Here you’ll find 30 Tools that start with L, organized from “L-square” to “Lux meter”. These tools are mostly measurement, layout, cutting and finishing aids you use across carpentry, electrical work, photography and general DIY.

Tools that start with L are handheld, powered or measurement instruments you use for building, measuring and finishing. Many, like the L-square, have long craft histories and still appear in modern workshops.

Below you’ll find the table with the columns “Tool”, “Purpose”, “Primary materials” and “Typical user groups”.

Tool: The common name of the item, so you can quickly identify the exact tool you need.

Purpose: Short description of what the tool does, helping you decide when to use it on a project.

Primary materials: Main materials the tool is made from, so you assess durability, maintenance and suitability for tasks.

Typical user groups: Common professionals and hobbyists who use the tool, helping you find tools relevant to your skill level.

Tools that start with L

Name Primary use Primary material(s) Typical users Description
Level Check horizontal/vertical straightness aluminum, plastic, glass vial carpenters, DIYers, builders A hand tool with liquid-filled vials to check level and plumb; also called a spirit or bubble level for layout and framing.
Laser level Project laser lines for alignment plastic, aluminum, laser diode contractors, tilers, DIYers Projects straight laser lines for accurate alignment; comes as self-leveling, line or rotary variants for indoor and outdoor layout.
Laser distance meter Measure distances quickly using laser plastic, glass, electronics surveyors, builders, DIYers Handheld laser rangefinder giving quick distance readings to ±millimeter accuracy; often called laser tape or laser measure.
Laser pointer Pointing or basic aiming for presentations plastic, metal, laser diode presenters, photographers, hobbyists Small handheld laser used for pointing, simple alignment or demos; available in different colors and safety classes.
Laser cutter Cut and engrave materials using focused laser steel, optics, electronics makers, fabricators, designers Powered machine that cuts or engraves wood, acrylic and metal; desktop hobby and industrial variants differ in power and bed size.
Laser engraver Mark or etch surfaces with laser aluminum, optics, electronics makers, crafters, manufacturers Similar to a laser cutter but optimized for fine marking and etching on wood, leather, metal and glass.
Laser thermometer Measure surface temperature remotely plastic, electronics, IR sensor HVAC techs, cooks, mechanics Handheld IR thermometer with a laser pointer for targeting surfaces; handy for HVAC checks, cooking and automotive diagnostics.
Lathe Shape rotating workpieces by cutting cast iron, steel, aluminum woodworkers, metalworkers, machinists Machine tool that spins stock for turning, facing or threading; available as wood lathes, metal lathes and CNC versions.
Lathe chuck Secure workpieces on a lathe spindle steel, cast iron machinists, woodworkers Clamping jaw assembly that holds stock on a lathe; common varieties include 3-jaw self-centering and 4-jaw independent chucks.
Lug wrench Tighten and loosen wheel nuts steel motorists, mechanics, roadside workers Cross-shaped or L-shaped wrench used for changing vehicle wheels; simple, heavy-duty and found in most car tool kits.
Locking pliers Clamp and hold objects tightly steel, alloy mechanics, welders, DIYers Pliers with a locking mechanism (e.g., Vise-Grip) for gripping, twisting or clamping; available in curved and straight-jaw styles.
Lineman’s pliers Cut and twist electrical wires steel, insulated grips electricians, linemen, HVAC techs Heavy-duty combination pliers with gripping nose and cutting edge for electrical work; essential for wire pulling and cutting.
Long-nose pliers Reach and grip in tight spots steel, insulated handles electricians, hobbyists, mechanics Narrow-tipped pliers for precision bending, holding or cutting small wires; commonly called needle-nose pliers.
Lopper Trim branches and prune woody stems steel, aluminum gardeners, landscapers, homeowners Handheld pruning tool with long handles for leverage; comes in bypass and anvil styles for different plant types.
Leaf blower Blow leaves and debris using air plastic, steel, motor gardeners, landscapers, homeowners Powered blower (handheld or backpack) for clearing yards and gutters; available in electric and gas models.
Lawn mower Cut grass over lawns steel, plastic, engine homeowners, landscapers Powered mower variety ranges from manual reel to gas or electric ride-on machines for lawn maintenance.
Light meter Measure light intensity (lux) plastic, electronics, sensor photographers, lighting designers Handheld lux meter used to measure illuminance for photography, film and workspace lighting to achieve proper exposure or compliance.
Leak detector Locate gas, liquid or refrigerant leaks plastic, sensors, electronics plumbers, HVAC techs, mechanics Handheld devices using ultrasonic, gas or dye sensors to find leaks in pipes, fittings and systems.
Lock pick Manipulate locks for non-destructive entry steel, metal alloys locksmiths, security pros, hobbyists Small handheld picks and tension tools used by locksmiths and hobbyists to manipulate pin stacks; legal use varies by jurisdiction.
Leather punch Make holes in leather and belts steel, wood leatherworkers, shoemakers, hobbyists Hand or rotary hole punch used to cut clean holes in leather; available as revolving punch pliers or single-hole drives.
Leather awl Pierce and guide stitches in leather steel, wood leatherworkers, cobblers, crafters Pointed handheld tool for making or enlarging stitch holes and guiding thread during hand stitching and repairs.
Leather skiver Thin leather edges for joining and folding steel, wood leatherworkers, saddlers Handheld or small powered tool to shave leather thickness for seams and neat edges; also called a skiving knife or machine.
L-square Mark 90° and straight cutting lines steel, wood carpenters, metalworkers, students L-shaped ruler for drafting and layout; excellent for squaring edges and marking consistent lines in woodworking and metalwork.
LED work light Provide bright portable illumination plastic, aluminum, LEDs mechanics, contractors, DIYers Rechargeable or corded portable light offering focused, energy-efficient LED illumination for job sites and workshops.
Laminate trimmer Trim laminate edges and profiles aluminum, steel, motor cabinetmakers, woodworkers Small router-like power tool used to trim laminate and edge banding for countertops and cabinetry with precision.
Log splitter Split logs into firewood using force steel, hydraulic system homeowners, landscapers, farmers Hydraulic or manual machines that split wood quickly; come in portable and stationary powered models for firewood prep.
Line locator Trace buried cables, pipes or utility lines plastic, electronics, sensors utility workers, plumbers, electricians Handheld electronic device for tracing underground cables and pipes; also called cable locators or stud/line finders.
Load cell Measure force or weight electronically steel, electronics engineers, technicians, scale makers Transducer that converts force into an electrical signal, used in scales, test rigs and industrial weighing systems.
Lux meter Measure illumination level in lux plastic, electronics, sensor photographers, lighting technicians Another name for a light meter focused on lux readings; handheld and used to verify light levels to standards.
Lint roller Remove lint, hair and debris from fabrics adhesive paper, plastic tailors, households, designers Handheld roll with adhesive sheets that quickly pick up lint, pet hair and dust from clothing and upholstery.

Descriptions

Level
Laser level
Laser distance meter
Laser pointer
Laser cutter
Laser engraver
Laser thermometer
Lathe
Lathe chuck
Lug wrench
Locking pliers
Lineman’s pliers
Long-nose pliers
Lopper
Leaf blower
Lawn mower
Light meter
Leak detector
Lock pick
Leather punch
Leather awl
Leather skiver
L-square
LED work light
Laminate trimmer
Log splitter
Line locator
Load cell
Lux meter
Lint roller
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.