Holiday Gift Guide 2024

22 Awesome Ideas to Go Under the Tree!

There’s an old saying that goes, “Give someone a fish, and they’ll eat for a day; give someone a tool, and they might fix your sink.” I’m paraphrasing.

Tools and supplies make excellent holiday gift ideas for home-improvement pros as well as DIY’ers of all types. Here, you’ll find suggestions for woodworkers, car lovers, handy-people and homemakers, so read through our list, and then check it twice to find something for someone who you think is nice.

Metabo HPT 25’ TruRange Measuring Tape

The Metabo HPT 25-ft. TruRange tape measure delivers up to 17 feet of reach and 14-ft. standout. The measuring tape is 1-1/4-in. wide with large, easy-to-read numbers, and 1/8-in. incremental fractions on both sides of the high-visibility blade. For extra durability and longevity, the extruded nylon blade coating resists wear and prolongs the tape measure’s rigidity, enabling it to outlast the competition under regular use. The rubberized grip provides added comfort, while the manual blade stop allows for quick and easy measuring without needing to lock the blade in place. Plus, with a lanyard attachment and wire belt clip, it’s always within reach. www.metabo-hpt.com 

Dremel Cordless 4V Electric Scissors

Here’s a handy tool for DIY’ers: Dremel Electric Scissors. The HIR team reaches for a pair more than we ever expected to slice through clamshell packing, shape cardboard templates, trim wallpaper, notch out plastic sheeting and landscape fabric, and much, much more. A variable speed dial includes five cutting speed settings, and the ultra-sharp shears allow for quick and smooth operation. It has a quiet motor, low-battery indicator light, and an integrated lithium-ion battery that charges by USB-C port. www.dremel.com 

Surebonder

Homeowners can now easily tackle the chore of hanging holiday lights with the affordable Surebonder 15030C staple gun. Hang up to 100 feet of holiday lights and garland quickly and easily. The staple gun's unique plastic insulator design ensures the safety of holiday light wires, even when lights blow in the wind. It features easy drop-in staple loading and comes with 60 staples and 30 insulators. It may also be used for home wiring for TVs, computers, telephones, intercoms, alarms/security, doorbells, thermostats and speaker wires. (For best results, use Surebonder 15030C plastic insulated staples.) www.surebonder.com 

Strongway Limited Edition Richard Petty Jack

You can honor “The King” with this Strongway Limited Edition Richard Petty Low-Profile Super-Duty Jack that lifts up to 75 percent faster and lasts up to 10 times longer than comparable standard floor jacks. The tough, powerful and versatile floor jack is engineered with exceptional components to get the job done quickly, easily and consistently. The 31-1/4-in. x 15-11/16-in. x 8-3/4-in. profile (with handle in vertical position) provides a large, stable platform, and an oversized saddle offers more surface area to help stabilize the load. The jack meets and complies with ASME PASE 2019 safety standards. www.northerntool.com

Bosch Blaze Green-Beam Laser Distance Measure

The Bosch Blaze 165-foot GLM165-27CGL uses green-beam technology, which generates a point/dot up to 4 times brighter than standard red beams. The inclinometer shows the tilt angle up to 360 degrees for easy angle and indirect measurements. The laser has accuracy up to +/-1/16 inch, plus it includes a rounding button (which rounds the measurement to the fraction that best suits the application) and haptic feedback for loud jobsites. The digital laser measure also offers Bluetooth functionality, so users can digitally transfer measurements to a smartphone or tablet through the free MeasureOn app. The Blaze is built with full rubber overmold housing, similar to a roll cage. It is IP65-rated and has an ergonomic design for better grip. It has a rechargeable Li-ion battery for extended runtime and includes 11 different measuring functions, including real-time length, length, area, volume and indirect functions, and addition/subtraction capability. www.boschtools.com 

Scrigit Scraper

Here’s a handy stocking-stuffer—the Scrigit is an inexpensive, pen-sized, non-scratch cleaning device that provides a quick and convenient way to remove small amounts of unwanted substances from household and automotive surfaces, edges, and grooves where a metal scraper would scratch or damage the work surface. It can be used instead of fingernails and metal tools to quickly clean off small areas of unwanted substances, such as grime, caulk, putty, wax, latex paint, dried food, adhesive stickers, labels and tape. The Scrigit Scraper is two scrapers in one. A rounded tip simulates the scraping shape of a fingernail for scraping off small spots, cleaning curved surfaces, and removing adhesive labels, stickers and tape. The flat-edged tip is best for getting into tight spaces and cleaning off unwanted materials from flat surfaces, edges, corners and door tracks. Two sizes are available made in the USA of a durable plastic resin that easily washes clean and won’t conduct electricity. www.scrigit-scraper.com

Benchtop Mini Variable-Speed Personal Dust Collector

Oneida Air Systems introduces its most portable dust collector yet, the BenchTop Mini. Similar to the original BenchTop dust collector, the Mini delivers on-the-go powerful source collection for power tools lacking dust ports, including rotary tools and hand sanders. When placed in close proximity, the BenchTop Mini continuously captures fine dust as it's being generated, preventing the majority of particles from escaping into the shop air. It features high-performance, variable-speed fan motors to provide quiet, powerful, and uniform airflow, ideal for a wide variety of applications and tools, particularly those that produce fine dust such as wood carving and sanders. Analog control adjusts the fan speed to meet the needs of any application, and its slim design offers portability and an easy fit on any workbench. Magnetic side vanes snap on quickly and ensure optimal airflow. The dual-filter system significantly prolongs the lifespan of the internal MERV 12 filter, with economical third-party replacements widely available. Made in the USA, the BenchTop Mini is built to last with a galvanized steel chassis and reinforced rubber handle. www.oneida-air.com 

WiseBond Deep Pour Epoxy

For the woodworkers out there, WiseBond Deep Pour Epoxy is perfect for creating the popular live-edge river tables, creative wood slabs, and object art-casting projects. This epoxy cures to a crystal-clear, water-like appearance and designed for a long cure to make it easy to work with. WiseBond Deep Pour Epoxy has been engineered to be low-odor, and zero VOC with a slow exothermic reaction to prevent cracking and shrinkage. Powdered colorants, dyes, and alcohol inks can be mixed into the epoxy for amazing special effects adding vibrancy to any river table, encapsulated object, voids, turning projects, custom wood tables or art projects. WiseBond Deep Pour epoxy features a 2:1 mixing ratio and can be used indoors without ventilation or bulky respiration equipment. Each epoxy kit includes a resin (part A) and a hardener (part B). www.wisebond.com 

Next-Gen M12 Heated Toughshell Jacket

The Milwaukee M12 Heated Toughshell Jacket is powered by Milwaukee’s new Hexon Heat Technology to stay warmer for longer in all temperatures, deliver the fastest heat-up time, and offer greater heat coverage throughout the garment. Whether facing freezing outdoor temperatures or navigating spaces with minimal heat indoors, this jacket adapts to its environment to deliver effective heat in any condition. Three times more insulation maximizes heat retention and enhances comfort. The hidden battery pass-through pocket allows for front or back battery placement, increasing versatility depending on the situation. It features durable 100-percent stretch polyester fabric and a DWR finish. www.milwaukeetool.com

Ryobi Power Carver

The Ryobi USB Lithium Power Carver is the industry's first cordless power carver. This carver allows for controlled carving with a 1mm stroke length and 14,000-spm for all your project's needs. This tool is ideal for carving on all types of wood and furniture restoration. The kit comes with three accessories: the Straight Chisel, U-Gouge and V-Gouge. The Straight Chisel is ideal for detailed carving and furniture restoration. Built for clearing large amounts of wood, the U-Gouge features a 1/4-in. blade. Lastly, the 90-degree V-gouge is fit for relief carving and creating detailed lines through different channels. The included USB lithium 2Ah battery features a USB-C port that also charges mobile devices. The carver also features an LED indicator to signal when the battery is charged (green) or has low battery (red) while in use. www.ryobitools.com 

Mayhew 2-Piece Mini Heavy Duty Pry Bar Set

Mayhew Steel Products’ new 2-Piece Mini Heavy Duty (HD) Pry Bar Set features both a curved and straight pry bar, each with a 3/16-in. blade and measuring 5 inches overall. The handle for each bar is a vibrant green color for quick and easy location of the tools. The set’s compact design makes them ideal for working in tight spaces and providing leverage in close quarters. Made in the USA, the shaft of each tool is made from hardened and tempered alloy steel that runs from the prying edge through the handle for maximum durability and prying power. A black oxide finish helps prevent rust. The ergonomically designed handles provide superior comfort and a secure grip. The tough handles are made from high-tensile strength Nylon 6. www.mayhew.com

Knipex TwinGrip Pliers

Two new TwinGrip sizes hit the North American market, a smaller 6-in. and larger 10-in. model round out the assortment. Made in Germany, the original 8-in. TwinGrip Pliers quickly became popular across a wide range of industries. The smaller 6-in. TwinGrip easily grips stripped screws and bolts with front and side gripping capacities of 1/8 to 5/8 in. while the larger 10-in. TwinGrip grips from 3/16 to 1-1/16 inch. All models feature push-button adjustment, allowing users to adjust the tool once and it stays. Other features include a slim head for working in confined spaces, reliable front gripping of flat workpieces due to the three-point gripping system, and a pinch guard. www.knipex-tools.com

Zircon StudSensor HD55 Stud Finder 

Equipped with an enhanced LCD display featuring a target spotlight, the HD55 StudSensor locates the stud’s edges so you can safely and efficiently secure and anchor mirrors, shelves, cabinets, and anything you need to hang. The HD55 offers two essential scanning modes: StudScan Mode, to locate wood or metal stud edges up to 3/4 inches deep, and DeepScan Mode, which doubles the scanning depth to 1-1/2 inches. Zircon makes safety and accuracy a top priority with the following features: WireWarning detection alerts users to live AC wiring up to 2 inches deep. Patented “Over-the-Stud” indication prevents errors by ensuring accurate scanning. The SpotLite Pointer projects a bright arrow-shaped light on the wall to mark the stud edge. The translucent base and Illuminated “V” Marker Groove allow for precise marking. And the patented Pivot Pinch Grip provides a comfortable, secure hold for either hand. www.zircon.com 

Craftsman V20 Brushless RP 4.5” Circular Saw

Offering more runtime and better performance, the V20 Brushless RP Cordless 4-1/2 in. Circular Saw (CMCS405B) is lightweight and perfect for tight spaces and extended-reach applications. The brushless motor delivers up to 4,500 (no-load) rpm for efficient cutting through various materials. With a 4-1/2-in. blade, you can cut 2x material at 90 degrees, and the saw bevels to 45 degrees to cut 1x at 45 degrees. The auxiliary handle enables one-handed operation and easy use. An auxiliary handle allows for easy use, and an on-board front port can help reduce airborne dust, and a sliding rip fence improves accuracy. For safety, an electronic blade brake stops the blade quickly. www.craftsman.com 

Ridgid 18V Subcompact 2-1/2” Bandsaw

Ridgid’s new 18V SubCompact Brushless 2-1/2 in. Band Saw (R87040) pairs powerful brushless motor technology with a compact tool design. This lightweight, ergonomic saw is designed for one-handed use and reduced fatigue when cutting overhead. Users can quickly and precisely cut material like conduit, pipe, rod, strut, angle iron, rebar, PVC and more with speeds up to 580 surface feet per minute and a cut capacity of 2-1/2 inches. The variable speed dial and trigger provide ultimate control and speed customization for any task at hand. The saw features a tool-free blade change and is compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries and backed by the Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement, for free parts, free service, for life. www.ridgid.com 

Werner PK100 LevelSafe Pro Automatic Leveler

Upgrade a ladder with the new Werner PK100 LevelSafe Pro Automatic Leveler, which is used to level ladders on uneven surfaces. It can be adjusted up to 8-1/2 inches and comes with mounting hardware, a drill template, and instructions. Transfer the shoes from your existing Werner ladder to your LevelSafe during installation. Level your ladder with precision and convenience. It’s compatible with Werner ladders with 225-lb. Type II duty rating or 375-lb. Type IAA duty rating. The ladder’s duty rating will remain the same upon installation. ANSI tested and OSHA compliant for safety, the PK100 LevelSafe comes with two ladder levelers (one per rail), mounting hardware, template and instructions. www.wernerco.com 

WoodRiver Apron Plane

This WoodRiver Apron Plane just might be the handiest plane you’ll ever own. At 4 inches long and 10 oz., it is lightweight and compact enough to tuck into your apron pocket, and quick and easy to use with one hand. The plane’s 20-degree bed angle is perfect for making light and accurate cuts to trim and smooth wood and plastic. This mini plane’s sturdy investment-cast (also known as “lost wax”) 304 stainless steel body and lever cap will be around your shop for a long time. Thanks to thoughtful details like easy-adjust brass knobs, a D2 carbon steel blade, and inset finger grips for a comfortable grasp, this rugged apron plane will become your go-to finishing tool. www.woodcraft.com 

Vampliers Screw Extraktor

The Extraktor is the most affordable model of Vampliers for the DIY’er, especially designed for screw removal. Intermeshed teeth hold thin metal plates without slippage. Remove stripped, rusted, corroded, stuck, one-side Torx screws, nuts and bolts. The steel is hardened to HRC60±2 (Rockwell standard) to handle tough screws. The serrations in between grips can be used as wire-pullers. The top teeth are intermeshed for a non-slip grip. It features ergonomic elastomer handles for user comfort. www.vampiretools.com

Makita 18V LXT 4‑Speed Impact Driver Kit

Makita’s 18V LXT Brushless 4-Speed Impact Driver (XDT20) combines power, speed and precision. A one-touch, four-speed power selector button is positioned on the rear of the impact driver, which enables one-handed speed changes (0-1,100/ 0-2,100/ 0-3,200/ 0-3,600 rpm and 0-1,100/ 0-2,600/ 0-3,600/ 0-3,800 ipm), which provides precise fastening control for a wide range of applications. The Impact Driver features Assist Mode (A-mode) which helps eliminate "screw cam-out" and "cross threading" by driving at low speed until tightening begins. It also features two Tightening Modes (T-mode) for use on self-drilling screws in thick or thin gauge metal that help prevent damage to the screw or workpiece. The XDT20 includes reverse rotation auto-stop mode, which stops rotation and impact when the fastener is loosened adequately to help prevent over-loosening and dropped fasteners. Powered by 18V lithium-Ion batteries. Makita 18V LXT batteries have the fastest charge times in their categories. www.makitatools.com

AirShim Pro STEEL

Here’s a unique tool for your favorite handyperson. Calculated Industries, the company that revolutionized installation tools with their original AirShim inflatable pry bar, now offers the AirShim Pro STEEL. This innovative device addresses common issues with standard air bags, offering a game-changing solution for construction and remodeling professionals. The AirShim Pro STEEL features a patent-pending PowerLift steel plate on one side that prevents it from folding up around narrow loads and eliminates bouncing during lifts. This unique design allows for stable, controlled lifting of doors, windows, cabinets, and appliances, even with small-footprint loads. Use it with the steel plate side up or down. It’s lab-tested to hold 350 lbs. for an hour without leaking, and it’s gentle on surfaces, reducing the risk of damage. The AirShim Pro STEEL also comes with a larger pump bulb for faster inflation with less effort. Look for it soon at the Home Depot, HomeDepot.com, and on Amazon.com. Visit www.calculated.com

GuardDogg Pickup Truck Headache Rack

The GuardDogg Headache Rack shields a truck cab's rear window from damage and provides a mounting surface for lights and other accessories. This easy-to-install rack clamps onto a truck for a quick, no-drill installation. Made in the USA and available in multiple sizes to accommodate 1/2-ton, 3/4-ton, and 1-ton pickup trucks, this headache rack is constructed of durable steel and powder-coated to prevent corrosion. Mount lights and other accessories without damaging your vehicle. Secure ladders and other cargo in your pickup bed. www.buyersproducts.com

 

Side Note

Tired of Buying Gifts? Make Some Instead!

Laser engraving just got a whole lot easier, quicker, and more portable with the xTool F1 Portable Laser Engraver. Use it anywhere; the xTool F1 has a fully enclosed cover that protects eyes from laser lights and safely contains odors associated with engraving, meeting safety standards. Dual lasers engrave almost all materials—wood, leather, glass, rock, paper, metals and plastics. Cut through up to 8mm of wood and 5mm of acrylic. The user-friendly software works with your smartphone, tablet or laptop. More than 1,000 step-by-step project tutorials, 500+ free images and free design resources are available. As the only woodworking retailer in the U.S. to carry the F1, Woodcraft stores will also be the only place to see on-site demos.

“This is one of the hottest tools on the market,” says Beth Coffey, Woodcraft vice president of sales and marketing. “The F1 lets you do more things with more materials. Woodworkers, crafters and makers of all skill levels, including Etsy sellers, love the F1 Engraver System for engraving on the go. The portable machine allows for fast on-site engraving at craft shows, fairs and markets on a variety of materials. Cutting boards, coasters, tumblers, pens, mugs, jewelry and more can be customized in minutes with incredible detail.”

The xTool F1 and accessories are available at the 73 Woodcraft retail stores across the country and online at woodcraft.com.