Gift Guide: Tools & More
Here are some practical gift ideas for those who enjoy DIY projects, raising chickens or bees, and simply living the rural lifestyle.
By Capper’s Farmer Editors
Angle Grinder
If you have a loved one who uses an angle grinder frequently, the corded 5-Inch/6-Inch Brushless Small Angle Grinder, Rat Tail with Kickback Brake, No Lock-On from DEWALT would make a great gift.
It features a brushless motor, meaning no brush replacements, which will save time and money. The electric kickback brake engages when a pinch, stall, or bind-up is sensed, engaging with maximum force to quickly stop the wheel, reduce the movement of the grinder, and shut the motor off. The on/off trigger switch has a no-volt release function, meaning that in a power outage or unexpected shut-down, the trigger switch will need to be cycled to restart the tool. And it includes an integrated lanyard attachment point (lanyard not included).
The grinder includes a side handle, a hex key, an inner and outer flange, a 5-inch type 27 guard, and a 6-inch type 27 guard.
Where to buy:
- Anywhere DEWALT products are sold.
Comments from the Capper’s Farmer editors:
- Powerful motor.
- Easy to operate and maneuver.
- A lot of great safety features.
- An all-around fantastic electric angle grinder.
- Great addition to any tool collection.
Beehive Kit
If you’d like to give a practical, useful, and larger-scale gift to an entire family, the Traditional 8-Frame Advanced Bee-Ginners Kit is just the thing.
The kit includes an eight-frame telescoping top, an inner cover, two medium pine supers, 16 grooved top bar and grooved bottom bar medium frames, and an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) board, and all items are assembled. The kit also comes with 16 sheets of crimp wire foundation (to insert into the frames), a hatless veil, plastic-coated gloves, a hobbyist smoker with smoker fuel, a bee brush, a 10-inch hive tool, an entrance feeder, a guide for beginners, and an instructional DVD.
Where to buy:
Comments from the Capper’s Farmer editors:
- Includes everything needed except the bees.
- Great price for everything included in the kit.
- Everything is assembled, so there’s no hassle and frustration with putting it together.
- This is a great way to get the whole family involved in a project.
Chicken Brooder Kit
Another great family gift idea is the Chicken Brooder Kit with Heat Lamp. The kit, which includes everything a new flockmaster needs to set up a small brooder for up to 24 chicks — a heat lamp, reusable brooder panels, feeder, waterer, chick stand, and chick starter feed — is sure to get them started raising chicks the right way.
Both adults and children will enjoy watching as their little chicks grow to full size. And with this kit, they can rest assured that the chicks are warm, safe, and happy.
Where to buy:
Comments from the Capper’s Farmer editors:
- Great gift idea for a family.
- Assembly and setup is simple.
- Everything needed to get started is included — except the chicks, of course.
- Great value for all the items included in the kit.
- Built to last, and the heat lamp works great.
Compact Blower
The 20V MAX Compact Jobsite Blower from DEWALT makes a great gift for just about anyone — anyone who has a shop, a garage, a home, a porch, an RV, a truck, etc. It features a max air flow at 100 CFM, with an air speed of 135 mph. A 3-speed variable speed switch provides control while in use, and a variable speed trigger allows adjustment of blowing power.
The blower is lightweight, with a compact design, so it’s easy to use. Insert a 20V Lithium Ion battery (sold separately), and it’s ready to go.
Where to buy:
- Anywhere DEWALT products are sold.
Comments from the Capper’s Farmer editors:
- Powerful for a compact blower.
- Works great for blowing dust bunnies out of the RV before camping season.
- Cleans up dust and debris quickly in the shop and garage.
- Compact and lightweight, so it’s simple to use.
- Makes clearing leaves from the porch and sidewalks a breeze.
- Works fantastic as a broom replacement for “sweeping” linoleum or hardwood floors.
Jump Starter
The Weego 66 Jump Starter makes a great gift for anyone who drives a vehicle, boat, or machinery. Featuring a rugged 12V Lithium Ion power pack, the professional-grade Weego 66 sets a new standard for compact versatility, delivering the power needed to get cars, trucks, tractors, boats, and light-duty equipment — both gas and diesel engine systems — moving again, every time. And it weighs only 2½ pounds, making it practical and convenient.
The Weego 66 jump starts with 2,500 peak amps and 600 cranking amps; is capable of charging phones and other mobile devices via 5V USB and 19V outputs; powers 12V portable accessories; and provides ultra-bright lighting with a 600-lumen dual LED flashlight. In addition, it comes with patented, ergonomic clamps that incorporate lights and sounds, and feature anti-spark, reverse polarity, overheat, and power surge protections. The tapered tips fit in tight spaces, and the clamps open extra-wide and are powered on both sides to ensure good connections. It also has incredible holding power, providing up to two years’ standby time, as well as a broad operating range of minus 4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Designed and engineered in the United States, the Weego 66 is also IP65 rated for water, dust, and dirt resistance.
Where to buy:
Comments from the Capper’s Farmer editors:
- A convenient, compact, and well-built tool.
- Easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
- Simple to use, and works great.
- Love the safety features built into the clamps.
- Flashlight is nice and bright.
- A great gift for drivers of all ages.
LED Spotlight
The DEWALT 20V MAX Jobsite LED Spotlight is a great tool for any homeowner.
Running on a 20V battery (sold separately), the spotlight features three bright LEDs, two brightness settings for maximum light output or extended run time, a belt hook to provide versatility for transportation and a hands-free option, a bright red LED to preserve night vision, and a 90-degree pivoting head. The light can be seen up to 508 yards — or 1,525 feet — away.
Where to buy:
- Anywhere DEWALT products are sold.
Comments from the Capper’s Farmer editors:
- Not just for the jobsite; this thing comes in handy at home.
- Very bright and powerful.
- The pivoting head makes it easy to get light right where it’s needed.
- Solid, well-built tool that gets used all the time.
- Throws light a good distance when on the brightest setting.
Multipurpose Tool
For the do-it-yourselfers, consider the Shizel — a versatile hand tool that’s a scraper, pry tool, nail-puller, leveler, chisel, can opener, hammer, trowel, beehive tool, putty knife, box cutter, and so much more. Made of stainless steel, it’s great for carpentry repairs, remodeling, fixing doors, flooring projects, painting surfaces, and window repair. It’s also perfect for cleaning shovels, removing grass from under lawn mower decks, digging weeds, transplanting flowers, straightening pavers, and other lawn and garden chores. In addition, it’s a great beehive tool.
Where to buy:
Comments from the Capper’s Farmer editors:
- There’s almost nothing that this tool can’t do. It’s amazing!
- You can easily downsize your hand-tool collection by simply adding the Shizel to your toolbox.
- This tool is simple to use, and can do so many things!
- The Shizel is our go-to tool for everything from repairs to gardening.
Shoe & Boot Scrapers
Rural living can be muddy, but Sole Scraper helps leave the mess outside by making sure mud, snow, and debris are removed from boots and shoes before getting into a vehicle or going into the house.
Available in five styles, Sole Scraper products either attach to the hitch of a pickup truck or to the steps of tractors, dump trucks, semi trucks, and more, or they’re simply pushed into the ground. The frames are made of steel, and the brushes are made of urethane rubber. Replacement brushes are sold separately.
A Sole Scraper is a great gift for anyone living the rural lifestyle.
Where to buy:
Comments from the Capper’s Farmer editors:
- Heavy-duty and made to last.
- The blade knocks off the bulk of the mud, while the brush cleans the treads of shoes and boots.
- Convenient for the home, vehicle, job site, and campsite.
- Strong and sturdy, and work fantastic; keeps a lot of mud and gunk from being tracked indoors.
Survival Knife
Everyone who leads a country lifestyle needs a good knife, and the SL3 from Tool Logic is one that will get the job done — and then some. This survival knife features a built-in whistle for emergency situations, and a magnesium alloy fire starter that stores in the grip. To use the fire starter, the user simply pulls the magnesium piece out of the grip and strikes it on the back of the blade or another piece of metal.
The knife is 7 inches in length, weighs just 3 ounces, and features a 3-inch 50/50 serrated blade. The handle is made of glass-reinforced nylon, is black, and has a satin finish.
Where to buy:
Comments from the Capper’s Farmer editors:
- Great knife for a great price.
- Whistle is loud and clear, and fire starter works like a charm.
- The blade cuts through just about anything, and keeps its edge.
- Well-made knife with a sharp blade.
- Lightweight and perfect for everyday use.
Looking for gifts in other categories? We have you covered! Head on over to Capper’s Farmer 2018 Holiday Gift Guide to view the full list.
