TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
Wondering what tools we’ve been using to help develop our creations? here they are!
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TIMBER FRAME TOOLS
We were lucky to have my father’s trusty timber framing tools are our disposal. He has everything from tiny chisels to giant mallets in his arsenal. Because he has been designing and building timber frames on the side for so many years, he has made metal templates to speed up the mortise and tenon chiseling process. The following products are what I could find online that would be most similar to what we used for our timber frame build!
Wood Handle Rubber Mallet Set, 3-piece
Makita 10.5 Amp Chain Mortiser - see a video of Brian using this machine to cut out large mortises, here.
SAWS
Circular Saw - used mostly for timber frame and plywood cutting.
Compact Circular Saw - used for quick cuts!
Sawzall Reciprocating Saw - used to cut plywood at window openings.
Table Saw - used to cut plywood, rip 2xs and other wood, and plywood panels for cabinet making.
Oscillating Multi-tool - used to cut / trim anything already installed that needs alterations. Cuts close to other surfaces.
Miter Saw and Stand and Blades - used ALL THE TIME for cutting ANYTHING when you need to make a straight vertical cut: 2xs and lumber, cedar siding boards, interior pine boards and finished flooring, wood for cabinet making and trim, etc.
Jigsaw w/ Blades - used to make freehand cuts that are not intended to be straight.
Hand Saw - used for last-minute cuts on wood that has already been installed.
POWER TOOLS
Compact Drill and Impact Driver Combo Set - there hasn’t been a day I haven’t used these.
Milwaukee Power Tool Set - excellent for when you’re looking to stock up on tools in bulk for some $$$ savings!
Batteries to power the drill and impact driver.
Heat Gun w/ LCD Display - a heat gun is always handy to have around, especially when you’re building in a colder climate like we are here in New England!
Dremel Rotary Tool - you can purchase the Dremel 4000 in a set with 50 accessories for sanding, carving, cutting, grinding, engraving, etc.
HAND TOOLS
12” Quick Grip Clamps - these clamps are quick and easy to use when you only have one free hand!
Folding Work Table w/ Built-In Clamps (1000 lb. capacity) - if you have a wood shop or a nice work station, you may not need something like this. I found it very helpful to fold up and move in and out of the tiny house at different stages of construction. We even used it for a kitchen table for a bit, while we were waiting for our counter tops!
Right-Angle Clamps - these are also handy for gluing and clamping casework at 90-degree angles.
Nail Sets - Bi-material nail sets help absorb the shock when you strike them with a hammer - in 1/32”, 1/16”, and 3/32”.
Estwing 20 oz. Hammer - for framing, siding, or banging on just about anything!
Caulk Gun - this tool is kind of a convenience item. Feel free to opt for the cheaper caulk guns, but also be prepared for frustration! We’ve used ours with liquid nails adhesive, window sealant, and roof caulking throughout our project.
24” Clutch Style Bar Clamp - I wish I had 20 more of these! These are great for clamping any cabinets, drawers, etc. that you may need to set for the night and pin in the morning!
Kreg Jig K5 Master System with Pocket Hole Screw Set - Kreg Jigs allow you to quickly and consistently set screws in finish woodwork and conceal them.
PNEUMATIC TOOLS
Hardwood Nailer - we actually used our brad nailer to install our hardwood maple flooring, and I’m wishing I had done some more research. Our floors are very creaky now, but we’ve gotten used to it. This Estwing nailer is the one I’d buy now, if I was about to lay my flooring.
3-Tool Combo Kit - buy the compressor, brad nailer, finish nailer, and heavy-duty stapler all together for a low price.
18-Gauge Brad Nailer - we began using the brad nailer when we were applying the pine to the interior of the house. I then used it for trim work and casework / cabinetry.
Porter Cable Pancake Compressor - a six-gallon, easy to use and very portable compressor.
Bostitch Angled Finish Nailer - 15-gauge finish nailer at an angle, makes it nice and easy to use for trim in tight corners.
SANDERS
Mouse Detail Sander - Black & decker makes a good version of the mouse sander, for sanding small detail work.
Oscillating Multi-tool - we have also used our multi-tool as a detail sander, with its hook-and-loop attachment head and triangular sanding pads.
5” Random Orbit Sander - we have two of these, one corded and one battery-powered. I FAR prefer the corded machine, as the cordless goes through batteries rather quickly.
Belt-Sander - 4” x 24” belt sander with cloth bag - used for sanding the douglas fir timber frame lumber.
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
48” Level - Mine happens to be Dewalt, but you can get many different brands.
Small Torpedo Level - mine is magnetic, but I didn’t use any metal studs for my framing, so I haven’t had much use for the magnet, but I do use this smaller level all the time.
Combination Square Set - I use two different size combination squares quite frequently in my cabinet making.
Aluminum Carpenter Triangle - Trusty for 45-degree angles.
Measuring Tape - 30’ magnetic measuring tape. The thing I like the most about this one is the opening at the bottom so you can stop the tape with your finger underneath.
Carpenter Framing Square - in my opinion, these are more accurate to 90-degrees than a t-square, that could get bumped out of whack.
Multi-Angle Finder - this thing is very simple, but VERY cool! It allows you to find all sorts of angles, easily.
TOOL STORAGE
Bucket Apron - I won one of these and they’re super handy! It fits right around / over a 5-gallon bucket and you can store tools all around the bucket and also carry tools within, when you move around to different work stations.
Dewalt T-Stak - portable tool and hardware storage with wheels.
Husky bags - 12” and 15” bags, I have accumulated some tool bags for various items.
OTHER TOOLS
Head Lamp - we honestly didn’t know we needed these until we got some for Christmas and there’s no looking back!
Work Light / Spotlight - before we had power in the house, we used this light all the time. There were even some late summer nights working on the roof where we needed more light to finish a job.
8’ - Step Ladder - we were able to borrow two 8’-step ladders just like this one from our neighbor.
4’ - Painter’s Step Ladder - I purchased this smaller step ladder to be able to get up into the house before we built the outside stairs. Now we use it for high-up, oddball jobs inside the house.
4’ Step Ladder - we needed another step ladder at one point, and it’s good we have two, because we are currently using this one to get up into our bedroom, as we have yet to build our stairs!
16’ - Extension Ladder - we were able to borrow (2) 16-foot extension ladders just like this one, from my father.
Safety Glasses - ALWAYS. WEAR. THESE.
Job Site Radio - how can you work without also jamming to some music?
Tool Belt - it takes a lot more time and energy to work without a tool belt that holds hardware / nails / fasteners, etc. and tools that you are immediately using in the field.
Knee Pads - I learned my lesson the hard way with knee pads. They are a necessity for flooring and I also use them quite frequently when putting things together on the floor (when I need a large, flat workspace) and when installing casework or trim close to the floor. I tried to get away with buying a cheap pair with straps that are fastened with brads. The brads popped off after a few uses and I had to buy another pair. If you are flooring with pre-finished flooring, it is best to buy knee pads with a soft, woven layer on the outside instead of plastic. This ensures it won’t scratch the finish.
Shop Vac - we really didn’t need a shop vac until we started doing clean, finish work - then we really needed a way to keep the dust out of the enclosed tiny house.
Protective Construction Gloves - I always wear a pair of this type of construction gloves. If you are handling sheet metal or glass, you need these cut-resistant gloves.