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What are the best carpenter tools according to tradies?
Upgrade your toolkit when you go back to work with these power tools and products, as road-tested by tradies.
There’s nothing more solid than a fellow tradie recommendation. From power tools to PPE and cleaning equipment, we asked Frank Renic and Leigh Jhowry of FJR Carpentry and Maintenance in Geelong, Victoria, to tell us nine carpenter tools that are on the top of their list for going back to work this year, and why.
What are the best carpenter tools for tradies?
Be equipped with fresh gear on your return to work this year with Frank and Leigh's top picks:
1. The combo kit: DeWALT 18V XR 2 Piece 5.0Ah Compact Combo Kit
2. Drop saw: Makita 260mm (10 - ¼”) Slide Compound Mitre Saw
3. Hammer: Estwing 15oz Ult Forged Smooth E6-15S Framing Hammer
4. Bit set: Makita 43 Piece Screwdriver Bit Set
5. Spirit levels: Stanley FatMax Xtreme Level 2 Pack (60 and 200cm)
6. Glass and tile drill bit: Sutton Tools 6.0mm Glass and Tile Drill Bit
7. Clamps: Stanley FatMax Tradelift - Twin Pack
8. PPE: Citeco Clear Anti Fog Anti Scratch Safety Glasses and 3M Banded Reusable Ear Plugs 20.2dB
9. Vacuum: DeWALT 34L Stealthsonic Wet and Dry Vacuum
Tip Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and a mask, for example) when required on the job. Always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
What is a good combo kit for carpenters?
Tools: DeWALT combo kit
“This is a great pair of tools; the drill feels really good and solid in your hand and the impact driver is small and light, but has a lot of grunt,” Leigh says of the DeWALT combo kit. “I usually use another brand of tools, but this driver had really good torque and I can see why a lot of people go for them – I’m now using it on the job, too.”
DeWALT 18V XR 2 Piece 5.0Ah Compact Combo Kit, including 2 x 5.0Ah batteries, chargerand carry case
What is the best mitre saw for carpenters?
“If you need accuracy or are doing a similar cut over and over again, then mitre saws are useful to have onsite,” Frank says. “If you are cutting noggins, for example, you can get a lot done fast. This one is so smooth to use. Make sure you get the vacuum attachment so that cleaning up is quicker and easier, too.”
Makita 260MM (10-1/4“) Slide Compound Mitre Saw
Tip: Having trouble with dust on-site? this dust extractor review.
What is the best hammer for carpenters?
“The Estwing hammers have been around for a long time and you’ll always see them on someone’s belt – so many chippies get one and use them for years,” Leigh says. “The reason we can use them for so long and stick with them is because they’re good and reliable. This one pulls nails out clean and fast. They’re a tool all chippies need.”
Estwing 15oz Ult Forged Smooth E6-15S Framing Hammer
Pair with: Estwing Nail Puller Pry Bar
What is the best screwdriver bit set for carpenters?
“Cheaper screwdriver bits can break, strip the heads of whatever you’re screwing down or fall out of the driver. It’s worth getting the right ones for your tool, they just work better,” Franks says. “These ones fit my driver perfectly and they grip the screws properly.
That makes the jobs faster.”
Makita 43 Piece Screwdriver Bit Set
What is the best spirit level for carpenters?
What are the best glass and tile drill bits for carpenters?
“Glass and tile drill bits are a great example of a tool that you have to have for a particular job, and you can’t just grab something similar. These will cut into a tile quickly and cleanly, and not shatter it like normal bits or a masonry bit,” Franks says. “Absolutely worth having in your toolkit for when you need it. Especially for a bathroom fit.”
Sutton Tools 6.0mm Glass and Tile Drill Bit
![A close up image of a hand holding a Stanley FatMax Tradelift in place underneath a door frame.]](https://media.bunnings.com.au/api/public/content/f48519f079d947719145d7760e71405e?v=95d792ec&t=w1300dpr1)
What are the best clamps for carpenters?
“When you need to move something up a little before you can secure it in place – and it happens a lot – these clamps are perfect,” Frank says. “Hanging a door, for example, is something every chippy does regularly, and no matter how long you’ve been doing it, these lifts definitely make the job easier.”
Stanley Fatmax Tradelift – Twin Pack
What PPE do carpenters need?
“You’ve got to have the right PPE to protect yourself while you’re working and update it,” Leigh says. “Scratched glasses are hard to see through, so you can make mistakes. These are nice and clear and wrap around for protection, and the plugs are great if you’re using loud tools all day.”
Citeco Clear Anti Fog Anti Scratch Safety Glasses
3M Banded Reusable Ear Plugs 20.2dB
What are the best carpenter tools for cleaning up?
“All tradies know, if you keep a clean site it makes everything smoother,” Frank says. “You don’t feel like you’re working in a mess. If you drop something, you can find it, and sawdust on a floor is one of the biggest ways to slip and fall – and nobody wants that! This is a good, powerful vacuum that’s not too loud.”
DeWALT 34L Stealthsonic Wet And Dry Vacuum
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and answers
1. Why is the DeWALT 18V XR 2 Piece 5.0Ah Compact Combo Kit a good choice for carpenters?
With a solid drill and the impact driver offering significant power and torque, Leigh says it’s a kit that offers reliable performance.
2. Why is a quality mitre saw, like the Makita 260MM (10-1/4“) Slide Compound Mitre Saw, recommended for carpenters?
Frank highlights that a mitre saw is invaluable for achieving accuracy and speed onsite, particularly for repetitive cuts such as noggins. Pairing it with a vacuum attachment will make clean-up quicker.
3. What are the benefits of using an Estwing 15oz Ult Forged Smooth E6-15S Framing Hammer?
Known for their durability and reliability, Estwing hammers are a long-standing favourite among carpenters. This model is praised for its ability to pull nails cleanly and efficiently, making it an essential tool for any chippy.
4. Why should carpenters invest in a quality screwdriver bit set, such as the Makita 43 Piece Screwdriver Bit Set?
Cheaper screwdriver bits, which can break, strip screw heads, or fall out of the driver are a time-waster, says Frank. He states that quality bits, like the Makita set, fit perfectly and grip screws properly, leading to faster and more efficient work.
5. What essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) do carpenters need to prioritise?
All PPE should be prioritised on the job. Heading back to work is the perfect time to upgrade and check PPE is in good working order. Anti-fog and scratch safety glasses, and reusable ear plugs or ear muffs, should be worn to safeguard against noise from loud tools. Gloves, where necessary, and masks should also be worn.
After more tradie tool reviews?
Three chippies put the new Paslode Framemaster NightWolf and latest combo kits to the test.
When using power tools, always use the recommended safety gear.
Trade tips & info
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.