Tools of the Trade: House Carpentry Branch Measures Up

The carpentry workers, wood crafters and locksmiths of the House Office Buildings complete a wide range of projects from installing cabinetry to hanging pictures to replacing missing door pieces — creating a place of lasting memories in historic spaces for those they serve.

By Sarah Davis | April 8, 2026

Photo by

Dewitt Roseborough

Trim Router
Easily held with one hand, this tool is helpful for cutting joinery and creating decorative profiles. Perfect for small alterations, it leaves no sharp edges behind.
Combination Square
Essential for enhancing accuracy and precision. The sliding ruler and head with bubble level make checking angles, laying out dimensions and mapping straight lines easy.
Chisels
With a mallet or by hand, these im- portant tools shape wood through persistence and skill. They are used for carving, engraving, sculpting and fine detail work.
Hand Planes
Versatile tools for finishing surfaces and removing material quickly for a clean pro- file. During custom jobs, these can reduce thickness down to the perfect fit.

Add a new comment

Our Stories

Recent Articles

History & Discoveries

Capitol Extra! Magna Carta Replica and Display

Our Curator, Dr. Michele Cohen, is in the Capitol Crypt for the Magna Carta's anniversary. This entire display was made in England by artist Louis Osman, who had also crafted the crown for the investiture of Prince Charles.

Public Notice

Start Your Summer at the U.S. Capitol!

Upcoming in-person programs and tours, plus webinars and a new digital scavenger hunt, provided by the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

History & Discoveries

Revolutionary Paintings by John Trumbull

Our Curator takes a deeper look at the four large history paintings by John Trumbull in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, which depict pivotal moments before, during and after the Revolutionary War. #America250