Essential deck tools

[Steve]

I was just wondering what tools you rely on every day for deck building.
Here are some of mine...

Power...
10" Makita sliding compound miter saw with a Forrest Chopmaster blade
Makita 14.4 impact driver

Hand...
Board boss and bowrench
#8 Smartbit (for countersinking Headcote trim screws)

steve

[RobertCDF]

Pencil and tape mesure :)

[buildenterprises]

Makita 10" slide saw
Sears Craftsman 10" table saw
Ridgid 24 volt Li-Ion drill, circ and sawzall(Yes, I really do use them all)
Small combo square as my deck board spacer

[Bob Bulick]

To reply to your post as related to deck building. I use a Makita 10 CMS a portable table saw and lean heavily on my 18vlitium Makita impact. A lot of my cuts are done using a PC Saw Boss and a sturdy set of knee pads.

[A.V. Decks]

dewalt 12" compound mitre
dewalt 8" circular saw
dewalt electric impact gun
dewalt 18volt screwguns (2)
dewalt laminate trimmer
dewalt sander
dewalt electric hammer drill
dewalt sawzall

2', 4', 6', and 8', levels
basic pouch full of tools

yeah I like dewalt a lil bit.

[ctdecks]

we like to keep it light.
no chop saw, smaller makita 10amp skill saws with 40 tooth fresh blades, 18 volt impact guns, no airnailers,trim routers,hand tools,hand saw, sawzall in a pinch etc.

[nycreativecarpentry]

The usual is a miter stand set-up, table saw for custom trim, assortment of drivers, air & cordless....most important, to me, is the 1/2" router with an assortment of shaped bits: ogee, cove, bead, etc....the owners are fascinated & love the final details on the railings and posts....it goes fast and really makes the work stand out.
Gene

[Bobby Parks]

It's funny,

In my earlier days framed, sided, corniced, and trimmed houses working out of the back of a TR-6 sports car ( I had a truck but it was in the shop for a few weeks)

I only needed a circular saw, old Makita miter box, framing square, 4' level and an extension cord.to build any house plans I under took.

Now to build decks you end up needing $10k to $15k worth of tools just to do the job right.

Bobby Parks

Peachtree Decks and Porches

[Yom's Designs]

Same here Bob, I started out in the back of my Mercedes, now I have trailer full of tools and still needing more.
But the most essential tool in building a deck is the level, circular saw, and a hammer.

[thedeckbarn]

we use a laser for a level. fastest most accurate way especialy with lots of corners. I don't know how people are able to use a 10" mitre saw when it won't cut a 4x4 in on chop. I had one the 2nd yr in business and threw it out. I didn't have time to roll things around and cut twice. Have only used 12" since then. Have bought about 10 dewalt mitre bxes. Have the new Hitachi 12" with the laser site, that works real well. A poitive placement nailer comes in real handy now that simpson is in the game. Hilti te-5 or better hammer drill w/quick attachments works real well. A skid steer for post holes works the best, we have to regularily drill down 48"x12" for post hole in Michigan. Had to shoot some that were 30"x10 foot deep due to back fill issues on a brick column deck.
steve scholl
killerdecks.com
thedeckbarn.com

[ctdecks]

light weight circ saws, plenty of screwguns, levels, laser level, horses ladders, ext cords, plenty of ambition

[Patiosclotures]

I like hardwood wrench tool. It is used to straightening bowed and warped boards. Its cam locks into place, holding the board for you and giving you the ability to work hands free on your deck without assistance. It truly makes a one man installation possible.