diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals.dm b/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals.dm
index 82e32759e41..76b3f6c2601 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals.dm
@@ -564,6 +564,9 @@
 #define COMSIG_TOOL_IN_USE "tool_in_use"
 ///from base of [/obj/item/proc/tool_start_check]: (mob/living/user)
 #define COMSIG_TOOL_START_USE "tool_start_use"
+///from base of [/obj/item/proc/tool_attack_chain]: (atom/tool, mob/user)
+#define COMSIG_TOOL_ATTACK "tool_attack"
+	#define COMPONENT_CANCEL_TOOLACT (1<<0)
 ///from [/obj/item/proc/disableEmbedding]:
 #define COMSIG_ITEM_DISABLE_EMBED "item_disable_embed"
 ///from [/obj/effect/mine/proc/triggermine]:
diff --git a/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm b/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm
index 43c69084ec0..c62e0d41790 100644
--- a/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm
+++ b/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@
 /obj/item/proc/tool_attack_chain(mob/user, atom/target)
 	if(!tool_behaviour)
 		return FALSE
+	if(SEND_SIGNAL(target, COMSIG_TOOL_ATTACK, src, user) & COMPONENT_CANCEL_TOOLACT)
+		return FALSE
+
 	return target.tool_act(user, src, tool_behaviour)
 
 // Called when the item is in the active hand, and clicked; alternately, there is an 'activate held object' verb or you can hit pagedown.
diff --git a/code/datums/components/material_container.dm b/code/datums/components/material_container.dm
index 70ee460d5e0..82df42a0a82 100644
--- a/code/datums/components/material_container.dm
+++ b/code/datums/components/material_container.dm
@@ -65,7 +65,9 @@
 	var/list/tc = allowed_typecache
 	if(disable_attackby)
 		return
-	if(user.a_intent != INTENT_HELP)
+	// Allow tools to be inserted on harm and help intent since they might be used for construction
+	// otherwise user needs to be on help intent
+	if(!((I.tool_behaviour && user.a_intent == INTENT_HARM) || user.a_intent == INTENT_HELP))
 		return
 	if(I.flags & ABSTRACT)
 		return
diff --git a/code/game/machinery/autolathe.dm b/code/game/machinery/autolathe.dm
index 1f7256f4b9c..a1025f9ee26 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/autolathe.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/autolathe.dm
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@
 	component_parts += new /obj/item/stack/sheet/glass(null)
 	RefreshParts()
 
+	RegisterSignal(src, COMSIG_TOOL_ATTACK, PROC_REF(on_tool_attack))
+
 	wires = new(src)
 	files = new /datum/research/autolathe(src)
 	matching_designs = list()
@@ -77,6 +79,15 @@
 	materials.retrieve_all()
 	return ..()
 
+/obj/machinery/autolathe/proc/on_tool_attack(datum/source, atom/tool, mob/user)
+	SIGNAL_HANDLER
+	var/obj/item/I = tool
+	if(!istype(I))
+		return
+	// Allows screwdrivers to be recycled on harm intent
+	if(I.tool_behaviour == TOOL_SCREWDRIVER && user.a_intent == INTENT_HARM)
+		return COMPONENT_CANCEL_TOOLACT
+
 /obj/machinery/autolathe/interact(mob/user)
 	if(shocked && !(stat & NOPOWER))
 		if(shock(user, 50))