Last minute gift ideas for that DIY Homeowner in your life-

By Teris Pantazes of EFynch.com

Looking for a GREAT gift for the new homeowner, soon-to-be-homebuyer, or handyman in your life? Last minute crunch?

We asked some of our professional contractors and hobbyist what they would put on a list- here are the top responses:


1. Oscillating Saw:
This saw is not that common but is incredibly useful. It is basically a blade on the front end of a spear that vibrates incredibly fast in order to cut wood, trim, stripped, rusty nails, even that angry little nub that is left behind when you cut wood to fast and the last bit splits off. It's really awesome! A decent Oscillating saw starts around $60 and can go up from there. I have a 12v Milwaukee (pictured below) which was $80 and it has never failed me. You can also get attachments to make this a compact sander. Once in a toolbox, your loved handyman will wonder how they ever lived without this.

2. Heat Gun:

 Like a hairdryer but hotter and more cooler. A heat gun will dry paint (or strip it), cure adhesives, shrink wrap, soften caulk, bend PVC pipe, remove dents, and even sweat copper pipes. These thing are dangerously hot but, that is the point. We use the heat gun at least a half dozen timer per year in regular tasks like re-caulking windows or drying stain on wood when we're in a hurry. Pricing starts at $30 and up to $100 for industrial strength. I have a $30 version from Black and Decker (yeah Baltimore) which heats up to 800 degrees.

3. Dremel Multi Tool: 

This power tool is actually somewhat common so check the handyman's toolbox before purchasing this. Other companies make different versions but the Dremel is kind of the original. There are a ton of attachments which allow the user to sand, carve, etch, buff, de-strip screws, etc. It is great for small or finishing jobs and good for a woodworking newbie. There are versions that start around $40 but I would recommend getting the $80, top of the line version. Don't forget the attachments!

4. Jigsaw: 

Not to be confused with a reciprocating saw, a jigsaw helps you carve up wood and other materials whatever path your heart desired. Very few homeowners actually have this in their arsenal but, like the rest of the tools here- it is a highly useful item to add to any arsenal. The jigsaw can be had for around $30 with good professional models never costing more than $100. Like the Dremel, the use for the jigsaw is not only practical but it will also bring out the creative opportunities for the DIYer. Yes, you can use it to trim  a counter for a new sink or cut a hard to reach pipe but, the jigsaw also makes it easier to cut out stencils, forms, or detailed and curved cuts like what you need for making initial cuts for furniture or other unique projects (I made wings and tail to turn my Daughters' wagon into a spaceship for Halloween, pic below). Speaking of kids, I am not going to say the tool is "kid friendly", but it isn't a circular saw and is a good starter power tool when you feel your youngins are ready.

 

When all else fails, go old school or look for genuine, quality products. The stuff below may be something your handyman already has, but getting something a few notched of higher quality or something with a past makes it more of a piece to admire.

5. Quality Hammer: 

We all have the cheap, $20 hammer that mostly "does the job". But if the loved one in your life appreciates fine quality and wouldn't mind having one more tool that could one day be his "heirloom piece"- there is nothing better than using a quality, true-hardened steel, perfectly balanced, shock absorbing, natural leather handled Eastwing. We're talking a $50+ hammer that will last 100 years and never leave your hammer swing feeling inadequate. Admittedly- I don't have one (ahem ahem), but I have used these hammers on a few occasions and they are about as close to butter that a hammer can get. 

6. Vintage Axe: 

Kind of along the same thinking of the hammer, the axe is a natural progression in the expansion of authentic tools. There are great new axes that are light, balanced, and aerodynamic but something about an axe begs to be vintage for me (new is okay but not for a gift). If hitting a nailhead with you face a few inches away is an art form, splitting a log with a full body swing is simply primitive- This is why I like vintage. Look at ebay and go for your preference. You can easily get a 50 year old axe with refinished handles, mirror or powder coated finished, Made in the USA or somewhere cool like Sweden or Japan. The opportunities are endless but the thing about a vintage axe is that you feel as though your holding a tool that has seen the world and helped real men chop woods while warming their homes when a good burning fire was the difference between life and death. You know what they say; "chop wood, it warms you twice".

So there are the top ideas. These are great tools and I am certain any handyman or handywomen in your life would appreciate at least 1 of these items.  We have had thoughts about other stocking stuffer types and I will try to put those out in the next day or so.

In the meantime, head to your local hardware store or go online. Priority mail will still get that gift under the tree in time. We hope this helps you out!

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Disclosure: Information listed about was not part of any endorsement or instructions on how to use or where to use a tool. It is the opinion of the author (Teris Pantazes) and meant for conversation purposes. If you use any of the tools above, you acknowledge that you are aware of the inherit risk to property or person in the regular use of these tools. Do so after consulting the appropriate manual or getting advice from people who are probably smarter than we are!