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A Convenient List of Useful Equipment for the New Homesteader

(continued)

By Mark S. Chenail       

Once the ground is clear and level, the Hopewells will want to lay out their new house and start construction.  Until they have a real roof over their heads, that old 6 man tent is home and all their possessions are stuck under a couple of tarps and in danger of the weather.  So they better have the following:

 CONSTRUCTION TOOLS 

Framing hammers in various weights

A trim hammer and tack hammer

Hand saws: rip, crosscut, hacksaw, and a backsaw with a mitre box

A pry bar and cats paw

Two sets of screwdrivers, regular and Phillips head

A 25’ measuring tape

A  reel tape 100-300’

A Level at least 5 feet long

Framing squares

Chalk line and chalk

A set of good chisels and a sharpening stone

A basic box plane and blades to fit it

A good all purpose knife

A taping knife

A putty knife

Pliers in assorted sizes

Needle nose pliers for wiring

Wire strippers

A circuit tester

Several heavy duty extension cords and some household cords

A set of standard wrenches with a ratchet

Pipe wrench

Soldering iron and solder

A standard plumber’s blowtorch

Trowels and floats for concrete and plaster work

An extension ladder and a step ladder

A paint tray, roller frame, and rollers

Paint buckets

Assorted paint brushes

Window putty and glass points

Tin snips

Staple gun and staples

Caulking gun and caulk

Lubricating oil

Carpenter’s glue

Our pioneer forefathers were many things, but most of them were not fools.  When Mr. Porter-Cable started peddling the Skil-saw,  I can’t imagine too many working carpenters poo-pooed the idea and went about speechifying on the nobility of the handsaw. 

I can certainly appreciate the skill and care needed to build a timber frame house with nothing but hand tools, but when you are living in a tent, I don’t think it morally reprehensible to haul out the power tools.  There is no more miserable activity than trying to cut a 4x8 sheet of plywood with a handsaw on a hot day, while your significant other attempts to hold it down and offer helpful advice.  That way lies murder, mayhem and divorce.  Do NOT do it.  There is plenty of time for nobility of purpose  after you have a solid dry roof over your family’s head.  So, that said, the Hopewells will be happy to have:

POWER TOOLS

  Skil-saw or circular saw (2)

Sawz-all….good for awkward cuts and useful for trimming trees and small brush

Jig saw for trim work and cabinet work

Extra blades for all the saws

Electric drill and assorted bits, particularly extra ¾ inch bits for drilling holes for wiring the house.

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