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A Glossary of Common Power Tool Terms
Plain definitions for the words printed on power tool boxes and in manuals, from amps, RPM and arbor to kerf, clutch, chuck and no-load speed.
Workshop, Safety and Care
Tool Terms Explained
Plain definitions for common tool vocabulary.
Amp-Hours and Volts on Battery Tools
Learn what volts and amp-hours mean on cordless tool batteries, how to multiply them into watt-hours, and how they relate to power and run time.
CFM and PSI for Air Tool Users
CFM measures how much air flows and PSI measures how hard it pushes. Learn how the two ratings work together when matching air tools to a compressor.
Chuck Types: Keyed, Keyless and SDS
Compare keyed, keyless and SDS chucks: how each holds a bit, where each is used, and the practical trade-offs in grip, speed of changes and bit compatibility.
Clutch Settings and Torque Limiting
What the numbered ring on a drill or driver does: how a clutch limits torque, how to pick a setting by testing on scrap, and when to switch to drill mode.
Duty Cycle and Run Time Ratings
Duty cycle tells you how long a compressor or motor can work before it needs to rest. Learn how to read the percentage and what it means for heat and wear.
Reading a Tool Manual and Warning Labels
A practical way to read a power tool manual: where the safety rules, specifications, setup steps and maintenance notes are, and what warning labels mean.
RPM, Torque and Speed Settings Explained
RPM is how fast a tool spins and torque is how hard it twists. Learn how gearing, trigger control and speed dials affect drilling, driving, routing and cutting.
Runout, Tearout and Chatter
Define runout, tearout and chatter, see what each looks like on a cut surface, and learn the usual causes and general fixes for saws, routers and drills.
What Kerf Means and Why It Matters
Kerf is the width of material a saw blade removes. Learn how it affects measurements, layout, waste and blade choice, with a worked example.
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