10 best tools every carpenter must own
22nd Jul 2016
From beginners to professional carpenters, here are the 10 best tools every carpenter must own, in order to handle any carpenting job.
Whether you are just starting as a carpenting area as a hobby or that you are a professional, being a good carpenter starts from the skill itself, but also depends on the tools you have. Over time, skilled carpenters build up toolboxes with “just right” tools for the job, making the completion of any task easier. However, for those among you who are just starting out will still need to invest in the essential tools that are required to get the job done.
A Storage Space
Regardless of your carpenting level, having enough space to store your tools is essential. If you are looking to earn money on bigger carpentry projects, such as home improvement and building, you might want to look for a mobile storage space. However, if you are only intend to work carpentry as a hobby or on smaller projects, you can design your space at home or have a simpler tool box. You can either look for toolboxes or toolbelts :
- Tool Boxes
The toolbox you will choose depends entirerly on the level of carpentry that you will practice. There are many sizes of cases and storage that you might want to consider. Smaller, tacke-box-like units are ideal to carry basic items like hammers, nails and marking tools. Larger standing boxes and tool cabinets can store all your basic toolbox, small power tools such as drills and electric screwdrivers. If you already have a workshop prepared for all your tools, large toolboxes should be placed in said area for carpentry work. This way, you have easy and quick access to all your tools for all your projects, at home or on the road.
Our recommendation: Samona/ROK - Heavy Duty Nylon Tool Bag - 32113 - Tool Belts
Whether you are working on a big or small project, a high-quality tool belt will save you a lot of hassle. If you are a professional carpenter, you can easily rely on your tool belt on a job site. Should you be a home carpenter, you will enjoy the easy access provided by a tool belt, when you are working in other areas of the home.
Our recommendation: Makita - Heavy-Duty Tool Belt - 845018-X
Hammers
Hammers are the most common tools that almost everyone has in their home. The hammer is one of the most polyvalent hand tools in the carpenter’s workshop. However, unlike standard home tool kits, carpenters rarely function in one-size-fits-all capacity. If you are a beginner carpenter, we recommend starting with a 16 oz claw-hammer for removing nails and a 20 oz. framing hammer for more important projects.
Our recommendation: Stanley - 22-Ounce FatMax Over-Strike Framing Hammer - 51-403 Stanley - 16-Ounce FatMax Xtreme AntiVibe Rip Claw Nailing Hammer - 51-163
Tape measure
Another essential tool to add to your carpenter’s kit is a good tape measure. All carpenty projects rely on precise measurements, which means that a good, retractable metal tape measure is an invaluable, and inexpensive, must-have tool. The ideal tape measures must come with a belt clip for an easier access, and have calibrations in both imperial (inches and feet) and metric.
Our recommendation: Stabila - 27' Tape Bm 40 - 30327 - Tajima - Premium Tape Measure - GP16-BW
Squares
Whether it is putting on shelves, laying out stairs or constructing a table, squares are another indispensable tools to have for every carpentry and woodworking job. Square make sure that the lines drawn are straight, as well as the angles cut are accurate. Generally, there are two basic types of squares that every carpenter must have : a larger L-shaped carpenter square and a smaller, triangle-shaped speed square.
Our recommendation: Samona/ROK - Precision Combination Square - 28130 - Stanley - Steel Carpenters Squares, English - 45-500
Bubble Levels
From putting up fences to framing a home, every carpenting project relies on level horizontal lines and plumb vertical ones. There are various sizes of levels that you might want to consider : a traditional 2-foot bubble level can be used for most in-home tasks, when the larger 4-foot is generally utilized for framing. However, nowadays, modern carpenters will rely on laser levels or a combination of both bubble levels and laser levels.
Utility Knife
Like the hammer, a utility knife is a multi-tasker when it comes to accomplishing carpentry tasks. Also known as the Stanley knife (after the company that originally manufactured them), utility knives can do virtually everything from score a project, to open a bag of nails, to trim the corners of a soon-to-be-finished piece. The best carpentry utility knive must have a belt clip and a strong handle with a locking mechanism. Finally, it needs one or two replacement blades in the toolbox for when the original blunt to work properly.
Our recommendation: Tajima - 3/4-Inch Heavy-duty Aluminist Dial Lock Utility Knife - AC-501R - Stanley - 6-5/8" FATMAX® Retractable Utility Knife - 10-778
Marking Tools
Even the most experienced carpenters cannot draw a straight line without a guide, especially when utilizing power tools. All carpenters use and need marking tools to indicate distance and outline cuts in their projects as a means to make sure everything is accurate. Shorter measurments only require a carpenter’s pencil; as for longer lines and cuts, you might want to consider carpenter’s chalk instead.
Our recommendation: Stanley - 100 Chalk Line Reel & Chalk Set - 47-681
Screwdrivers
Most carpentery purists do not like the notion of using screws in wood. Still, in nowadays’ carpentry, the right screw placed at the right point in the project can make the difference between success and failure. It is true that using screws and screwdrivers in carpentry is somehow obsolete, so a high-electric screwdriver is not necessarily called for. However, at the very least, a small set of both flathead and Phillips head screws and screwdrivers is a crucial to your carpenting toolbox.
Our recommendation: Stanley - Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver - 69-189 - Makita - 4.8V Screwdriver & Access Kit - 6723DW
Circular Saw
This is the first power tool that every carpenter must acquire. Once again, the purists will tell you that you can use a hand saw...Still, circular technology is highly advanced, you have a very extensive selection of models and brands to choose from and a vast array of prices. Being a very versatile tool, a circular saw can do pretty much everything from straight cuts to notching, ripping and dados.
Our recommendation: DeWALT - 18V Metal Cutting Circular Saw (Tool Only) - DCS372B - Milwaukee - M12 FUEL CIRC SAW - BARE - 2530-20 - Bosch - 36V Circular Saw w/ (1) FatPack Battery - 1671K
Power Drill
The last, but not the least : the power drill is an absolute essential to a carpenter, if he wants to save a significant amount of time and frustration. Once again, you have a large selection of models, brands, corded or cordless, of power drills to choose from. They can do everything from traditional drilling, to sanding and operating as a power screwdriving. Don’t forget to look for durable and sturdy drill bits and accessory kits to go along with your brand new power drill.
By following these simple yet essential steps, you will be able to build up your carpentry tool box or workshop in no time.