Shop Information Practice Set 1
Answers and Explanations
- A
The tightest connection can be achieved by applying the most torque to the bolt. Since torque is the product of force and the length of the lever arm, a long-handled wrench would apply more torque to the bolt than a short-handled wrench if the same force were applied. Although a heavy wrench might be a long wrench, the weight of the wrench is not a factor. Reticulated, meaning resembling a network, is not applicable.
- C
A castellated nut has holes or slots in its sides. When it is threaded onto a bolt or stud that also has a hole through it and the holes (or slots) are lined up, a cotter pin can be inserted to lock the nut in place.
- D
When large-diameter objects must be gripped or twisted, a technician would use adjustable joint pliers to get the job done. These are adjustable over a large range of sizes, as they have multiple “arc-joints” that the pliers can be set into. The handles are also very long, which gives very good leverage and makes for maximum gripping power. These pliers are also commonly known as water pump pliers or Channellock pliers. Since choice (D) allows for the tools in both choices (A) and (C), it is the correct answer.
- C
The box end of a combination wrench is typically used to apply maximum torque, while the open end is used to turn the fastener more quickly.
- B
When installing a new hacksaw blade, orient it so the teeth point away from the handle. This makes the hacksaw cut on the forward stroke and also makes it easy to pull the saw back in order to begin the next forward stroke.
- C
One important measurement of a fastener is the length. The length of the bolt is the distance between the underside of the bolt head and the end of the bolt. Note that the bolt head does not count toward the length of the bolt. Therefore, the best answer is (C).
- D
The two basic types of wrenches—the open end and the box end—are both acceptable for loosening a hexagonal bolt. The open-end wrench is easy to slide on and off a fastener. The downside to the open-end wrench is that it only makes contact with two sides of a six-sided (hex) bolt head. The box-end wraps completely around the head of a bolt, and therefore makes greater surface contact. Box-end wrenches normally come in a 12-point configuration, but some are made as 6-point. Used with a ratchet, the correct size socket is a good choice for loosening fasteners such as hexagonal bolts. A Torx screwdriver, despite its name, generally does not exert as much torque as a wrench; it also requires a bolt that is specially configured to match its shape.
- D
The tool shown is a soldering gun. It is used for soldering electrical connections.
- C
If two pieces to be joined by soldering are large, it may pay to tin the surfaces before attempting to join them. Heating the surfaces gently while applying flux to them, and then adding solder once the flux has thoroughly cleaned the material will accomplish this. Since soldering is the process involved, the correct answer is (C).
- C
The Robertson screwdriver grips the fastener better than a flat tip screwdriver, so the screw is much easier to remove and install.
- B
Whenever you see the words “force” and “wrench” in the same sentence, you should immediately think about torque, (B). You can think of torque as twisting motion, which is exactly what allows a fastener to be tightened or loosened. Don’t get torque confused with tension, (C), which instead is a pulling force associated with a weight on a string or wire.
Shop Information Practice Set 2
Answers and Explanations
- C
The box-end wrench is closed, which allows for more surface area contact of the wrench with the fastener, compared to the contact offered by the open-end and adjustable wrenches; therefore, answer choices (A) and (B) are incorrect. Allen wrenches are typically intended for low-torque applications; therefore, answer choice (D) is also incorrect.
- D
The size of a socket for a given bolt head is determined by the distance between two parallel sides of the bolt head.
- B
This is a good question to make a prediction if you know what a chisel is, or otherwise eliminate wrong answer choices that describe some other type of tool. Choice (A) describes a tool like a screwdriver or a hammer that can install fasteners, so that is not the correct answer. Choice (C) describes a plane, which is used to smooth or reduce the thickness of a piece of wood by shaving off a layer. Choice (D) describes a saw, so that is not the correct answer either. Choice (B) perfectly describes a chisel, so that is the correct answer.
- A
A ball-peen hammer has one main benefit: it generally has a stronger head made of steel. This matches choice (A). Choice (B) more closely describes a mallet, certainly not a steel hammer, and choice (C) describes a benefit of a claw hammer, so that is the opposite of what you’re looking for. Finally, it makes little sense to talk about (D) leverage when discussing striking tools.
- B
If a wrench is just slightly too small, you will want to try the next size larger. In this case,
" is the next size up. This is the wrench you would want to try next, so choice (B) is the correct answer. - A
The hole saw rotates about its shaft and the saw teeth cut a circular hole perpendicular to the shaft. A router, (B), has a single blade that is typically used to cut a channel or to shape material. Borer, (C), is a generic term that applies to a variety of tools that can produce holes. Similarly, smoother, (D), is a catch-all term, and the hole saw shown would not help to smooth anything.
- C
A coping saw has a thin blade that can be rotated within its frame in order to make fine curving cuts. The hacksaw, (A), though similar in appearance to a coping saw, has a thicker fixed blade and is typically used for cutting metal. Each of the crosscut saw, (B), and rip saw, (D), has a large, fixed blade. The crosscut saw is used to cut across the grain of wood, while the rip saw is used to cut with the grain of wood.
- A
Since a vise is affixed to a workstation, that tool would hold the metal stationary while Dirk is cutting and both of his hands would be free. A C-clamp, (B), is better suited for holding two pieces of material together, as would be required to attach one to the other. A miter box, (C), is typically used with a back saw to make cuts at specific angles. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for Dirk to hold the metal stationary with adjustable joint pliers, (D).
- D
The protrusions on retaining rings (also called snap rings) fit into grooves so that they prevent a cylindrical shaft from sliding out of position. Retaining rings do not connect pieces, nor are they ordinarily used with odd shapes, so (A) is incorrect. They do not provide any type of seal, so (B) is incorrect. Suspending a gear with no shaft, (C), seems to be a useless function.
- B
Cubit, (A), is a measurement of length. While body, (C), and span, (D), may seem to be logical answers, the proper term is shank.
- A
Turning the thimble moves the spindle into contact with the object being measured. While the thimble is also used to read the measurement, it has nothing to do with keeping the graduations clean. There is no need to “balance” a micrometer to use it. The sleeve surrounds the spindle and does not move.