Deck-Building Tools

1. 30' and 100' tape measures: Handle every measuring need. The 30' model is the default measuring tool and should feature a blade that’s 1" wide (not 3/4").
    
   
2. Mason’s string and line level: Allow leveling over long distances, such as the span of one end of the deck to the other. The level hooks on the string, and the string is adjusted until the bubble reads level.
    
   
3. Shovel and hoe: Indispensable for digging holes, moving soil, and mixing concrete for foundation footings and piers.
    
   
4. Posthole digger: For hand-digging post and pier holes. These tools work very well in sandy and loamy soils.
    
   
5. Sawhorse: Supports a site-built workbench made of a single plywood sheet.
    
   
6. Extension cord: Brings power from the house to where you need it.
    
   
7. Electric drill and portable circular saw: Drills holes and cuts lumber to size. A 3/8" chuck drill is a good choice, and a 7 1/4" circular saw is the most versatile model.
    
   
8. Square: A basic carpentry tool that’s required for just about every job. The large framing square is used for making stairs, and the smaller combination square is used for marking cut lines.
    
   
9. Hammer: Designed for driving nails and moving boards into alignment.
    
   
10. Nail puller: Serves just one purpose, but no other tool does it as well.
     
    
11. Level: Best for determining what’s level and/or plumb in a wide variety of situations.
     
    
12. Chalk line: Like a mason’s string, with powdered chalk attached to it. When the line is pulled tight and snapped, it leaves a line of chalk on the surface.
     
    
13. Utility knife: Cuts just about everything on a construction site and never needs sharpening. Just replace the blade.
     
    
14. Block plane: Not essential for deck building but does make it easier to trim cuts, shave split edges, and remove milling marks on decking and railing boards.
     
    
15. Tin snips: Cut the aluminum flashing that protects ledger boards.
     
    
16. Flat pry bar: The tool of choice for gently prying a deck board until it’s properly aligned.
     
    
17. Ratchet wrench: Loosens or tightens all kinds of nuts and bolts. In deck work, this usually means mounting the ledger board and attaching railing posts.
     
    
18. Caulk gun: Dispenses tube caulk. The best all-around choice for exterior work is silicone. It’s flexible, durable, and long-lasting.