Buying Dad / Mom a Tool Gift

So you need a gift for Dad (or Mom, if she's the Do It Yourselfer) and you haven't found just the right present. I've got some tool and book suggestions for you.

Tools: Buy well-known brands with warranties. For example, should a hand tool break under normal use, you want to be able to walk into the store with a defective tool and walk out with a new one. If a new power tool fails to perform, you want to know you can get it repaired or replaced.

Safety!: Break-resistant safety goggles or eyeglasses with side protection; disposable or replaceable-filter dust mask(s); and soft earplugs, also known as acoustic-abatement devices. (Look for the NRR -- Noise Reduction Rating -- on packages. I buy the highest rating I can get.) Well-fitting work gloves can improve grip and save hands from scratches, scrapes, splinters, etc., but gloves, that don't fit well can be a hazard, as they don't allow good grip, finger movement and could get caught in a power tool. Last, but not least, don't forget a small first-aid kit.

Toolbox: Select a box that's long enough to hold saws and a level, as well as large enough to hold twice the number of tools, that dad will likely store in a toolbox. This allows for future additions. Personally, I prefer a strong, impact-resistant plastic case, because they are lighter than metal and resist denting and paint chipping. If you do buy a metal toolbox, give it a couple of coats of car wax before filling it. Also, place a piece of heavy-duty rubber mat in the bottom, which helps to absorb noise.

Screwdrivers: Buy ones with comfortable, slip-resistant handles and tips. Consider buying an assortment of standard (slotted) and Phillips tips. For starters, buy one No. 2 Phillips head and one each of standard-tip screwdrivers with a 1/8-inch wide tip and that match No. 6, 8 and 10 slotted screws. In addition, "Stubby" (short-handled) screwdrivers are also worth considering, because they are handy for working in tight places.

Pliers: Consider buying three pair: Slip-joint, long nose and diagonal-cutting pliers. Locking grip pliers would also be a useful addition to a tool collection, but watch out for cheap ones (no, I don't mean inexpensive or a good value).

Wrenches: One 8-inch and one 10-inch adjustable wrench should serve most needs.

Saws: An eight- or 10-point (eight or 10 teeth to the inch) crosscut saw, 24 to 26 inches long. If toolbox length or space is a problem, buy a crosscut saw with a shorter blade. A hacksaw will also come in handy. Carefully coat the sharp teeth of a saw with car wax. It not only offers some corrosion protection to the blade, but you'll find that sawing will be a bit easier for dad.

Combination Square: Essential for measuring and drawing lines. One with a bubble level in the handle is handy.

Measuring Tape: 16 to 25 feet long. Shorter than 16-feet won't be long enough to measure some room sizes. Yellow blades with large numerals are the easiest to read. Locking and easily retractable blade and a belt clip on the case are a necessity. Coating the blade with car wax (and wiping away the residue) adds a bit more protection against corrosion, plus blades seem to wipe clean and retract easier.

Carpenter's Level: 24-inch. Choose from a bubble type or electronic, depending on how much you want to spend. If you choose a bubble level, check its accuracy before you buy it by placing it on a level or near-level horizontal surface. Note where the bubble is. Rotate the level 180 degrees so that you are looking through the opposite window. The bubble should be in the same location. Turn the level over and repeat the process. Do the same test on a vertical surface. If the bubble is always in the same spot as you rotate the level, it's accurate. If not, test another.

Parts Picker: When you depress a button at one end of a flexible rod, small fingers extend from the other end to aid in retrieving parts from hard-to-reach locations. A parts picker makes a great gift, because it's handy to have, when the need arises.

Utility Knife: My favorite is one with a comfortable, non-slip grip, a retractable blade and easy-access blade storage.

Claw Hammer: Hammers fit an individual like a shoe, so a hammer may not be the best gift. A hammer should be selected by the user; one with a slip-resistant handle that feels comfortable to swing. 16-ounce is the most common. An industrial-quality hammer may be safer and longer-lasting than a lesser-quality one.

Power Tools: A knowledgeable hardware person can be quite helpful in making a selection. In addition, some tools have been rated by consumer magazines.

Miscellaneous: Flashlight, carpenter's pencil, small wire-bound notepad, shop rag, inexpensive paintbrush for dusting, disposable rubber or latex gloves, duct tape, electrical tape, carpenter's wood glue, an assortment of sandpaper, an emery (fingernail) board (works well for small sanding jobs) and a permanent felt pen. For temporary repairs (or, in some instances, permanent), buy a small coil or roll of flexible 18-gauge wire. I find toothbrush-size nylon-, brass- and stainless steel bristle- brushes handy, as well as a few cotton or fiber-tipped applicators (Q-Tips). Don't forget a small container of an all-purpose lubricant (a spray can with a durable cap will be least likely to leak, or place a small dispenser can of oil inside a plastic medicine or similar break-resistant bottle).

I've mentioned several specific uses of car wax, but you can also use it to increase just about any metal tool's resistance to corrosion. Don't, however, coat surfaces that should remain slip-resistant, such as handles, hammer faces or the jaws of pliers or wrenches.

Before wrapping your gift, ask a pharmacist for several packets of silica gel, which is packed in many drug containers to absorb moisture. It'll do the same in the toolbox. Packets made of cloth (that hold the silica crystals) or a heat resistant material (usually not plastic) are best, because they can be baked to remove any accumulated moisture (30 minutes at 300 degrees), which means the silica gel can be used over and over and should last for years.

Oh. I almost forgot. For the big projects, some ointment for sore muscles.

Books: A good basic home repair and improvement library consists of books written on basic home construction (you need to know how a house is built before you can fix it or take it apart), a generalized home repair book, and books specifically on electrical and plumbing repairs and painting.

Dad's special interests may lead you to specialized tools or books on a particular subject. Rely on a good hardware person for excellent advice. Now go shopping.