• Frame construction is a method of building that uses either wood or metal studs which are put together in a specific manner to make walls, roofs and other such structures. Whether remodeling a house or building it from scratch, the basic construction framing tools always stay the same. With the exception of a couple electrically powered tools, a carpenter can frame a structure with just the tools in his tool belt.
  
  

Measuring Tape

• One of the first things done in construction framing is measuring. A construction measuring tape is generally made of a thin metal and has inches and centimeters marked on the metal. This thin metal is stiff enough to use as a ruler but thin enough to coil up inside its casing when not in use. Most of these have a button to stop the tape from coiling while taking a measurement. Once the measuring is done and the button released, the tape shoots back into its case and coils. A tape measure used for framing is generally between 12 feet and 25 feet long.
  
  

Framing Square

• This tool is used when marking a wood or metal framing stud which is to be cut. After measuring the length needed from the material, a small pencil mark is made and the square is laid directly across the mark. The square will sit flush against the side of the stud and give you a perfectly straight edge to run the pencil across. This line drawn will be the guide for cutting the stud.
  
  

Saw

• Saws used for frame construction can be electrical or not. Electrical saws are what most framers use these days. They are much faster than the traditional hand saws. The most common electrical saw used in framing construction is the skill saw, also known as a circular saw. The same saw can be used whether cutting metal studs or wood studs, but a different blade would be used.
  
  

Framing Hammer

• The hammer is used to nail the frame together. A framing hammer is different from its opposite, the finishing hammer, in that the face of its head is rough with a waffle pattern. A finishing hammer is smooth and used for finer wood work.
  
  

Screw Gun

• With metal studs screws are used instead of nails. They are screwed into the studs using a drill gun, also known as a screw gun. This electrical screw driver allows for fast and easy assembly of the frame. Screws and screw guns can also be used in wood framing if the framer wishes.