Each year we work to put together a list of some of the most popular power tools and related gifts from the previous year as well as a few classic staples nobody should be without. This year has seen some great new products hit the market that we think would really get any tool nerd excited to unwrap this holiday. Here are just a few of the hot items which we’ve broken down to several different groupings.
Stocking Stuffers Gift Ideas ($30 >)
Milwaukee FastBack Utility & Pocket Knives have been widely anticipated and should be available everywhere by Christmas. The classic Fastback utility knives 48-22-1901 ($12) is always a good choice but the new Pocket Knives are the real hot items this year Smooth Blade 48-22-1990 ($18) or the Spring Assist 48-22-1995 ($25).
Unfortunately the Ridgid Pinup Calendar only gets made every other year and it is not new for 2014 however if you haven’t picked on up until now it is still good for all of 2014 and you can get one for a smoking price of only $9.99 (including postage). There are even some older calendars still available for only $4.99 if you want to add to the collection.
The Edge Eyewear line of glasses continues to grow and build a large following not only among those looking for stylish safety glasses but many folks who just think they are good looking glasses out right. Where else can you get super stylish polarized sunglasses for under $30, great stocking stuffer idea.
For some basic lights Voltec offers a very nice inexpensive LED headlamp ($12) as well as a LED flashlight/worklight ($10). Both are ideal stocking stuffers and really offer a lot of value for the money, batteries included!
Staying Warm and Keeping Safe is the Gift That Keeps on Giving
Without question the hottest gifts this year have been the heated jackets (Milwaukee, Bosch & Dewalt) as well as Milwaukee’s new heated hoodies (starting at $99). The grey and red hoodies are already completely sold out for the season with the khaki hoodie soon to follow. Black and Camo continue to be the most popular options. Check out the video above for some additional info on the difference between the Bosch and Milwaukee.
Another way to ensure you will be warm this season in case of power outage is of course a portable generator or if you’re going to go all out a full blown standby generator. Even a portable generator can be wired to the house with a manual transfer switch and still provide power to all essential systems in the house. With ice storms and other catastrophes that could knockout power in the coldest months of the year, peace of mind is an incredibly valuable gift all by itself.
The TPI HotPod has been a very popular heating product that does a great job of addressing zone heating for those areas in the house which you’d like to keep a little warmer. This is an item that will require some additional installation, most likely with an electrician’s help. Available for around $300ish there are several options in 6” hardwire, 6” cordset, 8” hardwire and 8” cordset. These just boost the heat already going to that room and allow you to set a thermostat in that room several degrees higher than the rest of the house. Of course there are also many options for portable electric heaters as well.
Having a backup power source in case of emergencies to charge your cell phone should be a priority, power tool batteries provide an excellent source. In the case where power might go out for several days or more a generator will not always be on. Here are a few great options to utilize you existing batteries to extend you battery life for days. USB Power from: Milwaukee M12, Milwaukee M18, Bosch 12V.
Great Deals for the 2013 Holiday Season
From now until the end of the year Bosch is offering a $25 Off orders over $100 Holiday Deal on any L-Boxx System, 12V Cordless, 18V Cordless and/or Measuring Tools. It makes it really attractive to pick up any number of smokin deals on several already aggressively priced items. Use Coupon Code BOSCH25 at checkout of Ohio Power Tool to take advantage. Some of the best deals (after coupon applied) include: 18V radio PB180 $75, 12V heated jacket PSJ120 $154, laser range finder DLR130K $75, 18V Multi-X MXH180BL $204 and L-Boxx L-RACK $114 just to highlight a few. See all Bosch Tools for more ideas.
Milwaukee Free XC Battery on Select M18 Tool Kits Including 4 Tool Combo 2696-24 ($399), 2 Tool Combo 2697-22 ($299), FUEL 2 Tool Combo 2797-22 ($399), FUEL Drill/Driver 2603-22 ($279), FUEL Hammer Drill 2604-22 ($299) and FUEL ½” Impact 2655-22 ($329) just to name a few. See Milwaukee M18 for more great options for the free battery promotion, instant offer ships with tools.
Building Your Own Santa’s Work Shop
One of the great new items for Jet Tools that has been very popular is their new Wood Lathe 1221VS ($799) for anyone into wood turning this is an ideal lathe from beginner to seasoned hobbyist. Perfect for any wood shop and with the 22” bed extension this machine is extremely versatile.
For those tech-savy woodworkers with a little extra coin in the pocket this year, you should definitely check out Rockler’s new CNC Shark Black Diamond Table ($3999). These units are getting more and more user friendly and with some great learning tools as well as a growing user community, jumping right in has never been easier.
Probably the least exciting purchase for the home work shop but arguably the most impost is a good dust collection unit. Jet makes several very nice units which can be configured to hook up to all your woodworking machines and will keep most of the saw dust out of the air and off the floors.
One of the additions we’ve got our eye on that just launched this year and is the center of any work shop is a new table saw. Powermatic just launched the PM1000 30” Table ($1999) or 50” Table ($2099) which is a full cabinet unit with all the bells and whistles you would expect but this unit is powered by 110v making it perfect for many home shops.
Don’t Just Take Our Work On It!
These are just a few ideas for the holidays but there are sooo many more great options for that handyman / handywoman so here are a few of our friends with their own Holiday Gift Guides!
A Concord Carpenter – 2013 Holiday Tool Gift Guide
HomeFixated – Nice N’ Naughty 2013 Gift Guide
Tool-Rank – 2013 Christmas Gift Guide
Tool Skool – 2013 Holiday Tool Gift Guide
