what power tools to build cabin?

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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / what power tools to build cabin?


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cabinnewbie Member	# Posted: 26 Feb 2022 14:22 Reply Hey all, I'm planning on building a cabin this summer and learning as much as i can and trying to recruit my handy friends. I have very little experience so sorry for the beginner question. From what i've seen, i've been inspired and thinking either Deek's small a-frame (might be too small though ) or a 14x14 plan i got online from solarhomesteading. Any particular power tools you would recommend? specifically i'm confused how big of a circular saw i need? I see sizes from 5" to 7" thanks!

Princelake Member	# Posted: 26 Feb 2022 17:18 Reply Standard corded circular saws are 7 1/4â€. I framed my camp with a 6 1/2â€ cordless. Other tools you need are Air nailer Compressor if your air nailer isnâ€™t cordless Drill/impact Reciprocating Saw Laser level is nice to have Tool belt with hammer, speed square, caulk line Framing square Levels

frankpaige Member	# Posted: 26 Feb 2022 17:50 Reply Great time of your life. Savor it all. Even the frustrating parts. Keep us apprised of your progress. The list above is pretty complete. Site selection and orientation is time well spent doing. Best of progress

toyota_mdt_tech Member	# Posted: 26 Feb 2022 20:07 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech Reply 7 1/4" circular saw table saw framing nailer/siding nailer (one nailer will do both) 16 gauge finish nailer Air palm nailer (for metal hanger/strap tico nails) 6 gallon pancake compressor to run framing nailer, sawzall That is the basics, this is and tools, obvious squares, levels, chalk line, large sledge hammer, tape measures (nice 35 footer) and my favorite, the "squangle" which is perfect for building rafters Certainly you can hand bang the nails, but the nailing schedule on sheeting for flooring , siding, roof sheating, will wear your shoulders out.

gcrank1 Member	# Posted: 26 Feb 2022 22:45 - Edited by: gcrank1 Reply Small chainsaw, either gas, cordless or elec cord from gen. No love here for the 10" Radial Arm Saw? You can crosscut And rip, imo way better than a table saw. They are available used on Craigslist all the time. I wont be without a cordless 18+ volt reversible drill/driver ever again! All this as has been said but fwiw, my wife and I hand built cabin #1 in '83-'84, yes, with hand tools. 12x24 with 12x12 loft, post & beam on 4' ctrs over a conventional deck on silo blocks. Ah, to be young again!

DryCreek Member	# Posted: 26 Feb 2022 22:49 Reply Toyota_mdt has a pretty good list. My 2 cents from our recent build: I had a cordless drill, impact driver, and 6.5 inch saw. We recharged those with a small (50W) solar setup. It was really nice to not have a generator running all the time. We ran the generator for the compressor/nail gun and chop saw. We also used a sawzall, jigsaw, rotary hammer, shop-vac, and oscillating tool. Those were all corded, which was OK; we weren't using them for long periods. And of course hand tools - tape measures, levels, squares, chalk line. We had one of those straight edge guides that clamps to plywood to cut the plywood. Some clamps. Ladder(s). A 'board wrench', which is a prybar that lets you take the twist out of boards long enough to nail them. Assorted prybars. We had some masonry to do, and I used a diamond wheel and angle grinder to cut some bricks. Plumb bob. Laser levels are awesome, but we didn't have one. You'll probably have to do some excavating, so some assortment of pick/shovel/mattock/post hole digger/digging bar. Caulking gun. If you do wiring or plumbing they will need some tools.

Bruces Member	# Posted: 26 Feb 2022 23:30 Reply If I was in your position ,I wouldnâ€™t bother with air nailers at all ,battery nailers are better in every way with no compressor to drag around or listen to ,no hose ,no ongoing expense (like our nailers with the gas cartridges) .If I was not going battery ,I would just hammer it out manually instead of the noisy air stuff for one cabin .

cabinnewbie Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 08:34 - Edited by: cabinnewbie Reply Thanks all! this is really really helpful. I went ahead and ordered a set of 18V cordless drills/driver/multitool from home depot. I also already have a small 1000W gas generator since the property doesn't have electricity near where i want to build. I'm still on the fence a little on size and type of circular saw. Sounds like 6.5" is the minimal? Sounds like nailers would save a ton of time but look pretty pricey...will hunt craigslist too i'm trying to balance out not buying things i wont likely use much of again like a nailer. Unless i get the bug and decide to keep building I ordered the plans from this guy and seems to be really good. https://simplesolarhomesteading.com/off-grid-package

cabinnewbie Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 08:35 Reply Quoting: Bruces And of course hand tools - tape measures, levels, squares, chalk line. We had one of those straight edge guides that clamps to plywood to cut the plywood. Some clamps. Ladder(s). A 'board wrench', which is a prybar that lets you take the twist out of boards long enough to nail them. Assorted prybars. We had some masonry to do, and I used a diamond wheel and angle grinder to cut some bricks. Plumb bob. Laser levels are awesome, but we didn't have one. You'll probably have to do some excavating, my neighbor has an air compressor they'd let me borrow but no nailers hmm

cabinnewbie Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 08:37 Reply Quoting: DryCreek And of course hand tools - tape measures, levels, squares, chalk line. We had one of those straight edge guides that clamps to plywood to cut the plywood. Some clamps. Ladder(s). A 'board wrench', which is a prybar that lets you take the twist out of boards long enough to nail them. Assorted prybars. We had some masonry to do, and I used a diamond wheel and angle grinder to cut some bricks. Plumb bob. Laser levels are awesome, but we didn't have one. You'll probably have to do some excavating, so some assortment of pick/shovel/mattock/post hole digger/digging bar. Caulking gun. oh interesting, i never heard of a board wrench before, that's super helpful! I am a little worried about sourcing my lumber and having a bunch of warped pieces given the crazy market for lumber these days

cabinnewbie Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 08:38 Reply Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech That is the basics, this is and tools, obvious squares, levels, chalk line, large sledge hammer, tape measures (nice 35 footer) and my favorite, the "squangle" which is perfect for building rafters never heard of a squangle before, very helpful. I feel fairly confident that i understand at least in my mind the foundation, flooring, framing walls, but still trying to wrap my head around rafters/roofing.

cabinnewbie Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 08:41 Reply Quoting: frankpaige Great time of your life. Savor it all. Even the frustrating parts. Keep us apprised of your progress. The list above is pretty complete. Site selection and orientation is time well spent doing. Best of progress thanks! I really appreciate all the support and encouragement. I definitely feel over my head but excited too. i'm sure i'll have a lot more Qs and progress over time. With mudseason here, i dont expect i'll be able to really start anything until June or July. So i'm trying to do as much prep and understanding beforehand. def going to try and pick a spot that has good sunlight for solar and slightly elevated to drain well

Steve_S Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 08:47 - Edited by: Steve_S Reply I built my place, from clearing bush on up with no grid power up here. Here is my tool list. - 1 Huskvarna XP-576AT Chainsaw I am inside a HUGE old Forest and this saw supports my Alaska Saw Mill which was another $1K. - 1 Champion 7200/9000 Gas Generator (general Duty to run heavy equipment & more) --- AIR Tools --- - 1 120-Volt 3HP/20 Gallon Portable Air Compressor - 1 34Deg Framing Nail Gun (stick type) (AIR) - 1 DeWalt Air Brad-Nailer (for my finishing work) - Assorted metal working air tools Automotive but also used for some custom stuff built for cabin. -- Cordless Tools which were used as my main tools for construction of teh entire home & outbuildings. - Complete DeWalt Cordless "Bundled Kit" with 2 extra 4AH Batteries https://www.homedepot.ca/product/dewalt-20v-max-lithium-ion-cordless-combo-kit-5-tool -with-2-3ah-batteries-charger-and-contractor-bag/1000658589 - 1 120V Husky Portable Table Saw (HomeDepot brand) - 1 120V Maxximum 10" Sliding Compound Mitre Saw (Canadian Tire Corp Premium House Brand) - 1 120V Pro Series Black & Decker Router (this is 1980's Real B&D Pro, not current KRAP) with extended table. - 1 120V 12" Delta Planner (1980's again) (I used a LOT of rough-cut lumber, including for finished areas. SAW BLADES Using ONLY Diablo Blades they really are worth it ! Both for Framing & Fine Finishing work. They LAST ! 1 DeWalt 16oz Framing with shock absorbing handle. 2', 4' & 6' Heavy Duty Aluminium Levels. 2' Level with digital Angle/Degree indicator. 2 Line Levels for string. 1 Blue Chalk & 1 Red Chalk marker strings (never get your lines mixed up eh !) -- A Laser Level is VERY HANDY (I borrowed one, would have bought one if I couldn't borrow it) 1 Large & 1 Small Sledge Hammers 1 Large & 1 Small Crow Bars and a Stanley "WonderBar" (damned handy) 1 6' Long Prybar (one end pointed other flat). Assorted STEEL Shovels, a Pick, small & large Axes. 1 Good Handsaw (at minimum) 1 Good Wood Chisel Set (with correct mallet) Large & Small Caulking Guns 1 Large & 1 Small Steel Framing Square. 1 Metal "Speed Square" (can't build without the 3 of these !) Tape-Measures: You will want a Long 30' one and a smaller 16' one as well. 2 Sets of Saw Horses ! 1 Sacrificed Picnic Table (Served as a work table and more... after 5 years - sacrificed to the Building Gods LOL) 1- 12'x24' Temporary Garage because being DRY in the rain Matters ! Especially for materials being worked on. # Several PALLETS to keep material off the ground & dry. So assorted Good Tarps for cover. NB If these are going to be on-ground a while, get the cover sheets from the lumber yard to put underneath the Pallets (the sheets that lifts of lumber are covered with), they toss them, perfect for putting underneath pallets to keep ground moisture at bay. SEVERAL Irwin "Quick-Grip" Clamps (from small to large). Several large C-Clamps and HD Ratchet Straps. There are never enough hands to hold things or to pull things into place & hold them there while being fastened. General Screw Drivers, Wrenches etc as required for normal construction. Plumbing Specific Tools for PEX (crimper & cutter etc) Soldering Torch & tools where required. Copper Pipe cutters and related equipment. Electrical Stuff: The nornal household wiring tools with cutters, strippers, fish line Multi-Meter, AC Voltage Tester & Tracer. Also being an Off Gridder who DIY'd my own Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries (LFP) and more, there is a pile of equipment related to that. About my Build: I bought & Cleared the land, hired in an excavation company to remove the top soil & set up a hard packed building pad. The house is on a Frost Protected Slab Foundation, with power/pump house 75' from house. Self Designed & Self-Built and with no help. Only help was the Concrete guys for the foundation and roof finishing after the rafters were installed (I was injured and mid-winter had to get someone). There is a LOT of rough cut Red & White Pine throughout the house, ceilings are 6" wide T&G Pine and I even milled my own baseboards, casings, mouldings & trims, all from local pine. All my cabinetry are also built from 3/4" PureBond Plywood & finished with rough-cut White Pine doors & trim work. Exterior is all Live Edge Eastern White Cedar with Green Metal Cool Roof. As I also installed Ceramic Tile under the Woodstove and my kitchen counters also being 24"x12" 12mm thick Vitrified Ceramic so I also bought a ceramic tile saw and assorted tools to do that. NOTE I did not include the specialty tools for Electronics, Ceramic Tile Work or Fine Wood Working. AIR TOOLS: As I use Air Tools (Metal working etc) it was practical to go with that and while the air hose can be a bit of a PITA at times it's an inconcenvience compared to the alternative. I went through 5 Cases of Galvanised Nails - that's over 25,000 Nails ! and I have very bad Carpal Tunnel Syndrome so the only option really. That Nail count does NOT include Pump/Power House, nor woodshed, or workshed/bunky and other projects built. I hope this summary is helpful, good luck.

gcrank1 Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 08:53 Reply 7 1/4" circ-saw is min. Your 1000w gen wont start up a compressor, or a lot of bigger power tools, might not run even the circ-saw, certainly not a radial arm or table saw.

Steve_S Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 09:22 Reply Tip, I am an Off Grid Cabineer and some would say Way out in the Wilds. I help many folks get to solar and such. I few Lessons Learned not by just me... 1) You are far better off installing a Ground Mount System which can be seasonally adjusted for optimal performance. DIY or Commercial no problem. 1a) If you wish to build a Fixed Mount, then it is best to use the (March/September) angles as those are optimal for year-round production. *This could be the roof of your powerhouse if done this way. 2) Keep your Battery Bank, Solar Charge Controllers (SCC) and Inverter Charger systems together and as close as possible to each other. AIO's (All in Ones) include SCC + Inverter + Charger all in one modular unit and are simpler to implement BUT there are trade offs. FYI, Inverters etc have fans and do make a fair bit of noise. 3) DC Power cannot travel distance without serious losses, basically no more than 75' without having to seriously compensate (bigger wires & more $$$). Running AC Power distance (from powerhouse to house) is much simpler & far cheaper ! 4) Really A-1: Conservation is ALWAYS cheaper than Generation & Storage, so be very aware of what you are building for and how you will be using the power and keeping in mind WHAT you may be up to in 5+ years ! 5) Prevent Energy Hogs ! Water Tanks, Electric Stoves (Coil etc) and Electric Heating are all BADDIES ! There are very efficient and not overly expensive methods & tech in use readily available. 6) Remember as a Cabineer you also have some flexibility with many things.. For example use of Grey Water Systems, Composting Toilet options and many more which need consideration at the start. Basic Designs: A few basic things... Some folks will build a cabin like a house and embed plumbing into walls and through floors in the conventional methods. Others like me surface mounted but hid all the plumbing to keep the exterior shell solid improving overall building envelope efficiency. Put your Hot Water Source as CLOSE to the Points of use as possible - not in the basement on the other side of the place ! You'd be gobsmacked how much is wasted with even a 20' run of pipe for hot water. Seriously Consider On-Demand Hot Water. Heating has many possibilities and that does depend on the build method you choose. Being in the Deep North, I have Radiant Heating in my Slab but also have a Woodstove and a Kerosene Backup (never had to use it). Water Source / Well: Wells are NOT Cheap and drilling is charged by the foot ! Bore Drilling has to go deeper because it does not fracture the rock on the way down. Cable Pounding Drilling is slower, but fractures the rock going down providing better water flow & recovery at a shallower depth. FYI: I use a Grundfos SQ-5 120Volt Softstart Deep Well pump. The well is 260' deep pushes to a 50 Gallon Pressure tank and then 75' to the house. PSI is set to 52PSI and cut in at 45PSI and never notice transition. It starts at 550Watts @ 120VAC draw and finishes at 1100Watts when it cuts off at 52PSI. THIS IS SOLAR SYSTEM FRIENDLY ! Hope this fills in more blanks and answers more questions that have been percolating. YEP, Time for another Mugga of Joe !

paulz Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 10:43 Reply Great tips Steve. I had just a few construction tools when I started, a sidewinder circular saw, hammer.. By the time I was done I had a generator, table saw, lumber mill, Skill saws, electric hand planer, thickness planer, nail guns, levels, plumb bobs, auger, cement mixer, stump grinder, miter saw, saw horses, belt sander, orbital sander... And ladders, lots of ladders.

Steve_S Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 11:03 Reply Well, I did not mention that I also bought real scaffolding, 4 sets of 5x5 MetalTech 10' long which were a Godsend really for both inside & outside. I got lucky (smart ?) with ladders as I bought one of the Multi-Mode ladders which when I first bought it I thought "maybe" this can do everything and sure enough it did... Cost more BUT it's One Ladder instead of 4 LMAO Definitely a Best Buy for anyone building a place IMO: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-multi-task-ladder-grade-1-17-ft-061301 4p.html#srp SOME of this could have been rented BUT that would have cost far more in the end such as the Scaffolding, it came out much cheaper (even new) but that stuff can also be bought used (not that much cheaper than new) so stuff that is easy to sell on after and recover the $$. The real Irony.... I had hoped the kids would take over the Cabin and continue but they are not there in their lives, sadly. They would have also gotten all the tools & equipment like Lawn Tractor, Blower etc as well as the rest... All of that adds up to a Heap Load of coin too... They will be "Should'a, Could'a, Would'a, and all that regret later to learn a lesson... I guess after the building work is done this spring/summer there is gonna be one hell of a Yard Sale to dispose of all of it before listing the Cabin Property for sale.

Fanman Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 18:20 Reply 7Â¼" circular saw and jigsaw are a must. Both corded. Cordless drill, also a must. Nice to have, sawzall, oscillating saw, and 4" circular saw, in that order. Also nice but not essential, compound sliding miter saw if you need to move it around, radial arm saw if you don't. I have a radial arm saw at home but at the cabin I use a manual miter saw to cut moldings and such. The only nailer I think is a "must" is a roofing nailer if you're doing shingles, but given the choice I'd go metal roof, then you need two cordless drills, one to drill and one to screw.

toyota_mdt_tech Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 19:07 Reply Quoting: cabinnewbie never heard of a squangle before, very helpful. I feel fairly confident that i understand at least in my mind the foundation, flooring, framing walls, but still trying to wrap my head around rafters/roofing. Squangle will not only help you do plumb cuts, but it has the part to mark the seat cut. You can also use it to measure a roof pitch by just eyeing it ie align it on a side wall and roof slope, then read the tool. Makes it nice to figure out what pitch would work best on your roof. Then after the rafters are all in, tails running wild, mark overhand on end rafters, hit it with a chalk line to mark all rafter tails, then use the squangle to get the line drawn to cut all rafter tails off perfectly and in perfect alignment. Oh, add a small speed square, nice for marking lumber. I did bring a 1/2" milwaukee drill and a full hole saw set to make all my own bird blocks and used HD mesh behind it and stapled in place with an air powered crown stapler. No birds can peck out my screens. As others mentioned, shop vac, used it plenty to clean up messes and vacuum out any chips left behind from drilling. Plus general clean up at the end of the day.

toyota_mdt_tech Member	# Posted: 27 Feb 2022 19:14 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech Reply Yes, ladders, 8 footer, and one extension ladder. A 6 footer is nice too, but an 8 footer is better. Tool belt, carry your nails, even if its a framing nailer. Air or powered nailers you will enjoy, hand banging tends to knock your own work loose and do not use vinyl sinkers if your hand banging unless you really can sink it in with a few hits to heat up the vinyl. If you dont heat a vinyl nail up, you can almost pull them out with your fingernails. A air nailer shoots them in so fast, they heat and are glued as soon as the vinyl cools.

lburners Member	# Posted: 1 Mar 2022 10:30 Reply I have done my build up to dry in with a 5 1/2" circ saw and a drill. I am the odd man out that actually prefers a normal drill vs the impact. The impact noise is annoying when working out in the peaceful woods. The GRK screws have no problem sinking with a regular driver. The 5 1/2" saw is no power house but with a diablo blade has no issue with 2by material and ripping ply. The important part in my opinion is to get started you will find out what you will need. My one tip is to pickup 2 to 4 quick clamps. these things have made a lot of solo build stuff possible as a 3rd hand. Straightening out a twisted stud etc. Highly recommend.

lburners Member	# Posted: 1 Mar 2022 10:38 Reply Upon some further thought. I do have a table saw, hand planer, jig saw, sander and finish nailer that I hope to put to use on the finishing side of things. You could probably get it done with the 2 things I mentioned and some hand tools.

happilyretired Member	# Posted: 1 Mar 2022 10:53 Reply Quoting: lburners I have done my build up to dry in with a 5 1/2" circ saw and a drill. A circular saw, a drill, and a hammer are enough tools to build almost anything...along with a square, level, and tape measure. Of course, it's nice to have some extra tools but those 6 things will get you at least 95% of the way there. I built my 24' x 28' garage in its entirety with a miter saw, a table saw, a drill, and a hammer. Plus a square, level, and tape measure. A circular saw could have been used instead of the miter saw and table saw but I already had them.

Steve_S Member	# Posted: 1 Mar 2022 11:36 Reply LMAO I think CabinNewBie came in looking for a simple answer to a seemingly simple question... Then reached a level of "Shock" after seeing the tools lists and doing the number crunching. It sure can look overwhelming quite quickly.