1. (a) Identify and outline sub-sub-strands:
   • Identification of hand tools and equipment
   • Classification of hand tools
   • Safe use of hand tools and equipment
   • Care and maintenance of hand tools
   • Importance of correct tool use
2. (b) Identify different types of hand tools and equipment in the workshop
3. (c) Classify different hand tools in the wood workshop
4. (d) Demonstrate safe use of hand tools and equipment in the wood workshop
5. (e) Care for and maintain hand tools during and after use in the wood workshop
6. (f) Appreciate the importance of using the correct hand tools and equipment for a given task

Overview

Hand tools are the basic instruments of woodwork. In Kenyan workshops — schools, small carpentry shops or home workshops — knowing the name, purpose, correct use and care of these tools keeps you safe, improves work quality and helps tools last longer.

Identification — Common hand tools & equipment

Below are common tools you will meet in workshops around Kenya (from small school workshops to local carpentry shops):

• Measuring & marking: tape measure, steel rule, try square, combination square, marking gauge, pencil/scriber
• Cutting & sawing: handsaw (panel/tenon), dovetail/coping saw, tenon saw, backsaw
• Shaping & smoothing: bench plane (jack, smoothing), block plane, spokeshave, rasps, files, sanding block
• Chisels & mallets: woodworking chisels (firmer, bevel edge), timber mallet
• Fastening & striking: claw hammer, cross-peen hammer, mallet
• Drilling & boring (hand): gimlet, brace & bit, hand drill/spiral bit
• Holding & clamping: G-clamp (C-clamp), sash clamp, handscrew clamp, bench vice
• Sharpening & finishing: sharpening stone (oil/diamond), strop, oil can, sandpaper
• Workshop equipment: workbench, tool chest/pegboard, sharpening station, first-aid kit, PPE (safety goggles, dust masks)

Classification of hand tools

Tools can be grouped by their main function — helps students decide which tool for a job:

• Measuring & marking tools — tape, rule, square, gauge
• Cutting tools — saws, chisels, knives
• Shaping & smoothing tools — planes, rasps, files, sanders
• Holding tools — clamps, bench vice
• Fastening & striking tools — hammers, mallets
• Boring tools — braces, gimlets, hand-drills
• Maintenance tools — sharpening stones, oilers, brushes

Safe use of hand tools & equipment

Safety is vital. Follow these rules every time you work:

• Wear appropriate PPE: safety goggles, closed shoes, dust mask when sanding, ear protection if equipment is noisy.
• Inspect tools before use: no cracked handles, loose heads or badly nicked blades.
• Keep work secured: use a vice or clamps — never hold small pieces with your free hand while cutting.
• Cut away from your body, and keep fingers behind the blade edge or chisel cutting edge.
• Use the right tool for the job — a tool used incorrectly can cause accidents.
• Keep the work area clean and dry — remove off-cuts and sawdust regularly to avoid slipping and fire risk.
• Store sharp tools sheathed or blade-down in a bench or rack to avoid accidental cuts.
• Pass tools handle-first when handing to someone, and never throw tools.

Care and maintenance

Routine care keeps tools sharp, safe and useful. Simple daily and weekly tasks:

• Clean tools after use — remove dust and pitch with brush or rag.
• Dry metal parts, then apply thin film of oil (machine oil or light standard oil) to prevent rust.
• Sharpen cutting tools regularly: chisels and plane irons on sharpening stones; saws are kept sharp and set.
• Tighten loose handles and screws immediately; replace cracked handles rather than using them.
• Store tools on pegboards, in tool chests, or on racks — keep cutting edges covered.
• Apply linseed oil (or a finishing oil) to wooden handles to prevent drying and cracking.
• Label or mark tools in school workshops so ownership and accountability are clear.

Simple maintenance checklist (daily):

• Wipe blades and handles — remove moisture and residues.
• Stow tools in their place — no tools left on the bench overnight.
• Report any damaged tool to the instructor for repair or replacement.

Why correct tool use matters

• Safety: Using the correct tool reduces risk of injury.
• Quality: Right tools produce straighter cuts, stronger joints and better finishes.
• Efficiency: Saves time — the correct tool completes the job faster.
• Cost savings: Less waste, fewer broken tools and longer tool life.
• Skill development: Correct tool use builds good habits for future technical work or employment in Kenyan carpentry.

Suggested learning experiences (practical, age 15)

Use these classroom and workshop activities to meet the outcomes:

1. Tool identification station: Place common tools on benches with labels. Students rotate in small groups to name, describe use and safety notes for each tool.
2. Classification sorting: Card activity — students sort tool cards into groups: measuring, cutting, holding, shaping, fastening, boring.
3. Teacher demonstration: Show correct grip, stance and cutting direction for saws, chisels and planes. Emphasise clamping and bench position.
4. Guided practice: Students make a simple project (e.g., a small birdhouse or stool seat) using only hand tools. Instructor checks tool choice and safety before each task.
5. Maintenance station: Practice sharpening a chisel on a stone, oiling a plane iron and cleaning clamps. Rotate students through tasks.
6. Safety checklist role-play: Pairs inspect each other using a published checklist and report hazards to the teacher.
7. Assessment: Practical test — identify 8 tools, classify each, demonstrate sawing and chiselling safely, and show basic sharpening/oiling steps.

Teacher tips & Kenyan context

• Use locally available timber (pine, cypress or common hardwoods) so students see real workshop materials.
• Encourage students to learn tool names in both English and Kiswahili if helpful (e.g., hammer = nyundo, saw = nzia/uke).
• Demonstrate low-cost maintenance options: paraffin or cooking oil for short-term rust prevention (teach correct choice and safety).
• Invite a local carpenter to talk about everyday tool care and employment skills.

Quick reference — Checklists

Assessment ideas

• Practical task (70%): Plan, choose correct tools, prepare and complete a small joinery item using hand tools and demonstrate safe work habits.
• Oral/written quiz (30%): Identify tools, classify them, explain maintenance and safety rules.