Tool Box Buzz

2024 Holiday Tool Gift Guide

This year’s TBB’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide will help you pick out the perfect gift(s) for that hard-to-buy-for tradesperson in your life. Especially if you’re shopping for someone who just wants tools but already seems to have too many. Or that special person talks about tools and hardware even when they know you don’t have a clue what they are talking about. Yeah… we’re here to help!  Whether you need that last small gift or are looking to start off with a big bang, we have you covered. We go through the heartache, pain, and suffering of testing out some of the industry’s uniquest (yep, that’s a real word), most practical, and just plain coolest tools and job site gadgets to create a full-spectrum holiday gift guide.

To help you out, regardless of your budget, we broke down the tools by price categories which are:

• $30 and under:  The Simple gift
• $30-75:  The Perfect gift
• $75-200:  The Surefire gift
• Over $200:  Santa’s REALLY nice list!

And all of the tools in this year’s Holiday Gift Guide are ones that are in our job site kits or our Pros’ workshops. So hang some lights and then get ready to hang out with us for a bit.

$30 and under Gifts | The Simple gift

• Ryobi Titanium 22-Piece Drill Bit Set

You can never go wrong with extra drill bits. And this 22-piece Ryobi drill bit set is an easy choice for a quick gift grab. This titanium-coated drill bit set is an upgrade over a black oxide coated set. The 1/4 in. hex shank is also a must to allow for use in either a drill or impact driver. And the secure case is always nice to keep your bits stored safely and help prevent losing them in a disorganized drawer. They are great for a variety of materials including wood, metal, and plastic so you can’t go wrong.

purchase it here from Home Depot

• Helly Hansen Reversible Beanie

We like staying warm. At the Jobsite. In the workshop. Wherever. And we love the quality Helly Hansen offers with their warm workwear. This reversible beanie is comfortable and easily machine washable. It also comes on 4 different color combo options. It makes an easy and not too expensive gift option that’s worth the price.

purchase it here from Helly Hansen

• Kreg Panel Clamp

Sometimes you see a tool or accessory and immediately know its going to be great. That was our take on this Kreg Panel Clamp and we weren’t wrong; this is a great accessory! The Kreg Panel Clamp allows you to easily and very comfortably + safely lift and carry a 4×8 panel of plywood, drywall, wallboard, etc…  It automatically adjusts for panels up to 3/4 in. thick and holds them securely in place with a solid anti-slide gripping inner surface. The handle is ergonomically comfortable and doesn’t dig into your hand when lifting and carrying panels up to 100 lbs. this panel carrying clamp is awesome!

purchase it here from Kreg

• 5.11 Deploy K-USB Tactical Flashlight

Flashlights are a staple feature of our gift guides. I mean what tool lover doesn’t love a compact, bright, and rechargeable flashlight? The 5.11 Deploy K-USB flashlight definitely fits this mold. It’s a great option to keep on a keychain or in your glove box. At 180 lumens in surprisigly bright and offers good battery life with 2 options – low and high modes. The machined aluminum case looks great and it built to last. And the standard type-C charging port wont make you search for cords to recharge it with.

purchase it here from 5.11

• Gerber Prybar Utility Clip Knife

Another staple item for our gift guides are knifes. These may be the most basic yet useful tool there is. So we again loved the idea of pairing with Gerber to give you some great gift options. The Prybar Utility Clip knife is functional in a variety of settings and offers 8 tools in one. These include a utility blade, cord cut notch, bottle opener, pry bar, large flat head driver, small flat head driver, nail puller, wire stripper. Its made of rugged machined aluminum and comes on 3 stylish color combinations. This is sure to be a loved and often used gift for sure.

purchase it here from Gerber

$30-75 Gifts | The Perfect gift

• Milwaukee 12 Oz. Packout Bottle

This Milwaukee 12 ounce bottle is built for the jobsite for two reasons. First, it actually locks into place with any Milwaukee Packout Components. That means its easy to add to your jobsite kit and get to the jobsite without getting lost or falling. Secondly, its rugged aluminum and double walled construction means it can actually withstand the rigors of the jobsite while keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Its available in Milwaukee red or black. Oh, and its even dishwasher safe so its quick and easy to clean. Not bad!

purchase it here from Home Depot

• Crescent Tongue and Groove Plier Set

Having a well-built, adjustable, and comfortable set of pliers is a must. These Crescent Z2 pliers have some great design features that help them stand out… They are designed easy one-handed adjustability with Cresent’s “auto bite” lever. They also have a slim jaw design allowing them to more easily fit into tight spaces. This set includes 10 in. and 12 in. pliers for a wide range of applications. The grips are comfortable and feel built to last. They are alloy steel forged and have an anti-rust coating to help them stay in better shape longer. So, whether you’re looking for a new set or to gift someone an upgraded set of pliers, these are a great option.

purchase it here from Home Depot

• Kreg Corner Routing Guide Set

Leave it to Kreg to design such a useful and sturdy jig. This corner routing guide allows you to use both a trim router or router table to shape perfect rounded corners on your next woodworking project. It’s got a sturdy handle to prevent slippage and keep your hand safely in place. You can adjust the stainless steel alignment feet to match the material you’re working on and get clean lines on your finish project. This set comes with 8 snap-in profiles (5 radius and 3 chamfer) that securely store in an included holder. And at $40 it’s well worth the purchase.

purchase it here from Kreg

• Holex Multi-Function Electrical pliers

Electrician’s pliers are one of those tools that always come in handy, whether tackling bigger electrical installations jobs or doing basic home repairs. These Holex pliers feature a variety of crimps, threaded cutters, and wire stripper sizes. The plastic-dipped handles and powder coated finish keep them feeling and looking good. And from a trusted brand like Holex you really can’t go wrong giving these as a gift to your tool love or homeowner gift getter.

purchase item here from Hoffman Group

• Hilti USB Charger Adapter

When we’re on a jobsite we can never have enough options to keep devices going. Hilti’s charging adapter furthers this cause by allow you to turn any 22V Nuron battery into a mobile device charging station. It features Type-C (16W) and Type-A (18W) USB charging ports as well as a wireless phone charging (up to 10W) capability. It also sports an integrated flashlight feature. Better yet, you aren’t limited to charging one device at a time… it can simultaneously charge multiple devices at once. So if your worker is using Hilti tools, then this should be a no brainer!

purchase item here from Hilti

• 5.11 Deploy PL-USB Tactical Flashlight

Not everyone wants a tactical flashlight small enough to fit on their keychain. For those who want a slightly larger (and brighter) option than the 5.11 K-USB light, check out the 5.11 PL-USB flashlight. It checks in at a max of 300 lumens or up to 9 hrs 40 mins in low mode. It also features a rugged anodized aluminum body and USB-C charging port for ease of use. Plus the PL-USB light has a removable pocket clip if that’s your preference. You really can’t go wrong with this tactical flashlight.

purchase it here from 5.11

• Pittsburg Manual Tire Changer

Most of us have changed a tire before but if you want to give someone the ability to mount a tire… well that requires a different skill set. Or at least a different tool. The Pittsburgh manual tire changer is a cost-effective way to mount or remove your own tires from a rim. This can save you some serious cash and perform basic tire repairs at home. It’s also a great starting point before committing bigger bucks on a more expensive, automated version. It doesn’t take up a lot of room and works great on all types of tires… from trailer to automobile.

purchase item here from Harbor Freight

• Ryobi Heated Seat Cushion

No one likes to be cold, whether on a jobsite or relaxing off the clock. Ryobi’s heated seat cushion is a game changer in this department. It’s a plush 3 in. thick pad with three heat settings. magical. You can load either 1 or 2 Ryobi USB rechargeable batteries for up to 5 hours of heat. It has an integrated LED indicator as well so you can easily check how much battery life you’ve got left with the touch of a button. Oh, and there’s also a USB port to allow you to charge mobile devices while you’re recharging off having some fun.

purchase item here from Home Depot

$75-200 Gifts | The Surefire gift

• Milwaukee 18V Rover Light

When you need hours of hands-free light outside or in a dark crawl space, the Milwaukee Rover light is a great choice. First, it connects right onto a Milwaukee M18 battery. It’s super compact and checks in with a max of 1000 lumens. It also has 4 modes and boasts up to 110 hrs of light in high-efficient mode. The light is adjustable throughout a 300 degree range. It also has built in USB-A and USB-C ports (one each) so you can turn your M18 battery into a combo light and device charging station. And best of all it has an integrated metal rafter hook so you have even more mounting options in a variety of settings.

purchase item here from Home Depot

• Crescent Craftsman Rawhide Backpack

Tools are great. And so are ways to get them to and from the jobsite. On those occasions you don’t need a rolling or stackable toolbox, then the Crescent Craftsman Rawhide Backpack is a great option. It’s got plenty of room for all your tools. It looks as nice and its feels too which is a plus. the 30+ pockets/sleeves provide a place for everything and the predominantly open-bottomed sleeves mean your bits and small parts won’t get lost at the bottom of a deep pocket. the water-resistant base provides extra moisture protection in wet conditions too. Add in some integrated magnetic storage spots and it got it all. This is a great, portable tool carrying option.

purchase this item at Lowe’s

• Vulcan Auto Darkening Welding Helmet

We take safety seriously… and a poor performing welding helmet is a hazard we avoid at all costs. This Vulcan Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet is a great cure for that curse. It’s features REALVIEW™ Lens Technology with an overall 1/1/1/2 optical clarity rating, offering great visibility of weld puddle while reducing eye strain. It’s got four independent arc sensors delivering super-reliable arc detection for out-of-position welding. Plus its lightweight and looks great with the modern American flag design that exudes patriotism. This is a definite winner!

purchase it here at Harbor Freight

• Helly Hansen Oxford Soft Shell Jacket

Helly Hansen’s Oxford Soft Shell Jacket is the perfect blend of comfort, warmth, and style. It features a soft fleece-pile lining and ribbed hem and cuffs help keep the wind out and heat in. This jacket also has a removable hood with a built-in draw string. It’s also got heavy-duty YKK zippers throughout. The 2-tone color option in green combined with the 2-material finish give it a great look. And being easily machine washable makes it super easy to clean up after getting it dirty while working. This jacket is definitely another winner in Helly Hansen’s Workwear lineup.

purchase it here at Helly Hansen

• Ryobi 18V Stick Vacuum

If your tool lover is good at making messes then maybe they need another option to help clean up said messes? Ryobi’s 18V ONE+ Stick Vacuum is a great and versatile option to help out. It has 8 different cleaning configurations from a standard roller vacuum configuration to a hand vacuum perfect for a work truck. The roller bar easily comes out for cleaning as does the washable filter. Its impressive suction worked great on sawdust and pet hair alike. Plus emptying the cyclone suction cup is as easy as it gets. And since it’s part of Ryobi’s 18V lineup you’ll have no shortage of batteries if you’re already a Ryobi owner.

purchase it here at Home Depot

• Gerber complEAT Cooking Set

We fully support the “work hard play hard” mantra. So we quickly highlighted the Gerber ComplEAT cook wear set as a great holiday gift guide option. This portable cooking set easily packs into your truck or camper when you need a quick weekend getaway away from civilization. It features 16 pieces of stainless-steel cook wear and durable polypropylene eating ware (that might be a real word). Gerber included a Saute pan; detachable handle; basting dome lid; stock pot; slim lid; 4 plates; 4 bowls; mixing bowl; hot pad; and storage bag. The set features volumetric markings and triple ply construction on the stainless-steel item bottoms making them highly versatile and built to last. Lastly, it’s lightweight and easy to clean up as well so there’s nothing not to love!

purchase it here from Amazon

$200+ Gifts | Santa’s REALLY Nice List!

• Hilti 22V Nuron Caulking Gun

We were pumped to include Hilti’s 22V cordless caulking gun in this year’s gift guide. While a battery powered caulking gun may not be the first cordless tool to come to mind, they are fantastic when you need to lay feet of beads with an even finish. It limits waste and has a drip free stop feature to limit messes too. The LED light is well placed and bright to make sure you can clearly see where you’re working. But best of all the even finish comes with the added bonus of reduced fatigue. If your tool lover already owns Hilti 22V Nuron products then this is a great addition to their shop or kit.

purchase it here from Hilti

• Milwaukee 18V Compact Drill & Driver Kit

There is no way we can have a gift guide with including a drill or impact driver. This year, Milwaukee was the top choice with this great deal on their M18 drill and impact driver kit. We’ve been using these in our shops for a while and have only great things to say about both tools. They perform exceptionally well, are built to last, and are ergonomically excellent choices. Plus, a new and drill and impact driver are always a welcomed sight after the old set has been put through its paces. If you are looking for a gift set to start someone of on a cordless brand you can’t do better than this Milwaukee set.

purchase it here at Home Depot

• Kreg Loose Tenon Jig

Sometimes when we see a tool in action the results are a thing of beauty. And other times the tool itself is a work of art. In the case of the Kreg loose Tenon Jig, both hold true. This Kreg jig lets you cut loose mortises on two faces and then use a floating tenon to make tight and perfectly aligned joints. It does this using a standard drill and ensures a smooth finish via an automatic step-down design so only 1/16 in. of material is removed at a time. It comes with an integrated work surface pre-fabricated with clamp cutouts. It’s built to last featuring all-aluminum-machined components in an anodized Kreg-blue finish.

purchase it here from Kreg

• Evolution EVOMAX Metal Chop Saw

The last (and priciest) gift in this year’s guide is Evolution Power tools newest metal cutting chop saw. The EVOMAX 14 in. chop saw (model S14CPS) has two notable upgrades over previous versions; a redesigned motor with an extended life and an independently tested 14″ blade delivering over 3500 cuts in mild steel. It still features the quick clamp and release system, precision shadow line, and automatic safety stop brake. And it provides super clean and accurate, weld-ready cuts time and time again. This is worth every penny as an upgrade if your gift target is still using an abrasive cut off saw. They will thank you every time they use it for sure. We’ve also pictured this mounted on Evolution’s exception chop saw stand if they need a place to securely mount it as well.

Purchase it here at Evolution Powertools

HAPPY HOLIDAYS… | 2024 Holiday Gift Guide!

We know shopping for tool lovers is definitely a labor of love. It makes you ask “What do you get someone who seems to already have everything?” Just trust TBB’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to give you some great suggestions whether you are looking for the perfect small gift or that one unbelievable, big gift. Happy Holidays from the Tool Box Buzz Team!

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