Commercial Carpenter's Tool List

Carpenter's Tools are greatly dependent on the exact profession and nice in which you're working. Commercial Carpenters have to carry the most tools of all different Carpenter specialties. Today, I'll run over the list of general tools that you'll need when working as a Commercial Carpenter.

1. Snips

When working with metal studs for commercial buildings, there are times when you'll need to make modifications, notches or cut studs on the go. Snips are handy for this as well as snipping any zip ties or fasteners in your way.

2. Hammer

Commercial carpenters will not use hammers as much as residential carpenters due to the usage of steel studs. Still, Commercial Carpenters will need a hammer plainly for demolition work. Estwing and Stilletto hammers are great, but a lot of Commercial Carpenters can't justify the price for them because they don't use their hammers that often.

3. Surform (Rasp)

A Rasp is a small handheld drywall plane. It is necessary to rasp interior drywall when hanging to smooth and even out rough seems on drywall that will be finished and painted. Stanley's brand of rasp is called a Surform and it's my rasp of choice.

4. Adjustable Clamps

Adjustable Clamps (C-Clamps) are extremely useful for holding studs together, holding drywall sheets on studs, holding cords together and many other uses. Think of the C-Clamps as your 3rd, 4th and 5th hands while working as a Commercial Carpenter.

5. Torpedo Level

Levels are essential to making sure that your work is...well...level and plumb. Studs and headers that aren't plumbed and level are signs of shoddy worksmanship.

6. Speed Square

in addition to making sure your work is Plumb and Level, it's important to make sure corners, seams and studs in track and square as well. A speed square is a small metal right triangle that will allow you to test and correct unsquare corners.

7. Utility Knife

The Utility Knife is essential in any drywall hanger's arsenal. This is the main tool you'll use to cut and score drywall.

8. Jab-Saw

The Jab-Saw is a small saw also referred to as a Drywall Saw. This is used for cutting notches, holes and partitions in drywall when a knife just won't do.

It's important to understand that not all Carpenters carry the same tools, and even Carpenters in the same specialization will often times carry different tools. This list is a general knowledge base of some of the tools you'll encounter when starting a Career as a Commercial Carpenter and is not intended to be the be all end all of Carpenter Tools lists. Thanks for reading my article and be sure to check with your employer for any additional tools you may need on the job.