1. tape measure
   cordless drill
2. claw hammer
   shop vac

A good carpenter knows you always measure twice and cut once. A quality tape measure will become one of your most frequently-used tools on the jobsite.

1. ladder
   reciprocating saw
2. chisel
   nail gun

A chisel is one of the oldest known carpentry tools. Available in various shapes and sizes, they are used to carve out wood by hand. Chisels are useful for prepping doors for hardware, or for crafting furniture and trim.

1. miter saw
   level
2. shop vac
   claw hammer

Let's face it, no matter how good your work is, it will look bad to your customers if everything doesn't line up properly. Levels use small air bubbles to let you know when shelves, molding and trim are even and parallel to the floor.

1. clamps
   miter saw
2. chisel
   flathead screwdriver

Flathead or slot-head screwdrivers have a simple straight tip for use with standard screws. They have been replaced in many applications with Phillip's head screwdrivers, which have a cross-shaped tip.

1. clamps
   chisel
2. lathe
   power drill

You can do only some much carpentry work with your own two hands. Clamps hold pieces of wood still while you work on them, or hold two pieces of material together long enough for glue to dry completely. They come in simple C-designs for small spaces, as well as corner, pipe and parallel models.

1. hand saw
   center punch
2. miter saw
   table saw

People have been cutting wood with hand saws for thousands of years. Crosscut versions can be used to cut against the grain of the wood, while rip saws are used to cut along the grain.

1. cordless drill
   stud finder
2. miter saw
   claw hammer

Ever tried to hang a shelf or a picture? If you simply screw it to the drywall, it probably won't stay up too long. A stud finder uses magnets or electricity to locate the wooden studs hiding behind the drywall so you can safely attach items directly to the studs.

1. tape measure
   claw hammer
2. saw horse
   spade bit

A saw horse is a versatile piece of equipment for carpenters. You can lean wood against a single saw horse while cutting, or use two saw horses and a sheet of plywood to create a portable work table out in the field.

1. reciprocating saw
   power drill
2. chisel
   claw hammer

A claw hammer has a flat surface at one end for pounding nails, with a split curve at the other for removing them. Take time to test different models to find one that's not only comfortable, but has the right balance when you swing it.

1. moisture meter
   miter saw
2. center punch
   hand saw

Excess moisture levels are bad news for homeowners because of the way moisture affects building materials like wood or drywall. A moisture meter is a handy tool for carpenters to detect excess moisture, and to spot and fix problems before they become expensive headaches.

1. utility knife
   crow bar
2. pencil
   hand saw

Utility knives are multi-purpose tools that carpenters can use to score and snap a piece of drywall, or to cut away old caulk or paint when doing renovation work. These tools are also useful for opening tough packages, and can he handy to keep around even when you aren't doing work around the house.

1. portable generator
   spade bit
2. shop vac
   cement mixer

A carpenter who fails to clean up the job site after finishing a project is unlikely to find himself with repeat customers. Between wood dust and drywall sand, carpentry work leaves plenty of a mess behind. A basic shop vac allows you to leave no trace, resulting in happy customers.

1. slip joint pliers
   claw hammer
2. circular saw
   tool belt

Circular saws use toothed discs to cut through plywood, lumber and other pieces of wood. Both table and chop saws are types of circular saws.

1. pencil
   show vac
2. power drill
   putty knife

Power drills make it much easier and faster to remove and replace screws compared to non-powered hand tools like screwdrivers. They come with a wide variety of bits to meet the needs of various applications, including drilling holes and removing specialty fasteners.

1. jigsaw
   spade bit
2. chisel
   claw hammer

The jigsaw, or scrollsaw, uses a reciprocating blade with a push-pull mechanism. It's the ideal tool for creating curves and details in a piece of wood, and can be used in very delicate pieces with finesse.

1. table saw
   chisel
2. claw hammer
   crow bar

Table saws use a round blade to cut through various types of wood. They range from bench top units, to heavier contractor models, to industrial cabinet models used in wood shops.

1. moisture meter
   center punch
2. chalk line
   miter saw

Miter saws can make more complex cuts than most other power saws because they have a pivoting arm. This cutting flexibility makes miter saws ideal for cutting things like crown molding so that it fits perfectly together.

1. carpenter's square
   saw horse
2. tape measure
   router

A router is a power cutting tool used to hollow out a section of wood. It features a blade that drops down, or plunges below the tool to cut mortises, trim and specialty items like cabinet doors.

1. reciprocating saw
   extension cord
2. safety glasses
   metal file

If you ever wonder whether you really need to wear your safety glasses, do a quick Google search to find videos and photos of people who really, really regret not donning those safety glasses on the job site.

1. hard hat
   nail gun
2. gloves
   cordless drill

Framing walls, installing roofing or laying flooring requires a surprisingly high number of fasteners. Sure, you could pound every nail in by hand -- or you could use a nail gun to shoot thousands of nails a day with less effort.

1. carpenter's square
   center punch
2. hand saw
   chalk line

A carpenter's square or speed square is a simple tool shaped like a right triangle. It allows carpenters to quickly determine if corners of interior and exterior walls are perfectly square.

1. claw hammer
   ladder
2. plumb bob
   lathe

Ladders allow you to easily access areas that are out of reach. This tool is essential for any carpenter who might be working on a roof, or refinishing a ceiling.

1. chalk line
   circular saw
2. cordless drill
   laser level

A chalk line consists of a length of string coated in a chalky powder. When stretched across a surface and snapped, the line leaves behind a guideline of chalk, which is useful for laying tile, installing trim or hanging cabinets.

1. center punch
   extension cord
2. bevel gauge
   tape measure

Carpenters work in all kinds of conditions, and there aren't always working electrical outlets on every job site, especially in the early stages of a project. An extension cord allows you to bring power to where you need it for drills and other tools.

1. Allen keys
   flathead screwdriver
2. laser level
   air compressor

An air compressor is an important piece of equipment for any carpenter who uses pneumatic, or air-powered tools. Things like pneumatic angle grinders or impact wrenches are common among carpenters.

1. hand saw
   lathe
2. jointer
   plumb bob

A jointer is a piece of specialty carpentry equipment that is used to flatten the surface of a piece of wood. Wood can also be fed through the jointer to square off an edge that is uneven or not square.

1. gloves
   bevel gauge
2. drill press
   cat's paw

A drill press is a fixed drill mounted to a stand or table. It can be found in many wood shops, where it's used to cut and drill holes, as well as sand and polish wood using bits and attachments.

1. center punch
   planer
2. spade bit
   slip joint pliers

A planer is a machine that is similar to a jointer, but offers one key difference. After the jointer flattens a sheet of wood, the planer ensures the wood is of equal thickness from end to end.

1. lathe
   level
2. cordless drill
   claw hammer

A lathe is used to spin wood. It can range from very small, like versions used to turn a pen, to larger models used to spin things like table or chair legs.

1. hard hat
   gloves
2. hand saw
   reciprocating saw

There's a really good reason hard hats are required on so many job sites; falling tools, even small ones, can do an incredible amount of damage if you are unlucky enough to have one land on your head. Don't tempt fate -- wear your hard hat any time you are on site to protect yourself.

1. bevel gauge
   hand saw
2. gloves
   hard hat

For all the attention paid to safety glasses, hard hats and steel-toed boots, safety gloves get surprisingly little attention. Carpenters should invest in quality gloves to protect hands from splinters, metal shards and chemicals used in stains and finishes.

1. lathe
   flathead screwdriver
2. claw hammer
   metal file

A metal file is a useful tool for any carpenter's tool belt. It can be used to smooth out burrs or widen a door strike plate opening when the door isn't latching exactly right.

1. Allen wrenches
   cordless drill
2. chisel
   slip joint pliers

Allen wrenches, also known as hex keys, work almost like screwdrivers, but are designed specifically for screws with hexagonal heads. They come in sets of various sizes, and are a handy addition to any toolbox.

1. spade bit
   slip joint pliers
2. reciprocating saw
   putty knife

Slip-joint pliers are adjustable to grab nuts and bolts of various sizes. They are used to tighten and loosen larger fasteners, and can often replace a more elaborate set of wrenches for certain projects.

1. laser level
   crowbar
2. hand saw
   chisel

A laser level if a box that shoots laser lines out in multiple directions to guide work. They are useful for a variety of carpentry projects, including drywall, flooring, cabinets and trim.

1. plumb bob
   shop vac
2. putty knife
   flathead screwdriver

Putty knives are multi-purpose tools consisting of a wide metal blade attached to a wooden or plastic handle. They are useful for scraping and cleaning putty or paint, and many carpenters use them to apply drywall joint compound or various adhesives.

1. claw hammer
   chisel
2. crowbar
   lathe

There's nothing like a crowbar for rough demo work. The swan-shaped neck provides excellent leverage, while a split in the end can be used to pull nails and other fasteners.

1. center punch
   claw hammer
2. flathead screwdriver
   plumb bob

Plumb bobs consist of a metal weight attached to a length of string. They are an old-school tool for transferring measurements vertically, or for determining whether a vertical surface is perfectly perpendicular to the floor.

1. spade bit
   bevel gauge
2. tool belt
   reciprocating saw

The bevel gauge is an adjustable tool with a pivoting blade that can be locked at different angles. It performs much of the same job as a carpenter's square, but is much more portable and compact.

1. plumb bob
   claw hammer
2. Phillips head screwdriver
   lathe

The Phillips head screwdriver has a cross-shaped indentation at the tip. This design is much more effective than a flathead design because it provides a more secure grip for loosening and tightening fasteners.

1. cordless drill
   tape measure
2. hole saw
   level

Plenty of carpenters work on job sites before electrical power has been established. On those projects, it's handy to have a cordless drill so you're not running endless extension cords to a generator.

1. reciprocating saw
   flathead screwdriver
2. spade bit
   chisel

A reciprocating saw, commonly referred to as a Sawzall after a popular brand name version, uses a push-pull motion to cut through tough materials. It's an ideal tool for cutting holes in drywall, but also used in demo, or to cut wood studs or PVC pipes.