Looking for some nice small projects to tackle but don’t want to whip out too many tools or supplies? I’ve got a list of how-to, DIY, woodworking, metalworking and craft books I could recommend, but those types of projects are not exactly fun. Well, they can be fun, but not in a playful way as the ones found in the following highly rated books.

Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction by John Austin

A more appropriate title would have been Mini Weapons of Mass Distraction, but that doesn’t take away from its contents. This book, and its sequel, show you step-by-step how to build a small arsenal using common office and household supplies. Just be sure to fire the mini weapons at paper targets and not people or pets.

Buy Now

Backyard Ballistics by William Gurstelle

There’s no much else to be said after seeing the full title, which is Backyard Ballistics: Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices. There are 13 projects in all, with many opportunities to modify and build upon the designs.

Buy Now

Forbidden Lego: Build the Models Your Parents Warned You Against by Pilegaard & Dooley

There are only five projects – paper plane launcher, candy coated catapult, ping-pong cannon, all-terrain Lego and high velocity automatic Lego plate dispenser, but there’s plenty of skill-building opportunities buried within. If you don’t already have a stockpile of Legos in your home, you may want to skip the book and pick up a Lego Technic set.

Buy Now

Make Magazine

I’ve written about Make a number of times, and for good reason – it’s a fantastic magazine. You can order back-issues or pick up a newstand copy to see if it’s worth subscribing to. New issues come out quarterly, with one separate special edition every year or so.

The magazine covers a wide range of DIY interests and hobbies. You can also check out the Make website and blog for an idea of what’s in the mag.

Buy Now

While you could just buy one of those all-in-one home tool sets, you get better variety and usefulness if you customize and piece together your own kit. This also allows you to spend more on tools you plan to use frequently and to cheapen out on tools you don’t plan to use as often.

By no means is this an all-encompassing list, but I’ve narrowed it down to the 12 basic and essential tools homeowners and aspiring DIYers should have readily available. Think of it more as the first 12 tools (or tool types) a homeowner should buy. I could have easily expanded the list, but had to draw the line somewhere.

0. Safety Gear – Goggles, Hearing Protection, Gloves

PPE, or personal protective equipment is so essential that it’s number 0 on our list. At the bare minimum you’ll need safety glasses, but goggles offer added protection against chemical splashes. Pick up a box of latex or nitrile gloves to protect against potentially harmful or gross substances. Rugged work gloves are an inexpensive addition to consider, and ear muffs or earplugs protect your hearing when using power tools or noisier kitchen appliances.

Safety goggle recommendations; Hearing protection: Peltor ear muffs

Also worth picking up – a pack of disposable or semi-reusable respirators. Make sure they’re rated N95 or N100, or P95 or P100 for added protection against oil-based aerosols. You only have one pair of lungs!

1. Utility Knife

Utility knives are handy for a wide variety of cutting tasks, and are far better for opening boxes and clamshell packages than cheap paper-cutting scissors. There are plenty of brands and styles available, with basic models priced at $4-7. Tip: be sure to always keep a few replacement blades on-hand.

ToolGuyd Favorites: Stanley QuickSlide (~$12 via Amazon) and Dewalt Folding Utility Knife

2. Tape Measure

Tape measures are especially important for new homeowners and will be heavily utilized when planning out empty rooms. There are many brands, sizes, shapes, and styles available, and it’s okay to start off with a basic model. I recommend starting out with a 25-foot model for home use, and perhaps a small 10 or 12-foot pocketable model to carry when shopping for furniture or room accessories.

Inexpensive 25ft: Stanley PowerLock (~$11 via Amazon); Super-compact: Komelon 10′ ($7 via Amazon)

3. Multi-Bit Screwdrivers

Everyone’s screwdriver needs will be different, but a multi-bit screwdriver is usually a safe bet and can handle most basic tasks. Budget-permitting, a screwdriver set is also a solid investment and usually offers better ergonomics and comfort. There’s also the slightly above bare-minimum combo option: a multi-bit driver plus a quality #2 Phillips screwdriver.

$: Picquic multi-bit ($11 via Amazon); $$: Channellock ratcheting screwdriver; $$$: Wiha 12pc screwdriver set ($55 via Amazon)

Remember, one can never have too many screwdrivers!

3.5 Precision Screwdrivers

Most people neglect to buy precision/jewelers/mini screwdrivers until they really need them, at which point they run out and buy the cheap low-quality sets many retailers insist on pushing. For infrequent use, a 5 or 6-piece set for $5-10 set should suffice.

Trusted brands: Xcelite, Craftsman, Wiha, Wera, Felo, General Tools, Stanley (sometimes), PB Swiss, Moody.

4. Hex Key Set

Two words – IKEA furniture. Sure, a teeny tiny double-ended hex key is included with products that require it, but having full-size hex keys can make ready-to-assemble and knock-down furniture MUCH easier and quicker to assemble. It’s even better if you have T-handle drivers.

If you’re going all-out, ball hex drivers are better for accessing fasteners in tight spots, but straight-hex drivers can handle more torque. Consider buying an all-in-one hex key set for general purpose use and full-size 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm drivers for IKEA assembly and bicycle maintenance needs.

ToolGuyd Favorite: Bondhus ball hex (via Amazon), made in USA.

Tip: You’ll need both inch and metric sizes. Sometimes both sets are sold bundled together.

5. 16oz Claw Hammer + Dead Blow Hammer or Mallet

A 16oz claw hammer is great for driving in smaller nails here and there, and a dead blow hammer is useful for general pounding tasks. And yes, you’ll need both. For the claw hammer, there’s no need for anything fancy – a simple hickory-handled hammer should fit the bill. For the dead blow hammer, a 2 or 3lb model is a good choice, and at least one non-marring face is preferable.

Dead blow hammers can be expensive. If you’re unsure about needing one, consider a non-marring or rubber mallet instead.

Claw hammer: Vaughan or Craftsman; Non-marring: 24oz Vaughan ($20 via Amazon); Dead Blow: Nupla Power Drive ($37 via Amazon)

6. LED Flashlight

Think about a few of the times you may need a flashlight – when the lights go out unexpectedly, when an object rolls under a heavy piece of furniture, or when you hear a ruckus in your yard in the middle of the night. Do you really want to risk your flashlight failing during any of those times? For home use, a 2D or 3D Maglite is harder to lose.

Inexpensive and Trustworthy Favorite: Maglite LEDs ($15+ via Amazon)

7. Adjustable Wrench, Combination Wrenches, Ratchet and Socket Set

At the very least, you’ll need two adjustable wrenches – an 8-inch long model and maybe a 6-inch or 10-inch. Maybe even a 12-inch, but at that point you may be better off with a heavier duty pipe wrench. You can get away from needing longer versions by buying an extra-wide-capacity 8-inch or 10-inch wrench.

Two adjustable wrenches can accomplish a lot – one can hold a hex nut fixed while the other is used to tighten or loosen a hex-head bolt. Beyond adjustable wrenches, consider a adding combination wrenches, which offer greater versatility and improved clearance. A 9-piece metric and 9-piece inch/standard/SAE set should suffice until your needs grow more advanced.

You may not need one right away, but a ratchet and socket set offers even more accessibility options and a speed advantage. Prices range from $20 to $200+, and it’s okay to wait for a good sale to maximize the bang per buck.

Recommendations: Favorite adjustable wrenches; Combination wrenches: Craftsman; Inexpensive ratchet & socket set: Craftsman or Kobalt

8. Pliers and Cutters

This is another big category. To start off with, you’ll need long-nose pliers and either slip-joint pliers or combination pliers. Channellock or tongue-and-groove style pliers are also good to have. If pliers you choose feature built-in cutters, you won’t need a pair of diagonal cutters right away.

Mini bolt or heavy duty utility cutters and a wire stripper or general-purpose electrical multi-tool are also good choices if your budget allows for it.

Recommended brands: Stanley, Channellock and Klein

9. Saw – Hand, Hack, Corded or Cordless

At one point or another, you’re going to need to cut things. There are many, many tools that can handle the job, with new designs coming out every year. If you don’t know what you’ll need to cut, consider a jab saw that accepts reciprocating saw blades, and bundle it with a few general purpose metal, plastic and wood-cutting blades.

Eventually you’ll probably want to pick up a hand saw and hack saw, and possibly even a corded or 12V cordless mini reciprocating saw, like the Bosch pS60. Most basic projects, such as cutting shelves down to size, are best accomplished with a circular saw.

You can hold off on buying a circular saw if you ask the home center or lumber yard to cut your boards down to size before you pay. Most places offer 1-2 free cuts per board, with a marginal fee for additional cuts.

Recommendations: Hand saw: Stanley; Hack saw: Dewalt or Bahco

10. Tool Box

You will need a tool box to help keep everything together. Otherwise, some of your tools will end up in a junk drawer, others will be in the basement, and the rest will be scattered elsewhere. A tool box, even an inexpensive $15 plastic one, will help keep everything in one place. As your tool collection grows, so should the size of your tool box. Alternatively, tool bags often feature a number of pockets and compartments that can help with organization.

Recommendations: Stanley, Keter, Craftsman

11. Cordless Drill Driver + Drill and Screwdriver Bit Set

Cordless drill drivers can be pricey, so it’s okay to wait until you need one to go shopping. Selecting the right cordless drill driver for your needs is a whole discussion in itself, so all I’ll say for now is to stick to reputable brands. Stay away from NiCd if you can help it – you can often find a very good 12V Lithium ion model for the same price as a just-okay 18V NiCd model.

As for drill bits, screwdriver bits and accessories, you get what you pay for. Beware of cheap drill bit sets, especially those by unfamiliar brand names.

General recommendations: Bosch, Dewalt, Kobalt, Makita, Ridgid, Milwaukee, Hitachi, Craftsman Nextec.

12. Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

This is one of those things that you might not think you need until you NEED it. Shop vacuums are great for heavier messes, and when vacuuming up materials that household  vacs simply aren’t designed to handle.

Even an inexpensive shop vacuum will likely last for many years, stretching out its $50-$150 initial investment. As with most things, the more you spend the more you get. Higher-priced vacs come with larger capacity tanks, additional features (e.g. a built-in blower and water drainage valve), larger capacity and longer hoses, more attachments, and longer power cords.

Recommended brands: Shop Vac, Ridgid, Craftsman

PLUS

There are several other tools that, while not as absolutely essential as those listed above, can greatly improve project results or make certain tasks easier to accomplish. At the minimum, I would suggest the following layout tools: 12″ or 16″ combination square with detachable straightedge, 9″ torpedo level, 24″ level and a Speed Square (<$4 via Amazon). And if you’re going to be mounting anything to your walls, you’re going to need a stud finder.

I was going to make these layout tools #11 on the list, but technically you can get around not having them. But how are you going to drill anchor holes for new window shades without a drill?

I Disagree, I Disagree!

I don’t expect everyone to agree with my recommendations and welcome you to share your own opinions in a comment. If you’re a regular ToolGuyd reader, maybe you already have a fully-loaded toolbox. Or maybe it’s half-filled and you’re still building it up piece by piece. Think back – which were the first 12 or so tools that you purchased?

1. Festool Plunge Track Saw and Dust Extractor

A couple of months ago, I went a little nuts and splurged on a Festool track saw and Dust Extractor. I heard good things about Festool’s Dust Extractors, and wanted to use test one out for an article I was writing. While in talks to borrow one for testing, I did quite a bit of research, reading through reviews on various enthusiast forums, and convinced myself that I needed one.

I didn’t really need a track saw, but my long circular saw cuts were always a bit sloppy, and I was looking for a way to keep my work area cleaner and as dust-free as possible.

Now, when cutting plywood or other sheet goods, I don’t have to worry as much about how to cut a straight line or keep things dust free, the saw, guide rails and vac make the whole process easier. I’m slowly saving up for the next addition to the Festool system.

Buy Now (via Amazon)

2. Porter Cable QuikJig Pocket Hole Jig

While a bit pricey compared to Kreg pocket hole jigs, the Porter Cable pocket hole jig is remarkably efficient and simple to use. Pocket hole joinery is definitely a great technique for both beginners and advanced woodworkers, and the QuikJig sort of just accelerates users from start to finish. It makes the layout and hole-making process blissfully effortless.

Buy Now (via Amazon)

3. Dewalt DWS780 12″ Sliding Miter Saw

I was plenty impressed with Dewalt’s simple 10″ compound miter saw. But the DWS780, it just blew me away. Yes, it’s large, but it’s also powerful and feature-rich. Things were off to a good start when I played around with the new built-in XPS work light, but the saw’s performance and capabilities are what really kept my attention. To be honest, I think it may even be superior to Bosch’s super-sexy Axial Glide miter saw.

Buy Now (via Amazon)

4. Dewalt Heavy Duty Work Stands

I expected to like Dewalt’s heavy duty work stands from the start, but I wasn’t quite prepared for how useful they actually proved to be. Coupled with Dewalt’s universal brackets, they make excellent benchtop tool or custom jig supports.

Buy Now (via Amazon)

5. Japanese Waterstones

I hate sharpening and honing my hand tools, but it needs to be done. I started off with one 4000 grit stone to try things out, and have since added several more to my sharpening kit. Choosing the right stones and learning proper technique and practices has made my sharpening experiences less dull and burdensome. I still use fine-grit sandpaper on occasion, but not often.

Buy Now (via Amazon)
Buy Now (via Lee Valley, our waterstone vendor of choice)

Of course these are just my top 5 favorite woodworking tools and accessories of the year. If the list were to continue, Woodpeckers and Veritas tools would hold most positions from 6 through 15 or so, after which things level out and there’s only like and don’t like.

My best tools are the ones I use, the ones I know how to use [safely], and the ones I’m not afraid to use and abuse. I have bought my fair share of cheap tools, premium tools, and gimmicky tools. But the tools I reach for most? The tried and true mid-range workhorses.

If I had to answer which were my best or favorite tools, I would be up all night and the length of my ensuing essay would crash the server. But if pressed, I’d at least tell you that my NWS pliers and Channellock wide adjustable wrench are the hand tools I most enjoy using.

What about you? If you had to pick one or two tools, which would you say are your best or favorites?

But they’re so expensive! No, they’re not. Here are our top picks for penlights, mini-penlights and keychain-sized micro-lights. You can easily find reliable and bright LED flashlights suitable for everyday and even casual professional use for under $20.

Fenix E01 Compact Flashlight

Although twice the price of a Maglite Solitaire, the Fenix E01 is compact, reasonably bright, and is available in a number of stylish colors. Output for the 1xAAA keychain-sized light is at 10 lumens with a total runtime of about 21 hours. The E01 is waterproof as well, to IPX8 (what’s that?) standards.

Check prices or purchase via Amazon (also available in black) Avg. price is $13-16

Streamlight MicroStream Mini-Penlight

Even before Streamlight upgraded their MicroStream flashlight with a new brighter LED module, the tiny 1xAAA flashlight was one of our favorite pocket-friendly mini penlights. The new version outputs 28 lumens and has a runtime of about 2.25 hours. Water resistant to IPX4 standards, the MicroStream can modestly handle the elements.

Check prices or purchase via Amazon Avg. price is $17

Fenix E05 R2 Compact Flashlight

Brighter than the E01 and a little pricier than the MicroStream, the 1XAAA Fenix E05 R2 outputs 27 lumens and has a runtime of about 2 hours 50 minutes. Like the E01, the E05 is waterproof to IPX8 standards.

Check price of purchase via Amazon Avg. price is $20

Streamlight Stylus Pro Penlight

We’ve mentioned the Streamlight Stylus Pro a number of times, and for good reason – they’re fantastic penlights. I carry one clipped to my pocket or inside my bag most days, and more than once it has saved the day.

As with the MicroStream, Streamlight recently upgraded the 2xAAA Stylus Pro with a new, brighter LED module. The aluminum-bodied flashlights are available with several color options, and are rated to IPX4 standards. LED output is rated at 48 lumens, and runtime is about 6.25 hours.

Check price or purchase via Amazon (Also available in black) Avg. price is $20

Inova & Photon Keychain Micro-Lights

Okay, so maybe a penlight, even a miniature one, is too large for you to carry. Smaller than a modern car’s key fob, these Inova and Photon keychain LED micro-lights are about as discrete and compact as they come. If the $5-10 pricing is a bit much for your budget, 10-packs of non-branded lookalikes are about $5 direct from China if you shop around.

Inova Micro-Light, Photo Micro-Light Avg. price $8

If you know of any other great quality and inexpensive LED flashlights, penlights, or mini-lights that you would like to recommend, let us know via a comment!

Back then, I had quite a few tools and supplies, but most stored neatly into the two 3-drawer intermediate chest units I already owned. When I started accumulating a considerable amount of overflow, it was time to purchase more storage. I scoured through Lowes, Home Depot, and Sears, multiple times of course, and poured over print and online catalogs. I had a relatively small tool budget, not a lot of space, and was aware that I would have to carry the storage chest or cabinet up 28 stairs.

Top compartment was great for holding random odds and ends

After much searching, I discovered Craftsman’s then-new 6-drawer ball bearing chest. The unit had a 26″ wide and 12″ deep footprint and 10-3/4″ deep drawers. Unlike Craftsman’s other 6-drawer units at the time, this new design had 6 full-width drawers instead of the more common 3-full and 3-split drawer design. The chest was only available in platinum grey/black, but that’s okay as it matched my already owned plat/black intermediate chest. I waited for a good sale, and picked up the chest when it dropped to maybe $160.

Although "only" 10-3/4" deep, the drawers never felt cramped.

Since then I have often recommended this particular unit to friends, readers, and colleagues looking to start out. It features 5 relatively slim drawers (2″ height) and 1 taller drawer (~3-1/8″), which I feel to be perfect for most people making their first ball bearing tool chest purchase since it is extremely space-efficient. That’s also the reason I kept it around for so long even after purchasing several more spacious chests.

Most recently I had been using the chest to store my EDC items (flashlights, pocket knives, multitools), hardware, assorted fasteners, and photo accessories in the lid compartment.

I plan to move in a few months (definitely less than a year) from now once my research project is complete, and have come to the realization that not everything I own will find a place in my new home, wherever that will be. While I won’t be able to splurge right away, I plan to upgrade my storage setup with a larger high drawer-density setup.

And so in an attempt to curtail my current excesses, I decided to offer both the 6-drawer chest and its matching 3-drawer intermediate to my cousin in-law’s husband. He’s an engineer and just moved into a new house with his wife (my wife’s cousin), so I know he’ll be able to put the tool storage units to good use. Maybe he’ll put it on a workbench, maybe he’ll stack the chest on top of the intermediate with both atop a DIY-built platform, or maybe he’ll stash them both on some heavy duty shelving as I once did.

Matching intermediate chest still sitting on a shelf

That’s another reason why I really liked these units – they were (relatively) easily repositionable. I didn’t have to arrange my workspace around the tool storage, I arranged the chests around my workspace (several times until I was happy), and it worked out well.

I know that a lot of people have been bashing Craftsman ball bearing storage quality recently, but I honestly have never had an issue with these chests. The steel is as thick as it needs to be, the units feel sturdy, and the drawers still glide as smoothly as ever.

In case you’re wondering, I still have two roll-away cabinets, two larger top-chests, and two small intermediates holding many of my tools. And no, I’m not giving these away, at least not anytime soon!

Craftsman 6-Drawer Ball Bearing Chest via Sears (Red/Black, but other colors are available as well)
Craftsman 3-Drawer Ball Bearing Intermediate Chest via Sears (Red/Black)

These days I often recommend the above linked-to red/black versions of these chests since they’re usually available in-store and priced a bit lower than the catalog-only versions. The features and build quality should be comparable if not identical.

This Nebo Redline LED flashlight is a fantastic yet inexpensive light. It throws out an incredible amount of light, and is quite stylish without looking too much like a tactical flashlight. This is probably why the Redline has earned nearly 200 favorable reviews in just a few months.

As mentioned in my recent new gear preview, I picked up a Redline for myself, and I also like it a lot! Looking to share the love, we’ve decided to give away three Nebo Redline flashlights.

There will be 3 ways to enter and thus 3 ways to win:

• Leave a comment in reply to this post about flashlights or other EDC gear.
• “Like” ToolGuyd on Facebook and leave a comment or question somewhere on the wall.
• Sign up for our new newsletter! We’re working on the first issue right now, and if it works out well, we’ll send out updates on a bi-monthly or monthly basis.

[mailchimpsf_form]

This giveaway will end the night of June 11th, and is open to anyone in the USA or Canada. 3 winners will be selected at random the following day.

Nebo Redline Flashlight via Amazon

I have to admit, I am just as particular about pens and pencils as I am about tools. Most people (hi, Dad!) are less picky and will use any ol’ pen or pencil as long as it has got ink or graphite in it. A few weeks ago I had been searching for a good mechanical pencil for technical drawing and more precise shop use, and came across the Pentel GraphGear 1000.

Quite a few well thought out features separates the GraphGear 1000 series of pencils from those you’d ordinarily find on the rack at an office supply store. First, the 4mm sleave retracts back into the pencil when you release the pocket clip, meaning that the risk of punctured pants pockets or a bent tip is virtually eliminated.

Second, the pencils have a knurled metal barrel with soft cushiony pads poking through. To be honest, I don’t think that these pads are really necessary since the knurling is well defined but easy on the fingers, but they they certainly aren’t a bother. It’s too soon to say whether this is the most comfortable mechanical pencil I’ve ever used, but it comes close without a doubt.

I’ve been using the 0.7mm pencil for about a week now, and I liked using it so much that I went ahead and ordered a 0.5mm version as well. When I first ordered the pencil, it was priced at ~$18, but it looks like the price has come down a a few bucks since then.

For the same $15-18 you can instead buy several dozen wood pencils or quite a few plastic-bodied mechanical pencils, but in my opinion the GraphGear 1000 is well worth it.

These pencils have straight extra long tips that make them excellent to use with rulers, straight edges, and other layout tools. Plus it’s one less thing to have to sharpen.

Pentel GraphGear 1000 Mechanical Pencils via Amazon
Product Info via Pentel

Pentel GraphGear 1000 pencils are currently being produced in Japan. They’re available via Amazon and various art supply and drafting supply sources.

EDIT: This type of pencil is NOT intended to be used as a carpenter pencil substitute. It’s for more precise lines on smooth surfaces. General shop use has been edited to now read more precise shop use. As Mac and JeffD commented, pencils with thicker leads are essential to complement mechanical pencils like this one.

I try to avoid posting about off-topic gear and non-tool deals, but this one is too good too keep to myself. This medium-sized Timbuk2 messenger bag dropped in price on Amazon again, to $50. I ordered one as part of a limited time special last month for $55, and I’m loving it so far.

Timbuk2′s normal messenger bags are made overseas, while custom and special edition bags such as this one made in San Francisco, USA. The price of their custom USA-made bags seem to range from $100 to $120.

The bag is very spacious. I have used it to lug a few tools around town, but since it lacks a top handle, I would advise against heavy loads. I mostly use the bag for papers, books, and for short 1-3 day travels.

Timbuk2 Racing Stripe Messenger Bag (made in USA) via Amazon
Product Info via Timbuk2

Coast’s C22 Z-frame folding pocket knife is extremely inexpensive at less than $20 (via Amazon). But inespensive doesn’t necessarily have to mean cheap or shoddy. Check out the following video review to see why the Z-frame is now one of Jeff’s favorite pocket knives.

Coast C22 Z-Frame Knives via Amazon
Product Info via Coast

Video Credit: JeffD

This Streamlight Stylus Pro is by far my most well-used LED flashlight. I carry one around with me nearly every day, and after 30 months of use, it’s still going strong!

The Stylus Pro is also one of my favorite items to gift to people. Most of my friends and family members don’t carry flashlight around with them, and the ones that do only have those cheap plastic disposable ones. I’ve made it my mission to properly equip them with a good penlight.

Streamlight Stylus Pro Flashlights via Amazon
Product Info via Streamlight

So far, we’ve discussed quite a few tools as part of our Father’s Day Gift Guide. There are still 10 days left to shop for the perfect gift for your father, father-in law, husband, uncle, son, nephew, or other dads in your life. To help you out, here are some of the power tools we’d recommend.

We may add a few more items in upcoming days, but these 7 tools (or tool families) are what we think are the must-haves of the year. Be sure to be on the lookout for sales flyers and weekly ads this weekend, as home improvement stores are bound to offer some great savings. (Or so we hope!)

Hitachi 18V Li-Ion Drill-Driver

While not the most bad-ass compact 18V cordless drill on the market, Hitachi’s DS18DSAL has a lot going for it. It’s lightweight, relatively compact, and packs a walloping 460 in/lbs of torque. Find it at Sears, Amazon, or the Hitachi distributor of your choice for about $150.

Bosch’s New 12V Cordless Drill/Drivers

Porter Cable Li-Ion 18V Combo Kit

We’re nearly done reviewing Porter Cable’s 18V Li-ion cordless tool kit, and from what we’re seeing, it is a fantastic kit. Our review of the 18V cordless drill went up nearly a month ago, and we were flabbergasted at how good the drill was. We recommend the Li-ion kit, but the NiCad kits are an option if you’re on a tighter budget. Available at Lowes for $270.

Ridgid JobMax Modular 12V Cordless Tool Kit

Dremel 4000 or Cordless Dremel 8200

Rockwell Sonicrafter Oscillating Multi-Tool

Bosch Power Box 360 Jobsite Radio

As we mentioned yesterday in the first part of our Father’s Day Gift Guide, we’re giving you our gift ideas and recommendations in parts. Without further delay, here is the second part of our hand tool gift guide.

Do you have some hand tool gift ideas we didn’t mention yet? Don’t be shy, tell us about ‘em. Our last planned gift guide will offer a few power tool recommendations, but a user-submitted gift guide might be fun.

Wera Koloss Ratchet with Integrated Hammer

We talked about the Wera Koloss back in March, and then previewed it a month ago when it first came out. We’re still working on a full review, but one thing has already been made clear – it’s a BEAST of a great ratchet.
The Koloss is not well suited for tight quarters, but it is a tremendously well built ratchet. Available at ChadsToolBox.

Wera Kraftform Screwdriver Set

We wanted to add some screwdrivers to our gift guide, but it was tough to select just one brand. If your Dad (or yourself or your giftee) wants to break free of the boring 99 cent store drivers they’ve been using. give these Wera Kraftform drivers a try. They’re ergonomic and are very well made. Buy them at Amazon, or ChadsToolBox.

Kershaw Ken Onion Knife

Woodpeckers Tools

Craftsman Ball Bearing Tool Storage

We have been adding quite a few decent tools and gift ideas to our Father’s Day Gift Guide series. Today we will be sharing with you 5 of our top hand tool gift ideas. There is a little bit for everyone in this list – woodworkers, DIYers, and hobbyists.

We’ll share 5 more hand tool gift ideas with you tomorrow, and then our power tool gift guide will come out the next day.

Rockwell Jawhorse

Rockwell’s Jawhorse has been gaining much popularity in recent months. It is highly versatile, portable, and built to last. The Jawhorse can be found at many online and local retailers. (On sale at Amazon)

Craftsman Ratcheting Elbow Wrenches

Craftsman’s new ratcheting elbow wrenches are a great addition to a mechanic or serious DIY’ers toolbox. These wrenches can be used in a “push-pull” manner for when clearance is tight, and the elbow joint can be locked in place to help reach past obstacles. Metric, SAE sets via Sears.

Knipex Pliers Wrench

Knipex’s pliers wrench is by far the best adjustable tool of its kind that we have ever tried. Its jaws are smooth and non-marring, and due to its unique design phenomenal gripping power can be achieved with little effort. Buy from Amazon, or ChadsToolBox.

Channellock V-Jaw Pliers

These are not the fanciest pliers around, but they’re darned handy, and at a great price point too. We reviewed the smaller 6.5″ V-Jaw pliers a few months ago, and loved them! You can find these made-in-the-USA tools at your local home improvement store, or online at various retailers. Channellock V-Jaw Pliers at Amazon

Gorillatorch Hands-Free Tripod Flashlight

We have been using one of these Gorillatorch flexible tripod flashlights since November, and we love it. The flashlight has three highly posable legs with strong magnets embedded at their ends. Wrap the legs around fixtures, or stick the torch to a ferrous surface. $25-30, via Amazon

I am sometimes asked to recommend general purpose drill bits that can be purchased locally. Although this condition rules out many of the great brands available at online industrial suppliers, there are still a few decent options out there. By far, my favorite locally-sourced drill bits are Dewalt’s Pilot Point drill bits.

Pilot Point drill bits 3/16″ and larger all have a leading cutting edge that creates a smaller hole ahead of the bits’ flutes and primary cutting edge. This eliminates the need to drill pilot holes in a 2-step process, saving time and effort, and resulting in a more accurate hole.

These bits are suitable for use in wood, plastic, and metal. I often use these bits to drill through-holes in metals (mostly aluminum) and plastic (non-brittle types), but not for wood. The bits have split points so they don’t walk, and also no-spin shanks with three flats.

You can find these bits at local home improvement stores, as well as online at Amazon and most major tool suppliers.

Dewalt Pilot Point Drill Bits via Amazon
Product Info via Dewalt