12 Tools Every Carpenter Needs

Putting together a comprehensive set of carpentry tools can be a lifetime's work. With each new job you tackle you find you could do with just that one extra tool. As your abilities as a carpenter grows you take on more challenges and of course they require...more tools.
But if you're just starting out and you want to gather together a few essentials that will come in useful for most carpentry projects.

#1Tool Belt

For ease of use when actually working on a project, you can't beat a tool belt. Buy one that will accommodate the tools you use most often. Models to which you can add extra pouches for more specialised tools extend flexibility.

Hammer
Bashing away at things is part of the fun of carpentry -- don't deny yourself. If you intend to do heavy work you'll need the grunt of a 20 oz. framing hammer. I prefer the framing hammer by Estwing.

Tape Measure
Without some way to measure out your projects you might as well not even start. Tape measures aren't expensive. You want the retractable metal sort. I prefer a 25' to 30" carpenters tape by Stanley tools.

Squares
If a carpentry project isn't true and square it will probably be impossible to complete. And if you do get it finished, it'll almost certainly fall not reflect well on your character. Two types of square invaluable in the squaring process are a large L-shaped carpenter square and a smaller, triangular speed square. I recommend you purchase both.

Spirit Levels
For any sort of construction work you'll need a spirit level. The larger the scale of the project, the larger the level needed. A small torpedo model will suit most needs around the home. For larger framing tasks I recommend a 4 ft level.

Utility Knife
Otherwise known as a Stanley knife, this tool has a thousand uses, from cutting drywall to trimming pencils. Keep one in your toolkit and make sure you have extra blades stored inside the utility knife.

Marking Tools
You'll need a carpenter's pencil to mark your cuts and layout.

Saw
Carpentry without a saw? Impossible, unless you work only putting together IKEA furniture. You could buy a crosscut saw to cut against the grain, a rip saw to cut along the grain and a panel saw for finer work. But for a basic tool kit, just go with a universal saw. I recommend a Stanley Fat Max carpenters saw.

Screwdrivers
I recommend a basic combination screwdriver. Home depot sells a nice unit by Buck.

[iknowthings]

I Love my DeWalt cat's paw, it's one of those things I didn't know I needed everyday until I started framing.

[MKEMEX]

I just finished a kitchen wooden cabinet with just basic tools. They were (in order of importance): measuring tape, pencil, square, hand saw, hammer, chisel (for removing excess wood or parting), punch (for setting nails below the surface), a hand drill with some drill bits and a wood file. Useful but not strictly necessary: hand planer (for more precise removal), some clamps (to hold pieces together, specially when gluing stuff). Power tools make the job more efficient but are also far more dangerous. If you're doing stuff for your own home when time is not really a concern, I recommend sticking to hand tools. They are safe, easy to use and not limiting at all with enough patience. And that's coming from someone who has an entire shop (milling machine, lathe, bandsaw, etc, ).

[robwilson]

Without a Tape Measure you'd never get my respect

[wbmgr]

I know the title of the video was 12 tools ... And of course the list is never ending, but I would add to this wonderful list you provide a 25' tape measure, 100' tape measure, a Chalk Box, a 12" combination square, a set of stair gauges for your framing square, a handsaw of some sort ( I prefer a Japanese pull saw), an assortment of different clamps ( spring camps, c clamps, bar clamps, etc ), roll of masons line or bank line for pulling lines for layout ... Now we are not even talking power tools or specialty tools or Safety gear.

[davep]

Did you really forget to add a tape measure?

[jhammer]

Add a small punch to that list, great for getting out stubborn door hinges and setting nails

[keithtomczyk]

We call Estwings " knuckle takers".
Stiletto hammers suck.
I never allow waffle face hammers on my crew because they leave picker tracks in the pineline.
Vaughn 999 20 oz. smooth face. Plumb makes a good hammer. Rockets used to be popular.
Bags
Hammer (preferably 20+oz.)
25 ft tape
50 -100' tape for squaring
deck
speed square (aluminum)
torpedo level
aluminum framing square (steel rusts)
utility knife
Vaughn, Dead On, Dewalt, Irwin cat's paw.
Chalk box/es (blue, red, black)
Different colors incase you have to re snap due to some L O B not holding end right.
Chisel
6-7 inch pinch bar for prying corners of facia
stair gauges
nail set
pencil
multi screwdriver
sharpies
dykes, (wire cutting pliers)
2, 4, 6 foot levels from plumbing was answered gables, leveling basement steel.
nail sets, or punches
100' cord
circular saw
recipe saw
That is what most good framers carry on a crew in Michigan.
Does any other state frame, sheet,attach overhangs, gable, lapsing on exterior walls?
We tip 'email up and tie the corners. We even build our brick freeze, queen Anne's and bays w/roofs on the wall while laying flat.
Would love to travel and see the different methods.
I here the sheet walls after they stand out west, the bring in a cornice crew.
We do it all on the deck.

[kidbassmaster]

You forgot the tape measerer and the saw!

[MisterSoul]

1, I like the alumn square 2. Like you I prefer the double-ended cats paw (some only work at one end) . 3 I prefer the all metal chisel (for more rough work). 4. Cody the one essential handtool any helper should have is the flat-bar or pry bar...(granted it might not be on your belt. Great vid and I look forward to the success of this channel.

[rogersreno]

I couldn’t Live without my favorite hammer. Best part of my morning strapping that sucker on
- Roger

[MrACD]

Excellent video. Having the proper tools is essential to completing any project. I am also a big fan of Estwing framing hammers. A few other tools that I have in my tool pouch are a mini flat prybar, a mini hacksaw, a chalk line, and a centerpunch.

[arodriguez]

Hey Cody, what about a pair of pliers? I'd say the tool belt of either a professional or a DIY is incomplete without a pair.  More basic and useful  than a lil crow bar. BTW, don't let them get you down about not having a tape measure in your tool belt.  They are not necessary...of course, unless you need to measure something.  

[sativadrake]

No Tape?? wtf! you would not have my respect sir if you showed to my site without a tape, lol

[trig]

Great Vid.
I love my little, 6 inch, combination square. I have drilled 3 x 4mm holes in the ruler. If I need to make up a jig of any type I can then put in one screw, plumb the jig using the bubble, and put in a second screw to ensure that I get the cuts I want every time.

[EmGoesM]

Thanks for this. Also shout out to the other women learning a trade.

[Hapharzardly]

Pretty close to what I carry in my bags. I'd add needle nose pliers with wire cutting ability which are great for holding Teco (little framing anchor) nails to start in tight places. Nail Sets for sinking casing and finish nails on trim. Chalk line for layout, straight line walls and rafter tails, plumb bobbing, sheet cuts and nailing tracks on sheeted walls-roof decks... In addition to the pencil I carry a sharpie and a lumber crayon (highlight layout, label cut components)

[ScotsFurian]

FYI THe retractable drywall knife your recommending, I believe, was first introduced 'invented' by Stanley ! Here in the UK there simply refered to as a Stanley Knife even though it may be made by a different company !

[buel]

I know a good amount of these things, every so often you surprise me with new ways to do them. i like your channels you always have good information

[gottashopit]

You have shared some basic and useful info on carpentry tools. There are some other important tools that could have been considered like tower pincers, iron jack, CG clamp, digital angle gauge etc.

[gang]

love the synthetics because they'll always tear open. without my magnetic tip tape measure, I won't be able to pick up my tools when they fall through the hole in the pouch