The Best Gifts for DIYers and Woodworkers
Buying tools for a DIY or woodworking person can be a daunting task. Since these crafty people in our lives often already have a ton of tools (not to mention that some cordless systems don’t work at the same time and not all tools are the same quality), choosing the right gift can be tricky. Here’s a handy guide to help you choose some of the best gifts for that special someone in your life.
Battery powered tool kits
For novice DIYers or novice woodworkers, a battery-operated tool kit is a must-have. Having all the basics in place will set them up for success when working on new projects and give them more opportunities to test. There are some great starter kits to choose from, here are the best:
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The DeWalt 10-Piece 20V Combo Kit includes a drill, impact driver, circular saw, saw, oscillating tool, blower, vacuum, flashlight, jobsite radio, two batteries and charger. It’s a good deal right now: $549, almost 50% off.
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The Milwaukee 18V 6-Tool Tool Kit includes a drill, impact driver, circular saw, sander, flashlight, saw guide, two batteries and a charger. It’s a good deal at $599, but it’s definitely more expensive than some other alternatives. For those who already own Milwaukee tools or want to build a quality collection, this set is a great value.
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DeWalt 18V 6-Tool Tool Set is the best value for $288. The kit includes a drill and impact driver, a circular saw, a saw, an oscillating tool, two batteries and a charger. Ryobi tools are of decent quality for regular home repairs, making them a good buy for the novice DIYer. Since their batteries work with such a wide range of tools, this is a good kit to start learning about.
Nailers and staplers
Nailers and staplers are essential tools for anyone doing construction these days. These tools now have more options than ever as they can work with compressors and sometimes even cordless systems. Here are the best gifts to give to a DIY lover:
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The Craftsman Pancake Compressor Kit, which includes a 6-gallon compressor, nailer, finishing nailer, and stapler, is a good starter kit for those who want to get started with air tools. At $249 for all three tools and the compressor, plus the hose and fittings to connect it, it’s a great start to an air tool collection.
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Makita makes both pneumatic nailers and battery-powered nailers , which are powered by Makita’s 18V battery system. Nailers are great for projects that require finer finishes or more fragile parts. The nails’ thinner thickness and headless design will keep them low profile and help avoid splintering more delicate wood pieces.
Hand tools
Hand tools are an important component in woodworking and can be useful for other applications around the home. To please just about any DIYer on your list, quality hand tools can help. Here are some of the best:
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A fine-tooth saw for precise cuts and hard-to-reach areas is a great choice for a woodworker. They are good for modeling as well as other carpentry work.
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Having a sharp and reliable set of chisels is a good addition to any carpentry shop. Grebstk makes a set of four decent quality bits at a bargain price of $18.99. Using chisels you can cut grooves for hinges, as well as make carvings and some types of connections.
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A good quality hand planer from Woodriver will make most woodworkers drool. These tools are more expensive than regular hand tools, but a good quality tool will last a lifetime.
Measuring and marking
You can leave it to your favorite woodworker to upgrade their measuring and marking setup. Take two measurements and cut once with these gift tools:
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Klein’s magnetic angle gauge and level make setting the angle on your table saw or miter saw quick and easy. You can also use this $30 tool to determine levels on various surfaces.
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A contour meter from Varsk will help you find the shape of almost any object. It’s pluggable, so you can combine it to make a 15-inch instrument. It’s great for tracking the shape of doorways and cornices when cutting flooring, transferring marks, and checking consistency across multiple pieces.
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For more accurate corner markings, a good innovation is to update the standard combination square from PIT. The protractor combination tool measures the angle you are marking as well as the length of your line and locks into place to make an accurate mark.