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Decks

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Chapter
  • Design & Planning
  • Tools & Materials
  • Footings & Foundations
  • Framing a Deck
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Tools & Materials

10 Deck-Building Tools You Didn’t Know You Needed

Consider adding these bonus tools to your tool kit.

By Scott Grice
Article Image

You can build a deck with a very short list of tools, but if you have extra room in your budget, here are a few more items that will make the job easier.

 

complete set of sockets

1. A complete set of sockets comes in handy for attaching hardware and changing blades.

Right-angle grinders rigger’s hammer
2. Right-angle grinders can be fitted for cutting or grinding and  reach into tight places where other tools won’t. 3. A rigger’s hammer has a hatchet blade instead of a nail-pulling claw (and is the only hammer author Scott Grice will admit to owning).

 

3. A rigger’s hammer has a hatchet blade instead of a nail-pulling claw (and is the only hammer author Scott Grice will admit to owning).

Clamps

4. Clamps are thought of as more of a woodworker’s tool, but for those who typically work alone they’re the cheapest extra hands you will find.

big square

5. This big square replaces the need to pull a 3-4-5 triangle to get to square and it folds up neatly for easy storage.

Multi-tools Rubber bumpers
6. Multi-tools have blossomed ever since the patent was released a few years ago; if you don’t have one, go buy one. 7. Rubber bumpers on the ends of a post-hole digger will save your knuckles. This pair has offset handles as well for deeper digging.

 

Quarter-angle drills

8. Quarter-angle drills can fit into places a typical drill can’t reach for both drilling and driving–though cordless drills and impact drivers are getting smaller and more powerful every year.

Construction calculators

9. Construction calculators can work in inches and fractions and will calculate things like the area of a circle and the hypotenuse of a triangle, though you might prefer to download a construction app for your smartphone rather than carrying around a separate calculator.

rafter hook

10. A rafter hook, a common accessory, will save your circular saw from being dropped. When not in use it folds out of the way. Some saws even come with these hooks built in.

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Design & Planning
  • Basic Design Options
  • Generating Plans
  • Calculating Deck Loads
  • Code Compliance
Tools & Materials
  • Deck Building Tools
  • Foundation and Framing Materials
  • Decking Materials
  • Fasteners and Hardware
Footings & Foundations
  • Choosing a Foundation
  • Sizing and Laying Out Footings
  • Excavation
  • Pouring the Foundation
Framing a Deck
  • Framing Overview
  • Installing the Ledger
  • Setting Posts and Beams
  • Installing Joists
Installing Decking
  • Decking Basics
  • Installation Process
  • Adding Fascia and Other Decorative Elements
Installing Railings
  • Installing Deck Railing Posts
  • Building Wood Rails and Balustrades
  • Non-Wood Railing Options
  • Installing Nonwood Balustrades
Deck Stairs
  • Deck Stairs Overview
  • Laying Out, Cutting, and Installing the Stringers
  • Installing Treads, Risers, and Stair Railings
Custom Details
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  • Lighting
Finishes and Maintenance
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Complete Deck Builds
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