Here you’ll find 36 Tools that start with A, organized from “A-frame ladder” to “Axe”. These entries cover hand, power, measurement and digital tools commonly used in workshops, jobsites and home projects.
Tools that start with A are handheld, powered, measuring or digital instruments that begin with the letter A. The axe is a notable example, with ancient origins and strong cultural symbolism worldwide.
Below you’ll find the table with Tool, Purpose, Primary materials, and Typical users.
Tool: Shows the tool name so you can locate the item quickly and confirm spelling or common variants.
Purpose: Summarizes one-line uses so you can decide at a glance whether the tool fits your task or research.
Primary materials: Lists typical construction materials so you can judge durability, weight and suitability for different environments.
Typical users: Identifies common user groups so you can see who commonly uses the tool and whether it’s relevant to you.
Tools that start with A
| Name | Primary use | Primary materials | Typical users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen wrench | Drive hex-head fasteners | Hardened steel | Mechanics, DIYers, furniture assemblers |
| Adjustable wrench | Turn nuts and bolts of varying sizes | Forged steel, chrome finish | Plumbers, mechanics, DIYers |
| Awl | Punch starter holes and scribe marks | Hardened steel, wooden/plastic handle | Carpenters, leatherworkers, shoemakers |
| Auger (hand auger) | Drill deep holes in wood or soil by hand | Steel bit, wooden/metal handle | Carpenters, gardeners, arborists |
| Auger bit | Cut helical holes when used with a drill | High-speed steel, carbon steel | Carpenters, electricians, plumbers |
| Angle grinder | Grind, cut, and polish metal and masonry | Steel motor housing, abrasive discs | Metalworkers, masons, fabricators |
| Angle drill | Drill in tight spaces and at odd angles | Steel body, keyed/chuck | Electricians, plumbers, carpenters |
| Angle finder | Measure or transfer angles | Plastic/metal body, protractor scale | Woodworkers, tile setters, metalworkers |
| Angle clamp | Hold workpieces at set angles during assembly | Steel, cast iron, aluminum | Woodworkers, metal fabricators, welders |
| Air compressor | Supply compressed air to pneumatic tools | Cast iron/aluminum pump, steel tank | Contractors, auto shops, hobbyists |
| Air impact wrench | Deliver high torque for loosening/tightening fasteners | Steel body, pneumatic motor | Automotive technicians, mechanics |
| Air hammer | Chisel, cut or shape metal and stone using compressed air | Steel chisel bits, aluminum housing | Metalworkers, demolition crews, auto restorers |
| Air ratchet | Speed fastener removal and installation in tight spots | Steel drive, pneumatic motor | Mechanics, technicians, maintenance crews |
| Air drill | High-speed drilling using compressed air | Steel housing, chuck | Automotive, maintenance, assembly workers |
| Air sander | Remove material and finish surfaces with abrasive action | Aluminum body, sanding pads | Auto body techs, woodworkers, finishers |
| Airbrush | Spray fine paint or coatings for detail work | Metal body, plastic cup | Artists, modelers, auto painters |
| Air nailer | Drive nails using compressed air | Steel magazine, aluminum housing | Carpenters, framers, flooring installers |
| Airless paint sprayer | Apply paint quickly over large surfaces | Steel pump, high-pressure hose | Painters, contractors, DIYers |
| Arc welder | Join metals by electric arc melting | Steel case, copper electrodes | Welders, fabricators, metalworkers |
| Ammeter | Measure electric current in circuits | Copper coils, plastic housing, display | Electricians, technicians, hobbyists |
| Anemometer | Measure wind speed and airflow | Plastic/metal cups or vane, electronics | HVAC techs, meteorologists, hobbyists |
| Abney level | Measure slope and percentage grade | Brass/steel, glass vial or scale | Surveyors, foresters, landscapers |
| Automatic level | Establish horizontal lines for surveying | Aluminum body, optical telescope | Surveyors, builders, civil engineers |
| Automatic center punch | Mark starter dents without a hammer | Hardened steel point, spring mechanism | Machinists, metalworkers, DIYers |
| Automatic wire stripper | Strip insulation quickly and accurately | Steel blades, plastic handle | Electricians, technicians, hobbyists |
| Axe | Chop wood and shape timber | Forged steel head, wooden/fiberglass handle | Loggers, carpenters, campers |
| Adze | Shape wood surfaces and hollow out timber | Forged steel blade, wooden handle | Carpenters, shipwrights, woodcarvers |
| Air rivet gun | Install blind/pop rivets with compressed air | Steel nosepiece, aluminum housing | Sheet metal workers, fabricators, installers |
| Asphalt cutter | Cut asphalt and pavement for repairs | Steel blade, gasoline/electric motor | Road crews, landscapers, contractors |
| Audio level meter | Measure audio signal levels and volume | Plastic housing, electronic circuitry | Sound engineers, broadcasters, DJs |
| Auto dent puller | Remove small vehicle dents without repainting | Plastic/steel tabs, suction cups | Auto body techs, DIYers |
| Automatic screwdriver | Drive screws automatically or continuously | Steel bit, electric/pneumatic motor | Assemblers, electricians, maintenance workers |
| Armature puller | Remove electric motor armatures or gears | Steel jaws, threaded shaft | Electric motor techs, electricians, hobbyists |
| Air filtration respirator (powered) | Filter particles when using airborne particulates | Plastic mask, filter cartridges, motor | Painters, welders, woodworkers |
| Acetylene torch | Cut and weld metal using oxy-fuel flame | Brass valves, steel torch body | Welders, plumbers, metal fabricators |
| A-frame ladder | Provide elevated access and support | Aluminum or fibreglass rails, rungs | Painters, electricians, homeowners |
Descriptions
Allen wrench
L-shaped hex key used to turn socket-head cap screws; aka hex key. Sold singly or in sets, standard and metric sizes, common for flat-pack furniture and machinery maintenance.
Adjustable wrench
Wrench with a movable jaw to fit multiple fastener sizes. Also called crescent wrench; useful for plumbing, automotive work and general repairs.
Awl
Pointed hand tool for marking, making pilot holes, and starting screws. Variants include scratch awl and brad awl for woodworking and leatherwork.
Auger (hand auger)
Spiral-flighted drill for boring holes in wood or earth. Includes ship augers, earth augers and brace-mounted auger bits for manual drilling tasks.
Auger bit
Spiral bit that clears chips while drilling deep wood holes. Available as wood-boring bits, corkscrew types and long-shank variants for braces or power drills.
Angle grinder
Handheld powered grinder using rotating abrasive discs. Used for cutting, grinding, polishing and surface prep. Variants include disc grinders and flap-disc models.
Angle drill
Compact drill with a right-angle head to access confined areas. Can be corded or cordless, used for drilling and driving in cabinetry and automotive work.
Angle finder
Handheld gauge to read and duplicate angles between surfaces. Digital and analog versions help lay out miters, stair stringers and roof pitches.
Angle clamp
Clamp shaped to hold two pieces at a fixed angle (commonly 90°). Useful for gluing, welding and fixture setup; quick-release and adjustable models exist.
Air compressor
Machine that pressurizes air for tools like nailers and impact wrenches. Portable and stationary tanks available; horsepower and tank size vary by application.
Air impact wrench
Pneumatic tool that delivers rapid, high-torque impacts to loosen or tighten bolts. Common in tire shops; comes in various drive sizes (1/2″, 3/4″).
Air hammer
Pneumatic hammer with interchangeable chisels for cutting, shaping, or removing material. Also known as air chisel; useful for bodywork and masonry chipping.
Air ratchet
Compact pneumatic ratchet for quickly turning nuts and bolts in confined spaces. Lower torque than impact wrenches but faster for repetitive tasks.
Air drill
Pneumatic drill offering continuous speed and long life for industrial and shop use. Often lighter than electric drills and preferred where spark risk exists.
Air sander
Pneumatic sanding tool using sandpaper discs or pads for smoothing surfaces, paint prep and blending. Includes orbital and dual-action variants.
Airbrush
Small pneumatic spray tool for fine, controlled painting and detailing. Used in art, scale models, automotive touch-ups and cosmetics.
Air nailer
Pneumatic nail gun for rapid nailing in framing, sheathing, trim or flooring. Types include brad, finish, framing and roofing nailers.
Airless paint sprayer
High-pressure sprayer that atomizes paint without compressed air. Ideal for exterior siding and large interior jobs; reduces brush marks and speeds application.
Arc welder
Welding machine creating an electric arc to melt and fuse metals. Includes stick (SMAW), MIG/TIG variants often described generically as arc welding tools.
Ammeter
Instrument that measures current in amps. Available as handheld analog meters, digital multimeter functions or clamp ammeter attachments for non-contact readings.
Anemometer
Handheld or mounted device that measures wind or airflow. Cup, vane and hot-wire designs used in weather measurement and ventilation balancing.
Abney level
Handheld inclinometer combining a sight and protractor to measure slopes and angles. Portable, simple tool for rough surveying and forestry work.
Automatic level
Optical instrument that self-levels to set horizontal references for site layout and grading. Also called builder’s level; used with leveling rods on construction sites.
Automatic center punch
Handheld punch that produces an automatic blow to make a dimple for drilling. Eliminates need for hammer and steady hand when starting holes.
Automatic wire stripper
Hand tool that grips and removes wire insulation automatically to a set length. Speeds electrical work and reduces nicks to conductors.
Axe
Handheld cutting tool with a sharp blade for felling, splitting and shaping wood. Variants include felling axes, splitting mauls and hatchets.
Adze
Traditional woodworking tool with a blade set perpendicular to the handle for smoothing, carving and hollowing large timber or beams.
Air rivet gun
Pneumatic riveter that sets pop rivets quickly for metal sheet joining and assemblies. Faster than manual hand riveters for production use.
Asphalt cutter
Heavy-duty power saw with diamond or abrasive blade designed to cut asphalt and concrete for roadwork and paving repairs.
Audio level meter
Handheld or rack-mount instrument that displays audio levels in dB. Used to set gain, avoid clipping and balance sound in live and studio environments.
Auto dent puller
Handheld tools using suction or pulling tabs to pop out shallow dents. Kits vary from glue-pull systems to slide hammers for light bodywork.
Automatic screwdriver
Handheld powered screwdriver delivering repetitive torque for assembly work. Can be cordless, corded or pneumatic; adjustable torque for consistent fastening.
Armature puller
Tool that clamps and extracts armatures, bearings or gears from shafts without damage. Mechanical and hydraulic versions available for workshops.
Air filtration respirator (powered)
Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) blows filtered air to the wearer, reducing inhalation of dust, fumes and spray during painting or sanding.
Acetylene torch
Handheld torch mixing acetylene and oxygen to produce a high-temperature flame for cutting, welding and heating metal. Requires regulators and hoses.
A-frame ladder
Self-supporting folding ladder in an A shape for stable, portable access to moderate heights. Common for indoor tasks like painting and light maintenance.