Hand tools are easy and safe to use when they are used properly. Please inform yourself about safe use of hand tools by reading ahead, and by consulting with your teacher or mentor. Below, we describe some commonly used hand tools and some dangerous situations that can result if they are not used properly.
1	Safety Glasses
	Safety glasses, the most important safety aid, are inexpensive, and available at any hardware store, or from your shop teacher.
2	Hot Glue Gun
	Very useful for quickly fastening different materials together with a reasonably strong bond, hot glue guns can cause minor burns if the gun nozzle or hot glue touches the skin. Store tools safely. Unplug electrical tools when not in use for a long period of time.
3	Soldering Iron
	Useful for making electrical connections. Soldering irons can cause minor burns if the soldering tip, or hot solder, touches the skin. Wear safety glasses to protect against hot solder. Store tools safely. Unplug electrical tools when not in use.
4	Electric Hand Drill
	Hand drills are useful for placing holes in materials, and might be used in the fabrication of wheels, for example. Wear safety glasses. If too much force is applied, drill bits can break, launching fragments into the air. Material removed by the drill bit can also become airborne. Students using hand drills should work a safe distance from students that are not wearing safety glasses. Clamp work securely. A spinning drill bit can grab the workpiece and yank it around if it is not properly clamped in place, resulting in hand injuries, especially if the workpiece has sharp edges. A small vice or clamp is used for this purpose. Note what is underneath the piece being drilled. Be sure that the drilling is done into a secure block of scrap wood or into clear space. Store tools safely. Unplug electrical tools when not in use.
5	Hacksaws & Jigsaws
	Hacksaws & jigsaws are useful for cutting a variety of materials. Wear safety glasses. Removed material could become airborne. Clamp work securely. This removes any inclination to hold the workpiece near the cutting zone, and allows better control of the tool. A small vice or clamp is used for this purpose. Note what is underneath the piece being cut. Be sure that the cutting is done into a clear space. Keep hands away from the cutting zone. The blade can jump and cause minor hand injuries. Store tools safely. Unplug electrical tools when not in use.
6	Wire Clippers
	These tools are useful for cutting wire and thin shafts. If both sides of the piece are not securely held, they may shoot out. Wear safety glasses. The material could become airborne. Clamp work securely. Clamping one or both ends of the material being cut with a pair of pliers or clamp reduces the chance of a piece becoming airborne. Orient the tool so that any loose piece is aimed at the floor.
7	Utility or "Exacto" Knives
	Useful for cutting cardboard, foam, balsa wood etc. Wear safety glasses. A blade could break and fly upwards. Cut away from yourself. Do not direct the blade toward any part of your body or other hand as a simple slip can cause a minor cut. Store tools safely. Avoid leaing exposed blades on table surfaces. Use a handle with a retractable blade if possible.

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