Glossary

Abrasive is different grades of rough grit applied to a paper backing to remove material when sanding. Abrasives range from coarse to fine and have numbers to indicate their roughness with lower numbers meaning coarser grits and higher numbers meaning finer

ABS is black plastic pipe used in plumbing for drain, waste, and vent pipes.

The actuator is the part of a caulk gun that moves the plunger forward

Adhesion is the ability for a material to stick to a surface

An adjustable wrench is a tool for tightening hex nuts and bolts of various sizes

An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter  or AFCI is a specialelectrical safety device in the form of an outlet or breaker that shuts the power down when arcing conditions are detected

To air dry is the hardening process of a material that depends on the air or solvent in the mix to evaporate completely

An air exhaust port on a nail gun is the location where air escapes after the tool is fired

An air filter is a replaceable device for cleaning air as it enters the compressor

An air inlet port is the location on a pneumatic tool where pressurized air enters the tool

The air outlet of a compressor is a connection point for the hose at air compressor

To align is to place or arrange things in a straight line.

Alkyd is the synthetic resin used in oil-based paints.

Amperage is the volume of current flow through a circuit

Anchor bolts are special bolts cast into concrete and masonry foundations used to hold sill plates down. These bolts are placed at regular intervals in the foundation and use washers and nuts for clamping.

The American National Standards Institute  or ANSI is an organization that sets safety standards for construction equipment

The arbor is the threaded motor shaft on a saw to which a circular blade is fastened

An arc is a partial sweep of a circle’s perimeter from it’s center

Arcing is the jumping of current over an air gap caused by poor or damaged electrical connections in a circuit that can become an electrical fire hazard

Argon is a gas filled between glass panes to slow heat transfer through a window

An axis is a fixed reference line often for a measurement