- House framing is the process of adding and adjusting the structural support portions of a home. For new construction, this consists of placing exterior wall studs, ceiling joists, and roof trusses. The process of framing is vital to the home's structural integrity, and the framing must be precisely set in order to ensure that the house is sturdy.
- The tool pouch is the cornerstone of framing. Having tools ready at hand saves time and reduces the likelihood that mistakes will be made by a framer in a hurry. The pouch should have enough pockets to hold nails and screws, and a separate loop from which to hang a hammer. A wide belt is essential for comfort and to hold the tool belt at a comfortable and convenient height.
- A chalk line is used for marking long, straight lines. Chalk typically comes in two colors, red and blue, and in lengths up to 25 feet. The chalk coats the line and once the line is drawn out to the desired length, the lined is snapped to leave a long mark on the surface. Chalk lines are used to delineate the path for nails and screws, and having both colors will allow the person doing the framing to keep two distinct marks, one for screws and one for nails.
- A carpenter's pencil is used to mark on wood or stone, and is uniquely suited to the task. The lead is soft and leaves a visible mark. The pencil should be sharpened on both ends to ensure that time doesn't need to be taken to constantly sharpen the pencil. These pencils are used to mark nail holes and cutouts.
- A framing square is designed to measure perfect right angles. Shaped like an "L," the framing square consists of both a short and a long arm. Each arm is graduated to measure length, and the square measures both board foot length and standard scale. Framing squares come in metal, plastic, and composite materials, but the most reliable and least prone to warping is the metal versions. These are typically aluminum, though steel squares are still used that are decades old.
