Here’s a list of things that you’ll want to have with you at class, whether you are commuting or camping here. Please keep in mind that class will be in our outdoor teaching spaces.

Local hardware stores are wonderful, and we encourage you to support them if you’re lucky enough to have one in your community.

We’ve also included links to the items for sale on Amazon or at Home Depot so that you can get a sense of what we’re talking about, and buy them there if that’s more convenient. The first link is usually Amazon and the second is Home Depot, in case you’re concerned with which corporation your money goes to.  

Required Carpentry Tools

• Tape measure. Must be 25′. We love the Stanley Fat Max or the Milwaukee 25′
• Safety glasses. Some good options are:  Dewalt Anti-Fog, Milwuakee, or these basic ones. If you have regular glasses, you can either add side shields or go with one an over-glasses choice like these: Over-Glasses, ReadyMax
• Ear protection
  • Earplug style: 3M Corded, HDX Reusable Corded
  • Earmuff style: Pro For Sho, 3M Folding Earmuff
  • Bluetooth: 3M Work Tunes, ISOtunes Free
• Carpenters Pencils, please bring at least 3: Irwin Carpenters Pencils, Individual Carpenters Pencils
• Utility Knife: WORKPRO Folding Utility Knife, Stanley Quick-Change Retractable
• Speed Square: Swanson Tool Co Speed Square, Empire Laser-Etched
• Hammer. There are many options here, be sure you don’t get one that’s too heavy for your body.
  • Good enough hammer: Irwin 16oz
  • Nice hammer: Estwing Hammer 16oz from Amazon, Estwing 16oz Hammer from Home Depot
  • Fancy hammers: Dalluge 16oz Titanium, Stiletto 16oz
• Impact Driver (Tip: If you’re wanting to buy both an impact driver and a drill, it’s often cheaper to get them as a set like this. You can find sets for most brands). Here are some of our favorite impact drivers, with our favorite at the top:
  • Makita 18V LXT from Amazon, Makita 18V LXT from Home Depot 
  • Milwuakee M18 18v
  • DeWalt 20V Max 1/4″ from Amazon, Dewalt 20V Max 1/4″ from Home Depot
• Bits – t20: impact ready and at least 2″ like this one:  Makita T20 2″ 3pc
• Bits – t25: impact ready and at least 2″ like this one: Makita T25 2″ 3pc

Required Non-Carpentry Items

• Notebook + Writing Implement
• Layered, comfortable clothing (hat, vest, very warm jacket, wool socks, boots, and wool long underwear, if coming during April, May, September, or October… mountain weather is unpredictable and may be both hot and cold during your time here!)
• Closed-toed shoes or boots
• Long pants
• Shorts (if hot)
• Rain Gear
• Water Bottle
• Food
• Sun Hat
• Hair Restraint if needed
• Things to pack your lunch in like Tupperware (optional)

Optional Tools and Gear

• Dust Mask: Honeywell N95 Disposable Dust Mask, HDX Dust Mask Only necessary if you’re bothered by sawdust
• Tool Belt/Apron/Pockets. You’ll want some way of carrying tools on you while working, whether that’s work pants with good pockets, a tool belt, or an apron. Choose what works best for you! Here are some options:
  • Nicer belt made by one of our former instructors: Basic Tool Belt – Leather
  • Made in China basic tool belt: CLC Custom Leathercraft
  • Dickies 5-Pocket Belt
  • McGuire-Nicholas
• Tool Bucket/Bag. You’ll want some way of keeping your tools together if you’ve got more than will fit in your pockets or belt. This doesn’t have to be fancy, it could just be bucket or canvas bag. Here are some options.
  • Bucket Boss Tool Organizer from Amazon, Bucket Boss Tool Organizer from Home Depot
  • ReadyWares Waxed Canvas Tool Bucket Organizer
  • Bucket Boss 12″ Bag
• Drill (Tip: A ‘drill-driver’ is just a drill, not a combination of an impact driver and a drill). Here are various drill options:
  • Makita 18v Drill + Bits from Amazon, Makita 18V Drill from Home Depot
  • Milwawkee 18v Drill from Amazon, Milwawkee 18v Drill
  • DeWalt 20v Drill from Amazon, DeWalt 20v Drill from Home Depot
• Catspaw: SpecOps Tools 10″, Estwing 9″ Pro-Claw
• Chalk Line: DeWalt Compact Chalk Reel Kit, DeWalt Compact Chalk Reel Kit
• A copy of the Real Goods Independent Builder, our favorite building book: The Independent House Builder from Amazon, The Independent House Builder from Thrift Books