12 Tools

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Careful statistical analysis of an exhaustive study revealed that one spends more time looking for tools than using them. Since there is a tendency to misplace tools, a laboratory may lack tools rather than have an abundance of them. Periodic search-and-seize missions throughout the lab are as gratifying as they are deeply resented. In the unlikely instance that one finds the tools, they are usually coated with dried slip, rusted, broken, worn, or dull.

2.0 TOOL SECURITY

It is axiomatic that when one reaches for a tool, it is not available. While color-coding with distinguishing paints helps maintain identifiable tools, it is usually not enough. Since tool security is often an issue, one might find the following suggestions helpful. Lock the tools and carry the key in your pocket. Have a duplicate set for personal use. Hide them where it is unlikely that they will be found.

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3.0 CRAFTSMAN HAND TOOLS

One commonly finds the following hand tools in a tool box: screw drivers, wrenches, hammers, pliers, cutters, and others. One must acquire a variety of tools and in different sizes. Additionally, one should check the quality of the manufacture, especially the quality of the steel. Cheap tools are made from soft steel. These are cheaper to make but more costly to use as they wear out quickly and do not work well. The round-ended screw driver is a common apparition. Locked tool cabinets with the identity and location of each tool is a good way to store hand tools.

4.0 MEASURING HAND TOOLS

An initial question centers on the measuring system. Some people believe that the SI system is universal; however, there is a problem. Most laboratories have a collection of old and new equipment, with the old calibrated in English units and the new calibrated in either English or metric. SI units are not likely except where they coincide with metric. The bolts, screws, gears, slots, notches and shims are all in English units. The author has no problem with the SI or the metric systems as inherently more reasonable, based on decades of ten and standardization of fundamental units. However, at issue here is the everyday function of the laboratory that is predominantly English.

Geometrical

There are sophisticated measurement systems for almost everything. Of concern here are those hand-measuring tools kept in the tool cabinet or drawer.

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Ceramic Technology and Processing

Linear Micrometers often have carbide faces that grab and give false readings. Carbide faces wear at a slower rate than steel. Steel faces have a better feel and do not wear fast. Avoid vernier calipers that have tips ground down to a knife edge; these wear very quickly, especially with abrasive ceramics.

Angular

Angle measuring spirit levels should be rugged to sustain lab use. Accurate angular measurements are made in the shop with dial gages, sine bar, and gage blocks. Go to the shop for these measurements.

Mass

Digital scales have nearly displaced analog types, because they are so easy to use. The tare button is one of civilization's greatest inventions. Keep scales in calibration.

Temperature

When the indicator fluid separates, coalesce the fluid by chilling the thermometer to contain all the fluid in the bulb and then warm it again. Thermocouples or optical pyrometers are common for temperature measurements; these should be often calibrated against a traceable standard. As a backup, pyrometric cones are still useful as they also give a qualitative estimate of the total heat treatment.

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Pressure/Vacuum

Bourdon-type gages are often used to measure pressure and vacuum. These gages can become plugged with slip or other material and, when overloaded, give false readings. It is wise to often calibrate them against a standard gage. Glycerin-filled gages are very useful for vibrating apparatus, like a hydraulic press. Vacuum gages are sometimes calibrated in "inches of mercury" which is a holdover from the beginning of the technology. The early instruments were of the barometer type using a mercury column and a scale.

Electrical

In the laboratory, a multimeter receives much use. Hooking them up incorrectly results in their failure and need to be replaced.

Dedicated Tools

When a particular piece of equipment requires a special tool for use, one should fasten the tool to the equipment with a chain. Such an example is with the pressure infiltration apparatus discussed earlier. The snap ring had to be removed after each run to clean the valve. This requires special pliers fastened to the apparatus with a chain.

5.0 POWER TOOLS

In the laboratory, one only needs a few power tools. A power drill and a small, high-speed grinder are useful. Off-site locations sometimes require battery-powered tools. Remember to keep them charged.

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Ceramic Technology and Processing

6.0 MACHINE TOOLS

A laboratory working with the development of structural ceramics may have to get a surface grinder for making test bars. Problematic is the lead time from doing the experiment and obtaining the results. The difference can range from two days to four weeks. If bureaucratically possible, one can attain efficiency by eliminating the chance of a bottleneck.

Check List, Tools

Security Accept failure Hand Tools Good steel Measuring Tools Units of measurements Geometrical Micrometers/calipers Electronic Balances Temperature Calibrate Pressure/Vacuum Calibrate Glycerin Dedicated Tools Chain Machine Tools Break any bottleneck.