It’s that time of year when you’re searching for affordable gifts for DIYers in your life or the handyman who already seems to have it all. Or maybe you just want to find something that’ll make the life of the woodworker or home repair expert in your family just a bit easier.
With that in mind, I’m going to present some of the best tools, knick-knacks, gadgets, and other gifts that you can give to the DIYer in your life. Some of these items are on the pricey side, but the rest are affordable gifts for DIYers.
Most importantly, all of them would make great Christmas gifts!
#1. McGuire-Nicholas EDC Tool Pouch
This McGuire-Nicholas tool pouch contains everything I need to have on me in the shop. It’s convenient because it clips directly onto my belt.
I’ve had this pouch in use since about 2015. By storing various screwdrivers with different handles, I can reach down and choose the screwdriver I want without having to look down. I also carry an ice pick, small square, pair of scissors, utility knife, and tape measure.
I used to store all of my tools on various parts of my person. However, I’ve never looked back since I purchased this tool pouch. This is a very inexpensive entry-point gift that can be used for every type of project.
#2-#3. Wixey and iGaging Measuring Devices
If you use a table saw, the saw will have miter gauge numbers on it. However, you can also use a digital angle gauge, such as this Wixey brand digital angle gauge, to set up your blade and get perfectly accurate measurements.
This iGaging height gauge tool is a newer tool in my arsenal. I use it to set the depth for blade cuts, such as for dado blades or even router bits. You can use it to set up cuts accurately up to a thousandth of an inch.
#4. ISOtunes Listening Devices
These ISOtunes headphones are indispensable for safety, tunes, and audiobooks.
I primarily wear the ISOtunes Xtras (the wired headphones) whenever I’m working for hours on end. This is because they have a much longer battery life than the ISOtunes Frees.
I also use the ISOtunes Xtras as a backup for times when my Frees run out of juice. Finally, I also use the Xtras (paired with 3M earmuffs) when I’m mowing the lawn.
However, more times than not, I use the ISOtunes Frees. I keep them charged in the RIDGID charger pretty much all the time, then I pop them into my ears when I’m in my shop. Even when I’m not listening to any books or music, I use the wireless earbuds as earplugs to protect my hearing.
Plus, since the buds connect to my phone via Bluetooth, I can receive calls even while running a tool. Keep your eyes open for Cyber Monday and Christmas season deals for headphones like these!
#5-#6. ROCKLER and KREG Clamps and Jigs
Here I have a combination of items from ROCKLER and KREG brands. All of these tools make for great affordable gifts for DIYers, especially if they are into cabinetry or other forms of woodworking.
This is me holding up ROCKLER brand drawer front clamps. These speciality items are handy to have at your disposal if you do any kind of work on drawer fronts.
These items clamp directly onto the drawer box, which you can then use to hold the drawer front in place as you fasten it into your desired location.
Meanwhile, the sort of KREG cabinet jig pictured below can be used to drill handle holes on a drawer or cabinet front. This jig contains measurement markers on both the front and back, which gives you a wide range of adjustability.
While we’re on the subject of jigs for cabinetry and drawers, here is a KREG jig that is used for drilling Euro-style hinges. It is highly adjustable for different styles of soft-close and concealed hinges.
Finally, this KREG cabinet door mounting jig is a newer addition to my collection. You use it by clamping it onto your face frame, allowing you to set a cabinet door on top of the spacer on the end.
Like the other KREG tools I’ve highlighted so far, it is adjustable and gives you a lot of options for cabinetry work. This tool allows you to get super-quick, repeatable cabinet results every time, all without forcing you to make a custom jig for every type of cabinet that you’re constructing.
#7. Crescent Nail-Pulling Pliers
Another inexpensive yet handy tool for any amount of remodeling is this Crescent brand nail-puller pliers tool. It has a lever device that gives you additional leverage for pulling after you’ve grabbed a nail with the pliers.
This saves you from having to use a hammer or spacers, and it reduces the chances of damaging trim. I and my son have pulled thousands of nails using the pliers pictured here.
#8. BESSEY General-Use Clamps
From the casual DIYer to the hardcore woodworker, you can never have too many clamps.
For example, this large clamp from BESSEY is super-nice when you have something against a table because the clamping pressure comes from turning the red part of the handle. This allows for smooth operation.
Even if you don’t want to gift that specific clamp, BESSEY offers all kinds of clamps, as do ROCKLER and Jorgenson. Even a seasoned woodworker who already owns several clamps would appreciate receiving a gift like this.
#9. FastCap Glue Bot
On the cheaper end while still being useful for almost any project is the FastCap Glue Bot. Available on their website as well as Amazon, this item comes in both large and small sizes.
The large one pictured above is the second Glue Bot that I have owned. The first one that I owned lasted for about 5-6 years before it gummed up too much and the threading started to wear out. With that being said, this is a great gift thanks to its inexpensive cost and its ability to have your glue ready to go at a moment’s notice.
#10. Huepar Laser Level
This one is admittedly more of a specialty item, but it is incredibly useful around the shop. This Huepar laser level is a relatively inexpensive model with a receiver, which allows you to mark out grades and levels across a wider range.
I’ve used this model for building our shed, putting up cabinets, and installing tiles. Even if you don’t use a tool like this often, it is still a great item to have on hand.
#11. RIDGID 18-Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer
This is an older, 18-gauge RIDGID model nailer. Although it’s a bit heavier, it’s awesome to use this tool instead of dealing with an air hose and the loud noise of an air compressor.
This particular model can shoot nails up to 2 1/8th in size. Brands like RIDGID, Milwaukee, Ryobi, and DeWalt all offer larger models that can shoot larger framing nails for barns and similar structures.
With so many options to choose from, I’d recommend finding out what battery system your giftee uses, then looking for a model that fits within their setup. That way, they won’t need multiple sets of chargers for their various tools.
#12. ROCKLER Material Mate Cart
This offering from ROCKLER is another expensive specialty item. I’ve put hundreds of pounds on this Material Mate cart at the shop, and I already have it set up at the level of the tools that I use for woodworking.
You can use the cart’s rotating handles to rotate pieces of wood so that they can be transported through an opening, such as a door. This device enabled me to move a heavy hickory table that I was working on recently.
Again, this is a sort of niche specialty item, but if you do any amount of work with plywood, it’s super-awesome to have. In my case, it lets me move a stack of plywood from my lumber rack to my table saw without hurting my back.
#13. KREG Panel Carrier
Finally, my last recommendation on the subject of affordable gifts for DIYers is KREG’s version of a Gorilla Grip, called the Panel Carrier. It’s heavy-duty and allows me to lift up a piece of plywood without gripping from the bottom or relying on a hands-only grip.
You can slide the tool over the end of the plywood and pick it up and onto the cart, as previously discussed.
Final Thoughts on Affordable Gifts for DIYers
So there you have it! A quick and easy gift to some of the best tools and gadgets you can give to the DIYer in your life. Most are pretty inexpensive and easy to buy online, making your Christmas shopping this year easier.
