If only I had such and such tool? A common question we DIYers ask usually right in the middle of a project. In this article I’m going to share 10 essential gift ideas for the DIYer. These are tools that come in handy time and time again. They are versatile and relatively inexpensive. These will make excellent gifts for the woodworker, hobbyist or DIYer in your life. And don’t forget your do-it-yourself dad on Father’s Day. Or your DIY mom and Mother’s Day.
When buying new tools, you don’t have to buy top of the line. But don’t buy cheap tools that won’t last. If you’re using a tool constantly, then you definitely want to invest in something with quality. There are some tools you’ll need for almost any project (see my list below) and then there are specialized tools. I recommend holding off on buying the specialized tools until you absolutely need them. And if you need them for just one project, consider borrowing a tool from a fellow woodworker.
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- Dremel 3000 Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit and Accessories
. I turn to this tool very often. I use it for grinding metal, for routing wood, for sanding and shaping wood. It also came in very handy when I used to make pinewood derby cars with my son. There are numerous attachments and bits that make this tool extremely versatile. If you go over to the Dremel website, they have lots of project ideas over there.
- Bosch 18-Volt Compact Tough Drill/Driver Kit DDB181-02 with 2 Lithium Ion Batteries, 18V Charger, and Soft Carry Contractor Bag
I’ve had my Bosch cordless drill for about 5 years now and have been very pleased with its quality and power. I use it a lot for making my wooden writing pens, but it’s also very versatile when you have outdoor projects. Just a few weeks ago, I used it to attach a birdhouse to a tree. No cords, no worries. Comes with 2 batteries so you can continue to swap them around as one is always charging.
- Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System
If you want to improve the looks and quality of your wood joints when making a box or some furniture, the Kreg Jig will help you achieve that. I’m primarily a weekend woodworker, so I like to build things relatively quick. Depending on your method, wood joints can take tons of time to make. The Kreg Jig will help you achieve a quality wood joint without having to know a lot of woodworking skills. You normally will place your pocket holes where they can’t be seen, and you can buy plugs that help cover up the holes. It’s a very easy tool to use. I have used this tool many times. Check out my wine rack project where I used the tool pretty heavily.
- Belt Sander from Harbor Freight. I recently bought this belt sander from Harbor Freight for $50, and I use it quite frequently. My other belt sander is a Ryobi and it’s a combo disc / belt sander. I love both of these sanders and use them on just about every project I do. Check out my coffee scoop tutorial and you can see the sander in action. They create a lot of dust, so make sure you pick up a dust mask too.
- BLACK+DECKER Mouse Detail Sander
This sander, made by Black & Decker will help you with all kinds of sanding projects. It’s small and fits ergonomically in the palm of your hand. I use this sander to do a lot of my final sanding. Because it moves in an “orbital” or “random” fashion, it helps take scratch marks out of the wood. This has served me well for making cutting boards. I also like it to use it for sanding edges and tear-outs from sawing. You can buy sandpaper that’s pre-cut and easily detaches and attaches to the sander. This sander is great especially for smaller size projects. You will also see me using my DeWalt Orbital sander in a lot of my tutorials.
- 12-Inch Combo Square
On just about all my projects, I need to use a t-square. Every shop and DIYer will need one of these babies. If you want your boards to be square and fit right, you need to have a t-square. They come in different sizes, but 12 inch is pretty versatile.
- C-Clamp, 6-Inch x 31/2-Inch
There are several different clamps out there, and I believe I have one of each kind. But the staple C-clamp everyone uses. These clamps come in so handy for holding work pieces down. In my tutorials, you’ll see me using them constantly for holding boards while cutting or drilling — a huge safety feature. I even use a C-clamp for doing brakes on my car. They get their name from sharing the same shape as the letter “C”. I recommend having about 3 to 4 c-clamps and 6 or 8 inch are good sizes. Another set of clamps I use all the time are quick grip clamps
. I probably use these as often as the regular C-Clamps
- Bessey Fixed Jaw Parallel Clamp, 2-Pack
From time to time you’ll need to glue boards together edge-to-edge and to do that you need some type of bar clamp. I have used the Bessey clamps several times when I’m making cutting boards. You can get these at Home Depot or order from Amazon. I like these because they lay flat on your table or bench. Very easy to use and dependable.
- Delta 8-Inch Variable Speed Bench Grinder
I use the bench grinder for sharpening my wood turning chisels. Also, comes in handy with lawnmower blades. But if you have anything made of metal that you need to grind, this is the tool you need. You can buy or create jigs that will assist you in getting the right angle for your grinds. Mine also comes with a handy light attachment, and it’s variable speed.
- DEWALT 5.5 Amp Jig Saw
This saw comes in handy all the time. The jigsaw is perfect for small shops. It cuts well and the blades are easy to change. It’s also great for cutting curves or working with large boards that can’t be handled on a bandsaw. Check out my dog feeder project. I used the jigsaw to cut out the holes for the bowls. DeWalt makes some high quality tools.
I hope this list of tool gift ideas was helpful. I’ve owned and used these tools for a number of years. They all come in handy on a regular basis. You might want to check out my full tool list. This is a more comprehensive list of tools I enjoy using. But some are more specialized tools (like a wood lathe), so don’t go buy something if it’s not needed.
Before you buy a tool for someone else, you might want to take some time and understand what they really need. Ask them some questions or observe them working in the shop. Or ask their woodworking buddy. I know that gift cards are not very personable, but that might be a great solution, particularly if the person you’re shopping for is very choosy.
Please feel free to comment and tell us about the tools you can’t live without.
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Grapeseed, avocado, fractionated coconut and sweet almond act as carriers for your DIYer s favorite essential oils. They can use them to make roll-ons , homemade body oils and plenty of other recipes.