So you’ve decided to build a shed and in this article, you will see my list of recommended tools for the construction of your shed. These tools may be best for you to mark out your area, prepare the site, build the foundation, and construct your shed. I’ve done most of the work on my properties and for others for a significant part of my life. I’m sharing what tools I recommend for you to perform the work on your own. A shed can be built with a hammer, hand saw, a level, and a few other tools just as it was done a hundred years ago. If you want it to go faster with less effort, then some of these tool recommendations may help you.
Buying tools seems to be a right of passage for a Do It Yourself homeowner. Having the right tool sometimes makes the job easier. But, you can still accomplish the shed construction with a minimal set of tools. I think we’re beyond the minimalist approach and we are looking for the good stuff. I will not go into the explanation as to why each tool is specified nor will I explain the detailed approach. Other articles handle that on udoit.me. So let’s jump right into it.
Recommended Tools for Site Location
Site preparation involves marking the rough location of the shed and then refining details as you establish the exact location. As you begin you may learn about obstacles both above and below ground that can impact your plans. I had to move the location of my shed by inches three times based on unknowns that I discovered while digging.
You’ll need the following tools and materials:
- Marking Paint
- 100 ft Tape Measure
- 35 ft Tape Measure
- Mason’s Line
- Batter Boards
- Utility Knife
- Level
- Line Level
- Surveying Laser Level System, similar to the Bosch Revolve900 GRL900-20HVK
- Construction Calculator
Site Preparation
Once your site is marked out and you know where the shed will be located and where the foundation will be located it is time to begin excavation and preparation. I can’t possibly cover all of the ways to build a foundation so I will only cover my situation. I excavated the dirt so that it was relatively flat, installed interlocking pressure-treated timbers, and used landscaping fabric and gravel.
You’ll need the following tools and materials:
- Shovel
- 3/4 Clean Gravel
- Wheel Barrow (I didn’t need one because I just backed my truck up that was loaded with gravel)
- Landscaping Fabric (weed blocker)
- Compactor
- Hand Tamper
- Level
- Mason’s Line
- Utility Knife
- Surveying Laser Level System, similar to the Bosch Revolve900 GRL900-20HVK
- 100 ft Tape Measure
- 35 ft Tape Measure
- Miter Saw
- Pressure Treated Wood Preservative
- Rebar
- Drill
- Drill Bits
- Impact Driver
- Impact Driver Bits
- HeadLOC lag screw fasteners
- Jackhammer and Ground Rod Jackhammer bit
- Speed Square
- Carpenters Pencil
Flooring Construction
In my situation, I placed three 4x6x16ft timbers and leveled them. Then I built the flooring on top of that.
You’ll need the following tools and materials:
- 4x6x16ft timbers
- 2x6x16ft lumber
- 2x6x12ft lumber
- 4x8x3/4 pressure-treated plywood
- 2-inch collated ring shank nails
- 3 1/4 inch collated framing nails
- Miter Saw
- 3 1/2 inch pneumatic Framing Nailer
- Air Compressor
- Air Hose
- Pneumatic Tools Lubricant
- Framing Hammer
- Speed Square
- Carpenters Pencil
- Tape Measure
- Grabo Pneumatic Gripping Tool (used to handle 3/4 inch pressure-treated plywood)
- 7 1/4″ Circular Saw
- Track Saw Straight Edge (for circular saw)
Framing Walls and Rafters
To build a shed you need to frame the walls and the rafters for the roof. There are many ways to do this but my plans call for 2×4 lumber, 2×6 lumber, and 2×8 lumber.
- 2×4 lumber (for walls and stringers)
- 2×6 lumber (for rafters and headers)
- 2×8 lumber (for headers)
- OSB for headers
- 3 1/4 inch collated framing nails
- Miter Saw
- Oscillating Tool
- Wood cutting blades for oscillating tool
- Nail-embedded wood Cutting Blades for oscillating tool
- 3 1/2 inch pneumatic Framing Nailer
- Air Compressor
- Air Hose
- Pneumatic Tools Lubricant
- Framing Hammer
- Ratchet Straps
- Drill
- Drill Bits
- Impact Driver
- Impact Driver Bits
- SPAX lag screw fasteners
- 7 1/4 Inch Circular Saw
- Reciprocating Saw and Wood and Metal Cutting Blades
- Tape Measure
- Jig Saw
- Speed Square
- Ratcheting Clamps
- Level
- 35-foot tape measure
- Little Giant Ladders
- Working Platform / Plank
- Simpson Strong-Tie Hurricane Straps
- Simpson Strong-Tie Rafter Ties
- Simpson Strong-Tie Structural Screws (to secure hurricane straps and rafter ties)
Recommended Tools for Sheathing Walls and Roof
- 2-inch collated ring shank nails
- 3 1/2 inch pneumatic Framing Nailer
- Air Compressor
- Air Hose
- Pneumatic Tools Lubricant
- Framing Hammer
- Impact Driver
- Impact Driver Bits
- SPAX lag screw fasteners
- 7 1/4 Inch Circular Saw
- Reciprocating Saw and Wood and Metal Cutting Blades
- Jig Saw
- Speed Square
- Tape Measure
- Ratcheting Clamps
- Chalk Line
- Level
- Little Giant Ladders
- Working Platform / Plank
Attaching Drip Edge, Underlayment, and Shingles
- 1 3/4 inch roofing nailer
- 1 1/4 inch collated roofing nails
- Roofers Hammer
- Speed Square
- Chalk Line
- 35-foot Tape Measure
- Oscillating Tool
- Hook Blade (for oscillating tool to rapidly cut shingles)
- Tin Snips (to cut drip edge)
- Tape Measure
- Silver or Copper Metalic Sharpie
- Cap Nails
- Drip Edge
- Underlayment
- Utility Knife
- Little Giant Ladders
- Working Platform / Plank
Attaching Siding Corners, F-Channel, J-Channel, Soffits, Fascia and Siding
- 1 1/2 inch siding nails
- Trim Nails (to attach fascia)
- Roofers Hammer
- Speed Square
- Chalk Line
- 35-foot Tape Measure
- Oscillating Tool
- Plastic Cutting Blade (for oscillating tool to rapidly cut channel)
- Tin Snips (to cut drip edge)
- Tape Measure
- Silver or Copper Metalic Sharpie
- Utility Knife
- Little Giant Ladders
- Working Platform / Plank
- Story Poles (for layout of siding)
Where to Purchase
These tools are available in my Amazon Influencer Shop:
“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Video Credits:
Video Production: U Do It™️ Studios a Division of No Cheese Records® LLC All Rights Reserved.
Do It Yourself Build a Shed Series
To learn more about this series check out the DIY Build a Shed Series here.
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