Tool building deck

A drain spade has a narrow blade that helps when digging shallow postholes. For deeper post holes, use a clamshell post hole digger. Clamps of various types hold pieces in alignment temporarily while you drive fasteners. A pipe clamp is as long as the pipe you attach the two parts to.

A squeeze clamp grabs quickly, but a sliding clamp holds more firmly. Pry Bars and Wrenches A flat pry bar slips into narrow spaces and pulls boards into position with minimal damage to the wood.

For tightening bolts and nuts, use a crescent wrench , also called an adjustable wrench, while a pair of locking pliers may be needed to hold the other end of the fastener.

Hand sledges are sometimes needed to persuade tight boards into position. Tools for Cutting. Tools for Cutting Building a deck does not call for cuts as precise as those for cabinetry, but your cuts should be very accurate.

A circular saw is often used for most cuts, making it the best saw for deck building. Get one that cuts reliably, and equip it with a sharp carbide-tipped blade. Use a jigsaw , also called a saber saw, for curved cuts and cutting in tight spots, and an oscillating saw for even tighter spots.

A reciprocating saw is essential for demolition and is also handy for finishing cuts on 6x6 posts, though, you could use a hand saw instead. Keep a utility knife and some wood chisels in your tool belt to finish and slightly modify cuts.

Tin snips , also called aviator shears, cut metal and plastic flashings. A small plane that is correctly adjusted shaves boards with ease.

You may occasionally need a grinder to cut away metal or masonry. Table Saw. Skip to search Skip to main content. Range 10 Mi 25 Mi 50 Mi Go! Bring your deck vision to life with our easy-to-use deck design tool. You'll need to create an account or login to Decks. Design the deck of your dreams with this simple and fun experience. Explore endless design possibilities with the click of a button—try out different dimensions, make a multilevel deck, or add in stairs. Save or download your designs to share with family members or contractors.

Explore your unique deck design in 3D and 2D top, side, and front views. Be sure that your blade is sharpened before you use the hand saw to get the cleanest cut. A chalk line is another must-have for building your deck. It will act as a guide when cutting your boards so that you get the straightest edge possible. When using the chalk line, lift it directly towards the sky and not at an angle to get an accurate marking. Pro Tip: Use white chalk!

The blue and other colors will permanently stain your deck. You can't get around having a tape measure for any construction project and building a deck is no different.

The last thing you want after measuring, marking and cutting your boards perfectly is an uneven deck. Pro Tip: If you have a large deck, tie string to stakes and place across the frame at the exact level needed so you won't have to keep bringing the level back out as you build. We recommend using screws for any decking project, which means you'll need a good power drill.

When working with hardwoods like Ipe , you will need to pre-drill all your holes so make sure you have a carbide-tipped drill bit. Screwing down your decking boards, instead of nailing, will make for a stronger and safer deck down the road. When it comes to securing your deck boards, not all screws are created equal! The type of decking material you choose will determine the type of screws or fastening system you can use.