The following is a list of common terms that may be used at our hardware centre. To learn more about a term, locate the appropriate category and click the term to expand and see its definition.
(also Bus Bar) Separate, metallic strips that extend through the service panel. Breakers slide onto the "hot" busses and neutral and ground wires screw down in their respective busses.
A specific type of circuit protection (commonly required in kitchens & bathrooms) that helps safeguard against shocks. GFCI protection can come from an outlet or a breaker.
The three most common circuit wires. The hot brings the current flow in, the neutral returns it to the source, and the ground is a safety route for returning current. The ground and neutral are joined only at the main service panel.
Installing the boxes, cables, and making "in-wall" connections while the walls are still open. Later, final connections are made and the devices and appliances are installed during the trim-out.
When current flows "short" of reaching a device. Caused by a hot conductor accidentally contacting a neutral or ground. A short circuit is an immediate fault to ground and should always cause the breaker to trip or the fuse to blow. (also see ground fault
Cultivators may have from one to five pointed tines. They are used in a chopping and pulling motion to remove shallow rooted weeds, and to break up surface soil crust around plants.
D-handle shovels shorter and are designed for close up work and quick jobs. They are useful for moving piles of soil, sand or gravel, or for loading the wheelbarrow. Round head, square head, and scoop shovels as well as spading forks are available with D-
The conventional design of the garden hoe is a long handle with a flat blade set at a right angle on the end. Garden hoes come in different widths from 2 1/2 inches to 8 inches wide.
The same general design as a round point shovel, but it has a straighter shank. It is used for planting holes or ditches where a vertical side is desired.
Lawn rakes come in a wide variety of sizes and designs. They may be constructed of bamboo, metal or plastic, and they may be fan shaped or rectangular.
The level headed rake is much the same as a bow rake, except that the back of the head is straight and even, and it connects to the handle in the center. This straightedge is used for leveling seedbeds.
The pick/mattock is for serious digging through hard packed soil and clay. The pick (pointed end) or the mattock (wide blade) is used to chop down into the soil, and the cradle design of the head can then be used as a lever to break open the soil, allowin
Scoop shovels are designed to be used to move light materials such as sawdust or dried manure. Because of the volume which most scoops will hold, it isn't advisable to use them for heavy wet materials, unless your goal is a backache.
Scuffle hoes are used much as you would a shuffleboard mallet. They are pushed ahead of you to cut the tops of annual weeds (perennial weeds must be dug and removed) rather than chopping them as you would with a garden hoe.
Spading forks perform a multitude of garden tasks. Primarily, they are used for tilling the soil and breaking up heavy dirt clods. They are also invaluable in weeding large areas where there is no danger of injuring the roots of desirable plants.
The nose of the square point shovel is flat, and even edged, and as the name says... square. It is used leveling areas for patios or walkways, or for squaring off the sides and bottoms of ditches. It is also used as a scoop for gravel, soil, or snow.
Transplanting spades have a long narrow head which makes it ideal for digging and moving perennials and shrubs with minimal disturbance to surrounding plants.
Warren hoes are used for cultivating between plants, and for creating furrows for planting rows. The "ears" on the back of the head are designed to pull the soil back onto newly planted seeds.
A weeder could best be described as a wide screwdriver with a notch in the end. This long narrow design allows you to dig down the side of the tap root of dandelions and other tap root weeds.
A lock having a latchbolt or a deadbolt operated by a key or a thumbturn, or both. This lock often is used in addition to another lock, which may or may not be key operated, but which has a latchbolt operated by knobs or levers.
A lockset made up of three components: outside knob, rose and spindle assembly; latch unit with retracting mechanism; and inside knob and rose assembly.
Also called "cam locks." Used for a variety of locking purposes. They are identified by the flat metal piece extending from the lock barrel, which is the cam.
Basters are used to lift the fat and liquids from the bottom of a roasting pan and then pour that liquid over the meat, keeping the meat moist, adding more flavor, and creating a glaze as it cooks.
A piece of cookware that is used to grill foods. Typically a heavy metal pan containing ridges spaced evenly across the bottom, the grill pan is built to closely simulate the grilling process for cooking various meats and foods.
Also called a meat tenderizer, a meat mallet is a hammer like tool that has a head marked with a waffled surface. It flattens the meat while breaking surface fibers.
A melon baller is a small tool that shapes melon into perfect balls. It is also useful for coring apple halves and scooping out cherry tomatoes prior to stuffing.
A pastry bag is a cone-shaped bag made of canvas, plastic or plastic-lined cloth. It is used to pipe foods, such as frosting, whipped cream, cream puff dough and mashed potatoes, in a decorative pattern.
This hand-held tool consists of several u-shaped wires or metal blades attached to a handle. It is used to cut butter or shortening into flour, which is an essential step in pastry making.
A type of cookware consisting of inserts or layers with perforations in the bottom, that are assembled together and used to cook food with the use of steam.
A big plate, with straight rims, made of aluminium, stainless steel or brass. Traditionally Indian food is always served in a thali. It can also be used as a lid, to cover a vessel.
A synthetic resin widely used as a latex to produce paints with good color and color retention. Acrylic latex paints may be thinned and cleaned up with water. Breeze interior and exterior latex paints in flat, eggshell and semi-gloss are all based on pure
The forming of bubbles or pimples on the painted surface. Blistering is caused by moisture in the wood, by paint having been applied before the previous coat was dry, and by excessive heat during or after application.
The brushing technique that is used when a clean, sharp edge is needed. Cutting-in is needed, for example, for a window sash (using a sash brush), the top of a wall where it meets the ceiling, and in areas that are hard to reach (especially when using a r
A paint that forms an especially smooth, hard film. Enamels may be obtained in a full range of glosses and can be either latex or alkyd (oil). Consumers, however, often associate the term with alkyd (oil-based) products.
Products made from synthetic resin derived from petroleum. Epoxies, which are generally cured by catalysts, are perhaps the most durable of all coatings.
The ability of the finished surface to reflect light in a mirrorlike manner. The higher the gloss, the more scrubbable and durable the finish. Degrees of gloss include flat, velvet, eggshell, low lustre, semi-gloss and high gloss.
Coatings ranging from hard glossy enamels to soft, flexible coatings. With thorough surface preparation, polyurethanes provide good to very good adhesion, hardness, flexibility and resistance.
A natural resin, usually in the form of thin flakes, that is derived from a resinous substance called lac. Shellac is used to seal and finish floors, seal knots, etc.
The volatile part of oil-based paints that evaporates during drying. Solvent-based thinners are used for thinning and cleaning up oil-based paints. In latex paints, water performs similar functions.
A tool found mainly in metal and auto-body shops, it is useful to woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers, as well. Does well cleaning up pitted or rusted metal surfaces. Can smooth out welded seams and, when properly equipped, cut metal. Ideal at metal finishi
The more versatile of the curve-cutting saws, the thin blade allows work to be maneuvered easily and accurately along a winding line of cut as well as in and out of tight corners. Able to make straight cuts such as rip, crosscut and miter and possibly bev
Shaped like a giant L, its dimensions are usually 2-inches-wide, with one 24-inch long leg at a 90 degree angle to a 1-1/2-inch wide, 16-inch long tongue. It's most common use is for framing, laying out and marking patterns for framing, roofing, and stair
Useful for marking a straight line, this tool features a line that is reeled out from a chalk-filled canister, hooked at one end of the intended cut line, tensioned and snapped.
A voracious tool, the portable circular saw is critical to any building or framing project because it can cut lumber quickly, with power and with accuracy. They are great for cross cuts (cutting across the grain) on large or thick planks of wood, as well
The most important of the back saws (and one of the smallest). Almost entirely dedicated to one function: cutting dovetails, where a clean and accurate saw cut is the hallmark of fine work. Have three handle designs: closed, pistol-grip and a turned spind
This is one versatile tool - it drills holes, sands, grinds, stirs paint, and drives screws. The basic electric drill consists of a motor built into a pistol-shaped body.
A pocket-sized tool that is actually four tools in one: a level, protractor, square and pitch gauge. Excellent for measuring and transferring angles, as well.
(also chop saw) The power alternative to the miter box, miter saws are great for basic crosscuts for lumber and trim. Although not capable of beveled or compound-angle cuts, they are simpler to use, durable and less expensive than compound or sliding comp
Great for finishing work, the square pad can sand inside corners. Should be used with care, because swirl marks can show up when sanding dense hardwoods. Accepts sheet sandpaper.
Can drive crown-style staples up to 1/2-inch wide and two inches long. Smaller models are great for installing carpeting, roofing felt, floor underlayment and insulation.
An indispensable tool for contractors and remodelers, the "recip" saw will chew through most any cutting task. Ideal for demolition tasks, such as wall removal. Can cut through wood, metal or plastics easily.
Portable power tool that, when fitted with one of a myriad of bits, can do such things as cutting cabinet joints (dado, rabbet, etc.), trim plastic laminate, shape decorative edges, mill moldings and carve signs and plaques.
(or jigsaw) The scroll saw is used for freehand cutting intricate shapes in relatively thin wood. The scroll saw uses very thin blades that allow you to cut very small radius curves.
(or T-Bevel) Indispensable for marking, transferring and checking angles. Helpful when marking odd angles and dovetail joints and when cutting a board to fit an existing angle.
If the job is cutting several bricks, pavers or tiles, this tool uses water to keep the blade and brick cool as well as decrease dust and flying debris.
