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Unit: Hand and power tools

Supporting: LMFFM2001A: Use furniture making sector hand and power tools

Section 2: Power sources


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Audio for slide 1 (mp3 |6|KB)
Hand-held tools use a wide range of energy sources.

The most common forms of energy are mains electricity, rechargeable battery, and of course, good old fashioned muscle power.

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However, there are times when other power sources are used - generally because you're either using a specialised tool or you're on-site and the mains power hasn't yet been connected.

In this section, we'll look at the main types of energy used to drive hand-held power tools.

We won't go into muscle power, because the issues relating to 'manual handling' and physical exertion have already been covered in other units.

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Completing this section

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The assignment for this section will ask you to compare two tools that are powered by different energy sources, but are designed to do the same job.

Have a look at the Assignment now to see what you'll need to do to complete it. You'll find the link in the menu bar.

Also in the menu bar are links to the lessons for this section:

  • Electricity

  • Compressed air

  • Other power sources.

These lessons will provide you with background information that will help you with the assignment.

The Just for fun exercise gives you practice in how to wire up a typical mains power circuit used to provide electricity to a power tool.

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