Tools & reference

Framing Tools & Reference

The measuring, marking, levelling and cutting kit that makes accurate timber framing easier — plus reference reading to demystify the standards.

Affiliate disclosure: the links below are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. These are general framing and reference recommendations, not endorsements of any structural product for your specific build. See the full affiliate disclosure. Prices are rough guides and change.

Measuring & Marking

8m Tape Measure

Span work lives and dies by accurate measurement. A solid, lockable 8 m tape with a long standout reads clear distances and member lengths without a second pair of hands.

$15–$45 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Speed / Rafter Square

For fast, repeatable square cuts and rafter angles. An essential bit of kit once you move from floor framing up to the roof.

$15–$40 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Carpenter's Pencils

Marks that survive a dusty job site. Cheap, but a clear set-out line is the start of every accurate cut.

$8–$18 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Levelling & Layout

1200mm Spirit Level

Checking bearers and joists sit true and level is fundamental. A long, accurate level pays for itself on the first floor you lay.

$30–$90 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Chalk Line Reel

Snapping long, straight set-out lines across a subfloor or wall plate in seconds. The fastest way to mark joist and stud centres.

$12–$30 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Builder's String Line

For straight bearers and level floor systems over a distance, a taut stringline is still the most reliable reference there is.

$8–$20 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Cutting & Driving

Circular Saw

Cutting framing timber to length, all day. A good 184 mm circular saw with a sharp blade makes clean, square cuts in MGP pine effortlessly.

$80–$250 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Cordless Drill / Driver Kit

Pre-drilling and driving structural screws and bugle batten screws into framing. A two-piece drill-plus-impact kit covers almost everything.

$120–$350 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Construction Calculator

Works in feet, inches, metres and millimetres, and handles rafter, stair and area maths. A genuine time-saver when you are setting out.

$40–$90 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Reference & Safety

Timber Moisture Meter

MGP10 is seasoned softwood, and excess moisture means movement later. A cheap meter lets you check timber is dry before it goes in.

$25–$70 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Tool Belt & Nail Bags

Keeps your tape, pencil, square and fixings on your hip and your hands free on the frame. Comfort matters over a full day.

$30–$120 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Timber Framing Reference Book

A good plain-English guide to residential timber framing and reading the standard makes the official span tables far less daunting. Worth its weight on site.

$30–$80 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Safety Glasses & Ear Protection

Cutting and fixing framing timber is loud and throws debris. Protect your eyes and hearing every single time — non-negotiable.

$20–$60 Check price on Amazon → (paid link)

Tools help you build accurately, but they do not size your timber. For that, learn how to read the span tables, gather your parameters with the Span Spec Builder, and verify with the current AS 1684 tables and a qualified engineer or building certifier.