Lesson 1

USING AND MAINTAINING OF CSS HAND TOOLS (UHT)

Week 2
What's New
A tool is a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task. Tools range from a traditional metal cutting
part of a machine to an element of a computer program that activates and controls a particular function.
4
Directions: Identify the appropriate tool to use for each of the following statements. Write your answer
in your notebook.
1. Equalize the electrical charge between you and the equipment. 2. Tighten / loosens screw
3. Tighten /loosens bold with a hexagonal head.
4. Retrieve parts that may be hard to reach by your fingers
5. Tighten / loosen a slotted screw.
What is It
PROPER USE OF ESD TOOLS
The purpose of an antistatic wrist strap is to equalize the electrical charge between you and the
equipment. The antistatic wrist strap is a conductor that connects your body to the equipment that you
are working on. When static electricity builds up in your body, the connection made by the wrist strap to
the equipment, or ground, channels the electricity through the wire that connects the strap. The wrist
strap has two parts and is easy to wear:
1. Wrap the strap around your wrist and secure it using the snap or Velcro. The metal on the back of the
wrist strap must remain in contact with your skin at all times.
2. Snap the connector at the end of the wire to the wrist strap, and connect the other end either to the
equipment or to the same grounding point that the antistatic mat is connected to. The metal skeleton of
the case is a good place to connect the wire. When connecting the wire to equipment that you are
working on, choose an unpainted metal surface. A painted surface does not conduct the electricity as
well as unpainted metal.
An antistatic mat is slightly conductive. It works by drawing static electricity away from a component and
transferring it safely from equipment to a grounding point:
1. Lay the mat on the workspace next to or under the computer case.
2. Clip the mat to the case to provide a grounded surface on which you can. place parts as you remove
them from the system. Reducing the potential for ESD reduces the likelihood of damage to delicate
circuits or components.

PROPER USE OF HAND TOOLS

A technician needs to be able to properly use each tool in the toolkit. This topic covers many of the
various hand tools used when repairing computers. Screws
Match each screw with the proper screwdriver. Place the tip of the screwdriver on the head of the screw.
Turn the screwdriver clockwise to tighten the screw and counterclockwise to loosen the screw.
Screws can become stripped if you over-tighten them with a screwdriver. A stripped screw may get stuck
in the screw hole, or it may not tighten firmly. Discard stripped screws.
Flat head screwdriver
Use a flat head screwdriver when you are working with a slotted screw. Do not use a flat head
screwdriver to remove a Phillips head screw. Never use a screwdriver as a pry bar. If you cannot remove
a component, check to see if there is a clip or latch that is securing the component in place.
CAUTION: If excessive force is needed to remove or add a component, something is probably wrong.
Take a second look to make sure that you have not missed a screw or a locking clip that is holding the
component in place. Refer to the device manual or diagram for additional information.
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.
Hex driver
Use a hex driver to loosen and tighten bolts that have a hexagonal (six-sided) head. Hex bolts should not
be over-tightened because the threads of the bolts can be stripped. Do not use a hex driver that is too
large for the bolt that you are using.
CAUTION: Some tools are magnetized. When working around electronic devices, be sure that the tools
you are using have not been magnetized. Magnetic fields can be harmful to data stored on magnetic
media. Test your tool by touching the tool with a screw. If the screw is attracted to the tool, do not use
the tool. Part retriever, Needle-nose pliers, or tweezers
The part retriever, needle-nose pliers, and tweezers can be used to place and retrieve parts that may be
hard to reach with your fingers. Do not scratch or hit any components when using these tools.
CAUTION: Pencils should not be used inside the computer to change the setting of switches or to pry off
jumpers. The pencil lead can act as a conductor and may damage the computer components.
Proper Use of Cleaning Materials
Keeping computers clean inside and out is a vital part of a maintenance program. Dirt can cause
problems with the physical operation of fans, buttons, and other mechanical components. On electrical
components, an excessive buildup of dust will act like an insulator and trap the heat. This insulation will
impair the ability of heat sinks and cooling fans to keep components cool, causing chips and circuits to
overheat and fail.
CAUTION: When compressed air is used to clean inside the computer, the air should be blown around
the components with a minimum distance of four inches from the nozzle. The power supply and the fan
should be cleaned from the back of the case.
CAUTION: Before cleaning any device, turn it off and unplug the device from the power source.
Computer Cases and Monitors
Clean computer cases and the outside of monitors with a mild cleaning solution on a damp, lint-free
cloth. Mix one drop of dishwashing liquid with four ounces of water to create the cleaning solution. If
any water drips inside the case, allow enough time for the liquid to dry before powering on the
computer.
LCD Screens
Do not use ammoniated glass cleaners or any other solution on an LCD screen, unless the cleaner is
specifically designed for the purpose. Harsh chemicals will damage the coating on the screen. There is no
glass protecting these screens, so bel gentle when cleaning them and do not press firmly on the screen.
CRT Screens
To clean the screens of CRT monitors, dampen a soft, clean, lint-free cloth with distilled water and wipe
the screen from top to bottom. Then use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the screen and remove any streaking
after you have cleaned the monitor.
Clean dusty components with a can of compressed air. Compressed air does not cause electrostatic
buildup on components. Make sure that you are in a well ventilated area before blowing the dust out of
the computer. A best practice is to wear a dust mask to make sure that you do not breathe in the dust
particles.
Blow out the dust using short bursts from the can. Never tip the can or use the compressed air can
upside down. Do not allow the fan blades to spin from the force of the compressed air. Hold the fan in
place. Fan motors can be ruined from spinning when the motor is not turned on.
Component Contacts
Clean the contacts on components with isopropyl alcohol. Do not use rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol
contains impurities that can damage contacts. Make sure that the contacts do not collect any lint from
the cloth or cotton swab. Blow any lint off the contacts with compressed air before reinstallation.
Keyboard
Clean a desktop keyboard with compressed air or a small, hand-held vacuum cleaner with a brush
attachment.
CAUTION: Never use a standard vacuum cleaner inside a computer case. The plastic parts of the vacuum
cleaner can build up static electricity and discharge to the components. Use only a vacuum approved for
electronic components.

Mouse
Use glass cleaner and a soft cloth to clean the outside of the mouse. Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mouse. If cleaning a ball mouse, you can remove the ball and clean it with glass cleaner and a soft
cloth. Wipe the rollers clean inside the mouse with the same cloth. Do not spray any liquids inside the
mouse.
What's More
Directions: Write the appropriate tool/s to use for each of the following tasks. Write
your answer in your notebook.
1. Loosen computer casing screws
2. Blow away dust from keyboard
3. Tighten screws of a laptop
4. Bundle cables inside the computer
6. Remove insulation of wires
7. Loosen nuts
8. Prevent from ESD effects
What's More
H
Background Ful
Directions: Write the appropriate tool/s to use for each of the following tasks. Write
your answer in your notebook.
1. Loosen computer casing screws
2. Blow away dust from keyboard
3. Tighten screws of a laptop
4. Bundle cables inside the computer
5. Test functionality of the printer port
What I can Do
6. Remove insulation of wires. 7. Loosen nuts
8. Prevent from ESD effects

What I Can Do
Directions: Demonstrate the following tasks given below. Write your answer in your
notebook.
TASK WAS THE TOOL WAS THE TOOL
USED CORRECTLY? USED PROPERLY?
YES NO YES NO
Loosen computer casing screws.
Blow away dust from keyboard.
Tighten screws of a laptop.
Bundle cables inside the computer.
Test functionality of the printer port.
Remove insulation of wires.
Loosen nuts.
Prevent from ESD effects.
Total Score

Rubrics:
For Total Score - Number of Yes for correct tool used.
- Number of Yes for tool used properly.

INTERPRETATION OF SCORE
16 Excellent
14-15 Very Good
12-13 Good
9-11 Fair
8 and below Poor
Highest Possible Score is 16.
Assessment
Directions: Write the words to complete the statements below on your notebook.
1. When compressed air is used to clean inside the computer, the air should be blown around the
components with a minimum distance of ______ inches from the nozzle.
2. Pencils should not be used inside the computer to change the setting of switches or to pry off jumpers
because the tip contains _____ which can act as a conductor and may damage the computer
components.
3. To clean the screens of CRT monitors, dampen a soft, clean, lint-free cloth with _____ water and wipe
the screen from top to bottom.
4. Clean the contacts on components with _____ alcohol.
5. Use a _____ to loosen and tighten bolts that have a hexagonal (six-sided)
What I Need to Know
Learning Competency: Maintain Hand Tools
Learning Outcome 3: Maintain hand tools
3.1. Use tools according to tasks undertaken
3.2. Undertake routine maintenance of tools according to standard operational
procedures, principles and techniques
3.3. Store tools safely in appropriate locations in accordance with manufacturers
specifications or standard operating procedures.
Code: TLE_IACSS9-12UHT-IIId-20
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the learners are expected to:
1. Identify different ways on how to maintain hand tools.
2. Apply the basic tips in maintaining tools and equipment.
3. Value the importance of maintaining hand tools and equipment.