How are hand tools different from power tools?

The primary distinction between hand tools and power tools lies in their source of energy and operation.

• Hand tools are manual instruments traditionally operated by the user's own muscular strength. They are used by craftspersons to perform manual operations such as chopping, chiseling, sawing, filing, or forging.12
• Power tools are power-driven implements, typically utilizing an electric motor or pneumatic power (such as compressed air) to perform tasks. While many power tools are designed to perform the same operations as their manual counterparts—such as drilling or sawing—they are distinguished by their mechanical drive systems.32

While hand tools rely entirely on human effort for control and energy, power tools automate these processes, allowing for greater efficiency and the ability to perform tasks that may be difficult or impossible with manual force alone. Some power tools, such as the circular saw, have no direct manual prototype, representing contemporary designs built specifically for motorized use.213