What tools were most useful in building your coop?

[patandchickens]

A circular saw is awfully good to have (both for coop building, and in life in general).

You don't actually NEED one to build a coop (especially if it is designed to require no cutting-to-size of plywood) -- you CAN use just a good aggressive-toothed handsaw (something with 9-10 teeth per inch is about right), and yes you CAN cut plywood that way -- but spending $35 on a basic circular saw is a good investment and will save a fair bit of sweat.

The abovementioned type of handsaw is still very useful to have, of course, for times when you're only making a coupla cuts and it isn't worth setting up the circular saw!

Other than that, you've already got everything you need

Go for it

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[VAeggman]

BUY ONE!!!
If your trying to save money it won't happen.....I'm a craftsman and love seaching the craigslist adds too...Here in the Shenandoah Valley I have seen some pretty nice coops for sale by hobbiest or retired people for cheap! I bet you could find someone with the tools and knowledge to help! Maybe someone with $craps around too!! If you don't like one persons price place an add...

If your set on doing it yourself go for it but....Doors and windows need to be tight and work well. You may get frustrated and wish you hired someone when its too late..

You can still slowly collect some tools for maintance and improvements.....JMO

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Rennie]

Everything has been covered ..but i would also add " a choice of different sized screws" ...sounds obvious ..but sometimes the only screws you have are either to big or to small


All i used for mine was a hand saw (later a jig saw) .. tape measure ..spirit level and a power screwdriver/drill -Thats the essentials really ..The rest just make jobs a bit easier.

 

[95yj]

a basic coop can be built with a very limited amount of tools, my dad has just about every tool under the sun so we use them all but if i'm just building something small i don't even bother digging ouit anything but the simple tools. a power screw driver is pretty much necessary, unless you want to pound everything by hand and that usually doesn't work out so good, any cutting can be done with a jigsaw, except 4x4's, you can do those by hand if you need them, you'l probably need some other stuff but its mostly small, a circular saw is handy to have but not necessary, small stuff like squares and tape measures can be begged off of friends/family. power tools are not always necessary, i ounce cut through 6 feet of 5 ply plywood with a japanese pull saw in 5 minutes and you couldn't tell it was hand cut (i was making scenery for the drama kids at my school cause they can't build for jack, and my school is kinda psycho about "weapons" so i can bring a hammer or a hand saw, but nothing with a motor...)

 

[Whitewater]

Tools we used:

~Circular saw (19.2 volt cordless from Craftsman -- we made ALL our cuts with this, even ripped 2 8' 2x8' *lengthwise* as well as turned 2 8' 2x4's into 4 8' 2x2's!!! It's brilliant!)
~18.2 volt cordless drill (also a Craftsman!)
~ an ancient Craftsman corded drill
~ Black and Decker corded jigsaw (it did the job but really should have been sturdier, we broke 2 blades)

Hand tools:

~ 16oz hammer
~ 25' and 12' measuring tapes
~ level
~ ratchet (for getting those stubborn screws all the way down!!!)
~ a heavy duty wire cutter and a lighter duty one (for hardware cloth and copper wire)
~ paint brushes for paint and stain
~ markers (for marking cuts)
~ heavy duty shears for cutting linoleum/vinyl
~ pliers, every once in a while
~ variously sized drill bits

Other Stuff:

We used a TON of screws in varying sizes, fender washers, regular washers, some nails, and mineral spirits to clean up the stain. We also used plain copper wire, hardware cloth, door pulls, hinges and other hardware, and ZIP ties.

Hope that helps!


Whitewater

 

[montanasandy]

Aspirin, wine or beer and a lounge chair to admire your hard work!

 

[Dogfish]

Beer!

My Mag 77 worm drive saw (circular saw, but contractor grade) is indespensable. I also used the crap out of my Makita 18V impact driver. Pencils, table saw, LEVELS, chop saw, drill. With these basic tools I can pretty much build anything I need to. Love my framing and finish nailers.

Just remember, the guy you have to hire to do the job you can't do because you don't have the tool, will have the tool. I just cut to the chase and buy the tools.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
That about summs it up.

POWER DRILL all the way! Hands down the BEST tool I ever bought myself!!! Don't know how I got by without it! And a nice set of drill bits (not the cheapest ones, mine cost more than the drill itself). Corded is fine (mine is) provided that you have a good length of quality extension cord (these can run up the cost, but it's WELL worth the investment because they can be used a million times over!!)

I designed my coop to require the least amount of wood cutting, because I only have a hand saw. If you have a Skill saw it would be easier.

Hammer, tape measure, level, a marker to write with, probably some needle nose pliars and wire cutters and/or bolt cutters (depending on the fencing you use) fence pliars might also be handy, and tin snips if you use tin.
I reclaimed a lot of material, so I also used a crowbar.

I had these tools on hand, so the only things I really had to buy was different kinds of nails and screws.

 

[gogoalie]

You can add a Sawzall as well...

It's my fixer...if I make a mistake, I use the sawzall to fix it...

, I didn't see a square either, for angles...knife to cut your pencil to use for marking...chalk line is good too...& I used cordless DeWalt power saw, drill, & sawzall...nails, hammper, & tape measure...

 

[PineappleMama]

Latex Coated Gloves... great for handling all the hardware cloth.

My drill... for attaching the HC we used 1 1/2" screws and 1" washers. Worked awesomely well.