Gift guide
Gifts for dads who like tools
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Tools make a good gift because they get used and they last. A dad who likes practical things will get more from a decent drill than from another novelty mug. This is a short guide to tool gifts, and a few related items, that suit most dads. The picks come from Robert Dyas, a UK retailer with stores across the South of England and online delivery, which keeps things simple to find.
Start with a cordless drill
A cordless drill is the tool most dads reach for first. It handles flat-pack furniture, shelves, and the run of small jobs around the house. The Makita G-Series 18V cordless hammer drill is a sensible step up from entry-level kits, and it works on wood, steel and masonry. This kit comes with two batteries and a 74-piece accessory set, so there is always a charged battery and the right bit to hand. Bosch and Black & Decker also do reliable mid-range drills if the budget is lower.
Tool storage that keeps things in order
Tools are only useful if you can find them. A modular storage system solves that. The Stanley FatMax PRO-STACK Mobile Bundle stacks boxes and organisers onto a wheeled base, so the whole lot moves together. It suits a dad whose tools are spread across drawers, bags and the boot of the car. A simpler option is a single deep tool box with a lift-out tray for smaller items.
Hand tools that get daily use
Not every gift needs a motor. A good screwdriver and bit set covers most small jobs, and a quality set lasts years. Add a pair of forged pliers, an adjustable spanner and a tape measure, and the basics are covered. Robert Dyas stocks Stanley and Draper hand tools, which sit at a fair price for the quality.
Garden power tools for the warmer months
If the dad in question spends time in the garden, power tools save real effort. A cordless mower takes the effort out of a larger lawn, and a self-propelled model does most of the pushing for you. A hedge trimmer or a leaf blower covers the rest of the upkeep. Yard Force and Einhell both run cordless ranges where one battery fits several tools, which keeps the cost down over time.
Outdoor cooking and the BBQ
Plenty of dads enjoy cooking outside. A gas BBQ lights quickly and gives steady heat. Charcoal gives more flavour and takes more patience. If the BBQ itself is too large a gift, the accessories work well on their own. The VonHaus BBQ tool set comes with a carry case and the utensils people actually use. A wireless meat thermometer is a smaller gift that takes the guesswork out of cooking larger cuts.
Smaller gifts and gadgets
Some of the better gifts are the small ones. A multi-tool lives in a pocket or a glovebox and earns its keep. A head torch frees both hands for jobs under the sink or out in the dark. A work light, a laser level or a tyre inflator all fall into the same useful-but-overlooked group, and none of them costs much.
A note on batteries
One practical point worth knowing. Cordless tools are built around battery platforms, and a battery from one brand rarely fits another. If a dad already owns Makita, Bosch or something else, stay with it. The batteries are often the costly part, so adding a bare tool to an existing set is good value.
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