Is there a tool like the Dremel that I can buy as a great gift?
December 8, 2012 11:15 AM Subscribe
What 'cool tools' have come out since the Dremel? I'm looking for a tool as fun to use and versatile as a Dremel, for home use, and with a budget. Any suggestions?
This is intended to be a gift. The recipient is an older woman, so anything that requires a great deal of physical strength would probably not be terribly useful. She has all your basic tools like a solid hammer and drill and saws; she's not terribly into woodworking.
I have looked at Cool Tools and other sites and articles. I don't know much about tools myself--they see pretty infrequent use at my apartment--so would appreciate human guidance on this one.
I am aware of these three previous AskMeta questions that didn't quite answer my question: http://ask.metafilter.com/217186/Unique-Tool-Filter, http://ask.metafilter.com/207933/Tool-me-up-please, and http://ask.metafilter.com/63681/tools.
Right now I have either a Crescent Multi-Tool or a FUBAR-style Demo Hammer in mind but I'm not sure of the sturdiness of the multi-tool nor the usefulness of the Demo Hammer.
I would like to buy a tool--not a toolbox or bits or whatever--and would appreciate it being in the same vein as a Dremel (useful, easy and fun to use, not too expensive). General home use preferred, kitchen also ok.
My budget is $75 and under. If you've got a great suggestion outside that budget, I'd welcome the recommendation anyway.
This is intended to be a gift. The recipient is an older woman, so anything that requires a great deal of physical strength would probably not be terribly useful. She has all your basic tools like a solid hammer and drill and saws; she's not terribly into woodworking.
I have looked at Cool Tools and other sites and articles. I don't know much about tools myself--they see pretty infrequent use at my apartment--so would appreciate human guidance on this one.
I am aware of these three previous AskMeta questions that didn't quite answer my question: http://ask.metafilter.com/217186/Unique-Tool-Filter, http://ask.metafilter.com/207933/Tool-me-up-please, and http://ask.metafilter.com/63681/tools.
Right now I have either a Crescent Multi-Tool or a FUBAR-style Demo Hammer in mind but I'm not sure of the sturdiness of the multi-tool nor the usefulness of the Demo Hammer.
I would like to buy a tool--not a toolbox or bits or whatever--and would appreciate it being in the same vein as a Dremel (useful, easy and fun to use, not too expensive). General home use preferred, kitchen also ok.
My budget is $75 and under. If you've got a great suggestion outside that budget, I'd welcome the recommendation anyway.
This totally doesn't fit in your budget, but the best tool in the world is the Fein Multimaster and all of the knockoffs of it. It's basically a dremel with an oscillating motor instead of a rotary motor, and lets you perform all kinds of sanding, cutting, and carving tasks in places where rotary tools can't fit.
Some of the knockoffs might be in your budget.
posted by SpecialK at 11:29 AM on December 8, 2012 [9 favorites]
Some of the knockoffs might be in your budget.
posted by SpecialK at 11:29 AM on December 8, 2012 [9 favorites]
Does she have a socket wrench set? Because I don't know of any inexpensive power tools that are as small and versatile as a dremel, but socket wrenches come in handy constantly and I know I held off on buying a set for a long time after I got most of my other hand tools on account of them being a little pricier. I would've loved a set as a gift say three years ago or so. You can definitely get a perfectly good set for home use for under $75.
Seriously, socket wrench. If she doesn't have one then she's probably like I was and is rounding every bolt in sight by wrestling it with vice grips and pliers. A nice socket set will make life tremendously easier if she does anything in a mechanical vein at all.
That crescent multi-tool doesn't do anything that her existing toolkit can't probably do better, and that wrecking bar looks heavy and not like something that a professional wrecker would actually use. It's too fat, the lever arm is too short, the faces on the wedges are too steep, and it doesn't have a claw. I'd give those a pass.
It's actually a little hard to make good tool suggestions without knowing what she does with them (other than "not woodworking") and what she already has. There are a lot of cool multi-tools out there for different types of work for instance, but if she already has single-purpose tools that cover all the bases, then they will be better than any multi tool.
However if she doesn't have a basic multi-tool yet, you should get her one! I have this one which is well within your budget and I like it a lot! It's comfortable and good quality and I like that I can get the tools out without having to open it first. Of course, Leatherman are the top name in multi tools so you could also start with their selection if you wanted to go that route.
If you have any information about what she has/doesn't have and what she does with her tools then please let us know so that we can give you better recommendations!
posted by Scientist at 11:30 AM on December 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
Seriously, socket wrench. If she doesn't have one then she's probably like I was and is rounding every bolt in sight by wrestling it with vice grips and pliers. A nice socket set will make life tremendously easier if she does anything in a mechanical vein at all.
That crescent multi-tool doesn't do anything that her existing toolkit can't probably do better, and that wrecking bar looks heavy and not like something that a professional wrecker would actually use. It's too fat, the lever arm is too short, the faces on the wedges are too steep, and it doesn't have a claw. I'd give those a pass.
It's actually a little hard to make good tool suggestions without knowing what she does with them (other than "not woodworking") and what she already has. There are a lot of cool multi-tools out there for different types of work for instance, but if she already has single-purpose tools that cover all the bases, then they will be better than any multi tool.
However if she doesn't have a basic multi-tool yet, you should get her one! I have this one which is well within your budget and I like it a lot! It's comfortable and good quality and I like that I can get the tools out without having to open it first. Of course, Leatherman are the top name in multi tools so you could also start with their selection if you wanted to go that route.
If you have any information about what she has/doesn't have and what she does with her tools then please let us know so that we can give you better recommendations!
posted by Scientist at 11:30 AM on December 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
I can't think of a lot of jobs you'd do with the demo hammer that wouldn't require a fair bit of strength. What kind of projects does the recipient of this gift do?
I have found that the Rockwell SoniCrafter tool is really neat and quite useful around the house. It's good for trimming out drywall around electrical boxes, creating cutouts for hinges, and some other light woodworking and finish carpentry tasks. There are tile cutting and grout removal blades as well.
But I'm not sure how useful it would be to someone who wasn't doing a fair bit of DIYing. The Dremel has a lot of hobbyist utility, while the Rockwell is more of a handyperson's tool.
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:30 AM on December 8, 2012 [4 favorites]
I have found that the Rockwell SoniCrafter tool is really neat and quite useful around the house. It's good for trimming out drywall around electrical boxes, creating cutouts for hinges, and some other light woodworking and finish carpentry tasks. There are tile cutting and grout removal blades as well.
But I'm not sure how useful it would be to someone who wasn't doing a fair bit of DIYing. The Dremel has a lot of hobbyist utility, while the Rockwell is more of a handyperson's tool.
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:30 AM on December 8, 2012 [4 favorites]
(I see that SpecialK suggested the Fein Multimaster, which is basically the same thing as the Rockwell. Though the Rockwell is something like half the price. There are cheaper versions too, but IMO the Rockwell is probably the lowest-priced one where the quality is good.)
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:32 AM on December 8, 2012
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:32 AM on December 8, 2012
Does she have a really great orbital sander? Drill that fits her hand? Painting supplies like the little handheld bucket with removable liners? Great work gloves for smaller hands? Those little pucks for raising projects while painting/staining? A bunch of fantastic clamps of various sizes? Various saws - jigsaw, chop saw, circular saw?
What kinds of projects? Any gardening?
posted by barnone at 11:52 AM on December 8, 2012 [1 favorite]
What kinds of projects? Any gardening?
posted by barnone at 11:52 AM on December 8, 2012 [1 favorite]
I followed the advice from my question and went with THE ANNIHILATOR since it was the best feeling in my hand. It was a good choice and is very fun to throw through glass. It does everything you can think of very well.
posted by Nackt at 11:57 AM on December 8, 2012
posted by Nackt at 11:57 AM on December 8, 2012
Response by poster: Oh right, what projects she does. Knew I'd forget a detail.
She's more in the vein of home repair these days--she used to do more tile replacement, kitchen reno and that kind of thing but these days it's more likely to be your basic toilet repair, putting in blinds, that kind of thing. I recognize that she's probably got most of the tools for these already but this is in part aspirational (she refuses to admit to slowing down due to age).
So, your best suggestions for someone who's a DIYer at heart but more of a hobbyist these days.
She has: a drill, work gloves, an older hammer, all nails and screws, a decent toolbox, all of your standard wrenches and pliers, that kind of thing. I can't think of a tool she has besides the Dremel that's not basic.
posted by librarylis at 12:20 PM on December 8, 2012
She's more in the vein of home repair these days--she used to do more tile replacement, kitchen reno and that kind of thing but these days it's more likely to be your basic toilet repair, putting in blinds, that kind of thing. I recognize that she's probably got most of the tools for these already but this is in part aspirational (she refuses to admit to slowing down due to age).
So, your best suggestions for someone who's a DIYer at heart but more of a hobbyist these days.
She has: a drill, work gloves, an older hammer, all nails and screws, a decent toolbox, all of your standard wrenches and pliers, that kind of thing. I can't think of a tool she has besides the Dremel that's not basic.
posted by librarylis at 12:20 PM on December 8, 2012
Kreg jigs are pretty great if she's interested in some simple wood working stuff.
posted by Think_Long at 12:23 PM on December 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by Think_Long at 12:23 PM on December 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
Not new but the craftsman screwdriver with many different swapable points is incredibly useful.
posted by sammyo at 12:57 PM on December 8, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by sammyo at 12:57 PM on December 8, 2012 [1 favorite]
Impact driver.
posted by nathancaswell at 1:14 PM on December 8, 2012
posted by nathancaswell at 1:14 PM on December 8, 2012
InsanePenguin: "I haven't used it, but Kobalts' new double-drive ratcheting screwdriver looks pretty cool. I'd sure like receiving it."
On the other end of the specturm, if you have a moral objection to direction switches, there's always the Black & Decker Gyro power screwdriver.
posted by radwolf76 at 1:16 PM on December 8, 2012
On the other end of the specturm, if you have a moral objection to direction switches, there's always the Black & Decker Gyro power screwdriver.
posted by radwolf76 at 1:16 PM on December 8, 2012
I'll second a good, bright headlamp. It's one of those items I now consider part of any basic kit, and it always comes in handy for dealing with stuff around the house where the visibility is bad (under sinks, in basements, behind furniture...). I sometimes wear mine to do basic sewing or other finicky manual tasks, and it's a lifesaver for camping and travel on top of that.
Does she have a good, easily-carried pocketknife? I've owned multi-tools for years, and I love my Leatherman, but it's heavy and bulky, and meanwhile I've found that 9 times out of 10 all I really need is a small knife. I keep a keychain Swiss Army knife (the one with the scissors, knife, and bottle opener), and usually carry one of the smaller Benchmade folders clipped into a pocket. (The latter is a great knife because it's safely opened and closed with one hand, which means you can actually use it when you're already holding something else, which is most of the times I ever need a knife at work or around the house.)
posted by brennen at 1:42 PM on December 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
Does she have a good, easily-carried pocketknife? I've owned multi-tools for years, and I love my Leatherman, but it's heavy and bulky, and meanwhile I've found that 9 times out of 10 all I really need is a small knife. I keep a keychain Swiss Army knife (the one with the scissors, knife, and bottle opener), and usually carry one of the smaller Benchmade folders clipped into a pocket. (The latter is a great knife because it's safely opened and closed with one hand, which means you can actually use it when you're already holding something else, which is most of the times I ever need a knife at work or around the house.)
posted by brennen at 1:42 PM on December 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
When we were doing our home remodeling, we used an oscillating tool quite a bit. If we weren't doing fairly serious work I'm not sure how useful it would have been (i.e. how much she'd use it), but it was great for notching out boards to fit around obstacles, using the blunt bits to peel up old vinyl tile, etc. You can get a basic one for $30 or so at Harbor Freight, or a fancier version for up to $130 or so.
posted by aimedwander at 2:31 PM on December 8, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by aimedwander at 2:31 PM on December 8, 2012 [1 favorite]
On the other end of the specturm, if you have a moral objection to direction switches, there's always the Black & Decker Gyro power screwdriver.
Whaaaaaat? That's too cool.
posted by InsanePenguin at 3:43 PM on December 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
Whaaaaaat? That's too cool.
posted by InsanePenguin at 3:43 PM on December 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
I am a handy woman and I love my SKIL screwdriver for its comfortable size, but if I needed to replace it I would definitely go for the Black and Decker Gyro
posted by zoel at 6:54 PM on December 8, 2012
posted by zoel at 6:54 PM on December 8, 2012
I love my Ryobi AIRgrip Laser Level. It works using what appears to be magic to hold itself on to a wall while projecting a level laser beam on to one or two walls! It is perfect for hanging shelves, pictures, curtains and so many other house projects.
posted by saradarlin at 7:10 PM on December 8, 2012
posted by saradarlin at 7:10 PM on December 8, 2012
I don't know what it's called, but if she doesn't have one of those things that you attach to the front of a drill to hold the screw and prevent it from falling out, that little thing has been the best thing I've bought as far as tools go in the last 5 years
posted by markblasco at 7:27 PM on December 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by markblasco at 7:27 PM on December 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
This is a bit tangential but the Dremel tool came out before World War II, I believe - see this 1947 advertisement via Wikipedia, for example. So if it qualifies as nifty enough, you may not necessarily be looking for tools that are newfangled.
posted by XMLicious at 7:30 PM on December 8, 2012
posted by XMLicious at 7:30 PM on December 8, 2012
I second the socket set. It's probably not often used around the house where screws are more common than bolts, but it's incredibly useful for anything mechanical like bikes or cars.
posted by scose at 8:35 PM on December 8, 2012
posted by scose at 8:35 PM on December 8, 2012
+1 on the Fein Multimaster and clones. I have a cheap one from Harbor Freight and it's worth its weight in gold.
posted by Doohickie at 9:21 PM on December 8, 2012
posted by Doohickie at 9:21 PM on December 8, 2012
A Workmate workbench is one of the most useful tools you can have. The one I linked to on Amazon is $60, right in your wheelhouse. If she doesn't have one, it's hard to beat for utility.
posted by PaulBGoode at 6:36 PM on December 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by PaulBGoode at 6:36 PM on December 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
Second the cordless drill/screwdriver and the headlamp for all-around utility for basic household repairs and more advanced ones too. If she doesn't already have a cordless drill, definitely that.
posted by torticat at 10:37 PM on December 9, 2012
posted by torticat at 10:37 PM on December 9, 2012
I've love having a good, bright headlamp since before the days of lightweight LED headlamps. Definitely worth getting.
My wife loves having an electrical staple gun. I think there are some that can do double duty as a brad nailer.
I have some Irwin Quick Clamps that make it easier to hold-things put when there isn't someone else around to help me.
posted by Good Brain at 9:03 PM on December 10, 2012
My wife loves having an electrical staple gun. I think there are some that can do double duty as a brad nailer.
I have some Irwin Quick Clamps that make it easier to hold-things put when there isn't someone else around to help me.
posted by Good Brain at 9:03 PM on December 10, 2012
If you can find a Yankee hand drill, go for it. Of all of the little home repair/maintenance things that I do, a set of good screwdrivers and the Yankee drill are the two things I use most. (I have used the hand drill about 500% more than I ever use an electric/battery drill, mostly because it is more convenient but also because it is tons lighter and can fit in a much tighter spaces.)
If you happen to live in an area that has one of those weekly outdoor farmers market type things, there is usually a guy who sells old tools who will have a Yankee drill. Make sure you get one that isn't missing any of the drill bits. They are stored in the handle.
posted by 8dot3 at 12:01 PM on December 11, 2012
If you happen to live in an area that has one of those weekly outdoor farmers market type things, there is usually a guy who sells old tools who will have a Yankee drill. Make sure you get one that isn't missing any of the drill bits. They are stored in the handle.
posted by 8dot3 at 12:01 PM on December 11, 2012
Response by poster: I looked at each and every suggestion (some, like the socket wrench set and the Fein Multimaster/Rockwell, I thought about for quite a while) and ultimately decided on the Black & Decker Gyro Screwdriver. It fits the gift receiver's personality very well--plus, hello, it's really cool!
Huge thanks to everyone who responded and I hope this question is helpful to others who are thinking along these lines.
posted by librarylis at 8:45 AM on December 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
Huge thanks to everyone who responded and I hope this question is helpful to others who are thinking along these lines.
posted by librarylis at 8:45 AM on December 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
I love my Ryobi AIRgrip Laser Level.
Oh, man ... I had one of these and it was the best thing ever and then it broke and booo.
The replacement Ryobi currently sells isn't nearly as good (doesn't do the airgrip thing, just uses sticky tape).
Perfect for people who get really irritated by unevenly hung pictures.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:43 AM on December 14, 2012
Oh, man ... I had one of these and it was the best thing ever and then it broke and booo.
The replacement Ryobi currently sells isn't nearly as good (doesn't do the airgrip thing, just uses sticky tape).
Perfect for people who get really irritated by unevenly hung pictures.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:43 AM on December 14, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by InsanePenguin at 11:28 AM on December 8, 2012