Key Skills

No matter what you’re building you’re going to need to know the dimensions and placement of the wall. That brings us to our first topic when it comes to tools...

Measuring / Marking Tools

Tape Measures

Threre are a lot of good tape measures out there, but the most important thing is making sure you know how to read it correctly! This will take some time and practice, but once you get the hang of it the skill becomes second nature.

Chalk Boxes

A chalk box is a framer’s best friend. Need to make a really long straight mark? A chalk box is the way to go. It’s a simple tool containing a box of chalk with a string. As you pull the string from the box, it becomes coated in chalk which then allows you to snap the line over the area you want to mark!

Cutting Tools

Once you know the dimensions of what you’re building, it’s time to start cutting material into shape! Below are a few different types of saws that you may use on the job.

Saw Type	Attributes	Uses
Miter	Stationary, good for repetitive cuts	Cutting multiple boards
Circular	Mobile, good for straight cuts	Cutting boards or plywood
Reciprocating	Mobile, great for Demo!	Cuts about anything

Attaching Tools

We’re not going to argue between the use of nails vs screws here. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but really it just depends on what you’re trying to build. My personal favorite form of attachment when working with wood framing is using a nail gun. It’s fast, effective, and just fun to use.