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When shopping for the DIYer on your list, choose a tool that will become a long-term addition to their collection. Finding such a gift is a tall order. Luckily, we have the DIY/Home gifts with staying power. From Estwing hammers to Radius Garden shovels and Stanley tape measures, we have tools with the mettle to land a permanent home in your favorite DIYer’s workshop.
Hammer
Photo: Ace Hardware
Estwing gives you everything you want out of this essential workshop hand tool at an affordable price. Its 16-ounce weight finds the sweet spot between hammering power and ease of use. With its one-piece steel construction, it’s incredibly durable while offering comfort with a cushioned rubber grip.
What our tester says: “A true joy to use, it’s well-balanced, absorbs shock well, and is incredibly durable. It drove nails without issue and removed them with similar ease.” –Tom Scalisi, Product Reviews tester and writer.
Drill/Driver
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Drill/Driver Kit
Buy at The Home Depot Buy at Ace Hardware Buy at Northern ToolMilwaukee’s power tools may come with a premium price tag, but they also offer superior performance and, with the exception of the batteries, will last forever. We recommend going with one of the most used tools in a DIYers workshop with this drill/driver kit, which comes with two batteries and a charger.
Best Multitool
Photo: Amazon
Leatherman’s durable Wingman multi-tool, the top pick in our best multi-tools guide, is loaded with functions yet small enough to have on your person at all times. Its collection of 13 tool functions covers the most commonly used tools. Highlights include its spring-action pliers and large serrated knife.
What our tester says: “The look and feel of the Wingman is top quality. The steel is polished to a high sheen, the surface is exceptionally smooth, and the tools are easily accessible with minimal effort—no straining or breaking a fingernail to get one out.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer.
Best Mechanic Tool Set
Photo: Amazon
DeWalt’s socket sets are a great choice for home mechanics. This particular set offers a great selection of SAE and metric sizes in both standard and deep socket options. It also has some nice extras, including bit drivers, and socket adapters for an impact driver. With features like Direct Torque technology and offset corners that prevent rounding off fasteners, it’s a quality socket set for home mechanics.
Cutting Board
Sonder Los Angeles Acacia Wood Cutting Board
Buy at AmazonThis double-sided acacia cutting board is at home in the back of the house for food prep and in front of the house for entertaining with its double-sided design. On one side is a flat cutting board for cutting, complete with a groove for catching meat juices. Flip it over, and the board is ideal for serving hors d’oeuvres with a carved out well designed to hold crackers.
Best Utility Knife
Photo: Amazon
Stanley’s Fat Max retractable utility knife has an ergonomic handle with a rubberized grip that prevents it from slipping out of the hand. A pop-up blade dispenser makes blade changes easier and there’s a built-in wiper that removes dirt from the blade when you retract it. It’s everything you’ll ever need out of this essential workshop tool.
Best Loppers
Photo: Amazon
These aren’t your average loppers. Corona Tools’ take on this essential yard management tool features a dual link system that compounds its cutting force, allowing it to cut branches up to 1-3/4 inches in diameter. The gel grips add cushioning that makes it easy on the hands, and there’s also a bumper system that reduces shock on your arms when it cuts through branches. With its aluminum construction, you won’t need to buy another set of loppers.
Best Hose Nozzle
Photo: Amazon
This old school nozzle is durable and easy to operate with a twist barrel that allows you to adjust the spray pattern and flow volume on the fly whether you’re washing a car, cleaning off a deck, or watering the yard. It’s a little pricier than other nozzle attachments, but it’s also made entirely from solid brass, so it will last far longer than nozzles with plastic parts.
Best shovel
Photo: Amazon
This unique looking shovel is just one of the ergonomic garden tools that Radius produces. Its O-shaped handle quadruples the gripping surface of a traditional garden shovel, so you can produce more leverage with less stress on your hands and wrist. The overmolded elastomer handle is also more comfortable to grip than a standard wooden handle. The blade is also slightly cupped, so it can dig more easily in rocky and clay soil.
Best Tape Measure
Photo: Ace Hardware
Not much has changed with the Stanley PowerLock tape measure, which has been a staple in many home workshops for decades. And that’s perfectly fine. The classic design of this 25 foot tape measure, which is the top pick in our Best Tape Measures guide, features a Tru-Zero end for accuracy and a Mylar coated blade that can hold up to years of abuse. It also has a rock solid locking mechanism that won’t wear out.
What our tester says: “This tape is highly accurate and durable, and since it has a clip for easy carrying on a pocket or belt, it’s a tape measure we find ourselves relying on time and time again.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Bench Vise
Wilton 11106 General Purpose 6-Inch Jaw Bench Vise
Buy at AmazonWith its rock-solid cast-iron construction, this is the only bench vise you’ll ever need to buy, which is why it’s the top pick in or best bench vises guide. As our tester found, its jaws operate smoothly and securely hold all manner of materials, from pipe fittings to wood to iron bars with no slipping. The jaws open smoothly with no play or hanging, and the base swivels, making it easier to position materials, so you can work on them.
Best Skillet
Photo: Amazon
Lodge cast-iron skillets don’t just last a lifetime; they’re often passed down from one generation to the next. Create a new heirloom in your family by gifting this classic cast-iron skillet. It’s a commonly used 10.25-inch size and features a teardrop handle. You can put it right to use as it’s pre-seasoned. Since it’s virtually indestructible, you can use Lodge cast iron skillets on a range, in the oven, on a grill, or even over an open campfire.
Best Ladder
Photo: Amazon
Little Giant’s multi-position ladder comes with a steeper price tag than most, but it’s worth it for its durability and versatility. It can function as an A-frame ladder, extension ladder, stair ladder, and as a 90-degree wall position ladder. With its ability to take so many shapes and durable aluminum construction, it’s the only ladder you’ll need.
Best Travel Mug
Photo: Amazon
There are travel mugs and then there are mugs built to handle any kind of travel. As with the brand’s well-regarded coolers, its Rambler travel mugs are designed to last forever. With features that include stainless steel construction, double-walled insulation and a Duracoat finish that resists fading or peeling, you can expect your YETI Rambler to last through many, many commutes and road trips.
Flashlight
MagLite ML300L 4D LED
Buy at AmazonThis powerful flashlight is as powerful as it is durable. Its LED bulb produces 1,002 lumens with a beam that can reach up to 558 yards. It also has five different functions, including high, low, eco, momentary on, and strobe. Adjusting the beam is as simple as twisting the head to narrow or widen it. It’s also built to take a beating with its aluminum construction and splash-resistant design.
More Home/DIY Gifts
- Truly Garden Hori Hori Garden Tool With Sheath: This high-quality Japanese knife features a full tang stainless steel blade.
- STEELPORT 18”x12” SteelCore Cutting Board: The last cutting board you’ll ever need, the Steelpot cutting board is made from walnut with a steel reinforcement that prevents the board from splitting or warping.
- DEWALT XR 20-volt Max Cordless Impact Driver: DeWalt XR tools like this impact driver are high performers built to last a long, long time.
- Nicholson 5 Pc General Purpose File Set: Nicholson files are highly regarded for their excellent build quality.
- BESSEY CM Series 8 in. Drop Forged C-Clamp: With its drop forged construction and galvanized finish, this Bessey clamp will be a staple in your workshop for a long time.
- Irwin Vise-Grip GrooveLock 8-Piece Pliers Set: Irwin pliers are made from corrosion-resistant vanadium steel and feature comfortable ergonomic handles.
- Starrett Steel Combination Square: Starrett squares don’t come cheap, but they’re very precise and you’ll never need another one.
- Morvat Brass 4 -Way Full -Flow Water Shut-Off: This four-way garden splitter can endure all weather conditions thanks to its full brass construction.
- Hults Bruk Spika Hunting & Forest Axe: Up your wood chopping game with this ultra-sharp axe.
- Wera Kraftform Plus 334/6 Screwdriver Set: Laser-tip drive tips that fit perfectly into fasteners and ergonomic grips make this the last screwdriver set you’ll ever need.
