Handy Holidays Traditional Tools With A Twist Should Be Christmas Favorites This Year

Looking for something more than a classic hammer, wrench or screwdriver to put under the Christmas tree? Hand tools can be a tough gift purchase without knowing exactly what the recipient wants.

Some sneaky people have figured a way around the tell-me-what-you-want-dear approach. In past years, a few women have asked Mike Love, a tool expert at Lowe’s in the Spokane Valley, to join in a conspiracy. They would describe the target men, down to what they were wearing that day, and ask Love to jot down what those guys drooled over while wandering the tool aisles.

If you’re looking for a simpler way to get a worthy present, here are some gift ideas from Love and Leigh Davies at the Valley Mall Sears. (Craftsman tools are available at Sears, others at Lowe’s, though some models can be found in many stores).

* Staple/nail guns: The electric Stanley Sharpshooter ($20) works great for arts and crafts as well as shop projects. It shoots out staples ranging in size from one-quarter inch up to nine-sixteenths, and brads either a half- inch or five-eighths. Unlike the old manual staplers, you won’t need the hand strength of a Schwarzenegger to operate this one.

Craftsman has an easy-grip manual stapler and nailer called a Forward Drive Staple Gun which comes in large and small models ($20 and $10). It requires minimum hand strength.

* High-tech measuring device: The Laser Targeting Range Finder by Sonin beats the old-fashioned tape measure for the big jobs, especially if you don’t enjoy stumbling and fumbling with those 50-foot tapes. “All you do is point and shoot,” Love says, and the exact distance shows up on the unit ($39).

* Electronic stud finders: The Zircon Studsensor (sounds like something out of a bad sci-fi flick, doesn’t it?) will eliminate those extra holes in walls from missing the stud. “I’ve never missed,” says Love. Prices range from $15 up to $40. High-end models also detect wiring.

Multipurpose tools: Tool 3 offers a version for the electrician. With 16 tools in one handy package, the gadget has everything from wire strippers to pliers ($25, Lowe’s).

The Gerber, Swiss Army, Craftsman and original Leatherman multipurpose tools, which some men seem to have permanently bonded to their belts, range in price from $20 to $80.

Pick-up tools: The Craftsman Telescoping Pick-up Tool ($6.99) comes in handy for those jobs in tight spots where it’s common to drop a small tool or screw or nut. After the screams die down, this magnetic tool, which expands to more than two feet and has a ball joint so it can swivel at any angle, can snag those metal parts. There’s a model with a light, too ($15).

Electrical screwdrivers: Fully insulated, these babies will help protect the Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor in your life when he’s performing electrical work. The sixpiece set from Task Force ($8.50) comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Adjustable sockets: The Pocket Socket adjusts like a crescent wrench but won’t slip off a nut or bolt like a wrench. Look, ma, no bloody knuckles! The Craftsman version comes in three sizes ($20, $30, $50).

Project calculators: Landscapers, woodworkers and hobbyists can figure out all the materials they’ll need on a project with this gizmo. The Pocket Handyman, from Calculated Industries, goes for $30. Other models cost up to $70.

Magnetic Socket Inserts: Each piece in this nine-piece set ($10) of both metric and standard sizes fits into a socket and holds the nut, bolt or screw in place during driving. No more worry about dropping - or losing - those pieces.

Miter box: The Precision Miter Box by Jorgensen ($34) is all metal and keeps the saw on track, unlike some plastic models. “It’s very hard to mess up,” says Love, who owns one. Craftsman has a precision box, too ($32).

Basic took kits: Task Force has an 18-piece tool box that’s great for the college student, Love says. It has a hammer, adjustable wrench, Allen wrenches, a level, tape measure and more - all in a metal box - for $20. The Stanley 10-piece version costs the same. “They’re good starter units,” Love says.

Clamps: Craftsman’s four-piece Mini/Micro Ratchet Clamp Set ($15) works well for hobby, craft and wood work since it allows for slight variations in pressure. The jaws pivot for irregular shapes. Hand pressure locks the clamp, and a trigger releases it.

Multi-saw: Love recommends the Jab Saw ($9.50) because it holds just about any reciprocating-saw blade. If there’s no electricity to run power tools and batteries are dead, this handy cushion-gripped hand tool, made by Task Force, will finish a job. It’s good for close-in sawing on pipe, wood, metal and plastic.

Stocking stuffers: Work gloves, sandpaper (always wears out and new sheets are needed), safety goggles, safety knife (the Duo Matic comes with 15 blades for $4 at Lowe’s).

For woodworkers, there’s the Stanley set of three chisels ($9). The Wood Chuck set of three chisel/files ($15) offers the woodworker versatility; each chisel handle is made of a different file.

Anyone who works with wood and metal files needs a cleaner; the 8-inch Nicholson file cleaner ($6.50) gets those wood and metal filings out from the teeth.

Knife sharpeners come in handy, especially over the holidays for that turkey-carving tool. Prices start at $5.