The Best Gifts for DIYers and Woodworkers

Buying tools for a DIY or woodworking enthusiast can be tricky. Since these crafty people in our lives often already have a bunch of tools—not to mention that some battery systems won’t work concurrently, and not all tools are the same quality—it can be a challenge to choose the right gift. Here’s a guide to help you choose some of the best gifts for that special DIY-er in your life.

For new DIYers or aspiring woodworkers, building out a battery-operated tool kit is a must. Having all the basics will set them up for success when tackling new projects, and will give them more range of what builds they can try out. There are a few excellent starter kits to choose from, so here are the best ones:

• The DeWalt nine-tool 20v combo kit comes with a drill, impact driver, right angle drill, circular saw, sawzall, oscillating tool, grinder, flashlight, a job site radio, two batteries, and a charger. It’s a good deal at $599, almost 37% off its usual price.

• The Makita 18 Volt, four tool kit comes with a drill, impact driver, circular saw, flashlight, an 18 volt, 5 amp hour battery, and a charger. The set is on sale right now for $547.61, 44% off its regular price.

• The Ryobi 18-volt six-tool set comes with a drill, impact driver, reciprocating saw, oscillating tool, circular saw, flashlight, 2 batteries, and a charger. This kit is good for someone who is just starting out and building a toolbox from scratch. It costs $369.99.

Nailers and staplers

Nailers and staplers are basic tools for anyone doing any building these days. There are now more options than ever for these tools, as they can work on compressors and sometimes even cordless systems. Here are the best ones to gift to a DIY enthusiast:

• The Craftsman pancake compressor and brad nailer kit comes with an oil-free compressor, hose, and brad nailer. The nailer can accommodate brad nails up to 2 inches long. This is the perfect kit to start out with for projects like trim and wall panels. It costs about $200 for the set.

• The Bostitch narrow crown stapler is a good tool to have for attaching the backs of bookcases and cabinets, and other small-scale projects. It takes 18 gauge staples up to 1 ½ inches long. The stapler costs about $120.

• The Dewalt 18-volt cordless finish nailer works on the power from a DeWalt 18-volt battery, making it more portable than pneumatic alternatives. The finish nailer is good for more delicate trim and molding projects. It’s on sale right now for $312.49, 51% off its usual price, so it’s a good deal for a DIY enthusiast.

Hand tools are a big component in woodworking and can be useful for other DIY applications. Good-quality hand tools are often a good choice for a woodworker or someone who likes to do DIY projects. Here are a few of the best hand tools for a DIYer.

• A pull saw for making flush cuts on pegs and joints is a handy addition to any tools set and will be most useful for a woodworker. You can buy a decent-quality flush-cut saw for between $25 and $80, depending on the size.

• A sharp set of chisels from Narex is a good gift for a beginning woodworker or for anyone trying to cut their own insets for door hardware on a wooden door. The set of four costs about $75.

• A set of Craftsman screwdrivers will likely last a long time and are good for everything from boxed furniture assembly to air conditioner maintenance. This 12-piece set comes with a variety of Philips and flathead drivers as well as a magnetizer/demagnetizer to keep your screws stuck to the tip of your driver if you want to avoid dropping them, and you can buy it for about $20.

Clamps and accessories

Clamps are an often overlooked element of woodworking and DIY projects—until you need one. Nicer clamps are made to avoid marking the surface you’re using them on and for convenience of clamping and unclamping them. Here are a few good clamps:

• A set of four Jorgensen bar clamps includes two six-inch and two 12-inch clamps for woodworking. The clamps have no-mark rubber tips and screw-in jaws to adjust to the material you’re using. The set costs about $40.

• A set of eight Irwin clamps comes with four quick clamps that can also be converted to spreaders, two handi clamps with one hand trigger release, and two spring clamps. The set will work for any DIY project where you need to hold materials together, temporarily hang a light, pull back a curtain, or take the warp out of a frame using the jaws of the quick clamps in reverse as a spreader. The set costs about $40.

• A Fastcap tape measure is a perfect addition to anyone’s tool kit. They’re easy to read, with fractions marked out on one edge, and there’s a spot to write down measurements on the side in pencil, as well as a pencil sharpener. This tape is on sale for $7.99 right now, 50% off its regular price.