Hey, you know someone who loves working on stuff! An DIY expert! A real handyman, or handywoman. They tinker and figure things out! In fact, they can fix anything! The right tool for the job is probably in their shop. But that doesn’t mean the DIY project can’t be a little easier. Here are a few holiday gift ideas for your favorite fixer!
This article contains links to purchase items from Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thread Checker
While this item just hangs on the wall, it provides an amazing service. It will tell you the thread size of that extra nut or bolt you need. Simply take one of the bolts you unsure of and find the appropriate insert to test it in. Once the bolt is threads into the insert several full turns, you know what size you need for the rest of the project. Use a tape measure or the gauge on the checker to determine the length.
Works the same way for nuts. Find the appropriate stud and screw the nut into place.
This works for both standard and metric nuts, bolts, and machine screws. It’s not your typical gift, but I know many handy people that say this is incredibly useful.
Screw Extractor
When working on machinery, sometimes bolts and screws just break. When those breaks happen, headaches happen. I was installing a new transmission fluid pan using the old bolts. While torquing that old bolt down, the bolt got that spongy feeling and then, disaster. It broke. Truck doesn’t go without transmission fluid. Transmission fluid doesn’t stay in a leaky pan. That bolt must come out.
Fortunately, I had a screw extractor set. To do the extraction, you need to make a pilot hole in the bolt. Select an extractor based on the size of the bolt that is broken and stuck. That extractor will determine the size of the drill bit used to make the pilot hole. Begin to drill the center of the bolt. Pause every once in a while to spray some cutting oil on the bolt to assist in creating the pilot hole.
Once a small hole has been established, place the screw extractor in your drill. Set the drill to reverse. The screw extractor Cuts into the bolt by spinning in the opposite direction. Eventually, it digs in tight enough to the bolt to begin spinning it out of the hole. This worked like a charm on the broken bolt in my transmission fluid pan.
Swiss Army Knife/Multitool
This is a gift that can’t go wrong. Your handyman doesn’t always need to break out a full tool kit. Sometimes, all that’s needed can be held in a pocket or a small sheath on a belt. I carry a Swiss Army Knife every day. And use it at least once each day. In fact, the one I carry now was a gift. I love the versatility. Two blades, flat and Philips screwdrivers, bottle opener, can opener, scissors, magnifying glass, toothpick, tweezers, and one or two others.
However, I work a lot with tools. If I am on a job, chances are I will have a multitool like a Leatherman. Many of the same tools as a Swiss Army Knife, but also pliers and wire cutters built in. The blades often lock in place and when closed, the tool rides in a sheath you wear on your belt.
Please make sure you are aware of local laws and regulations regarding the carrying of bladed tools and pocketknives. They vary from region to region.
Clamps
If your handyman is into woodworking and carpentry, clamps are a can’t fail. It seems inevitable that when clamping up wood, you always need one more clamp than you have. They come in a variety of styles and sizes. You are sure to find something in your price range.
Socket Rails/Organizers
If the tool kit is a disorganized mess of sockets, socket rails and/or drawer organizers are what’s needed. Having all of the sockets sorted by size, number of points. and grouped by the size of the ratchet they fit saves a lot of time. If working on a car that uses all metric sizing, just grab the rail that has all the metric sockets. Those rails just saved a ton of time and frustration. More time is spent actually on the job than on the search for the right tool.
Conclusion
I have at least one tool from each section and use them regularly. And if I didn’t have them, they are a gift I would love to receive. I’m sure your handyman would too.
