Home » Language » What is the Difference Between Tools and Equipment
November 23, 2014
3 min read
Tools and equipment are terms that are often used interchangeably without knowing the actual difference between tools and equipment, but in fact, they have different definitions. Tools and equipment are not only two words that are often used in day to day life, but also two utensils that are often used every day as well. However, how does one make a distinction between these two items? Let us find out.
What is a Tool?
Any physical item that is used to achieve a goal but is not consumed during this process can be defined as a tool. Informally speaking, it can also be used to describe a specific procedure with a specific purpose as well. The use of tools by human beings dates back million years. However, humans are not the only creatures known to employ tools in their day to day life.
Tools are often also referred to as machine, apparatus, implements, instruments or utensils. The knowledge of obtaining, constructing and using tools is known as technology. Anthropologists view the usage of tools as an important step in the evolution of the mankind. It is said that after humans evolved an opposable thumb that is useful for holding tools, the intelligence of humans drastically increased as well.
Tools can perform a variety of functions such as cutting and chopping, moving, shaping, fastening, guiding, enacting chemical changes, fastening, information and data manipulation, etc. There can be specific tools designated for specific purposes whereas most tools can serve a combination of uses.
What is Equipment?
The idea of equipment represents all sorts of machinery, functional devices or accessories which serve an individual, household or a community purpose. Usually, a set of tools that are designated for a specific task is known as equipment. This could be a small set of functional items in a finished product. For example, equipment of a car may be alternators, absorbers, optical, electronic boxes,etc. Equipment of a house may be appliances while equipment may also include all sorts of devices needed for a specific task.
What is the difference between Tools and Equipment?
Tools and equipment are two words that are often used synonymously, mainly due to the similarities of their meanings. Because of this factor, they can be used interchangeably in most instances. However, in certain cases, this may not be so.
• A tool can be any item that is used to achieve a goal. Equipment usually denotes a set of tools that are used to achieve a specific objective.
• A tool can be non-mechanical as well. However, when one says equipment, there is a certain mechanical aspect to it that cannot be ignored.
• The usage of tools among human beings runs back to millions of years. However, the use of equipment is more of a recent development.
• Tools are often seen to be used by animals as well. Equipment is only used by human beings.
• Tools are usually multipurpose. Equipment is designed for a specific task.
FAQs
Equipment is a general time with a broader definition compared to tools and equipment. It refers to a set of tools needed to perform a specific task. People often use the word equipment as the plural form of tool. In this case, a collection of tools will be called equipment.
What is the difference between tools and equipment with examples? ›
This is sort of a semantic difference: a tool is generally a single object while equipment can be a set of objects, an instrument or a more complex item than a tool. So as an example, a screwdriver is a tool, a set of socket wrenches is a set of tools while a tool box full of varied tools and a multimeter is equipment.
What is the main difference between hand tools and equipment? ›
Hand tools are tools that are powered by human muscle, while equipment is tools that are powered by electricity or another form of energy.
What is the difference between tools and equipment in workshop? ›
Tools are specific implements for tasks, while equipment encompasses a collection of tools. The distinction lies in the scope and variety of functions they serve within various contexts.
What are examples of equipment? ›
Examples of professional equipment
- personal computers.
- telefax equipment.
- typewriters.
- cameras of all kinds (film and electronic cameras)
- sound or image transmitting, recording or reproducing apparatus (tape and video recorders and video reproducers, microphones, mixing consoles, loudspeakers)
A blender is a piece of equipment in which immiscible liquids are mixed. At this stage, two immiscible liquids are mixed in a high-speed blender to produce a coarse emulsion. The aqueous dispersion is mixed with the oil in a low-speed blender to form an oil in water emulsion.
What is the meaning of equipment? ›
: the set of articles or physical resources serving to equip a person or thing: such as. (1) : the implements used in an operation or activity : apparatus. sports equipment.
Are hand tools considered equipment? ›
Hand and power tools are two types of equipment used for different purposes in construction projects. Hand tools are operated manually, and examples include hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and more. Power tools, on the other hand, are electrically-powered equipment such as drills, saws, and sanders.
How do you classify hand tools and equipment? ›
Hand Tool Classifications
- Holding Tools – Clamps and Pliers.
- Striking Tools – Sledges and Hammers.
- Measuring Tools.
- Metal Cutting Tools – Reamers, Files and Drills.
- Grinding Tools.
- Sharpening Tools.
Answer: What is the difference between kitchen equipment and kitchen utensils? Equipment is usually powered by electricity or gas, like your refrigerator or oven. Utensils are tools you use to cook with, like your spoon, fork, knives, cutting board, trivet, etc.
Tools would be slitters, cutters, scissors and other hand held tools. Equipment would be sewing machines and other powered equipment typically used in commercial operations.
What is the meaning of tools or working equipment? ›
Work equipment means any machinery, tool, device, appliance, apparatus or other equipment for use at work. For the performance of a specific job (job position), Work equipment is as important to job performance as skills.
What's in an equipment list? ›
At a minimum, your equipment checklist should include the following information:
- A description of the equipment.
- The equipment's model number.
- The equipment's serial number.
- The equipment's location.
- The name of the person responsible for the equipment.
EQUIPMENT Definition & Legal Meaning
Tools, be they devices, machines, or vehicles. Assist a person in achieving an action beyond the normal capabilities of a human. Tangible property that is not land or buildings, but facilitates business operations.
What are the four categories of equipment? ›
The different types of equipment can be classified into four major categories: transport equipment, positioning equipment, unit load formation equipment, and storage equipment.
What are the 7 basic types of machine tools? ›
They retain the basic characteristics of their 19th- and early 20th-century ancestors and are still classed as one of the following: (1) turning machines (lathes and boring mills), (2) shapers and planers, (3) drilling machines, (4) milling machines, (5) grinding machines, (6) power saws, and (7) presses.
What are tools and equipment used? ›
They are primarily used to put things together (e.g., hammers and nail guns) or to take them apart (e.g., jackhammers and saws). Tools are often classified as hand tools and power tools. Hand tools include all non-powered tools, such as hammers and pliers.
