T. L. E.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING

9
 T. L. E. 9
Quarter 3
Self-Learning Module 3

Proper Use of Tools

 EXPECTATIONS
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
A. describe the use of toolkit;
B. understand proper use of hand tools and its precaution;
C. appreciate the importance of small hand tools in computer assembly.

PRETEST

Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and False if it is wrong.

___________ 1. We can use a Phillips-head screwdriver with a crosshead screw.

___________ 2. The hex driver is used to loosen and tighten the bolts with a hexagonal
(six-sided) head.
___________ 3. Needle-nose pliers and tweezers can be used to position and retrieve
pieces that may be difficult to reach with your fingertips.

___________4. Computer technicians need the right tools to work safely and to prevent
damage to computer equipment.
___________ 5. Magnetic fields are not harmful to data stored in magnetic media.
 RECAP
Do you still remember our previous lesson about Faulty or unsafe hand tools?
Let’s find out.

Directions. Enumerate what is being asked. Write your answer on the spaces
provided.

What are the Dos and Don’ts in using hand tools?

a. Pliers
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

LESSON
Proper Use of Tools

Proper use of tools helps prevent accidents and harm to the equipment and people.
There is a right tool for every job. As a future computer technician, you must have
the proper knowledge of the correct usage of each tool and the proper tools used for
the current tasks. Skillful use of tools and software’s makes the job easier and less
difficult. It will ensure that tasks are carried out correctly and safely.

Hardware Tools

A computer technician must also have a toolkit. The toolkit should contain all the
tools needed to complete hardware repairs. When you gain experience, you
understand which resources are available for various types of work and a technician
needs to be able to properly use each tool in the toolkit.

Hand Tools

The majority of tools used in the computer assembly process are small hand tools.
They can be used individually or as part of a computer repair toolkit. Toolkits are
widely available in size, quality, and price.
 Screws

Match each screw to the proper screwdriver. Place the

tip of the screwdriver on the screw head. Turn the
screwdriver clockwise to tighten the screw and release
the screw in the counterclockwise direction.

Screws can be stripped if you over-tighten them with

a screwdriver. A stripped screw, as shown in Figure
1, may be stuck in a screw hole or may not be
tightened tightly. Discard stripped screws.

Figure 1: Stripped screw

Flat-Head Screwdriver

Use a flat-head screwdriver while working with a slotted screw. Don't use a flat-head
screwdriver to remove a Phillips-head screw. Never use a screwdriver as a pry bar. If
the component cannot be removed, check to see if there is a clip or lock that secures
the component in place.

CAUTION

If excessive force is required to remove or add a part, something may be wrong. Take
a second look to make sure you haven't lost a screw or a lock clip that keeps the part
in place.

Phillips-Head Screwdriver

Use a Phillips-head screwdriver with crosshead screws. Do not use this type of
screwdriver to puncture anything. This will damage the head of the screwdriver. How
to use Screwdrivers

Start with creating a pilot

hole

When you screw into wood, it's a

good idea to make a pilot hole first.
This means that the screw goes
straight. Screws appear to fit the
grain of the wood, resulting in
skew screws. An extra advantage
is that the pilot holes keep the
wood from splitting when you
push the screw in.
Start the screw

Place the screw on the tip of the screwdriver and hold the fingers of one hand tightly.
Apply a little gentle pressure on the screwdriver while turning clockwise until the
screw starts to move into the wood.

Keep driving
When the thread of the screws comes into contact with the wood, you can release
your fingers that held it in place. Keep hold of the tip of the screwdriver as a guide.
Keep pressing and turning clockwise, until the screw is firmly in place. Hex Driver

A hex screwdriver is a type of screwdriver that has

a hexagonal tip for driving certain nuts, bolts and
screws. Hex screwdrivers, like all types of
screwdrivers, are available in a wide variety of
regular and metric sizes. These screwdrivers can
make it much easier to loosen and tighten hex
nuts, bolts and screws. Tool steel is a particular
grade of steel intended for the manufacturing of
manual tools such as pliers, wrenches and hex
screwdrivers. Hex nuts, bolts and screws can be
made from a wide variety of metals, such as
aluminum, brass, copper and any grade of steel. However, most types of screwdrivers
are almost entirely made of steel materials. Tool steel is a very hard, robust grade of
steel that holds well to daily wear and is very solid at high temperatures.

Use the hex driver shown in Figure 2 to loosen and

tighten the bolts with a hexagonal (six-sided) head. Hex
bolts should not be over-tightened because the threads
of the bolts can be stripped. Don't use a hex driver that's
too large for the bolt you 're using.

Figure 2: Hex driver

CAUTION

Some of the tools are magnetized. When operating with electronic devices, be sure
that the tools you use have not been magnetized. Magnetic fields may be harmful to
data stored in magnetic media. Check the tool by touching the tool with a screw. If
the screw is attracted to the tool, do not use the tool.

Component Retrieving Tools

Needle-nose pliers and tweezers may be used to position and retrieve pieces that may
be difficult to reach with your fingertips. There are also tools called part retrievers
that have been specifically developed for this task. When using these materials, do
not scratch or touch any of the components.

CAUTION

Pencils cannot be used inside the computer to adjust the settings of the switches or to
delete the jumpers. The pencil lead can serve as a conductor and can damage the
components of the computer.

Computer technicians need the right tools to work safely and to prevent damage to
computer equipment. A technician uses a number of tools to diagnose and repair
computer problems:
Various specialized equipment, such as Torx bits, antistatic bags and gloves, and
integrated circuit pullers, can be used for repair and maintenance of computers.
Often avoid magnetized tools, such as magnetic head screwdrivers, or tool that use
magnet extensions to recover small metal items that are out of control. Using
magnetic tools can cause data loss on hard drives and floppy disks.

ACTIVITIES
Directions. Enumerate what is being asked. What are the cautions that we should
bear in mind in using the following hand tools?
HAND TOOLS CAUTION

a. Flat-Head Screwdriver __________________________________________

__________________________________________
__________________________________________

b. Hex Driver
__________________________________________

__________________________________________

c.Phillips-Head Screwdriver
__________________________________________

__________________________________________

d. Component Retrieving Tools __________________________________________

WRAP-UP

Directions. In the graphic organizer below, write down your learnings in Module 3:
Proper use of hand tools.
 Proper use
of hand
tools.

VALUING
Directions. Kindly share the values you’ve learned by completing the statement
below. Write down your insights on the spaces provided.

• I have learned that

____________________________________________
Proper
____________________________________________
use

• I have realized that

of tools
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
 POSTTEST
Directions. Write True if the underlined word is correct, if it is False change the
underlined word to make the statement correct.
_________ 1. Pencils cannot be used inside the computer to adjust the settings of the
switches or to delete the jumpers.
_________ 2. Needle-nose pliers and hex driver may be used to position and retrieve
pieces that may be difficult to reach with your fingertips.

_________ 3. Hex driver is used to loosen and tighten the bolts with a hexagonal (six-
sided) head.
_________ 4. Flat-head screwdriver are used to remove a crosshead screw.
_________ 5. Never use a screwdriver as a pry bar.
 References
“CHS Module 2 - Using Hand Tools.” Accessed August 19, 2020.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/219418979/CHS-Module-2-Using-Hand-Tools.

“Cisco Press,” March 12, 2012. https://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=2086239. Guy,

Repair. “For An Effective Flat Head Screwdriver Use, Follow 3 Tips,” July 27, 2020.
https://repairinggear.com/3-tips-to-use-the-flat-head-screwdriver/.

Accessed October 24, 2020. https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-hex-screwdriver.htm.