Father’s Day Gift Ideas from Tool Snob – Part 5 ($150+)

Now, in our final installment we’re dealing with some pretty severe gifts. The kind that not only say, “Dad, you’re a great guy,” but they also say, “Dad, let’s never again talk about how I wrecked your car.”

Bosch 2-1/4 HP Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router – This is a great (almost) all in one router kit. It’s got the power for any task and has a very nice depth set/adjust. We picked one up a while back and so far we’re really impressed with it. $199.99 at Amazon.com

DeWalt 10” Compact Table Saw – Not as big as their portable benchtop model, but it’s got a lot of the same qualities that make it a great saw. It’s got a rack and pinion fence, a 15 amp motor and it comes with a miter gauge, a carbide blade, and a push stick (that you should immediately replace with a homemade one). $367.49 at Amazon.com

Porter-Cable 3 Nailer and Compressor Combo Kit – With a brad nailer, a staple gun, and a finish nailer, there is nothing a man cannot do. Porter-Cable has this great, economical set for the advanced DIYer. $299.00 at Amazon.com

Hitachi Round Head Framing Nailer – Get Dad the king of the framing nailers. You pay for it, but it’s the best. $309.00 at Amazon.com

Makita 14.4 Volt Drill, Impact Driver and Light – There’s no doubt that this is a great deal. And don’t think that if you have the drill, the impact driver is redundant. They are two totally different tools, and they each have their place in dad’s workshop. $217.99 at Amazon.com

Milwaukee 28-Volt Li-Ion 4 Tool Combo Kit – You could really blow dad’s doors off with this set of Li-Ion tools. It’s got a sawzall, circular saw, light and hammer-drill. This one might cover Christmas as well as Father’s Day. $513.99 at Amazon.com

Jet 14” Mini-Lathe – If your dad turns wood at all, why not upgrade his machinery to this powerful little lathe. Perfect for making pens, bowls, and chess pieces. If it’s not big enough, there is an extension available. $331 at Amazon.com

Delta Benchtop Planer – This is a great planer for the garage workshop. It’s portable (but insanely heavy), and gets the job done. It might seem like a lot of money, but just think of all the dough that dad will be saving, now that he only has to buy rough wood. $429 at Amazon.com

Husqvarna 18” Chainsaw – What dad doesn’t need a way-too-powerful chainsaw? $339.95 at Amazon.com

Read parts one ($1-$20), two ($20-$50), three ($50-$100), and four ($100-$150)

June 8, 2007

Father’s Day Gift Ideas from Tool Snob – Part 5 ($150+)