If there’s someone you’re gift-hunting for that spends a lot of time in their garage or shed, finding the right present can be a double-edged sword. While you know that they will love practical hardware of some sort, knowing exactly what and which brands to trust can create a minefield. We’re here to help.
If you know exactly what tool you need to get them, good stuff. However, if you’ve got little idea, or looking for perhaps a general starter-type home mechanic’s set for a young one, the Parkers experts can help you out.
Tool buying advice
What brands to trust?
Crucial question. First and foremost, stay away from the unheard of or generic or unbranded gear you’ll come across in droves on sites such as Amazon. That isn’t to say Amazon doesn’t stock good tool brands – it does – it’s just that they’re mixed in with rubbish.
Examples of brands that produce excellent DIY-level hand tools are: Bosch (green), Draper Redline, Faithfull, Rolson, Silverline, Stanley, VonHaus, and WorkPro.
Examples of brands that produce excellent trade and professional-level hand tools are: Bahco, Bosch Professional (blue), DeWalt, Draper Expert, Halfords Advanced, Irwin, Sealey, Stanley FatMax, and Teng.
There are more, but these are some of the most popular names out there and bear large catalogues of products.
Quality
As with most things, it’s better to pay a little more for assured quality. This means that the user will not only get a longer life out of the tool, but will enjoy better usability too.
Hand tool gift ideas for home mechanics and DIYers
Below, you will find a range of Parkers-recommended options that range from full tool sets to individual pieces.
Werkzeug 157 Piece Socket Wrench Set
Best starter kit
Price: £139.99 | VIEW OFFER
This is a comprehensive and well-made kit suitable for DIYers. Containing 1/4-, 3/8-, and 1/2-inch sockets, plus spanners, hex keys, a few drive bits, and a few other things, this set allows the user to access all vehicle fasteners. The hard case is fine, but crucially, the tools are of dependable quality.
Bahco SL25 Ratchet Socket Set
Best starter socket set
Price: £21.95 | VIEW OFFER
This little 1/4-inch socket set is absolutely perfect for any DIYer in need of such a thing. The Bahco quality is a step up from the Werkzeug kit and the user should get decades of toiling out of it – provided the set is looked after.
Read Parkers’ full guide to car tool kits
Silverline Torque Wrench
Price: £27.99 | VIEW OFFER
For instances such as changing a wheel, knowing the correct torque for a fastening is crucial, which is where a torque wrench comes in very handy. This Silverline torque wrench has a great 28Nm to 280Nm torque range and includes an extension bar and 3/8-inch socket adaptor.
Read Parkers’ full guide to torque wrenches
Draper 11 Piece Spanner Set
Best DIY spanner set
Price: £14.66 | VIEW OFFER
The Draper Redline spanner set is brilliantly no-nonsense. Sizes are 6mm to 19mm and all are stored in its little rack. The jaws are slightly offset to make working in awkward areas easier. It’s a great quality item, too.
Read Parkers’ full guide to DIY spanner sets
Draper 44 Piece Screwdriver Set
Best DIY screwdriver set
Price: £38.14 | VIEW OFFER
What two things do you want from a screwdriver set? Quality and versatility. Enter the 44-piece screwdriver set from Draper. For DIYers it’s ideal. The handles have a soft ergonomic grip, the tips have excellent grip on screw heads, there is a useful storage rack, and there are all the sizes you’ll need (not including precision screwdrivers). Just be careful not to overstress the handles; a common mistake when using screwdrivers.
Read Parkers’ full guide to DIY screwdriver sets
Ring Automotive RIL4200 Inspection Lamp
Best inspection lamp
Price: £15.70 | VIEW OFFER
The RIL4200 is robust and effective and worth paying the extra for over cheaper inspection lamps. We’ve tested cheap inspection lamps against ones that aren’t and found budget options not to be worth it. The RIL4200 has fast charging and versatile lighting for use in the workshop or as a regular torch, but one of its main strengths is its magnets and hooks for hands-free working.
Read Parkers’ inspection lamp group test
Draper Foldable Funnel
Best funnel
Price: £15.70 | VIEW OFFER
Refilling oil? Adding AdBlue? Topping up screenwash? Draper’s foldable funnel is as functional as any funnel but because it’s flat and malleable, storage is immeasurably improved.
Einhell CCTJ 2000 Trolley Jack
Best car jack for the garage
Price: £41.44 | VIEW OFFER
Einhell is a reputable manufacturer of a great many power, garden, and workshop tools. This trolley jack has a 2000kg weight limit, making it suitable for most cars and small to medium-sized SUVs. It has a minimum lift height of 135mm and a maximum of 330mm. The jack itself weighs 8.7kg.
Read Parkers’ full guide to car jacks
Don’t forget about those in need
While we love giving to friends and loved ones, it’s also important we don’t forget about those less fortunate than ourselves. Perhaps consider giving a gift to one of the UK’s homeless youth through Centrepoint, the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity.
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