Basic Carpentry Gear – Wearables
Carpenter Whites : All carpenters on the jobsite will be required to wear white carpenter pants. (shorts are not allowed)
Work Boots : All carpenters on the jobsite will be required to wear construction work boots.
Carpenter Shirts : All carpenters on the jobsite will be required to wear short or long sleeve shirts. No sleeveless shirts will be allowed on the job.
Hard Hats : All carpenters on the jobsite will be required to wear hard hats.
Safety Glasses : All carpenters on the jobsite will be required to wear eye protection.
Hearing Protection : Please use hearing protection while using powered equipment
Basic Carpentry Tools – Hand
Tool Pouch : All framers need a good set of tool pouches. I recommend ones with two separate pouches, three inch wide belt, and separate hammer holder. This is the foundation of any set of basic carpentry tools
Tape Measure : You pick the brand however, it should be 25, 30, or 33 feet long and have a blade width of at least 1 inch.
Speed Square : A triangular shaped metal square, Swanson is the most popular brand.
Chalk Line : I would recommend a speed line, you should really have two, one for red chalk and one for blue.
Chalk Line Clamp : A fairly new tool that eliminates the need for two people to chalk a line.
Chisel : I carry a one inch wide one that I am not afraid to use on nails or as a small pry bar.
Carpenter’s Pencil : I usually carry two, sharpened at both ends so I do not have to drop what is being done to sharpen a pencil.
Framing Square : Get a good one (not the cheap plastic ones) made of stainless steel or aluminum so it will last.
Utility Knife : Make sure that it is retractable.
Framing Hammer : Straight claw 20-24 ounce are the best for framers. Stay away from steel shanked hammers, fiberglass or wood are best.
Cat’s Paw : I prefer the type that have a nail digger on both ends, one curved and the other straight.