DIY Dad Gift Ideas

Here is a quick list of Father’s Day gift ideas for DIY Dad’s. Tools are great gifts because as a DIY Dad I want to use them. Which usually means I’m building something Heather wants, but I’m happy to do it because I get to use my tools. This is a list of tools I own and love and are available from Amazon for last minute ordering.

Cordless Impact Driver
	I got one of these and instantly fell in love with it. After years of using a standard Dewalt drill/driver I heard about how well these impact driver work on driving screws. After seeing them being used by contractors on TV all the time I decided to try it out. Wow! Not only are they more powerful, but they do a better job of driving a screw without stripping it. They also don’t have the annoying chuck for changing bits and instead have an easy quick release making changes a breeze.
Dewalt DC330K 18V Cordless Jigsaw Kit
	I bought myself a Dewalt 8 piece cordless set with some of our tax return money and really love the cordless jigsaw. I got a lot of use out of it while building the chicken coop. Being cordless makes it so much easier and fun to use and I find it just as powerful as a corded jigsaw.
DEWALT Heavy-Duty Ballictic Nylon 18 1/2-Inch Tool Bag
	My Dewalt kit came with 2 of these contractor bags. I wasn’t sure if I would a soft sided bag versus the usual hard plastic case, but I’ve been using them all the time. I love being able to throw all the tools and parts I’m going to need for a project into one of the bags and taking it to the back yard. Cleaning up is easier too. No more juggling 10 things in my arms while trying to open a door.
Cat’s Paw Nail Puller
	I had previously written about the cat’s paw, my favorite DIY remodeling tool, and it’s only fitting that I put it at the top of my list. This is a tool most people aren’t familiar with, but is a MUST for every home remodeler’s tool box. From pulling small nails, prying off molding, to lifting stubborn tile this tool does it all and will withstand whatever punishment you put it through.
Quick-Grip Clamp/Spreader
	A home handyman can never have enough clamps. My favorite are these Quick-Grip bar clamps from Irwin. They allow me to easily clamp and release items with one hand which is essential when working on projects by yourself. I use them for everything from large outdoor deck projects, small repair jobs, to simply securing a piece of wood I’m cutting. The link is for the 12″ size, but there are numerous sizes available and all are needed to handle different sized projects.
Ratcheting Wrench Set
	I recently received a Lowes gift card and went looking for a new tool. After much browsing I decided on a ratcheting wrench set. I’d never tried them before, but was getting tired of always changing sockets on my normal ratchet set. I brought them home and immediately put them to work repairing our old tractor. Loved them!
Japanese Fine Cut Saw
	My father was the first one to introduce me to these wonderful saws. Japanese fine cut saws are wonderful for performing flush cuts or any job were detail is important. The cuts are clean and the saw blades are flexible, cut faster, and are much easier to control.
Random Orbit Sander
	A DIY gift list isn’t complete without a power tool! An orbital palm sanders is a great gift for a beginner woodworker. The sandpaper simply velcros on making changes quick and easy. Most of the dust is collected in the attached bag. Simple to use and control and produces great results.
Non-contact Voltage Tester
	This is another item I’ve written up before. A voltage tester is a necessity for anyone planning home renovation. Even if you don’t plan on working on the electric it is always nice to know where the electric lines are located before you start taking down walls.
Mechanix Gloves
	Several years ago I got tired of my hands getting dried out and cracking from working with drywall. Normal work gloves were too bulky so I went looking for something more form fitting. I found these Series 3 Mechanix gloves at Lowes for $25 and never regretted the purchase. They’ve held up well considering all the work I’ve done wearing them and provided me the protection I needed while still allowing me to perform the finer jobs that bulky gloves prevent you from doing. These would be a great treat for a DIYer who may not buy it for themself.