When the lone carpenter needs a helping hand

[jaegerhund]

O.K.  --- I'm not a real carpenter but I do try to play one on weekends -- time off, etc., ---- and I'm usually alone.  Now I could ask some specific questions (but I don't know enough) , so I'll just generally ask the question:  "What tools have you found that make the lone carpenter's job easier?" 

Justin

 

[tbellemare]

Clamps!

Tom

 

[pteubel]

This Book has helped me a great deal:

Working Alone

- Pete

 

[Greg in Memphis]

I love being able to rip 8 foot sheets of plywood all by myself safely with the help of my TS-75 and a rail or two.
I've got a friend with a table saw. He needs help every time he's gotta rip something big.

Greg

 

[Per Swenson]

This is turning into a fast cap day.

Author's disclaimer.  Fast cap give's me nuttin.

Folks, I don't leave home with out theseeither.

[attachimg=#]

Per

 

[jaegerhund]

Per, actually me thinking of those is the reason I started this thread ------ figured what else is out there to help that I don't know about.

Appreciate all the replies fellas.

Justin

 

[Per Swenson]

They go by many names Justin, but look into a door lift, sheetrock pump,

ahh, hang on let me go find a picture.

Nah, go here

don't ever get the one that wraps around your foot. It is truly painful.

But these have more uses then just drywall.

Doors, cabinets, etc.

Per

 

[b_m_hart]

After perching precariously on a ladder and holding up a half a sheet of sheetrock while the better half stands by below putting screws onto my drill - I guess I was too tired to come up with a thread like this, haha.

 

[Eli]

I just don't bother trying to save the rental on a drywall lift anymore, I'll just get it. More than half a sheet overhead, drywall lift. I don't need the hassle.

Working alone, definitely clamps. I have the Bessey squeezy ones, great for holding one end of a board. The quickclamps are good I've heard, same thing cheaper. Pony or other brand spring clamps.

A good hand truck. Two wheeler, longshoreman dolly. I've got a fiberglass one, doesn't rust, lighter.

A lumber yard that delivers.

ratchet straps

radio w/ipod

a wheel for the MFT (thanks qwas?)

roller boy dollys

ikea bags (pass the long handle through the short handle on the opposite side, then tie the two long handles in an overhand knot. Great handle, you can carry heaps)

44 Gal rubbermaid can on wheel dolly. I took a whole bathroom through the front door of the house with this.

 

[greg mann]

This is turning into a fast cap day.

Author's disclaimer.  Fast cap give's me nuttin.

Folks, I don't leave home with out theseeither.

[attachimg=#]

Per

I'd like to see Karl Malden but those in his back pocket.

 

[Mirko]

The "french cleat" don't make a wall cabinet with out it.

Mirko

 

[Eli]

do you make the sides long and inset the back side for it Mirko?

 

[Michael Kellough]

The "french cleat" don't make a wall cabinet with out it.

Mirko

Mirko, what do you do when the wall isn't flat?

 

[dirtydeeds]

put a pair of short ones in

or use thin plastic shims

 

[Michael Kellough]

So the end or exposed side scribe panel has to be added after?

 

[dirtydeeds]

if its kitchen work or modern cabinet construction, yes

if its high end modern work, or traditional cabinet

you dont have that option

you might even bin the cleat and use another fixing method

 

[Mirko]

1,001 ways to skin a cat...

If you over think this method... I would think, your losing the point?
end of the day, it all works.

Mirko

 

[dirtydeeds]

tend to agree mirko

what works in one situation

is crap

in another

 

[Steveo48]

I love being able to rip 8 foot sheets of plywood all by myself safely with the help of my TS-75 and a rail or two.
I've got a friend with a table saw. He needs help every time he's gotta rip something big.

Greg

You can do it alone, you just gotta be a little inventive.    Rolling carts are great!

The last deck I built I did all by my stupid self.  10' off the ground,  I set nails into the posts to hold the beam in place while I drilled bolt holes.

You can work alone, but you don't have to like it.

 

[richard.selwyn]

Accurate laser measure.  (I have a Hilti one)  I find it very hard to measure long distances in a room single handed (fitting coving etc) For example I measure with the laser, transfer the dimension onto the piece with a regular tape or use the Kapex rulers and the cut is as good as if I used a tape all the way through.

Much cheaper, but just as useful is the simple handle for carrying sheetrock (I actually brought a Stanley one back from the US as I couldn't find one here at the time.)

A spirit level with magnets for leveling up and fixing steel studding (sorry don't know the real name)

I'd like to get, but haven't yet, a level with an audible sound to tell you when its level.