What is needed at the construction site

After the carpenters, it is the carpenters' tools that make a construction site well organised and efficient. Timber construction requires a range of specialised tools to ensure efficiency and safety during construction. We are not talking about screwdrivers or hammers, but more sophisticated and equally essential tools for working with timber, an increasingly important material in construction.

Temporary Fastening

A first, essential carpenter's tool is the beam puller. However accurate the prefabrication may be, there is almost always the need to tighten or align the timber construction elements perfectly before fastening them. The Rothoblaas beam puller is SKORPIO, it has sharp hooks that sink into the timber and a ratchet that tightens panels and beams. It is the ideal tool for quickly tightening construction elements before final fastening. The only additional tool needed is a hammer, to drive the hooks into the timber.

For the same purpose, but in other situations, it is instead advisable to use a panel puller. In this case, the fastening is not done with two hooks, but by means of screws on two plates. The Rothoblaas panel puller is GEKO and is another essential tool with greater versatility and strength than SKORPIO. Most carpenters own both models for greater construction site efficiency. GEKO is used for the precise assembly of solid timber panels, stacked board floors, laminated elements and more. Thanks to the 360° turntables, it can also be used in places that are difficult to access, such as roof slopes and corners. The fastening screws, once removed, leave minimal traces on the timber, which can then be filled in with a putty similar in colour to the timber such as PLASTUK. In combination with CLAMP1, it can also be used to tension plates and perforated straps.

However, the assembly of timber walls and floors also requires another tool, a temporary support to hold the construction elements in place before the final fastening. The Rothoblaas tool that meets this need is GIRAFFE. Equipped with a larger and a smaller plate, it can be fastened with screws, nails or concrete anchors. It offers a stable support with two different locking systems: one spring and one pin. By rotating the support body, GIRAFFE extends and shortens, thanks to the presence of a threaded rod inside. It therefore allows the wall to which it is attached to be moved slightly. It is often used to level walls, and gives temporary support during construction against wind and accidental movement. GIRAFFE is available in 4 versions with different lengths from 220 to 600 cm, to guarantee support even for elements that extend up to two storeys. GIR3000 models (equipped with automatic stop, for even faster and more precise adjustment) and GIR4000 are made of zinc plated steel; GIR2200 and GIR6000 in extruded aluminium. Thanks to the GIRHOLDER transport element, up to 10 GIRAFFE units can be easily and neatly packed and transported.

On-site handling

Other fundamental construction carpenters' tools are those for lifting and handling timber elements. These may be STRAPS or metal devices such as WASP or RAPTOR. A lifting and transport hook as WASP is a must-have tool that can’t be missing in the construction site equipment. Made of high-strength carbon steel casting with galvanic zinc-plating, it is a practical and versatile tool that offers several installation possibilities with different types of screws, for varying load conditions and materials. The WASP lifting system allows the slinging process to be completely designed. It can be factory installed and makes material handling on site extremely efficient and safe. Unlike straps, it allows timber beams to be lifted by drilling holes only on the top of the beam, therefore without damaging the bottom of the beam due to the pressure of the straps. It is therefore the best lifting method in the case of timber elements whose lower face remains exposed. Exceptionally stable and robust, it holds the screw fastened in the timber element thanks to the countersink into which the screw head fits. It can be used for both axial and transverse loads and is certified according to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

For heavier loads, even over 3 tonnes, it is recommended to use a rigging device for timber element such as RAPTOR, which can be fastened in various ways and using up to 6 screws for heavier loads.

Final fastening

Once the construction elements have been temporarily assembled, the next step is their final fastening. Some structural screws, however, are very long and require a high torque, which risks the bit slipping on the screw head. In addition, a very long screw tends to oscillate while being tightened and increases the likelihood of losing contact between the bit and screw head. To make sure this does not occur, a screwing tool such as CATCH is needed, whereby the screw head is firmly fastened and prevents the bit from slipping. CATCH is compatible with Ø8 mm Rothoblaas HBS, Ø9 mm VGS with countersunk head and Ø9 mm VGZ with cylindrical head timber screws, ideal for use with any standard screwdriver drill with SW 11 hex holder.

The high torque required by structural screws also entails another risk: incorrect tightening for the type of application, resulting in structural and tool hazards. This is why it is advisable to use a torque limiter such as TORQUE LIMITER, which always applies an identical torque, prevents damage to tools, tearing or breaking of materials, and ensures correct tensioning of connections. The specific bit for the installation can be inserted directly into the TORQUE LIMITER's bit holder, or using the CATCH tool.

A template such as the 45° VGZ JIG is an excellent tool to improve the speed and accuracy of installation of fully threaded screw connectors. Obtaining the correct angle is crucial, because the performance of the screw depends on the angle of the thread in relation to the timber fibre. VGZ JIG allows for both simple 45° connections (e.g. in a beam-to-beam or concrete-to-timber composite floor connection) and composite angle connections (e.g. a panel-to-panel connection).

For metal-to-timber connections, on the other hand, the combination of VGU JIG template and VGU washer allows high-strength 45° connections. Every single screw in this type of connection is designed to withstand high stresses. High-quality installation is a key aspect of design reliability. Using the template makes it easier to achieve a perfect position of the washer in the slot of the steel plate and a precise 45° angle of the VGS screw connector to the timber grain.

Temporary waterproofing

Rain is a risk that should not be underestimated for a timber construction site. Lack of proper care can result in stained timber at best, structural damage at worst, leading to lawsuits, additional costs or delays in drying. A high-performance acrylic adhesive tape such as SPEEDY BAND allows the panels to be sealed, while the SPEEDY ROLL long-handled tape applicator makes the operation quick and easy, with no need to kneel or bend over.

For complete protection in the event of heavy rainfall prior to the final waterproofing of the roof, it is necessary to protect the structure with a high mass-per-unit-area tarpaulin such as CAP TOP, which is available in three standard or customised sizes. CAP TOP is equipped with a reinforced lifting point, which allows the construction site to be quickly covered with a crane when it starts to rain. Featuring 600g/m² (14lbs/ft²), it is made of a very heavy and resistant material, which must nevertheless be secured to the ground via the integrated eyelets in case of strong winds.

Organisation

When it comes to tidiness, there is one tool that is the most important of all: the portable storage in which to store material at the end of the day until the next use. The Rothoblaas CONTAINER is ideally sized to be both spacious and easily movable. It keeps consumables, machines and tools dry and safe. It can be purchased or rented and, thanks to the shelving option, allows the material to be stored neatly.

These are just some of the indispensable tools for a good timber construction site. All others are within our Tools catalogue, a virtual playground for every carpenter.

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Carpenters tools