Abstract: A friction type carpenter jack has a carrier capable of movement upwardly when the inner surface of a jacking friction bar is capable of frictionally gripping the shaft. A downwardly jacking means also allows the carrier to move along the shaft toward a base plate. The downward movement is facilitated by a load holding friction bar being displaced angularly downwardly thereby having its inner surface of the shaft opening frictionally gripping the shaft. The carrier is rotatably mounted along the shaft and includes a plurality of holes for nail placement therethrough to secure a first workpiece. A head plate is also rotatable about the shaft and includes a plurality of openings for nail placement therethrough to secure a second workpiece. The jacking action of the carpenter jack permits the first workpiece to be moved toward the second workpiece for a variety of applications. The carpenter jack further includes a locking means for holding the carrier along the shaft in a stationary position.