<p>Dear CCers, I need your help. I am looking for a gift for a guy who likes and is very good at DIY projects. The problem is that he has a garage full of typical handyman tools. Have you seen any new, unusual and useful tool or gadget that you can recommend? TIA!</p>
<p>Honestly? I would give him a gift card to Harbor Freight. It’s DS’s favorite place to browse for new toys. Otherwise you could end up giving him something he either doesn’t need or already has. DS always has some kind of project going so if you know what your friend is doing these days you could maybe get something that would go into that project. But you’d have to come out and ask. These guys are very particular about their tools. In the past, I’ve gotten DS wrench sets, things for his boat projects, tools for his computer projects-but I’ve been told exactly what is on his list.</p>
<p>bunsen, maybe post a similar question on gardenweb? seems like there are a number of DIYers on Home forums…</p>
<p>I’m not usually a big fan of gift cards, but in this case I think it is a good idea. People are very particular about their tools, whether they be chefs or handymen. :)</p>
<p>Harbor freight is poor quality tools for a guy that’s into tools. Let me ask the handyman husband might recommend.</p>
<p>Well, they must have plenty of other items that guys who work with tools for a living feel are worthy, as my S is a regular customer. A gift card to one of the big box stores or a good local chain would also work. S has bought from all of them.</p>
<p>My H is a DIY tool guy and likes to choose his own power tools. He opts for higher quality brands. Not a large gift, but I gave him a Joby Gorillatorch (this brand but a different model) last year and he has found it very useful for working in tight spaces and at difficult angles.</p>
<p>
I wouldn’t do that. Harbor Freight has the poorest quality junk Chinese made tools available. They sometimes have something that’ll work in a pinch or for using one or two times but I wouldn’t give it as a gift due to the junk quality they have. I actually have purchased some things there but only things where they can’t mess up the quality too badly, like some pry bars, and some one time use things that I think might be able to handle the job. I’d never buy a normal hand tool, ratchet set, sockets, screwdrivers, power tools there. (Note - no offense intended to the poster who suggested it - this is just my opinion but I think it’s pretty universal that people know HF carries cheap low quality stuff and people buy there due to the ‘cheap’ part of it and HF has its niche for the cheapness which does come in handy sometimes)
If he’s a handyman type or works on vehicles (or both - like me), he’ll appreciate a nice quality tool even if he wouldn’t normally buy them for himself due to the cost and gift giving time is a good time to get for giving something of nice quality.</p>
<p>Sears Craftsman hand tools are much better as are some of the hand tools from HD (Husky) and Lowes (Kobalt). For a gift, I only like to give quality items.</p>
<p>Some tools are simply handy to have and clever and actually work. Here’s a non-electronic stud finder that’s simple and works way better than any of the ‘electronic’ stud finders - go to Amazon and search for **Hanson Stud Finder<a href=“about%20$10”>/b</a>. This is an inexpensive item but this thing works great. It’s great for remodeling, hanging pictures, and any other time you need to find the studs behind the drywall. Note - the electronic stud finders I’ve tried have all been lousy - mostly worthless.</p>
<p>Another item I’ve found very handy when working on things in the house as well as my cars is a multi-led cordless rechargeable light. There are a number of these available but the following one works really well (search for it on Amazon) - **Gyros Magnalite Pro<a href=“about%20$47”>/b</a>.</p>
<p>If he doesn’t have one yet works on things around the house, you might want to get him a non-contact voltage tester to sense whether the circuit at an outlet is live or if a house wire is live without having to break into the circuit - i.e. you just hold it near the wire, anywhere along its length, and it’ll indicate if voltage is present. It’s quite useful and a great safety item.</p>
<p>Of course, good quality power tools are great but you kind of need to know what he needs or would like.</p>
<p>A couple of outdoor tools I have that are really good are a cordless string trimmer and cordless leaf blower but specifically the 36 volt lithium ion ones from Black and Decker. Most of the competition has much lower voltage packs and are lackluster for these jobs but these B&D 36v LiIon ones work really well and have the convenience of not having to mess with gas and being quieter to use and just less to fuss about overall. Don’t get one with a lower voltage or non LiIon battery. These are more expensive than other generic ‘cordless string trimmer or vac’ tools you can get but these 36v ones work great and the other ones or more or less just frustrating because they’re not powerful and don’t hold a charge long enough</p>
<p>If you give a better idea of his ‘handyman’ interest areas we might be able to give more specific suggestions.</p>
<p>In my family, the screwdriver is a power tool. I am so clueless that for gifts, I go tangential and give 2 identical pairs of expensive high-tech (non-scratchy) warm socks to go under boots. I choose from a catalogue or go into a hiking store. The tags have interesting info about the technology of the fibers.</p>
<p>In the North, at least, handy people often work in cold or underheated places and wouldn’t buy this for themselves. It’s a frill. But I usually get a sincere “thank you.” Same gift is appreciated by bus and truck drivers.</p>
<p>I also agree that Harbor Freight is not highly recommended by real tool guys. My crew jokes about Harbor Freight.</p>
<p>Something that comes in handy when working in tight places are the head lamps - lights mounted on a headband. Also, a high quality utility knife is always welcome, with spare blades.</p>
<p>BB, my husband says check out 3D printers on Maker Shed. He, a guy who likes tools, thinks it would be really cool to have one to make models.</p>
<p>My son recently asked for a kit of precision small tools, for little tiny projects, like watchmaking. I’m not sure exactly what he has in mind, but the tools are beautiful.</p>
<p>My H goes to Sears, Tool town or Home Depot.</p>
<p>But I cant think of anything besides the basics, that most would already have.
They can always use a new rollaway or smaller tool box though, then they will find stuff to fill it.!</p>
<p>There is <em>always</em> another tool to want! This kiln, that torch, those accessories for the Dremel – someday if I set up shop, bwahahahaha, keep me away from the catalogs!</p>
<p>I just ordered Cool Tools.
[Homesteading</a> Tools Sensational: A Book Review of Kevin KellyMOTHER EARTH NEWS](<a href=“http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/book-review-cool-tools-zbcz1312.aspx#axzz2nZI79tkB]Homesteading”>Homesteading Tools Sensational: A Book Review of Kevin Kelly’s ‘Cool Tools’ – Mother Earth News)</p>
<p>Another handy item for working on cars but also house things is a rolling shop seat like this one - </p>
<p>[Husky</a> Heavy-Duty Rolling Shop Seat-1259-O at The Home Depot](<a href=“http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Heavy-Duty-Rolling-Shop-Seat-1259-O/203823536#]Husky”>http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Heavy-Duty-Rolling-Shop-Seat-1259-O/203823536#)</p>
<p>I just bought this: [url=<a href=“http://www.sears.com/black-decker-18-volt-cordless-alligator-lopper/p-07141425000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&kpid=07141425000&kispla=07141425000P]Sears.com[/url”>http://www.sears.com/black-decker-18-volt-cordless-alligator-lopper/p-07141425000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&kpid=07141425000&kispla=07141425000P]Sears.com[/url</a>].</p>
<p>What about something totally different lie a scarf or a business card holder or something?</p>
<p>Trading business cards is so 2010.
[The</a> Bump App for iPhone and Android | Bump Technologies, Inc.](<a href=“http://bu.mp/company/]The”>http://bu.mp/company/)</p>
<p>I want an 8’ arborists ladder.
[Steuber</a> Distributing Company - Home](<a href=“steuberdistributing.org - This website is for sale! - steuberdistributing Resources and Information.”>http://steuberdistributing.org/)</p>
<p>I know you are kidding, EK, but thats totally NOT TRUE. Having/handing out business cards is still very much done, over and above connecting electronically. Amongst other gifts, just gave both s’s Coach business card holder. Both really like them.</p>