Can You Answer All of These Questions a Carpenter Should Know?

By: Todd Betzold
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Answer All of These Questions a Carpenter Should Know?
Image: Yuri_Arcurs

About This Quiz

Carpenters are the kind of profession that doesn't get the credit for all that they do for a living. I mean, carpenters are the ones building and putting your house together. You would have no place to live unless a carpenter was able to figure out how everything is built and put together for the house to not fall over in a windstorm.

There are many skills that a carpenter exhibits on a daily basis, but that is where this quiz is going to come into play. There are a set of rules and concepts that every carpenter should know, which we are going to test you on today. Besides knowing how to read a tape measure, carpenters also have to be able to distinguish between the different types of tools in their tool belt, and then the dreaded math comes into play!

Math, unlike some jobs, plays a very integral part in the job of a carpenter. If it's not trying to find the square foot of a bedroom, then it's trying to add fractions together and getting those measurements from the tape measure. Overall, there is a lot a carpenter should know, but can you make it through this list of questions and pass, like any carpenter would be able to do?

What is used to flatten a piece of wood?
Scale
Utility knife
Block plane
Sawhorse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not only is a block plane used to flatten a piece of wood, but you can also use it to add a curve to the wood or square your work. A block plane is used in place of a sander, as it knocks down the amount of time done sanding.

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What is the tool called that you use to pound and remove nails?
Scribe
Claw hammer
Sledgehammer
Ball-peen hammer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The claw hammer would be the tool used if you need to drive nails into or take the nails out of another object. While claw hammers are normally used with wood, they're not limited to wood products only.

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The tool you would use when a nail won't lay flat in the wood is called what?
Nail set
Adjustable wrench
Miter joint
Miter saw
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A nail set is a tool used to lower the nail below the surface. The nail set is used by placing it on the nail head and pounding it into the surface using a hammer.

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Which tool does a carpenter use to hold things together?
Claw hammer
Miter joint
Clamps
Screwdriver bits
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Clamps are designed to hold multiple parts together. In carpentry, there are a wide variety of clamps that can be used to secure things together.

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When measuring a job, what is 1/4 inch plus 1/8 inch?
1/12 inch
1/6 inch
3/8 inch
1/2 inch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For this, you would need to create a common denominator for the fractions, which would be 8. That would change 1/4 to 2/8 and than add that to 1/8 and you get the answer of 3/8.

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When you rub a tool on a sharpening stone to sharpen the blade, it's called this?
Toenailing
Face nailing
Whet
Dado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Whet means to sharpen the blade of a tool. To do this, you would rub the blade onto a sharpening stone.

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Which hand-held power saw uses a toothed disc to cut through many different materials?
Table saw
Circular saw
Square saw
Scissors
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Circular saws are one of the most versatile tools that a carpenter can own. By using a sawhorse and clamps, it can be just as accurate (and easier) as using a table saw.

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If you are measuring angles, what tool is best to have?
Hammer
Screwdriver
Level
Sliding bevel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A sliding bevel is also known as a T-Bevel. This handy tool is adjustable, which means you can lock it into any angle you want and then draw out your plans for construction.

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What is the name of the saw designed to cut through metal?
Veneer saw
Bow saw
Hacksaw
Coping saw
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The hacksaw was originally made to cut through metal. It is a fine-toothed saw that is designed to easily cut through metal.

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What does a GFCI outlet do?
Protects us from getting electric shocks
Used as a power source
An outdoor outlet
Used for bigger appliances
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It compares currents from the hot side and neutral side and stops any electric shocks from getting to us if a fault in the electrical devices.

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This is normally the first permanent fixture in a woodworking shop and it tends to be the workhorse of the shop also.
Hammer
Nails
Toolbelt
Table saw
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While a table saw can be moved, it is very heavy and not something you just throw into the back of your truck when going out to work on a job. There are so many things you will use a table saw for, so make sure you get a good one that fits your needs.

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What would a jigsaw be used for?
Stripping paint
Plane a leading edge on door
Cutting curves into plywood
Shaving off 1/8" from side of door
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A jigsaw is known for being able to cut curves into a variety of materials. The jigsaw is easy to use and safe, so it's one of the first power tools many people use.

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What do you call the compass saw's thinner version?
Claw hammer
Keyhole saw
Miter joint
Nail claw
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A compass saw is a hand-held saw that is used for cutting curves. The keyhole saw is a similar version, but a thinner blade that allows it to small holes, like a keyhole.

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How much is 11 feet + 9 feet 3 inches + 4 3/4 inches equal to?
20 feet
23 feet, 3/4 inch
20 feet, 4 inches
20 feet, 7 3/4 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To start, add the number of feet, which would be 11 + 9 and that equals 20 feet. Then add the inches, which would be 3 + 4 3/4 and that equals 7 3/4 inches, so the answer is 20 feet, 7 3/4 inches.

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What is the tool used to make a straight line that consists of string and colored powder?
Ruler
Combination square
Miter saw
Chalk line
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The chalk line is a metal box that contains colored powder and a long string. You place the string in the spot you need a line, preferably on a straight surface, and snap the string and it leaves a line for you.

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When checking the level of your construction, what does the term level mean?
Horizontal
Vertical
Sideways
Circumference
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On a level, there is a bubble reading for the level. This is measuring the horizontal level of your construction. You want to make sure the bubble is in between the lines to be level.

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PL 400 is popular with carpenters, but what is it?
Nail size
Length of plywood size
Type of construction adhesive
Drill bit size
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

PL 400 is an adhesive that is used for heavy duty subfloor construction. Carpenters can use this adhesive in extreme temperatures and it will stick to all types of lumber, including dry, wet or even frozen.

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When using a level, what does plumb mean?
Horizontal
Circumference
Vertical
Side-by-side
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

By using a level, you are checking the level and the plumb of your construction. For this, level means horizontal and plumb would mean vertical.

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While using a table saw, what should a carpenter wear?
Safety glasses
Ear protection
Dustmask
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You never know what might fly out when using a table saw, so safety first. That is why all of these things should be worn to help protect you if something goes wrong.

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When doing trim work, which hammer is mainly used?
Sledgehammer
16-ounce wood handle curved claw
19-ounce max high performance framing hammer
20-ounce straight claw solid steel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A sledgehammer would ruin the trim! These types of hammers need to be lightweight, as they are used to place trim nails into the trim and you don't want to ruin it.

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On a tape measure, what is the smallest marking?
1/2 inch
1/4 inch
1/8 inch
1/16 inch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When looking at a tape measure, there are 16 markings in between each inch. The inch marking is the biggest and then the 1/2-inch marking is next and so on, as they get smaller as the increments decrease.

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Which is the best wood for cabinet work?
Oak
Spruce
Fir
Pine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For cabinets, you are going to want to use a hardwood, like oak. Many fine furniture stores will sell oak furniture, as it ranges in color tones from white to reddish tones.

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What does the 3-4-5 rule help create?
A right angle triangle
A square
A system to count to 10.
An obtuse triangle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 3-4-5- rule helps you create a 90-degree triangle. One side would measure out to be 3 feet and then 4 feet on another side, so the final side of the triangle would connect together and be 5 feet.

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What are the plugs called that are small plastic fittings that grip and hold screws when they are installed in hard walls?
Power plugs
Rawl plugs
Floor plugs
Type G plugs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rawl plugs are wall plugs, but they are referred to as Rawl plugs because of the company that created them. They are there to add support to the screw holding up the object.

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The technique used to have counter tops sit flush against the wall is called what?
Nailing
Ad-libbing
Fanning
Scribing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Scribing is when you try and get a nice tight fit for your counter tops. Instead of leaving a gap between the counter tops and the wall, carpenters use this technique.

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What do you need to do to a door in order to make sure it doesn't catch on the frame/lining?
Plane a leading edge on it
Fit the handles properly
Buy the right size door
Fit the Architrave properly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If a door is catching on the frame or lining, you need to plane a leading edge on the lock side. This allows the clearance that you need when swinging the door shut.

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Which tool is used to keep pressure on a piece of wood when using a table saw?
Featherboard
Motherboard
Metal detector
Clamps
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A featherboard helps you get a smooth, quality cut. It helps you push the wood through all kinds of saws without cutting off your fingers. A lot of woodworkers make their own featherboards, so they can design them for their own needs.

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What is the path called that a saw blade cuts into a piece of wood?
Line
Woodpath
Kerf
Clearance
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kerf is described as the thickness of the cut that a blade would make while cutting the wood. Also, it is sometimes used to describe how thick an actual blade is.

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When do you use plywood clips?
Never, as plywood clips are not a thing.
To help straighten out floor sheathing
To straighten out plywood when stacked up
To help support roof sheathing edges that are between the trusses.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Plywood clips can also be called panel edge clips or H-clips. They are small metal brackets carpenters would put between the edges of plywood sheathing that are unsupported, and they help stiffen the plywood and reduce the support spacing.

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What nails would you use if you were nailing 2x6 inch joists?
4d
8d
10d
12d
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In nails, the "d" stands for penny, so a 12-penny nail would work. A 12d nail measures 3 1/4 in length, so it would work for a 2x6 inch joist.

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What do you call the full-length studs that are on either side of a door or window opening?
King Stud
Queen Stud
Jack Stud
Ace Atud
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For a door or window, the stud to the left or right of the opening is called the king stud. These studs run from the bottom plate all the way up to the top plate.

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When it comes to wiring, where would you drill holes in a stud?
2/3" from the front edge
3/4" from the back edge
1 1/4" from the front edge
1 1/2" from the back edge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For this, you can drill right in the center of the stud. However, you need to make sure you stay at least 1 1/4" away from the front edge of the stud.

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Which of the following is not a rule to follow when laying out stairs?
Riser height should not exceed 7 3/4 inches.
Rise plus run should be between 17 and 18.
Your stairs should always have the same number of risers and treads.
Stairs must be 3 feet wide or wider.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some stairs don't even have risers. However, that is a mistake and it would cause the stringers to crack or split a lot sooner.

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When marking for a circle, which one is best to use?
Protractor
Ruler
Tape measure
Divider
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A divider helps you measure out when drawing a circle, arc or radii. You would place one of the points on an inch mark of a ruler and then open the divider to your desired measurement and draw.

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What is placed between the studs that helps strengthen the wall when building a stud frame?
Noggin
Header
Dovetail joint
Molding
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The noggins are placed between the studs to help give stability to the wall or floor frames. They help the joints from bucking from any load put on the frame.

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