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Which Are The Best Steel Hand Tools?

Which are the best steel hand tools?

Range of different tools manufactured using tool steel.

When looking for certain tools to carry out certain jobs around the house, choosing the right tool is essential. There are so many different tools for so many specific applications. One type of tool may need different strengths or characteristics from another.

 

This is why there is a vast array of different metal compositions, to ensure that a metal used for a specific application suits that application, ideally, without fail.

Assessing the quality of a tool can be difficult when choosing between different types and brands. The use of high quality materials will ensure reliability and durability. The weight of the tool can be an indication of the thickness of grade of material that has been used to make it – a heavier tool should be of a better quality than a similar, lighter tool. 

Pliers use tool steel in the build with added comfortable grips.

Sturdy handles with comfortable grips and a good overall finish also indicate a well built tool. Price may also be a good indication of quality. Cheap tools don’t often last long as they are often made from lower grade steel. More expensive tools are designed for regular use by trades persons as they are made from good, quality grade, certified steels.

Tools quality guarantee are important.

The level of guarantee may also be an indication of quality. A manufacturer will not guarantee a tool longer than it is expected to last.

What are the best quality steel tools?

Titanium steel can be added due to it being tough yet lightweight.

Quality grade steels used for tooling are: mid to high alloy carbon steel (with carbon content of over 0.5%) and tool steels (hardened high carbon steels).

 

Better grade, harder and more durable tool steels have added molybdenum, chromium, vanadium, manganese, nickel, titanium and/or tungsten content so look out for tools with reference to these.

Quality tools (tools which function well with regular use) are usually labelled as follows;

 

High grade steel

Fine rolled steel

Drop forged steel

Roll forged steel

Industrial grade steel

Heavy gauge metal

Case hardened steel

Forged alloy steel

Good, durable, high quality tools for frequent, heavy duty use, will be made from the following certified steel alloys;

 

High carbon alloy

High carbon tool alloy

Chrome-vanadium

High carbon stainless (also called chrome carbon steel)

Stainless steel (high chromium)

Low density titanium

Tools made of these steels are tough and have extreme wearability

Titaniun

Tungsten

Nickel tungsten

Tungsten carbide

High alloy boron steel

High carbon, high manganese steel

 

Tools made from these types of steels are very tough, hard and have very good wearability and can potentially last a lifetime if used correctly.

High speed steel has increased resistance.

A steel known as HSS (high speed steel – an increased wear resistant and hot hardness tool steel) is used for making cutting tools, so choose these when purchasing tools such as chisels, knife blades, hand plane blades, drills, taps, files, milling cutters, tool bits, gear cutters, saw blades, etc. If you want good quality kitchen knives or a pocket knife, then HSS will be a good choice.

Even better quality cutting wheels have tungsten carbide tips applied to the wheels’ cutting edges. As tungsten carbide is extremely hard wearing, it retains its cutting edge a lot longer than HSS.

 

These type of cutting wheels tend to be more expensive but should last far longer thereby giving you much more value for money.

What are low quality hand tools?

Low grade steel (such as mild steel). Element content; carbon 0.2% maximum, manganese 0.5% maximum, iron 99.3% (to include traces of phosphorus and sulphur).

 

Tools are not generally made from this steel as they don’t tend to last very long if used regularly. These types of steels are the cheapest of the carbon steels. They basically contain iron and carbon with small traces of other elements such as manganese.

 

Their carbon content is less than 0.2%. This grade of steel cannot be hardened through heat-treating which leaves the steel more ductile (softer). It has a vast array of uses as explained earlier, but quality tools cannot be made out of this material.

Spanners made of low quality steel leads to damage such as rounded edges after use.

A spanner made of soft, low grade steel wouldn’t last long even if used sparingly. The spanners would ’round’ off and potentially damage the nuts and bolt heads you are trying to undo or tighten.

 

For more information, see the page: What are the different types of steel?

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