17 Gifts for DIY Lovers

Geeky Keychain Multi-Tool

This stainless steel pocket tool is made to look like a key and fits on any keychain. It functions as a bottle opener, screwdriver, ruler, wrench, bit driver, file and bike spoke key. Plus, it’s TSA-friendly. Consider that reason enough to stock up on a few of these mini multi-tools—they make such great gifts for DIY lovers. Consider pairing it with one of these gifts for woodworkers to complete the surprise.

Every shop needs a vacuum, but there’s no reason your favorite shop rat should have to put up with a mediocre, run-of-the-mill machine.

This wet/dry vac from Hart comes with a five-horsepower motor, sturdy casters, accessory storage, a six-foot hose and a six-gallon container—all housed in an attractive stainless steel body. We love the dust-sealed design that effectively eliminates the frustration of cleaning sawdust out of the power switch.

There’s joy to be found in working with simple tools, and even more so if they’re high-quality. This set of wood chisels from Wen leaves you with a sense of satisfaction and a job well done.

The six-inch blades include a roughing gouge, two spindle gouges, an oval skew, a round-nose scraper and a parting tool.

Heavy Duty Garage Hooks

This gift for DIYers under $50 will help your DIYer make the most of their vertical storage space with a 12-pack of sturdy garage hooks. These heavy-duty hooks are great for organizing tools, ladders and other bulky items in any garage or shop space.

Plus, each hook is easy to install and suitable for plaster, wood, brick and concrete walls—so they’ll fit into any DIYer’s workspace.

If your shop rat doesn’t need a sawhorse with a clamp, try getting them the latest generation of sawhorses. The ToughBuilt C700 Sawhorse has an array of clever features that make any project easier.

Its support arms adjust to hold 2x4s or 4x4s, while the telescoping legs stand tall on any terrain. It also has material support pegs that fold out of the legs to allow for easier, safer cuts when working with plywood or other 4×8 material.

Powder-coated steel and zinc-plated surfaces mean it can withstand harsh conditions without flinching. The 1,300 lb. holding capacity is more than enough to support even the heaviest of projects.

Every shop eventually collects too many tools. The solution? Bring in some shop organization and mobility with the Gladiator nine-drawer Mobile Work Bench.

With a 3/4-in. solid wood top and welded steel construction, this heavy-duty option holds 1,500 lb. of tools and projects-in-progress. The five-inch easy-lock casters make moving it around a snap, and the integrated power strip (including a USB charger!) keeps the power flowing.

We all know hearing protection is important, but any DIYer who loves to listen to music or podcasts can attest it’s a hassle to swap back and forth between protection and earbuds.

Now there’s no reason to compromise. The ISOtunes Link earmuffs provide OSHA-compliant hearing protection while maintaining a Bluetooth connection to any compatible audio source.

The 14-hour lithium battery (swappable with three AAA batteries) lets the music play while the vented headband and memory foam ear cushions keep things comfortable. Best of all, hearing protection means your DIYer can enjoy that music long into the future.

If you know someone who spends their winter months in multiple layers of clothing trying to stay warm in their unheated shop, get them this Dyna-Glo wall- or floor-mount space heater.

And DIYer with a collection of corded power tools, lights, radios and more is always hunting for more outlets. Help bring them the power they need with the Stanley FatMax Power Claw. It’s a standard power strip built into the body of a clamp, letting your shop rat set up an impromptu power station wherever it’s needed.

With three grounded outlets and a 15-amp breaker, it works great on a ladder, exposed stud, car hood or workbench.

One thing every shop needs is more room to work! Give the gift of space with the Sparrow Peak folding bench. Easily installed on almost any wall, it’s an instant 48-in. x 20-in. work surface that folds flat when not in use. The controls are simple, and a fingertip release located on its powder-coated steel brackets makes closing it a snap.

The attractive butcher block wood surface is more than an inch thick. The brackets support 500 lb. so it can stand up to heavy projects. Mounting easily at any height, it’s perfect as a primary work area or an expansion surface.

Modern shop rats love learning new tricks online, browsing sites such as YouTube and FamilyHandyman.com. But it can be hard to watch reference videos while working in the shop.

The Lenovo M7 is a no-frills tablet that permits video browsing at a shop-friendly sticker price. Its seven-inch screen provides more clarity than a phone. And the price means if the tablet is damaged by dust or grease, it’s replaceable.

Whether your DIYer works with wood, leather or metal, they spend countless hours putting their imprint on every project. Now you can help them stamp a mark onto their finished work with a custom branding iron from Branding Irons Unlimited.

Upload your own artwork or use a pre-made design. You’ll give a gift that might appear on countless items, from wood furniture or a leather journal to a perfectly-seared steak.

A quality pull saw is a thing of beauty. It allows precise control with less effort, while the thin blade helps produce amazingly flush cuts. These blades originated in traditional Japanese woodworking and have become increasingly popular in the U.S. over the last decade.

While there are plenty of perfectly acceptable mainstream pull saws on the market, treat your shop rat to a classically-designed pull saw made in Japan to bring some authentic elegance to their workshop.

Many DIYers have under-lit or over-lit workshops. Solve both issues affordably with task lighting, like this two-pack of rechargeable folding lights.

Under-lit workshops leave DIYers squinting at measuring tapes and swearing under their breath. Over-lit shops can be just as bad, with bright lights bouncing off every surface and making important details indistinct. A simple task light positioned so the light illuminates without reflecting into the user’s eyes easily solves multiple problems.

No matter what type of projects a DIYer likes to tackle, there are a few consumable goods they’ll go through regularly. It might be masks, gloves or shop vacuum filters. Whatever it is, they can never have enough on hand.

If you’re not sure what products they use often, peek in their trash. Or for a safe bet, stock up on shop towels and hand cleaner.

If you want to show your DIYer how much you appreciate them, consider picking up a personalized shop apron. With options for everything from custom logos to strategic beverage holders, a high-quality leather or waxed canvas apron provides protection with a ton of personality.

And as great as it looks, it will also protect them (and their clothes!) from a messy shop environment.

Note: Alcoholic beverages should never be consumed while operating sharp hand tools or power tools.

The Family Handyman Handy Hints book is a collection of editor-approved tips devoted to DIY tools and techniques, everyday hacks for around-the-house projects and organization ideas.

Whether the DIYer in your life finds inspiration for their next project or advice when a home improvement task bubbles up, they’ll be happy to have this guide on hand. No contractor calls necessary.