One of the things that should be on every man’s list of possessions is a good set of tools. This includes both having the right tool for the right job, as well as a quality tool for the job. Just like not all beauty products are created equal, tools are not all created equal either. I always cringe a little bit when I see someone being gifted cheap tools. I don’t blame the gift giver because they obviously don’t know the difference, but I hope to fix that here.
To start with, there are different types of tool sets for different purposes. You have power tools, hand tools, automotive tools, and yard tools. For this article, I’m going to focus on your basic tools for home projects and light automotive work—things like socket and wrench sets, and power tools like drills and saws.
Power Tools
I will go into more depth on power tools in another post, but every man should have a few basic power tools. The first and foremost of which is a drill. Whether you need to fix a door hinge, have a DIY project, want to hang a TV mount, or put up some art, a drill is the most commonly used household tool there is. Having a good drill equips any man for a wide variety of tasks.
I personally have this drill set and can attest to its quality and durability. You can find it here.
The upgraded drill and batteries might not be necessary for everyone, so you could check this on out as a good alternative.
I personally am a Dewalt power tools guy but I know a lot of men go for Milwaukee. It truly is an excellent brand, I had just started building out my tool collection with Dewalt when I got a good deal and stuck with it. But Milwaukee is superb as well.
Wrenches And The Like
A good socket set will have both standard and metric measurements, regular and deep-well sockets, some extensions, and have ¼”, ⅜”, and ½” drive. That’s a good start. This is a pretty good Craftsman set right here,
but some other brands you could consider are Dewalt, or Gearwrench. I own both the Craftsman set and Gearwrench and they are really good. Very durable and withstand heavy use. I would recommend staying away from something like Toolshop, as they are just not a quality brand in my opinion.
For your traditional wrenches, I personally have Gearwrench and have used them a lot. I really like them, but they are kind of pricey.
They are worth it in my opinion, but this Craftsman set is also a good alternative:
Screwdrivers are an important tool to have as well. Electricians are partial to Klein Tools and swear by them, but they are kind of pricey for typical home use. A set like this would suffice well:
Pliers are another very important tool to have. This is a set that I have and really like. They have proven themselves over many years of household and automotive use
Stocking Stuffers
A few other useful and important household tools that would make good stocking stuffers include a tape measure like this, a stud finder to safely and securely hang things on the walls: link, and a voltage detector, also known as an “idiot stick.” A tape measure needs no explanation, but a stud finder helps you detect where a stud is in the wall so you can anchor things like art, TVs, or mirrors to the framing of the house rather than just off the drywall. A voltage detector is an electrical tool that can quickly tell you if an outlet, switch, or light has power running to it. It helps prevent getting shocked if you need to work on electrical things.
I hope this guide gives you some ideas to go on as you search for the perfect gifts for the man in question, be it husband, boyfriend, son, or friend. As a disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an Amazon affiliate link on this site and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I genuinely believe in and think will truly be good gifts. Many I have personally bought or been gifted and use myself. Thank you for supporting me through your purchases!