Union Carpenter Tools & Wearable List

This gear will be required for you to have for on the jobsite and when attending your scheduled apprentice training

Basic Carpentry Gear – Wearables

Carpenter Pants : All carpenters on the jobsite will be required to wear carpenter pants. They can be white, grey, khaki or jean colors. (shorts are not allowed in general)

Work Boots : All carpenters on the jobsite will be required to wear construction work boots.

Carpenter Shirts : All carpenters on the jobsite will be required to wear short or long sleeve shirts. No sleeveless shirts will be allowed on the job.

Hard Hats : All carpenters on the jobsite will be required to wear hard hats.

Safety Glasses : All carpenters on the jobsite will be required to wear eye protection.

Hearing Protection : Please use hearing protection while using powered equipment

Basic Carpentry Tools – Hand

Tool Pouch : All framers need a good set of tool pouches. I recommend ones with two separate pouches, three inch wide belt, and separate hammer holder. This is the foundation of any set of basic carpentry tools

Tape Measure : You pick the brand however, it should be 25, 30, or 33 feet long and have a blade width of at least 1 inch.

Speed Square : A triangular shaped metal square, Swanson is the most popular brand.

Chalk Line : We recommend a speed line, you should really have two, one for red chalk and one for blue.

Chalk Line Clamp : A fairly new tool that eliminates the need for two people to chalk a line.

Chisel : Carry a one inch wide one that you are not afraid to use on nails or as a small pry bar.

Carpenter’s Pencil : You should usually carry two, sharpened both so you do not have to drop what is being done to sharpen a pencil.

Framing Square : Get a good one (not the cheap plastic ones) made of stainless steel or aluminum so it will last.

Utility Knife : Make sure that it is retractable.

Framing Hammer : Straight claw 20-24 ounce are the best for framers. Stay away from steel shanked hammers, fiberglass or wood are best.

Cat’s Paw : Preferably the type that have a nail digger on both ends, one curved and the other straight.