So you’ve got the tool belt, now what tools should you load it up with?
For starters every carpenter needs a hammer. The hammer holster on the belt probably makes this one obvious. Also, you will need a tape measure, once again that’s why the tool clip is there.
Next, a lot of carpenters really like using a speed square. In our tool belts there is a slot in the left hand pouch for a speed square, simply slide it in and it is at your disposal.
Pencils are another must have in carpentry. A utility knife, and a chisel set are also likely to be used often.
The large pouches you will probably fill up with whatever screws and nails that you use often. Don’t carry around a lot of weight if you aren’t going to use it often.
You may want to carry around a small level with you, but a larger level will probably work better. A large level unfortunately is not something that will fit in your tool belt.
Whatever else you may need will likely depend on the job. This list however should give you a good start.
We just got new carpet installed and quickly realized we had a problem. While I do not want to admit it, we bought our carpet from Home Depot and had it installed by them. They explicitly said in the work contract that they would not trim doors. Unfortunately for us the new carpet is much more plush than the previous carpet and we had several doors that no longer closed.
Fortunately though, trimming doors is not a difficult task. For this job you will need the following tools:
- Sawhorse
- Circular Saw
- A straight edge longer than door width
- Masking Tape
- Small Piece of Scrap Wood
- Utility Knife
- A couple of 3″ C-Clamps
- Make a mark on the door where it needs to be cut, it needs enough clearance to move easily above the flooring. Then remove the door from the frame. Don’t worry about removing the hinges or door knob. Lay the door down on the sawhorses, you may want to put a towel down between to prevent scratching.
- Using a straight edge make a mark along the door where it needs to be cut. Once marked, use the utility knife to score both sides of the door along the line. The scoring will help prevent chipping.
- Now we need to create a gauge to help us cut a straight line with our circular saw. The gauge can be created by placing the piece of scrap wood against our straight edge and then putting the base of the circular saw against the straight edge and cutting the scrap wood. Now the scrap wood is the same width as the base of the circular saw.
- With the gauge made, place one edge against the line on the door and the straight edge, such as a 4 foot level, on the other side. C-clamp the straight edge in place and repeat on the other side.
- Next, tape the door where the saw and its base will have contact, this will help to prevent chipping and scratching.
- We are now ready to cut the door. Hold the blade guard back so that it will not drag against the back side of the door, place the base against the straight edge that is clamped in place and cut the door. Make sure that the base is in constant contact with the straight edge as this will make the cut as straight as possible.
- Once done, remove the clamps and tape. If you have had to cut off a significant amount of door and you have a hollow door you will need to remove the wood from the door that you just cut off and glue it into the bottom of the door to close off the opening. If you are only cutting off a 1/4 inch then you will not likely need to worry about this.
- You may want to gently sand the edge of the door that you just cut to make it smooth.
- Rehang the door and it should now open and close smoothly.