Timber Framing Tools: Packing List
Please come prepared with the required tools below. Having appropriate tools will enhance your learning experience during the Timber Frame Workshop. You’ll have the best possible experience if you take your time to get everything you need early in the process, since availability can change. Acquiring tools can be a little tricky and also a bit of a treasure hunt. Therefore, we’re providing sources and specific recommendation when possible. Please take your time with this list!
We have some extra chisels, squares, and saws available here in limited quantities.
Please note: we will continue to update this list as we find new tool sources and recommendations.
The Basics
Safety Gear
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Good pair of work gloves
- Steel-toed boots are recommended, comfortable hiking boots at a minimum — you must have closed-toe shoes to be on the work site
- N95 mask or respirator
Marking, Measuring
- Several no. 2 pencils and/or a mechanical pencil (I like this one) — NOTE: please don’t bring carpenter’s pencils
- Pocket sized pencil sharpener
- Erasers (or 2 or 3!)
- Clipboard
- 25’ Tape measure
- Utility knife (with extra blades)
Required Tools
1.) 24” Framing Square
- See example: Stanley 24” square — try to avoid framing squares with a small notch in the corner
2.) Combination Square
3.) Hand Saws
We strongly recommend the two saws below. The Z-Saw is great for general cross cutting tasks. The ryoba saw has both crosscut teeth and rip teeth, which you will find useful for cutting a variety of joints. The ryoba crosscut teeth are a little less aggressive than the Z-Saw.
3.) 1 ½” Framing Chisel
You can find everything from 1″ – 2″ framing chisels on the market. The best all-around chisel size is 1 1/2″ and this is what we recommend for your first chisel size. Barr chisels are the best in class and our top recommendation. Be sure to order early, as availability is not always immediate. Note that you can find respectable vintage chisels with some searching, but be prepared to put time into blade repair and sharpening to get them to a usable state.
- Barr 1 1/2″ chisels
- Buffalo Forge 1 1/2″ chisels — our second pick
4.) Mallet
There are many different styles available, but a choice mallet needs to be heavy enough to be efficient during use. I personally favor the Garland rawhide mallet considerably more than the Wood is Good mallet, but everyone is different!
Optional Tools
These are not necessary for cutting joinery. We also have many of these tools available to try out for yourself.
- Block Plane (vintage Stanley no. 220, no. 60 ½ or new equivalent)
Example: Stanley 60 1/2 - Slick
Example: Barr 5″ slick - Rabbet plane
Example: Stanley no. 78 - Sharpening equipment (water stones or diamond stones, don’t buy unless you already know what you want. We have plenty here for your use as well. )
- Any other relevant hand woodworking tools you already own
Recommended Vintage Tool Sellers
Hyperkitten Tools: updated regularly, small selection but Josh is a great person to deal with
Vintage Tool Shoppe: another great shop, timber framing chisels are not totally uncommon here