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Glossary
Construction terms, explained
Short, plain definitions of the words you'll see on product pages and spec sheets. Each one links to a guide when there's more to know.
4
- 4-to-1 rule
- Set an extension ladder base 1 foot out for every 4 feet of height. Read the guide →
A
- Amp-hour
- Battery capacity; higher runs longer. Read the guide →
- ANSI Z87+
- A 3M eyewear marking for impact-rated protective eyewear; verify the full markings and task fit. Read the guide →
- ANSI Z89.1
- The US standard for industrial head protection. Read the guide →
- ANSI/ISEA 107
- The US standard for high-visibility safety apparel. Read the guide →
- APF
- Assigned protection factor: how much a respirator reduces exposure. Read the guide →
- ASTM F2413
- The US standard for protective toe footwear. Read the guide →
B
- Baker scaffold
- A compact mobile scaffold; model capacity and compatible configuration vary by manufacturer. Read the guide →
- Belt sander
- A powered sander that moves a continuous loop of abrasive over a platen. Read the guide →
- Blade standout
- The unsupported projection a tape measure maker reports for a specific model. Read the guide →
- Brushless motor
- An electronically controlled motor without carbon brushes. Read the guide →
C
- Class E
- A hard hat electrical class tested to 20,000 volts. Read the guide →
- Collation angle
- The angle at which nails are joined in a strip for a particular nailer. Read the guide →
- Collation angle
- The angle of a nail strip as specified for a particular framing nailer magazine. Read the guide →
- Crosscut capacity
- The maximum stock dimensions a saw can cut under a stated blade and angle setup. Read the guide →
D
- D3, D4 and D5
- 3M goggle seal options for splash or droplets, dust and fine dust, respectively. Read the guide →
- Drum volume
- The mixer drum capacity, which may be greater than its rated batch size. Read the guide →
- Dry batch capacity
- The volume of dry ingredients the mixer maker specifies for a single batch. Read the guide →
- Dust extractor
- A vacuum unit connected to a compatible tool attachment to collect dust near its source. Read the guide →
- Duty rating
- The maximum load a ladder is rated to carry, including user and tools. Read the guide →
E
- EH rating
- Electrical hazard protection in safety footwear. Read the guide →
H
- Head weight
- The listed mass of a hammer head, separate from the whole tool weight. Read the guide →
- HEPA filter
- Under OSHA's construction silica standard, a filter at least 99.97% efficient for 0.3-micrometer particles. Read the guide →
- Hex collet
- A quick-change holder used by many impact drivers for compatible hex-shank bits. Read the guide →
I
- Impact wrench
- A powered tool that uses rotational impacts to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts, commonly with a socket drive. Read the guide →
L
- L, M and H dust classes
- Manufacturer dust-risk classifications for extractor components; check the stated standard and compatible bag and filter. Read the guide →
- Laser detector
- A receiver that finds a laser beam too faint to see. Read the guide →
- Locking cleat
- A connector that secures compatible storage cases within a modular tool-box system. Read the guide →
M
- Metatarsal guard
- Protection over the top of the foot against falling objects. Read the guide →
- Miter saw
- A saw that holds stock against a fence while its blade pivots for crosscuts and angled cuts. Read the guide →
N
- Nail puller
- A hand tool with shaped claws for gripping and removing nails. Read the guide →
- Nailer collation
- The material and arrangement that holds a nail strip together for a compatible nailer magazine. Read the guide →
- Non-self-supporting ladder
- A portable ladder that must lean against a suitable top support, such as an extension ladder. Read the guide →
O
- Oscillating multi-tool
- A power tool that drives task-specific accessories through a short oscillating arc. Read the guide →
P
- Payload after upfit
- The remaining vehicle carrying capacity after permanent storage or other equipment is installed. Read the guide →
- Personal fall arrest system
- A complete system of a body harness, connectors and anchorage used to arrest a fall. Read the guide →
R
- Random-orbit sander
- A powered sander that uses a round abrasive disc and random-orbit action. Read the guide →
- Reciprocating saw
- A power saw that drives a blade through a back-and-forth stroke. Read the guide →
- Retroreflective
- Material that reflects light back toward its source, such as headlights. Read the guide →
- Ring test
- A check for cracks in an abrasive wheel before mounting, using the maker's procedure. Read the guide →
- Rotary hammer
- A drill with a rotary-hammer mechanism; some models also provide rotation-only and chiseling modes. Read the guide →
S
- Saw blade kerf
- The width of material removed by a saw blade; compare it with the saw and blade specifications. Read the guide →
- Saw blade tooth count
- The number of teeth on a blade; choose it with the cut geometry, material and saw fit. Read the guide →
- SDS-plus shank
- A slotted shank system for compatible rotary-hammer bits and accessories. Read the guide →
- Self-leveling
- A laser that levels itself within a set range. Read the guide →
- Self-supporting ladder
- A portable ladder designed to stand open without leaning against a wall or other support. Read the guide →
- Square-drive anvil
- The square output on an impact wrench that accepts compatible sockets. Read the guide →
T
- Table 1
- OSHA's list of silica tasks with required controls. Read the guide →
- Track saw
- A saw designed to run on a compatible guide rail for straight guided cuts. Read the guide →
- Type II hard hat
- A hard hat tested for impacts to the top and sides of the head. Read the guide →
W
- Watt-hour (Wh)
- A unit of stored energy; it describes capacity rather than continuous power output. Read the guide →
- Wrecking bar
- A pry bar with working ends shaped for lifting, prying or pulling nails. Read the guide →