This list includes 61 Tools that start with C, from “C-clamp” to “Cylinder hone”. They are mostly hand and power tools, measuring instruments, and workshop accessories for building, repairing, and measuring.
Tools that start with C are handheld, power, measurement, or digital instruments you use to complete practical tasks. A notable example, the “C-clamp”, dates back to early metalworking and remains a workshop staple worldwide.
Below you’ll find the table with Tool, Purpose, Materials and Typical users.
Tool: The tool name helps you find items alphabetically and spot common variants or synonyms.
Purpose: Short, one-line descriptions tell you the primary use so you can match tools to tasks quickly.
Materials: Lists primary materials so you understand durability and basic care, helping you choose suitable options.
Typical users: Identifies who commonly uses the tool, from DIYers and tradespeople to students and content creators.
Tools that start with C
| Name | Primary use | Common sizes/units | Typical users |
|---|---|---|---|
| C-clamp | Hold work pieces securely | 1–12 in capacity | Woodworkers, metalworkers, DIYers |
| Caliper | Measure internal/external dimensions | 0–12 in (0–300 mm) common | Machinists, woodworkers, hobbyists |
| Caulking gun | Apply sealant smoothly | Standard 10 oz cartridges | Plumbers, painters, DIYers |
| Chalk line | Mark long straight lines | 20–100 ft line reels | Carpenters, framers, tilers |
| Chisel | Cut or shape wood/metal | 1⁄8–2 in blade widths | Carpenters, woodworkers, sculptors |
| Cold chisel | Cut hardened metal by hammering | 3⁄8–1 in typical tips | Metalworkers, mechanics |
| Combination square | Measure/mark right angles and depth | 12 in common; 6–24 in rulers | Carpenters, machinists, DIYers |
| Cordless drill | Drill and drive fasteners | 12–20 V typical; 18 V common | DIYers, contractors, electricians |
| Corded drill | High‑power drilling | 500–1,200 W typical | Tradespeople, contractors |
| Circular saw | Straight sawing of wood and sheet goods | 7¼ in and 6½ in blades common | Carpenters, DIYers |
| Chainsaw | Cutting trees and large wood | 12–24 in bar lengths | Arborists, loggers, homeowners |
| Cut-off saw | Cut metal and masonry | 14–16 in abrasive blades | Metalworkers, masons, mechanics |
| Countersink | Create conical recess for fasteners | #6–½ in pilot sizes | Woodworkers, machinists, fabricators |
| Counterbore | Make flat‑bottomed hole for bolt heads | Common pilot sizes 1⁄8–½ in | Machinists, woodworkers |
| Center punch | Mark drill centers | Compact, 3–6 in length | Metalworkers, machinists, woodworkers |
| Carpenter’s square | Lay out and check right angles | 16–24 in common | Carpenters, framers, woodworkers |
| Combination wrench | Turn nuts and bolts | 6–24 mm or ¼–1 in | Mechanics, plumbers, DIYers |
| Crescent wrench | Adjustable jaw wrench for fasteners | 4–12 in common lengths | DIYers, mechanics, plumbers |
| Crowbar | Pry, lever and remove nails | 12–48 in lengths | Demolition crews, carpenters, DIYers |
| Clamp | Secure work pieces temporarily | 1–36 in span options | Woodworkers, metalworkers, DIYers |
| Coping saw | Cut intricate curves in wood | 6–8 in frame; 12–15 TPI blades | Woodworkers, hobbyists, model makers |
| Cold saw | Precision metal cutting with circular blade | Blade diameters 8–14 in | Metal fabricators, machinists |
| Compound miter saw | Make precise angled crosscuts | 8–12 in blades common | Carpenters, finishers, DIYers |
| Conduit bender | Bend electrical conduit accurately | 1⁄2–1 in trade sizes | Electricians |
| Crimping tool | Crimp terminals and connectors | Die sets for AWG 10–22 | Electricians, network techs, mechanics |
| Carbide burr | Shape and remove metal or wood | 3–10 mm shanks; many head sizes | Metalworkers, fabricators, jewelers |
| Circuit tester | Check electrical continuity and voltage | 12–600 V ranges | Electricians, DIYers |
| Clamp meter | Measure current without disconnecting | AC/DC up to 1,000 A common | Electricians, technicians |
| CNC machine | Computer‑controlled cutting and milling | Work area varies widely | Fabricators, machinists, makers |
| Claw hammer | Drive and remove nails | 16 oz head common | Carpenters, framers, DIYers |
| Concrete vibrator | Consolidate poured concrete | Vibrating head diameters 1–3 in | Concrete finishers, masons |
| Concrete float | Level and smooth fresh concrete | 12–48 in blades common | Masons, contractors |
| Cordless impact driver | Drive screws and bolts quickly | 12–20 V typical | Carpenters, mechanics, DIYers |
| Cutting pliers | Cut wire and small fasteners | 6–8 in handles common | Electricians, mechanics, DIYers |
| Crosscut saw | Hand saw for cutting across wood grain | 20–36 in blades common | Loggers, carpenters, gardeners |
| Compression tester | Check engine cylinder pressure | 0–300+ psi gauges | Mechanics, technicians |
| Corner clamp | Hold miters and frames at 90° | Fits 0–4 in stock common | Cabinetmakers, woodworkers |
| Car jack | Lift vehicles for repair | 1–3 ton capacity common | Mechanics, DIYers |
| Carpenter’s pencil | Mark lumber and layout lines | Flat body, ½ in lead typical | Carpenters, woodworkers, DIYers |
| Concrete saw | Cut concrete, asphalt and masonry | Blade sizes 10–16 in; diamond blades | Masons, contractors |
| Compact router | Edge profiling and routing in tight areas | ½–1¼ HP typical | Woodworkers, finish carpenters |
| Combination pliers | Grip and cut in one tool | 6–10 in handles common | Electricians, mechanics, DIYers |
| Cable cutter | Cut electrical and communication cables | Up to 1 in cable common | Electricians, telecom techs |
| Cable stripper | Strip insulation from wires and cables | AWG 10–24 ranges | Electricians, network techs |
| Chain breaker | Split bicycle or light chains | For 1–12 speed chain pins | Bicycle mechanics, DIYers |
| Chain hoist | Lift heavy loads with chain and gear | ½–5 ton common | Mechanics, riggers, fabricators |
| Concrete mixer | Mix concrete and mortar | 1–12 cu ft drum sizes | Contractors, masons, DIYers |
| Carpet stretcher | Stretch carpet for installation | Pole length adjustable | Flooring installers, contractors |
| Cutting mat | Protect work surface for cutting | 18×24 in and larger | Crafters, model makers, designers |
| Compressor | Supply compressed air to tools | 1–80+ gal tanks; 90–175 psi | Mechanics, finishers, DIYers |
| Cross-peen hammer | Form and shape metal | 8–16 oz heads common | Blacksmiths, metalworkers |
| Clinometer | Measure slopes and angles | Degrees or percent slope readout | Surveyors, foresters, builders |
| Contour gauge | Copy complex profiles for trimming | Profiles up to 6–12 in wide | Carpenters, tilers, hobbyists |
| Card scraper | Smooth wood surfaces and remove finish | 2–6 in wide steel card | Woodworkers, finishers |
| Carving gouge | Carve concave shapes in wood | Sweep #1–#12; widths 1⁄8–1 in | Woodcarvers, sculptors, hobbyists |
| Cable tie gun | Tension and cut zip ties neatly | Handles fit 4–12 mm ties | Electricians, installers, network techs |
| Concrete breaker (jackhammer) | Break up concrete and pavement | Pneumatic or electric, 20–60 lb class | Demolition crews, masons |
| Corner trowel | Finish inside corners of plaster/concrete | 6–10 in blade widths | Masons, plasterers |
| Come-along (hand winch) | Pull and tension heavy loads | 2,000–6,000 lb capacity common | Riggers, mechanics, landscapers |
| Cylinder hone | Finish cylinder bores and surfaces | 5–12 in stones/mandrels | Mechanics, engine builders |
| Chain saw sharpener | Sharpen chainsaw chains | Sharpening files 4–5.5 mm | Arborists, loggers, homeowners |
Descriptions
C-clamp
Heavy steel frame with a threaded screw; variants include G‑clamp and F‑clamp. Great for gluing and holding parts while fastening.
Caliper
Steel vernier, dial or digital calipers measure precise gaps and lengths. Digital variant is quick; vernier used without batteries.
Caulking gun
Hand or powered frame for 10 oz tubes; typically steel or aluminum. Also called sealant gun; useful for sealing joints and gaps.
Chalk line
Plastic or metal reel with a waxed chalk line. Snap the line to leave a straight reference for cuts or layouts.
Chisel
Steel blade with wooden or plastic handle. Wood chisels, bench chisels and gouges are common; keep sharp for clean cuts.
Cold chisel
Heat‑treated steel chisel for cutting bolts, rivets or metalstock by striking with a hammer. Not for woodworking.
Combination square
Metal rule with adjustable head for 90°/45° layout, depth, and center finding. Often has a spirit level and scribe.
Cordless drill
Battery‑powered drill/driver with variable speed and clutch. Brushless motors and hammer modes are common variants.
Corded drill
Electric plug‑in drill for sustained power. Often has keyed or keyless chuck; better for heavy drilling than batteries.
Circular saw
Handheld electric saw with toothed blade; variants: sidewinder and worm‑drive. Wear guards and use appropriate blade.
Chainsaw
Gas or electric chain‑driven bar for felling, limbing and cutting firewood. Wear chain brake and protective gear.
Cut-off saw
Power saw (often abrasive wheel or toothed) for straight cuts; called chop saw. Use cutting wheel for metal, diamond for masonry.
Countersink
Hand or drill‑mounted metal tool to recess screw heads. Variants: countersink bit, countersink cutter.
Counterbore
Cutter creating a stepped hole for bolt heads. Used with drill press or router; often sold as pilot‑guided bits.
Center punch
Hardened steel punch to create starter dimple before drilling. Can be hand or automatic spring‑loaded punch.
Carpenter’s square
Large L‑shaped steel framing or try square used for layout and straight edges. Also called framing or try square.
Combination wrench
Open end on one side and boxed end on the other, usually chrome steel. Metric and SAE sizes available.
Crescent wrench
Adjustable single‑jaw steel wrench often called Crescent® wrench; use for various nut sizes. Avoid softening jaws on heavy torque.
Crowbar
Forged steel pry bar with beveled end and claw. Also called pry bar or wrecking bar; excellent for demolition and leverage.
Clamp
Generic term for spring, bar, pipe or quick‑release clamps made of steel, aluminum or plastic. Choose style by task.
Coping saw
Thin, U‑shaped frame with fine blade held in tension. Great for interior cuts and tight curves.
Cold saw
Circular saw using toothed blade and coolant for clean metal cuts with minimal heat; slower but accurate.
Compound miter saw
Pivoting saw head for miter and bevel cuts, used for trim and molding. Compound and sliding variants increase capacity.
Conduit bender
Manual or hydraulic bender shaped for EMT/Rigid conduit, usually steel. Accurate bending without kinking; called hand bender.
Crimping tool
Pliers or bench tool that compresses connector sleeves. Variants: ratcheting crimper, hydraulic crimper.
Carbide burr
Tungsten carbide rotary cutter used in die grinders for deburring, shaping and engraving; many profiles available.
Circuit tester
Handheld tester for live voltage, polarity, or continuity. Includes neon/test light or digital multimeter types.
Clamp meter
Multimeter with hinged jaws to read current; often combines voltage, resistance and continuity functions.
CNC machine
Computer numerical control routers/mills/lasers for precise shaping of wood, metal or plastic. Popular variants: CNC router, CNC mill.
Claw hammer
Steelhead with curved claw and wooden/fiberglass handle. General purpose hammer for framing and demolition.
Concrete vibrator
Internal or external vibrator with flexible shaft to remove air pockets and ensure proper compaction of concrete.
Concrete float
Flat finishing tool of wood, magnesium or aluminum used after screeding to smooth and compact the surface.
Cordless impact driver
Compact battery‑powered driver with high torque and quick impacts. Great for long screws and lag bolts; not precise torque control.
Cutting pliers
Hardened steel jaws for cutting wires, nails and small pins. Variants include diagonal cutters, end‑cutters and side cutters.
Crosscut saw
Large hand saw with coarse teeth for cutting boards or lumber across the grain. Also available as power crosscut variants.
Compression tester
Handheld gauge with hose and adapter to measure cylinder compression; useful for engine diagnostics.
Corner clamp
Clamp designed to hold corners square during glue‑ups or assembly. Steel or aluminum frames, quick‑release options.
Car jack
Hydraulic or scissor jack used to raise a vehicle for wheel changes and under‑car work. Floor jacks are faster and more stable.
Carpenter’s pencil
Flat, rectangular pencil that won’t roll; thicker lead resists breaking. Used for layout on rough stock.
Concrete saw
Gas or electric saw with diamond or abrasive blade for cutting slabs and openings; wet or dry cutting methods.
Compact router
Small handheld router for trimming and edge shaping. Often used with guide bushing or template.
Combination pliers
Multipurpose pliers with gripping jaws and cutting edge. Also called lineman’s pliers in some regions.
Cable cutter
Scissor‑style or ratcheting cutters made of hardened steel for clean cuts on copper and aluminum cable.
Cable stripper
Hand tool with adjustable jaws or blades to remove insulation without nicking conductors. Variants: automatic and bench models.
Chain breaker
Tool that pushes out chain pins to remove or install links. Compact and portable for field repairs.
Chain hoist
Manual or powered hoist using chain and ratchet gear for lifting; used in shops and construction for material handling.
Concrete mixer
Portable rotating drum (gas or electric) that mixes cement, sand and aggregate. Varied capacities for small projects or jobsite use.
Carpet stretcher
Tool with a toothed head and adjustable pole to tension carpet for smooth installation; also called knee kicker (different type).
Cutting mat
Self‑healing PVC mat with grid lines. Protects blades and surfaces; common in sewing and craft work.
Compressor
Electric or gas pump unit to power nailers, spray guns and air tools. Portable pancake compressors to industrial stationary units.
Cross-peen hammer
Hammer with flat face and narrow peen set at right angle for forging, shaping and riveting; often forged steel.
Clinometer
Handheld or optical inclinometer for measuring angle of slope or roof pitch. Useful in surveying and timber work.
Contour gauge
Plastic or metal pins press against profile to copy shapes for trim and flooring cuts. Simple and handy layout tool.
Card scraper
Thin tempered steel scraped across wood to remove tearout or glue; traditional alternative to sandpaper for a fine finish.
Carving gouge
Chisel with curved cutting edge for carving bowls, ornaments and relief work. Bevels vary for different cuts.
Cable tie gun
Hand tool that tightens and trims cable ties to consistent tension. Improves installation neatness and safety.
Concrete breaker (jackhammer)
Handheld powered hammer with chisel bits to break concrete and rock. Pneumatic models common on construction sites.
Corner trowel
Small trowel with 90° angle used to smooth and shape internal corners in concrete or drywall compound.
Come-along (hand winch)
Portable ratcheting cable/chain hand winch used for tensioning, pulling and positioning; also called lever puller.
Cylinder hone
Rotary tool with abrasive stones to deglaze and size engine cylinders; flexible or rigid shafts available.
Chain saw sharpener
Manual file guide or powered grinder to restore chain cutting edges. Keeps chains cutting efficiently and safely.