Baeumler: Some tools of the trade for Christmas giving
December 2, 2011
Bryan Baeumler
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
I’m a pretty easy guy to buy for at Christmas — usually the only thing on my list is some time at home with my family and a box of Purdy’s Hedgehogs. I have lots of shirts, socks, undies, etc., and I’ve collected pretty much every tool known to man over the past few years. But not everyone has a closet full of fresh unmentionables and a warehouse full of tools.
If buying undies isn’t your thing, I’m here to offer some insight into what tools anyone would be happy to find under the tree . . . because everyone needs tools.
Like any gift, who you’re buying for determines what will be most useful, necessary and appreciated. For me, that means everything in the tool catalogue — but not everyone tackles the same variety of jobs I do.
Anyone that rents, owns or lives in a house, apartment or condo should have the basics for maintenance and minor work around the house. A good pencil, measuring tape, multi-bit screwdriver, knife, hammer and saw can help with a surprising variety of tasks like hanging pictures, putting up shelves or assembling furniture. Personally, I’m a fan of Stanley hand tools ( www.stanleyhandtools.ca).
Their FatMax measuring tapes are indestructible and will extend over 11 feet, which means you can measure most things without a helper to hold the dumb end of the tape for you. The multi-bit screwdrivers have all of the medium-length bits you’ll need for most jobs and they snap right into drills or impact drivers so you don’t have to carry a whole tool belt full of screwdrivers around. The new twin blade knife makes sure you always have a sharp blade, or two different types of blades handy, and it’s retractable. Believe me, you want a retractable blade if you plan on carrying it in your pocket.
Depending on the type of work you do, you may think you need a few different types of hammers — until you pick up a Mig 15. It’s light, which means you can do trim or other detail work, but it swings like a beast so it’s great for demolition or framing. A good handsaw is handy to have when there’s no power or you don’t do enough cutting to justify buying a circular saw. Throw in a mitre box and you can handle most light trim jobs.
If your gift recipient is a little more serious, add some power to the mix. A good cordless will drill holes, drive screws, hammer into concrete and even mix mortar and paint with ease.
A clutch system on the chuck will save you from twisted wrists and bruises, and also help avoid over-torqueing fasteners. If you’re buying for a beginner, something like the 12V Max from Black & Decker ( http://www.blackanddecker.com/www.blackanddecker.comEND) is a good start — they’re affordable and the lithium batteries are strong enough and last long enough for most small jobs.
If your gift is headed for the big leagues, check out the new 20V Max cordless gear from DeWalt ( www.dewalt.com). Compared to other cordless tools I’ve used over the years . . . well, there’s no comparison. But don’t overspend on someone who’s going to leave these animals sitting in the garage too long as they were made to work.
If you’re feeling a little more generous, kits with various combinations of drills, impact drivers, reciprocating saws, circular saws and more are a great option, and will definitely be appreciated. Throw in a set of drill bits and saw blades and you’re a hero.
If you’re buying for a novice woodworker, consider a table saw, mitre saw, router kit or a sander. Depending on the job, DeWalt has a variety of saws available from 7.25-inch single bevel (basic trim work) up to a 12-inch dual bevel sliding compound mitre saw (large trim, cabinetry or crown moulding).
When it comes to table saws, the 10-inch on a rolling stand is one of my favourites; it’s easy to transport, tough, accurate and handles large sheet material like larger stationary saws. If you’re not planning on buying a table saw, have a look at the Track Saw; it lets you cut sheet material very accurately and is easy to transport . . . great for building cabinets.
Routers or laminate trimmers are great for adding details like bevels or round overs to flat stock, and bit sets come in many shapes and sizes. One-quarter sheet or random orbital sanders are great for smoothing out rough wood, and they come with dust bags or vacuum attachments to keep the air clear.
Of all the power tools I have, if I had to pick only one it would probably be the Porter Cable oscillating multi-tool ( www.portercable.com). I would need to write an entire book to fully describe all the uses of this little gadget. It will cut any shape hole into drywall without breaking a sweat (or creating a ton of dust), undercut door jambs for seamless flooring installation, cut plumbing supply or drain lines inside the wall, quickly sand wood in tight areas, effortlessly scrape sheet material and glue from floors, and even grind down thin-set mortar or cement with a carbide blade to replace tiles or flatten trouble spots.
Compared to other oscillating tools I’ve tried, it’s light, quiet, and it doesn’t require another tool to change the accessories or blades. Chances are if you’ve ever been caught wishing ‘If only I had a . . . ,’ this is the tool that could have helped one way or another. I’d be surprised if Santa himself doesn’t have one. It’s available at Lowes ( www.lowes.ca) for $169.
So if you find yourself wondering what to get the person that has everything, hopefully I’ve given you some tool ideas that will be well received. Who knows, you may even get some help around the house next year.
Bryan Baeumler is the host of Disaster DIY (weekends at 1 p.m.) and House of Bryan on HGTV. His column appears every two week in New in Homes & Condos. You can contact him via his website www.baeumler.ca or follow him on Facebook or on Twitter @Bryan_Baeumler.