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Garry's Mod Physics Gun and Tool Gun: freeze, weld and remove

Compare the two construction weapons and common stock tools for placing, connecting and cleaning up props.

Pictures for this guide

Edition covered

The PC sandbox first sold in 2006, covering the shipped Sandbox tools and basic interface. Facepunch screenshots are staged sandbox scenes. Community modes, add-ons and servers can replace controls, models and rules.

Use the Physics Gun for positioning

A sandbox scene contains a floating buggy, chair, balloons and a posed character.
A sandbox scene contains a floating buggy, chair, balloons and a posed character.

The Physics Gun moves physical objects, rotates them and freezes them in place. Holding an object is different from welding it. A frozen prop can appear attached while the adjacent part will still fall when physics resumes.

Positioning and editing tools
ToolPurposeTypical use
Physics GunMove, rotate and freeze propsAlign a platform before joining parts
WeldRigidly connect objectsAttach a chair to a chassis
AxisAllow rotation around an axisMake a wheel connection
RopeConnect points with a flexible tetherSuspend or tow a prop
RemoverDelete the targeted supported objectClean up an unwanted component

Use the Tool Gun for a selected operation

Pick a tool in the spawn menu and read its on-screen instructions. Weld connects parts rigidly; Axis permits rotation; Rope creates a tether. The tool's settings determine how the new constraint behaves.

Construction tools
ToolWhat it adds or changesFirst experiment
ThrusterA directional forcePush a stable vehicle base
WheelA wheel setupTest a simple rolling platform
BalloonAn upward lift effectObserve how several balloons affect balance
No-CollideCollision relationshipsStop selected connected parts colliding
DuplicatorCopies a constructionReuse a design after it works

Test the constraint you actually need

A wheel needs a rotating connection, not a rigid weld to the chassis. A decorative part often needs only Weld. Begin with a single working connection before duplicating a complicated assembly.

Remove only the intended object

Aim carefully with Remover, especially around connected constructions. Undo is convenient for a recent mistake, while targeted removal is clearer when an older object is wrong. Save the functioning version before major cleanup.

Useful tip

Aim carefully with Remover, especially around connected constructions. Undo is convenient for a recent mistake, while targeted removal is clearer when an older object is wrong. Save the functioning version before major cleanup.

References
Guide references
ReferenceWebsite
Garry's Mod publisher listingstore.steampowered.com
Facepunch Sandbox guidewiki.facepunch.com
Facepunch tools guidewiki.facepunch.com
Facepunch player guideswiki.facepunch.com