Building a Deck: Tools

Series Summary

Wood is a precious resource for many reasons, not the least of which is for its construction potential. Wood decks are not only beautiful but they can last for many years of hard use. Additionally, a wood deck can be repaired several times before needing to be rebuilt. This conserves wood, money and time. Repairing wood decks is cost effective and easy. In this free video series on home improvement, let a deck repair specialist explain the step-by-step process of building a deck. First, he explains what tools are needed, how to assess the old deck, demolition preparation and how to properly dispose of old wood. Next, learn about finishing a deck board, what material should be used for rails, how to cut rails and install and attach them. Finally, wrap up the project by creating and placing stringers for a stairway, putting in treads and risers, and installing stair posts and railings. Build a deck and give a home the brand new look it deserves!

Video Transcript

"O.k. we have demo tools which you're probably familiar with. A flat bar to get in skinny places and pry up. Of course a claw hammer. This is a cat paw that you can dig down underneath your nails and pull them up out. Then you have your different size crowbars which can be used for prying up your decking and everything. And those two don't get it then we have a 6 foot black bar which will do what you want it to. O.k. we can use our skill saw or DeWalt saw here to make the planking shorter so we're not taking up 20 foot strips of decking. You need to get in some tight places, we have a Sawzall that'll get in and do the cutting the circular saw can't. O.k. this can be used for demo too. I use the back of it and just, no actually you put a Phillips in here or square head and you can back the screws out o the deck. Which helps a lot to take the screws out of the decking before you go and start prying it all up. And this is also good for cutting off your 4x4's on your railings, down threw 2x2's, 2x6's. It's fairly simple. This is the biggest tool I have for measuring all the lengths and widths of of what I need to cut. Like I've said, measure twice cut once. Get a good Carpenters pencil. Keep it handy. You always want to just have it handy. Now the drill is very very important. I use it to put all my screws into the decking. And that's what this does. This will cut all my links if I'm cutting smaller pieces or I can use it to rip down boards to the widths that are needed. And there's about only one other tool that I use when I do construction. O.k. yes in my skill saw I use a carbon tipped 24 tooth saw blade, 7 1/4 inches. It cuts threw composites very very easily. Composite works easier than wood does. There's no variation in the composite its plastic it just cuts very simple. O.k. you can have a square head tip in your drill or a Phillips. I have opted not to do Phillips anymore because the square headed deck screws hold on so much easier. And then there's another small tip which is a torques head that work with those trim head screws. O.k. this is the other tool that I use that I really like. It's a DeWalt extendable stand with a DeWalt slider miter saw. It'll cut up to objects that are up to 14 inches wide. It has your regular 8 1/2 inch blade, 30 tooth, general purpose blade, carbine tipped. They last a long time cutting this."