This list includes 60 Tools that start with D, from “dado blade” to “dust mask”. They include hand, power, measuring and safety tools used across woodworking, metalworking, construction and home DIY.
Tools that start with D are practical instruments and devices you use for building, measuring, cutting and protecting yourself. Examples such as the dado blade and the digital multimeter show long-standing trade traditions.
Below you’ll find the table with “Tool”, “Purpose”, “Materials”, and “Typical users”.
Tool: The item’s common name, so you can quickly scan and recognize specific implements and variants.
Purpose: A concise one-line description of what the tool does and typical tasks you’ll use it for.
Materials: The primary materials or components, helping you judge durability, maintenance needs and compatibility for tasks.
Typical users: Who commonly uses the tool, such as hobbyists, carpenters, electricians, or students, to guide selection.
Tools that start with D
| Name | Primary use | Primary materials | Typical users |
|---|---|---|---|
| drill | Drilling holes and driving fasteners | Steel, Plastic | DIYers, Carpenters, Electricians |
| drill press | Precision drilling and repetitive holemaking | Steel, Cast iron | Woodworkers, Metalworkers, DIYers |
| drill driver | General drilling and screw driving | Steel, Plastic | DIYers, Carpenters, Electricians |
| drill guide | Straight hole drilling aid | Aluminum, Plastic, Steel | Cabinetmakers, DIYers, Hobbyists |
| drill bit sharpener | Restores cutting edges on drill bits | Steel, Plastic | DIYers, Machinists, Woodworkers |
| die | Cutting or restoring external threads | Hardened steel | Machinists, Mechanics, Plumbers |
| die stock | Holds dies for hand threading | Steel, Cast iron | Machinists, Mechanics |
| die grinder | High-speed rotary grinding and cutting | Steel, Aluminum | Metalworkers, Fabricators, Auto techs |
| deburrer | Remove burrs and sharp edges | Steel, Plastic | Machinists, Metalworkers, DIYers |
| dead blow hammer | Deliver controlled, nonmarring blows | Steel, Rubber, Lead | Carpenters, Auto techs, Machinists |
| drift punch | Align holes and drive pins | Steel | Metalworkers, Mechanics, Carpenters |
| dividers | Transfer measurements and scribe circles | Steel, Brass | Woodworkers, Machinists, Draftsmen |
| dial caliper | Precision dimensional measurement | Stainless steel | Machinists, Hobbyists, Engineers |
| digital caliper | Electronic precision measurement | Stainless steel, Plastic | Machinists, DIYers, Hobbyists |
| dial indicator | Measure small displacements | Steel, Aluminum | Machinists, Mechanics, Woodworkers |
| digital multimeter | Measure voltage, current, resistance | Plastic, Metal | Electricians, Technicians, DIYers |
| digital level | Electronic angle and pitch measurement | Aluminum, Plastic | Carpenters, HVAC techs, DIYers |
| digital torque wrench | Apply precise torque with digital readout | Steel, Plastic | Mechanics, Engineers |
| digital angle finder | Measure or transfer angles electronically | Aluminum, Plastic | Carpenters, Metalworkers, DIYers |
| digital readout | Machine position display for tools | Electronics, Aluminum | Machinists, Hobbyists |
| disc sander | Surface sanding with spinning disc | Steel, Aluminum | Woodworkers, DIYers |
| drum sander | Wide-area sanding of boards | Steel, Wood | Woodworkers, Cabinetmakers |
| disc grinder | Grinding and cutting with a spinning disc | Steel, Aluminum | Metalworkers, Welders, Fabricators |
| dado blade | Cut wide grooves on table saws | Steel, Carbide | Woodworkers, Cabinetmakers |
| dovetail saw | Fine joinery cutting in wood | Steel, Wood | Woodworkers, Luthiers |
| dovetail jig | Guide for cutting dovetail joints | Aluminum, Steel, Plastic | Woodworkers, Cabinetmakers |
| dowel jig | Align and drill holes for dowel joints | Plastic, Aluminum | Woodworkers, DIYers |
| drywall saw | Cut drywall for openings and trims | Steel, Plastic | Drywall installers, DIYers |
| drywall knife | Spread joint compound and finish joints | Steel, Plastic | Drywall installers, Painters, DIYers |
| drywall sander | Sand finished drywall surfaces | Plastic, Aluminum | Drywall installers, Painters |
| dust extractor | Remove dust from work areas and tools | Plastic, Steel | Carpenters, Remodelers, Contractors |
| dust collector | Collect shop dust from multiple machines | Steel, Plastic | Woodshops, Fabricators |
| dead blow mallet | Strike without rebound or marring | Rubber, Steel, Plastic | Mechanics, Auto techs, Woodworkers |
| drain snake | Clear clogs in pipes and drains | Steel, Plastic | Plumbers, Homeowners |
| digging bar | Pry and break hard soil or rocks | Steel, Wood | Landscapers, Construction, DIYers |
| dolly | Move heavy items and furniture | Steel, Wood | Movers, Contractors, DIYers |
| demolition hammer | Heavy-duty chiseling and breaking | Steel, Aluminum | Demolition crews, Contractors |
| drop saw | Crosscutting and mitring lumber (regional term) | Steel, Aluminum, Plastic | Carpenters, Woodworkers, DIYers |
| digital clamp meter | Measure current without breaking circuit | Plastic, Metal | Electricians, Technicians |
| diamond wheel dresser | Restore grinding wheel face and profile | Steel, Diamond | Toolmakers, Machinists, Welders |
| die set | Forming or cutting dies for presses | Hardened steel | Machinists, Fabricators, Jewelry makers |
| drawknife | Shave and shape wood by hand | Steel, Wood | Woodworkers, Carvers, Chairmakers |
| drafting compass | Draw circles and arcs in drafting | Steel, Brass | Draftsmen, Architects, Designers |
| drafting scale | Scale drawings and measure distances | Aluminum, Plastic | Architects, Engineers, Students |
| drill press vise | Secure workpiece on drill press table | Steel, Cast iron | Machinists, Woodworkers |
| distance meter | Measure distances quickly (often laser) | Plastic, Electronics | Contractors, Surveyors, DIYers |
| dust mask | Protect against inhaled dust (not a tool) | Non-applicable | Not included |
| digital protractor | Measure and transfer angles digitally | Plastic, Metal | Carpenters, Woodworkers, Machinists |
| door clamp | Clamp doors or large panels during work | Steel, Rubber | Carpenters, Cabinetmakers |
| drill press table | Support and position work on drill press | Aluminum, Steel | Woodworkers, Metalworkers |
| debarking tool | Remove bark from logs in woodworking | Steel, Wood | Forestry workers, Woodturners |
| digital thermometer | Measure temperatures in workshops | Plastic, Metal | HVAC techs, Mechanics, DIYers |
| drift | Tapered tool for aligning or removing parts | Steel | Machinists, Mechanics, Blacksmiths |
| drywall lifter | Lift and position drywall sheets | Steel, Plastic | Drywall installers, Contractors |
| digital tachometer | Measure rotational speed electronically | Plastic, Metal | Mechanics, Technicians, Engineers |
| diagonal cutters | Cut wire and small pins | Steel | Electricians, Electronics techs, DIYers |
| drawer slide jig | Install drawer slides accurately | Aluminum, Plastic | Cabinetmakers, Woodworkers |
| door wedge | Hold doors open or steady during work | Rubber, Wood | Carpenters, Movers, DIYers |
| dripless paint tray | Reduce paint drips during rolling | Plastic, Metal | Painters, DIYers |
| digital hygrometer | Measure humidity levels | Plastic, Electronics | HVAC techs, Woodworkers, Homeowners |
Descriptions
drill
Handheld rotary tool for making holes or driving screws, available corded or cordless (12–20 V). Common variants: hammer drill, drill-driver, right-angle drill; sizes range from compact to heavy-duty.
drill press
Stationary machine that holds and spins a drill bit vertically for accurate, repeatable holes; bench and floor models exist, typical speeds 500–3,000 RPM.
drill driver
Cordless handheld tool combining drill and screwdriver functions, common in 12–20 V packs; versatile for wood, metal, and fastener work.
drill guide
Portable jig that keeps a handheld drill square to the workpiece for accurate holes; simple hand-held or clamp-on styles for dowels and hinge boring.
drill bit sharpener
Bench or handheld tool for regrinding dull bits to extend life and accuracy; supports twist bits and some specialty sizes.
die
Round or hex tool that cuts external screw threads on rods or bolts; available in standard thread sizes and as adjustable or round dies.
die stock
Handle that secures a die for manual thread cutting; T-handle and bar-style stocks are common for small to medium-sized threads.
die grinder
Handheld rotary tool for grinding, sanding, polishing with small abrasive discs or bits; pneumatic and electric versions, typically 15,000–30,000 RPM.
deburrer
Hand tool with rotating or static blades to smooth edges on metal, plastic, or wood parts; manual and powered versions (handheld deburring knives, countersink deburrers).
dead blow hammer
Sledge-like mallet filled with shot to reduce rebound and protect surfaces; common sizes 8–32 oz; great for assembly and adjustments.
drift punch
Long, tapered punch used to align bolt holes or remove pins; not hardened on tip to avoid damage when used as alignment tool.
dividers
Two-pointed measuring tool for marking distances or drawing circles; spring or jointed variants, commonly 4–8 inches long.
dial caliper
Vernier-style caliper with dial readout for internal, external, and depth measurements to 0.001″ or 0.02 mm; common sizes 6–12 inches.
digital caliper
Caliper with digital display for quick readings (0.0005″ or 0.01 mm resolution); available in 6″ and 12″ lengths, switches between metric/imperial.
dial indicator
Plunger-style gauge that shows fine movement on a circular dial; used for runout, alignment, and setup tasks; common ranges ±0.100″ with 0.001″ graduations.
digital multimeter
Handheld electronic instrument for electrical troubleshooting; measures V, A, Ω, continuity; typical handhelds are battery powered and auto-ranging.
digital level
Bubble-level replacement that displays angle digitally, often to 0.1°; pocket and torpedo sizes common, some include inclinometer and memory.
digital torque wrench
Torque wrench with electronic display and audible/vibrate alerts for set torque; common ranges 5–250 ft·lb depending on model.
digital angle finder
Handheld protractor with digital readout to set or check angles, often with magnets for metal surfaces; useful for mitering and layout.
digital readout
Electronic display system (DRO) showing precise table/head position on mills and lathes; improves accuracy in machining operations.
disc sander
Benchtop or stationary sander with abrasive disc for edge and face sanding; disc sizes commonly 6–12 inches.
drum sander
Stationary sander using a rotating drum covered in abrasive to sand boards uniformly; used for finishing and thicknessing large panels.
disc grinder
Handheld power tool (angle or disc grinder) used for grinding, cutting, and sanding metal or masonry with abrasive discs, commonly 4–9 inches.
dado blade
Stacked or wobble blade set for cutting grooves (dados) on table saws; widths vary from 1/4″ to 1″ or more depending on setup.
dovetail saw
Small backsaw with fine teeth for accurate dovetail joints; blade lengths often 8–12 inches with reinforced spine for stiffness.
dovetail jig
Jig that guides a router or saw to cut matching dovetails quickly and accurately; manual and template-driven models available.
dowel jig
Portable jig for drilling accurately spaced, aligned holes for dowels in joinery; common for furniture and cabinetry assembly.
drywall saw
Long-handled, pointed blade saw for cutting gypsum board by hand; also called jab saw or keyhole saw for rough openings.
drywall knife
Wide-bladed spatula (4–12 inches) used to apply and smooth joint compound; flexible blades for feathering seams.
drywall sander
Handheld or pole-mounted sander, often with vacuum hookup to reduce dust; battery and electric models available with sanding heads.
dust extractor
High-filtration vacuum designed to attach to power tools or act as shop vacuum to capture dust at source; portable and stationary units exist.
dust collector
Stationary system with hopper and filter that centralizes dust collection from several machines; sizes range from single-bag to multi-stage collectors.
dead blow mallet
Mallet filled with shot to absorb rebound and concentrate force, minimizing surface damage; common weights 1–3 lb for assembly work.
drain snake
Flexible auger (hand or powered) inserted into drains to break or retrieve blockages; handheld 25–75 ft coils for household use, powered machines for larger jobs.
digging bar
Long, heavy steel bar with chisel and point ends for loosening compacted ground, prying rocks, or driving stakes; lengths commonly 4–6 ft.
dolly
Wheeled platform or appliance dolly used to transport heavy loads safely; appliance dollies often have straps and 2–4 wheels.
demolition hammer
Large pneumatic or electric hammer (jackhammer family) for breaking concrete, tile, and masonry; SDS-max and hex-shank variants common.
drop saw
Also called a miter saw in some regions; stationary saw that makes accurate crosscuts and angled cuts, blade sizes typically 8–12 inches.
digital clamp meter
Handheld meter that clamps around a conductor to read current; often includes voltage and resistance measurements with digital display.
diamond wheel dresser
Handheld or bench tool with industrial diamond to true and clean grinding wheel surfaces; sizes and styles for different wheel diameters.
die set
Matched male/female metal tooling used in presses for cutting, shaping, or stamping parts; custom and standard sets for thread, punch, and forming tasks.
drawknife
Two-handled blade used to shave wood along the grain for rough shaping and debarking; blade widths vary 2–10 inches.
drafting compass
Adjustable two-legged tool for precise circles and arcs; locking and beam-compass variants for larger radii.
drafting scale
Triangular or flat ruler with multiple scaled units for reading and creating scaled technical drawings; common scales include 1:10, 1:20, 1:50.
drill press vise
Low-profile vise that clamps to a drill press table to hold parts squarely while drilling; swivel and precision models available.
distance meter
Handheld device (often laser) that measures distances quickly and accurately over long ranges, typically 30–300 ft; displays metric/imperial.
dust mask
Exclude — PPE, not a tool.
digital protractor
Compact electronic protractor with readout for setting saw blades and checking angles; magnetized edges common for metal work.
door clamp
Specialized clamp that holds doors or panels steady for routing, hinging, or finishing; often adjustable to protect surfaces.
drill press table
Accessory tabletop providing extended support, fences, and miter slots for repeatable drilling operations.
debarking tool
Hand tools or knives designed to strip bark from logs before turning or milling; drawknives and bark spuds are common types.
digital thermometer
Handheld thermometer (infrared or probe) for checking surface or ambient temperatures; useful for HVAC, motors, and material checks.
drift
Generic tapered punch or alignment tool used for guiding pins or aligning components during assembly or disassembly.
drywall lifter
Mechanical support tool to raise and hold drywall sheets against ceilings or walls for fastening, enabling single-person installation.
digital tachometer
Handheld instrument (contact or noncontact) that displays RPM of shafts or motors; useful for maintenance and diagnostics.
diagonal cutters
Also called diagonal pliers or “dikes”; handheld pliers with angled cutting jaws for flush cutting wire and trimming leads.
drawer slide jig
Jig that guides placement and drilling for smooth, aligned drawer slide installation; speeds repeatable production in cabinetry.
door wedge
Simple wedge used to keep doors open or slightly ajar during installation or finishing; small but handy on job sites.
dripless paint tray
Paint tray with features to minimize spills and drips; considered an accessory rather than consumable; handy for roller work.
digital hygrometer
Handheld or tabletop gauge showing relative humidity and temperature; useful for wood storage, finishing, and indoor climate control.