specialty tools/garage build

[acooper1983]

In the planning stages of my garage build, and wondering what tools you guys rec to make things smoother, I have a 12" compound mitre, various Milwaukee m18 drills/ impact drivers, hand tools etc Im in construction (im a journeymen wiremen electrician) so i have a good amount of tools and have done plenty of other smaller construction projects, I have a smaller compressor and trim nailer.

My thoughts on 2 things to get are
1. Framing nailer (leaning towards a paslode used)
2. Roofing nailer, Leaning towards used here as well.

There are plenty of both of the above used on the facebook market place and craigslist in the area. Im going to be doing this project myself with maybe a little help from my friends standing walls up, and setting trusses.

Considering doing the concrete myself as well, slab on grade with a 12" "rat wall" is pretty standard around here, so perhaps various concrete trowels etc, probably can rent a bow float and a power trowel for finishing.

Garage side is going to be 28x30 as stated in my "menards garage" thread. the goal is to be into it for 20K floor start to finish, doing the labor myself.

 

[OneOfEm]

Depending on if Simpson ties are required, I recommend a palm nailer. Nothing makes installing ties quick, but a palm nailer makes it easier.

 

[Slednut]

I mostly used my miter saw for siding and trim. When framing I used my circular saw.

 

[cderalow]

I mostly used my miter saw for siding and trim. When framing I used my circular saw.

while admittedly not as large as a garage, last shed i built I used my compound miter with a backstop extension with a quick stop set at one measurement, and a product stop set at stud length.

cut 95% of the materials for a 14x14 in about a hour.

framing nailer for certain.

 

[matt_i]

Rotary laser level is nice for getting your forms, crushed stone base, and the slab level.

My impact tool was probably the most used tool on the job that I didn't own before.

Speed square and a 4ft level are useful. As is a chalk line.

I like to hand nail. I know its wrong from a time perspective but I drove every nail used in the shop with a hammer.

I also got a 6" Metabo grinder with a pile of slicer wheels for the job. Initially for cutting rebar but its a great tool!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Since you already mention the nailers, got a good tool belt and hammer that works for "you" ?

 

[Jbullfrog]

Depending on if Simpson ties are required, I recommend a palm nailer. Nothing makes installing ties quick, but a palm nailer makes it easier.

There is a tool for that:

https://www.bostitch.com/products/t...ilers/strapshot-metal-connector-nailer/mcn150

 

[MushCreek]

I bought a Freeman strap nailer for building my house. Just the floor joist hangers alone accounted for some 1200 nails. A strap (or positive placement) nailer is the difference between riding a dirt bike through the mud, and pushing a dirt bike through the mud. Buy one, use it, sell it for close to the same money when you are done (or keep it like I did). I bought a palm nailer first, but never used it much.

 

[JamesW84]

Framing nailer as mentioned. For my 2nd build, I also go a used paslode battery and gas framing nailer (no air hose to mess with). I haven't used it yet, but the air hose always seemed to be in the way.

Scaffolding is pretty handy if you're going very high and don't have access to a scissor lift.

We used clamps for all kinds of things last time. I'd recommend at least a couple 6" or better C clamps, and some of the ratchet pistol grip clamps. My brother has used the pistol grip clamps that also will flip around and spread things apart too, and said they're handy, so I got a couple of those from harbor freight for this time.

 

[acooper1983]

some good suggestions here! thanks a lot guys, I have a lot of the stuff mentioned, but a palm nailer or strap nailer seems like something that can save a lot of time if one is doing a lot of work themselves.

 

[Milton Shaw]

If you are hanging drywall a screw gun with screws in a strip can save a lot of time, also rent a drywall lift and make sure it is tall enough for your ceiling. Hire out the concrete slab, its too critical to not know what you are doing and have the energy to finish it before the concrete sets.. Call a concrete supplier and get names from them, they know who shows up on time and finishes it right and a lot cheaper and better than places who run ads. Lots of luck with your build. Its a bull float and no one around here uses a power trowel unless its a Walmart size slab.

 

[acooper1983]

If you are hanging drywall a screw gun with screws in a strip can save a lot of time, also rent a drywall lift and make sure it is tall enough for your ceiling. Hire out the concrete slab, its too critical to not know what you are doing and have the energy to finish it before the concrete sets.. Call a concrete supplier and get names from them, they know who shows up on time and finishes it right and a lot cheaper and better than places who run ads. Lots of luck with your build. Its a bull float and no one around here uses a power trowel unless its a Walmart size slab.

Thanks milt. I wouldnt be pouring the slab myself, I have family that have poured quite a few slabs, I have poured a few in the 10x10 size for larger generators and transformers. Thanks for the correction, ive always heard the old times say "bow" but you're right it is bull!

 

[Northerndave]

Hey coop.

When I built my first house I purchased a paslode framer/sheeter. Shoots framing and sheeting nails. I was convinced it paid for itself on the first day I used it. And in many building projects afterwards, including the cabin in the woods (camp chickenbuck).

I agree with Milton, who happens to have an awesome last name. Hire out the concrete, maybe do an apron yourself with a friend or 2.

 

[Jhoff310]

I guess im old fashioned, I'd rather hand bang nails than use a nail gun.
a good pair of tin snips if youre doing vinyl siding. Nothing like being on a ladder and having 1/2" too long, and down the ladder we go.

 

[maxpat82]

framing nailer is a must IMO. (coil one can do 2" to 3-1/4")

roofing nailer: just rent it.....it take a day or 2 and it's done.

a string can go a long way(and plumb bob)...but a auto leveling laser(that do vertical too) is a good thing to have (no real need to have a high $$ rotary)

palm nailer can be a nice thing to have, but when reading review: it end up being a bit a POS.

tool belt: the one with the shoulder strap is a MUST!

-a 6' rolling baker scaffold.
-percussion drill (if you anchor to your slab with tapcon...no need if you use J hook)

 

[Falcon67]

Pencil
Tool belt
Trashed gimme cap (shields eyes from sun, holds pencil)
10" compound sliding miter
7 1/4" circular saw
Dewalt 20v kit - saws-all, 6 1/2 circular, impact, drill
4' level
Porter-Cable full head 21 degree framing nailer (refurb)
Porter Cable roofing nailer (refurb)
Craftsman 16 gauge trim nailer
Regular hammer
Framing hammer
misc prybars
good box cutter
ladder
**** load of misc nails, screws
Knowledge of applicable cuss words...er...incantations to make it all work out.

 

[maxpat82]

Pencil S (like a bunch of them....you always loose them)
Tool belt
Trashed gimme cap (shields eyes from sun, holds pencil)
10" compound sliding miter
7 1/4" circular saw
Dewalt 20v kit - saws-all, 6 1/2 circular, impact, drill
4' level
Porter-Cable full head 21 degree framing nailer (refurb)
Porter Cable roofing nailer (refurb)
Craftsman 16 gauge trim nailer
Regular hammer
Framing hammer
misc prybars
good box cutter S same as pencils
ladders (stepladder 6 and 8' too)
**** load of misc nails, screws
Knowledge of applicable cuss words...er...incantations to make it all work out.

edit some

 

[acooper1983]

hahah ya, ive got all of the general tools, I work in construction, im a Journeymen Wiremen, work everywhere from strip malls to in nuclear reactors, im extremely proficient in profanity, im not a novice to construction, ive done other smaller projects, decks and things of the like, just havent built as big of a structure as im talking about here. I appreciate all the thoughts.

 

[maxpat82]

I'm a jack of all trades too. and know my way around construction work too.
BUT
Having a friend that really know about framing save me a LOT of time.
He just know and go, where I need to think, sometimes search, verify and then do.
example: calculating windows opening, headers, double stud or not, quick way and way around squaring walls.....all stuff that when he tell me about: I'm yeah i do know that, but wouldn't have go right to it.

nothing in framing is exact science (heck even a freaking 2x6 isn't 2x6(we all know that), neither a 8' long really 96" on the nose!) and having a 1/8" here doesn't change a thing but there: it change a lot because it all add up in the end.

 

[Samh]

for my current build, have bought the following

Paslode PowerMaster Pro 30-Degree Pneumatic Framing Nailer - Was worth the money.

Dewalt screw gun - ended up taking it back and trading for

Hitachi W6VB3SD SuperDrive for screwing down the subfloor. Was able to screw down 60 sheets of subfloor in about 1-2 hours

Crescent 56 Nail Puller - Totally worth the money. So awesome, I've considered buying one for all my friends as a christmas gift.
http://www.crescenttool.com/demolition-tools/nail-pulling/crescent-56-19-nail-puller.html

Porter Cable 20V cordless 6-1/2" circular saw. Would not buy again.

Tool belt
Various clamps, f-style, bar, and a quick grip

 

[larry_g]

Do you have to get a permit and have inspections? If so know what is going to be looked at. Over heard the inspector the other day telling a another on the phone that someone was going to have to re-nail all the sheeting because the nail heads were sunk to far into the sheeting. Some of the details can bite you.

lg
no neat sig line