We learned as apprentice carpenters that a strong back, ambition and energy were necessary to survive in this grueling trade, and to go on to become general contractors. We also learned our tools were of equal or greater importance. Time is money, and having the right tools...well maintained...makes a job easier and safer.

Except for tools for specialized tasks, our basic battery of tools has remained the same for the nearly 30 years that we have been in construction...properly weighted framing and finish hammers, a circular saw, hand saws, framing square, combination square, nail sets, plumb bob, chalk line, tape measure and carpenter's level.

Although the contents of our toolbox haven't changed much over the years, the tools don't look much like the ones we began with. Today's tools have evolved into highly engineered objects that act as extensions of one's anatomy. They are lighter, more powerful and more ergonomically sensitive. This provides better productivity, less wear and tear on muscles and joints, and superior results.

If you use a hammer often, you know that it can be the source of muscle and joint pain in your hand, arm, elbow and shoulder. To remedy this, manufacturers are turning out a new generation of hammers that are lighter with a more comfortable grip. Some hammers even have an anti-vibration feature that can help prevent injury.

As with hammers, improvements in leveling tools are many. A level is one of our favorite tools. We like our work to be straight, plumb (true vertical) and level. There are many uses for a level, including building a fence, installing a chair rail, wainscot or other trim and hanging pictures.

Levels are available in various shapes and sizes, depending upon the job. The most common style is the carpenter's level. It comes in various lengths and has two or more fluid-filled vials that are used to establish plumb and level. It is often called a bubble level. When the bubble in the fluid-filled vial is situated between lines on the vial, the object is plumb (or level).

There are several variations of the carpenter's level. A torpedo level is a short one (about a foot long) that is easy to handle. It is used for jobs where space is tight and where a longer level isn't required.

A line level is another. It attaches to a string line that is held taut. It is small, convenient and easy to use. The line level is suited for fence-building and other outdoor projects. Be forewarned that it becomes less accurate as the length of the string increases, and begins to sag.

The oldest of them all is the water level. It consists of a clear plastic hose filled with water. This style of level is useful for establishing level between two distant points such as when setting forms for a foundation. It has all but been replaced by more a sophisticated means of establishing level...a transit or builder's level.

A level isn't just for leveling a surface. It also is used for establishing plumb...a straight vertical line. This comes into play when installing a door, paneling, wallpaper or other finishes that require a plumb line.

Another means of establishing plumb is by using a nifty tool called a plumb bob. It consists simply of a weight with a point at one end that is attached to a string. The origin of the string can be high on a wall or from a point on the ceiling, while the point at the end of the weight dangles slightly above the surface of the floor. A plumb bob is an excellent means of transferring a point from a ceiling to the floor, and vice versa.

Another tool we keep in our pouches that can also be used as a plumb bob is a chalk line or snap line. As its name implies, it is used primarily for transferring a straight line onto a surface with chalk as the medium. The chalk box consists of a plastic or metal container filled with pigmented chalk. String is wound on a reel completely enveloped by the chalk. When the string is extended and held taut from one point to another, the line is lifted and ``snaps'' back against the surface leaving a straight line. This is useful in installing floor tile, wallpaper, and chair rail.

Thanks to technology, a job that previously took two or more tools now can be performed with one tool that is a fraction of their size and significantly more accurate. For example, in the past when installing wainscot, chair rail or wallpaper, it took a level, a plumb bob, and a chalk line. Now you can have all three in one with a laser level...also known as a laser-line generator. This tool can cast a continuous straight line on any surface without leaving a mark.

Laser technology has been around for a while, but in recent years has become more compact, affordable and functional. Some models have a laser that will skip over moldings and uneven surfaces. So, if you are installing wallpaper above an existing chair rail, place a laser-line generator on the floor, use the bubble to establish plumb and watch the laser line jump right over the molding to cast a plumb line where you need it...with no permanent marks.

One manufacturer has come up with a laser-line generator that has spring-loaded pushpins that will allow you to temporarily anchor the device to wallboard or plaster to align objects with one hand. This tool is as close as it gets to using a television remote control when making home improvements.