Hand tools and workshop processes

Choosing the right tool is half the job. Here are the tools you will use most in the workshop.

Practise this lesson free (6 questions)

Marking out

Accurate making starts with accurate marking out.
Steel rule: measures in millimetres (mm). Designers measure in mm.
Try square: marks and checks lines at 90° to an edge.
Marking gauge: marks a line parallel to the edge of a piece of wood.
Scriber: scratches a fine line on metal or plastic. Centre punch: makes a small dent so a drill bit does not wander.

Cutting and shaping

Different saws do different jobs:
ToolUse
Tenon sawStraight cuts in wood
Coping sawCurves in wood and plastic
Hacksaw or junior hacksawCutting metal and plastic
FileSmoothing and shaping metal and plastic edges
Abrasive paperSmoothing surfaces before a finish
Pillar drillDrilling accurate holes

Holding and joining

Hold work firmly in a bench vice, or with a G-clamp. On the pillar drill, use a machine vice or clamp.
Wood can be joined with joints (such as butt, lap, dowel and mortise and tenon joints), glue (PVA for wood) or screws and nails.
Metal can be joined with nuts and bolts, rivets or welding. Acrylic can be joined with special acrylic cement.
Always check sizes with a rule: 'measure twice, cut once'.
Worked example

Sara needs to cut a curved shape out of a piece of plywood. Which saw should she use, and how should she hold the work?

  1. A tenon saw only cuts straight lines.
  2. A coping saw has a thin blade that can follow curves.
  3. The work should be held firmly in a bench vice or clamped down.

Answer: A coping saw, with the plywood held in a bench vice.

Key idea

Mark out with a steel rule, try square and marking gauge (wood) or scriber (metal). Tenon saws cut straight lines in wood, coping saws cut curves, hacksaws cut metal. Hold work in a vice or clamp.

Common mistakes
Quick check

Try two quick questions

See if it has sunk in. Answers are marked straight away.

Extra practice

2 more questions

Try each one, then tap to check.

  1. Which tool marks a line parallel to an edge of wood?

    1. Try square
    2. Coping saw
    3. File
    4. Marking gauge
    Show the answer

    Answer: Marking gauge

    A marking gauge scribes parallel lines.

  2. Why can a coping saw cut curves?

    1. Its thin blade can turn easily
    2. Its blade is thick and stiff
    3. It has a stiff back
    4. It only cuts metal
    Show the answer

    Answer: Its thin blade can turn easily

    Thin blades follow curves.

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Practise this lesson free (6 questions)All KS3 Design and Technology lessons

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Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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