• A spirit level gauges a fence's relative horizontal and vertical position.level image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
  
  From chain link to cedar boards, building a fence requires hand and power tools, specialized and general purpose tools. To set posts and fasten rails, a fence builder needs tools that cut lumber, dig trenches and mix concrete. Additionally, a comprehensive set of fence building tools includes tools that measure, layout and gauge the position and dimensions of a fence. Whether you're repairing a fence or planning a new installation, become familiar with fencing tools and choose the tools that suit the scope and scale of your project.
  
  

Tape Measure

• The modern tape measure determines distances and dimensions throughout both fencing repairs and installations. During lay out and planning, tape measures provide an accurate gauge of the length and height of a fence, post placement and fence board positions. During building, tape measures mark lumber and other building materials for cutting. The modern tape measure appears as a palm-sized plastic or metal box. Inside the box, a thin, flexible strip of metal is marked with increments of measure, such as centimeters or inches. The spring-loaded tape may be pulled from its casing and retracts when let go.
  
  

Spirit Level

• The spirit level gauges a surface's position relative to the earth's surface or true horizon. The spirit level allows a fence builder to ensure that posts, rails and boards are properly aligned in relation to the ground. Made of plastic, metal or wood, the spirit level looks like a rectangular bar and ranges from under 1 foot to over 4 feet in length. At the end or center of a spirit level, a bubble contained within a liquid filled vial indicates the tool's degree of levelness. Once placed upon a surface, the bubble's position is noted, or "read," to determine if the surface is level or plumb.
  
  

Post Level

• Specially designed to plumb posts, the post level looks like a small, liquid-filled dome mounted on top of a flat plate. Building professionals use the term "plumb" to refer to a post which stands vertically straight. Bull's eye marks are etched across the top of the dome's surface. A builder places the post level atop a post and, when a bubble contained within the dome's liquid aligns with the center of the bull's eye, the level indicates a plumb position.
  
  

Circular Saw

• The circular saw spins a sharp-toothed or abrasive blade to shear through wood, metal and masonry products. The circular saw is relatively lightweight and portable, suiting it well to on-site cutting of posts, rails and concrete forming materials.
  
  

Shovel

• The average shovel digs trenches or post holes for anchoring fence posts and manually mixes small amounts of concrete. Round nosed shovels are primarily used for digging, while square, or flat, nosed shovels are used for mixing, squaring trench edges and picking up material.