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ASVAB · Hand Tools

What is the purpose of a file in shop work?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

To smooth, shape, or remove small amounts of material from a surface

  1. A To bore holes
  2. B To drive nails
  3. C To measure angles
  4. D To smooth, shape, or remove small amounts of material from a surface

Why this is the answer

A file is a hand tool with a ridged, abrasive surface used to smooth rough edges, shape material, deburr, or remove small amounts of metal, wood, or plastic. Files come in many shapes (flat, round, half-round, triangular) and cuts (coarse to fine) for different jobs. They are pushed across the workpiece in one direction for best results. A file removes material gradually and with control, unlike a saw (which cuts through) or a plane (which shaves wood). Recognizing the file as a smoothing and shaping tool is standard hand-tool content on the Shop subtest.
Source: ASVAB SI, Files

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About this topic: Hand Tools

Hand tools questions ask you to identify a tool from a description or picture and name its job: types of hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, saws, chisels and files. Knowing which tool is the right one for a task is the whole section. This is one of 24 Shop Information questions on hand tools, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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