ASVAB Practice Test Shop Tools and Practices Summary

A micrometer clamps a part between a fixed anvil and a turning spindle. Its scale can be read to one thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch) or finer, so it is used for precise work.

Wrong choices

• (A) Plumb bob: A plumb bob shows a true vertical line; it does not measure thickness.
• (B) Tape measure: A tape measure is for longer lengths and is not precise to thousandths of an inch.
• (C) Framing square: A framing square is used to mark and check right angles in carpentry.

A spirit level has a small glass tube with liquid and an air bubble. When the bubble sits exactly between the marks, the surface is level (horizontal).

Wrong choices

• (A) Chalk line: A chalk line snaps a straight line; it does not show level.
• (C) Try square: A try square checks right angles between two surfaces, not whether a shelf is horizontal.
• (D) Awl: An awl is a pointed tool for making small starter holes.

A hacksaw has a fine-toothed, hardened blade held in a frame. The many small teeth cut steel, copper pipe, and other metals.

Wrong choices

• (A) Crosscut saw: A crosscut saw cuts wood across the grain; its teeth are too large for metal.
• (C) Coping saw: A coping saw cuts curves in thin wood.
• (D) Keyhole saw: A keyhole saw cuts holes in wood or drywall.

A torque wrench shows or limits how much twisting force is applied to a nut or bolt. This lets a mechanic tighten parts to the exact amount the manufacturer specifies, not too loose and not too tight.

Wrong choices

• (B) Measuring the length of a bolt: Length is measured with a ruler or caliper.
• (C) Breaking loose rusted bolts with extra leverage: A breaker bar is used for extra leverage on stuck bolts; using a torque wrench this way can damage it.
• (D) Cutting threads on a bolt: Threads are cut with a tap or a die.

A coping saw has a very thin blade held tight in a U-shaped frame. The thin blade can turn easily, so it cuts curves and detailed shapes in thin wood.

Wrong choices

• (A) Backsaw: A backsaw has a stiff back for straight, accurate cuts, often in a miter box.
• (C) Rip saw: A rip saw makes long straight cuts along the grain.
• (D) Hacksaw: A hacksaw is made for cutting metal.

A Phillips screw has two slots that cross each other to form a plus sign (+). The Phillips screwdriver's tip has the same cross shape so it does not slip out easily.

Wrong choices

• (B) A six-pointed star-shaped hole: A star-shaped hole takes a Torx driver.
• (C) A six-sided hole: A six-sided hole takes a hex (Allen) key.
• (D) A single straight slot: A single straight slot takes a flat-blade (slotted) screwdriver.

A tap is turned into a drilled hole to cut inside (internal) threads so a bolt can screw in. A die does the opposite job: it cuts outside (external) threads on a rod.

Wrong choices

• (A) Countersink: A countersink cuts a cone shape so a flat screw head sits flush.
• (B) Die: A die cuts threads on the outside of a rod or bolt.
• (D) Reamer: A reamer smooths and slightly enlarges a hole; it does not cut threads.

A center punch has a hardened, pointed tip. Striking it with a hammer makes a small cone-shaped dent. The drill bit's tip sits in this dent, so the bit does not slide across the metal when drilling starts.

Wrong choices

• (B) Scriber: A scriber scratches layout lines; it does not make a dent for a drill.
• (C) Nail set: A nail set drives nail heads below the wood surface.
• (D) Cold chisel: A cold chisel cuts or chips metal.

Lumber is named by its rough size before it is dried and planed smooth. After drying and planing, a standard 2 x 4 measures about 1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches.

Wrong choices

• (B) 1-3/4 inches by 3-3/4 inches: This is closer than the nominal size but still larger than the standard dressed size.
• (C) 2 inches by 4 inches: 2 by 4 is the nominal (name) size, measured before drying and planing.
• (D) 1 inch by 3 inches: This is too small; a 2 x 4 loses only about 1/2 inch in each direction.

Nails are sized by the penny system, written with the letter d. A bigger penny number means a longer nail. For example, a 16d common nail is 3-1/2 inches long.

Wrong choices

• (A) The number of nails in a pound: The count per pound changes with size, but the penny number itself indicates length.
• (B) The diameter of the nail head: Head size is not what the penny number describes.
• (D) The type of metal in the nail: The penny number says nothing about the metal; coatings and materials are listed separately.