuries indeed. From slips to trips to falls, using the wrong tool for the job can be an expensive and extremely painful mistake. 

Do you know which tool is the right tool for the job? Are you a plumber? A woodworker? An electrician or a gardener? If so, some of these tools may be familiar, and some, you'll need to figure out what they do. Do you know who would use a coping saw? Would a woodworker or electrician use a chisel? Does a woodworker or a plumber use a router? How about a lathe, a vice, or an Allen key?

This quiz will challenge you to identify both common and specialized tools, and all you have to do is figure out if that tool would be used by a plumber, woodworker, electrician or gardener. Should you decide to take what you learn out into real life remember - always use the right tool for the job!

Which job would require this tool?

The Sliding T-bevel has a handle with a blade attached by a wing nut. The wing nut can be loosened to allow for the blade to rotate; once the blade is where you want it, just tighten the wing nut to secure the blade.

Which job would require this tool?

A pipe cutter (also written as pipecutter) is a hand tool used to cut pipes and tubing. Depending on the type of material that makes the pipe, a pipe cutter can produce a faster and cleaner cut than would be achieved with a hacksaw.

Which job would require this tool?

Good for working on any nuts and bolts of an automobile, the wrench set is a must-have for any mechanic. Wrenches typically come in both metric and standard sizes, to accommodate a multitude of vehicles.

Which job would require this tool?

Used primarily to toss hay around, the pitchfork has a long handle with several long spikes that grab material, like cut grass or hay. Watch your toes when stabbing this baby toward the ground.

Which job would require this tool?

The weed whacker is a great tool for cutting down grass or brush, especially in hard-to-reach places or steep hills that mowers cannot access. Generally gas powered, the spinning head has a tough string that cuts weeds, brush and grass efficiently.

Which job would require this tool?

What is the coping saw useful for? Use it for cutting curves in wood; its thin blade makes it easy to do so!

Which job would require this tool?

Toothed garden rakes are an aggressive style of rake, best for moving sand on the golf course or larger material like rocks. Not ideal for leaves, the toothed garden rake has a long handle and metal rake end.

Which job would require this tool?

Proper tire pressure is a must for road safety. A tire inflator is the best tool to make sure you have solid PSI for the road ahead. If you see a saggy tire, make sure to grab a tire inflator!

Which job would require this tool?

Remember you'll need a hammer or mallet to hit the chise! This tool is useful for shaping or cutting materials such as wood or metal. Did you know that 'chisel' is also another way to say cheated or swindled?

Which job would require this tool?

Use this gardening product when you want to enhance the growth of your plants, indoors or outdoors. With many different variations and strengths, fertilizer can make or break your garden’s production yields.

Which job would require this tool?

A plunger has a large rubber suction cup affixed to a wood handle. It is used to clean minor obstructions from plumbing traps. Common types of plungers are the sink plunger and the toilet plunger.

Which job would require this tool?

Need to remove a lug nut on your wheel? Have a rusty bolt that won’t break free? The impact wrench is the tool for you! Using this tool makes breaking loose nuts and bolts a breeze.

Which job would require this tool?

A plug is a type of pipe fitting with a projecting head and outer threading. Its basic use is to close the opening in another pipe fitting.

Which job would require this tool?

This hand-held tool is small enough to maneuver in one hand and is powered by a person rather than a motor. Why choose this over the larger, motorized planers? The block plane is great for fine planing; use it for those areas for which the motorized plane is too big.

Which job would require this tool?

This tiller consists of a long handle at one end and several rotating digging wheels or spikes that break apart the earth. Some versions may also have a fixed set of prongs that dig and a T-handle on the other end to twist the earth apart.

Which job would require this tool?

A ratchet is a tool used by every mechanic out there. Use a socket in conjunction with the ratchet head and take off any nut or bolt. A ratcheting head clicks and locks position to allow the user to keep turning bolts without taking the tool off the car, making the job more efficient.

Which job would require this tool?

An air compressor can be used for many shop tasks. Whether you are using the compressor to power your pneumatic tools or simply inflating your car tire pressure, the compressor is vital to shop life. A compressor essentially uses electricity to take air and pressurize it in a metal cylinder, harnessing its energy.

Which job would require this tool?

The orbit sander is named for the movements it makes -- small circles as it vibrates against, or sands, wood. Use this tool to make your wood super smooth.

Which job would require this tool?

Vise-Grip is the brand name of the first set of locking pliers ever invented (in 1924) and it has taken on generic use among tradesmen. Locking pliers are usually locked into position by use of a screw located in one handle.

Which job would require this tool?

Did you know one of the most common reasons for a flat tire is improper tire pressure? A tire pressure gauge is a good remedy for this situation. By taking an accurate measurement, the gauge can help you get your tires to the proper PSI.

Which job would require this tool?

Have you ever wondered how wooden signs, cutting boards or decorative items get those straight, smooth lines and edges? The answer is with a router. Use this tool to route out letters, designs and more in wood.

Which job would require this tool?

A hose is a great tool for getting precious water to your plants. Coming in variable lengths, it can also be used for clean-up jobs or keeping your puppy entertained!

Which job would require this tool?

A PO wrench is used for removal of pop-up or pop-out (PO) plugs from the drain opening in a basin. The easily recognizable four-way shape means that the PO wrench can be used on a variety of strainer types.

Which job would require this tool?

The term “flat file” is used to distinguish it from other types of files, including round, square and triangle files. Flat files may be single-cut, but most tend to be double-cut with a diamond pattern.

Which job would require this tool?

This tool is great for recycling everyday items into usable plant food. The compost bin is an ideal way to let science take its natural course and recycle food waste into fertilizer.

Which job would require this tool?

Never leave home without your jump starter! With a battery pack to power the unit, a jump starter can keep you from getting stranded. Be careful not to strain your back when picking it up - these babies can be a little heavy!

Which job would require this tool?

This steel chisel has a tempered edge and is used for cutting cold steel. The common types of cold chisel are the flat, cross cut, round nose and diamond point chisels.

Which job would require this tool?

What is this tool capable of? The answer to that is arguably endless, so here are a just few things at which the combination square performs well. Use it to lay out joinery, set heights for bits and align your table saw.

Which job would require this tool?

Torx is a newer edition to the head of a bolt or screw. Featuring a star shaped head, the Torx wrench set is handy to have around. Some vehicles, like Saab, have many Torx head bolts that require a Torx wrench to work on them.

Which job would require this tool?

The lawnmower is certainly the best tool for managing the length of the grass in your yard, ball field or farm. Generally gas powered, the lawnmower can be a simple single blade that you walk behind or a set of multiple spinning cutting blades that the user rides atop of.

Which job would require this tool?

Caulking is a resilient silicone-based or rubber-based sealant compound. It is used to prevent entry of water and air. The process of applying caulking is also called caulking and is typically done with a hand or power tool (a caulking gun) that pushes out the sealant through a nozzle.

Which job would require this tool?

This is similar to the file tool; the main difference being that the rasp is more coarse. Use it for the same function - to shape wood.

Which job would require this tool?

Just like a nail file, the woodworking file is used to smooth or remove small, unwanted pieces of wood. It's not suggested to interchange the nail file and woodworking file though!

Which job would require this tool?

Used to water plants in a larger area or garden, a sprinkler connects to the hose and shoots streams of water out and up to cover the area in need of a drink.

Which job would require this tool?

A machinist vise is a great tool for firmly gripping material or parts when modifying or fixing things. The metal jaws are expandable to fit different sizes of material.

Which job would require this tool?

This tool is often referred to as a washer and gasket cutter. It is used to create washers and gaskets out of soft materials, such as copper, cork, fiber, graphite, leather and rubber.

Which job would require this tool?

The trench shovel has a skinnier, sharper point than the traditional shovel. This blade shape aids the user in “trenching” or ditch digging, by allowing the shovel to operate well below the surface of the soil.

Which job would require this tool?

Moisture meters are particularly useful for checking for mold in walls, floors, etc. Put one of these tools up to a suspect surface, and it will tell you how much moisture is in the wood. You're on your way to conquering that nasty mold!

Which job would require this tool?

Ever strip out an old rusty bolt and wonder what to do next? The rethreading set is the tool for you! Composed of hardened steel, the rethreading set is able to make new threads from the existing, damaged material. A must-have tool for the serious mechanic.

Which job would require this tool?

Pipe extractors make it easy for you to remove broken threaded ends of pipe and pipe plugs. There are times when the fitting to be extracted has a solid end and must be drilled in order to accommodate the pipe extractor.

Which job would require this tool?

Every auto mechanic has a jack. Generally hydraulic powered, the jack is used for getting a car off of the ground so someone can service it from underneath. Jacks come in many different load capacities, so make sure you have the right one for your application!

Which job would require this tool?

Have you ever wondered what's the liquid inside a level? Usually, it's ethanol. How does that bubble form? A partial amount of ethanol is put inside, which forms the bubble that's used to check if a surface is level.

Which job would require this tool?

Despite its name, this tool is not blown away easily like a feather. It's actually used as a safety precaution; it attaches to the side of the table being worked on and keeps dangerous tools, such as saws, in place.

Which job would require this tool?

A torch head can be a very useful tool for a plumber to have. Two common types are the welding torch head and the cutting torch head.

Which job would require this tool?

The scoop is good for moving dirt, small rock or scooping your litter box! Use this tool in the garden to plant bulbs as well.

Which job would require this tool?

To get under a car or truck safely, a jack stand is a great tool. Cinder blocks are not going to provide you with the structural support of a jack stand. Stands are made of steel and can adjust to different heights to accommodate a multitude of vehicles.

Which job would require this tool?

The pry bar comes in many different sizes. Large pry bars are great for trucks or semis, while small pry bars can be useful in smaller cars or hard-to-reach places. Use this tool to pry things apart or for rough body work.

Which job would require this tool?

Why is this tool called a horse? It looks like a horse, without the head and tail. This tool is a beam supported by two legs in the front and two in the back. Set a board on it while you're sawing or making cuts on the wood.

Which job would require this tool?

The primary tool to move material from point A to point B, the wheelbarrow consists of a wheel and axle, a big bucket and two handles. The wheelbarrow is an entirely necessary tool for a large garden.

Which job would require this tool?

PEX crimpers work by compressing a copper ring around PEX tubing and fitting. There is also a de-crimping tool to easily remove the copper crimp ring without damaging the fitting.

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