Holiday Gift Ideas for the Tool Hound on Your List

Browse Fine Homebuilding‘s 2012 tool reviews to find the perfect present for the builder or weekend warrior in your family.

For every issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine we ask professional builders and remodelers to test the latest tools to hit the market. We’ve collected reviews of popular, highly-rated, and interesting new tools that might make it onto your holiday shopping list.

Standouts from this year’s tool reviews:

	New tool: Makita LXSL01 Cordless Miter Saw Essentially a cordless circlar saw mounted to a miniature version of the Makita LS line of miter saws, the LXSL01 is an interesting expansion on traditional cordless lineups $520.00 (As of 9/10/2012) Read the full review
	Best value: Ridgid – R32021 Circular Saw Ridgid’s R32021 sidewinder saw features engraved numbers at every degree and beveling beyond 45° is done with the push of a button $100.00 (As of 1/19/2012) Read the full review
	Long-time favorite: DeWalt – DW364K Circular Saw This enduring model traces it roots back to the venerable Black and Decker Saw Cat of decades ago, and is configured to adjust like no other saw out there. Its standout differences are the reason DeWalt has two saws in the test $160.00 (As of 1/19/2012) Read the full review
	New tool: Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710 Stud Finder The ProSensor 710 can display the full width of a hidden object-or multiple objects-the moment it’s placed on a surface. $50.00 (As of 11/8/2012) Read the full review
	Best overall: Grip-Rite – GR152CM Compact Air Compressor At only 39lb.s Grip-Rite’s GR152CM air compressor is light enough to carry $180.00 (As of 12/6/2011) Read the full review
	Best value: Senco – PC1010 Compact Air Compressor The oil-free PC1010 air compressor from Senco features a plastic baffel to shield the top of the motor $125.00 (As of 12/6/2011) Read the full review
	New tool: DeWalt – DeWalt Tough System ToolBoxes Available in three sizes, DeWalt’s Tough System Toolboxes have crushproof expanded-foam walls capped with a watertight lid secured by metal latches. $50.00 (As of 11/8/2012) Read the full review

More interesting picks:

Bostitch – CAP1512-OF Compact Air Compressor
$150.00 (As of 12/6/2011)

Campbell Hausfeld – FP2028 Compact Air Compressor
$56.00 (As of 7/12/2012)

DeWalt – Impact Ready Magnetic Nut Driver
$6.00 (As of 7/12/2012)

Kobalt – KT200A 18v Drill-Driver
$159.00 (As of 11/21/2012)

Lenox – Speed Slot Hole Saw(price varies depending on size)

Rol-Air – JC10 Compact Air Compressor
$200.00 (As of 5/17/2012)

Bosch – MRC23ESVK Router Combo Kit
$300.00 (As of 7/12/2012)

Search for more reviews from Fine Homebuilding Magazine in our Tool Guide.

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Handy Heat Gun

This heat gun is great for drying joint compound, primer and paint when patching drywall and plaster walls. Plus it can soften adhesive, get a very cold small engine to start, and shrink heat-shrink tubing.

Buy at Amazon

Affordable IR Camera

This camera is super useful for tracking down air leaks in buildings. The one-hand pistol grip arrangement frees your other hand for steadying yourself while maneuvering tricky job sites.

Buy at Amazon

8067 All-Weather Flashing Tape

Available in 2- to 12-in. widths, this is a good general-purpose flashing tape that sticks well to most things. It features a two-piece release paper, water-shedding layers, and good UV resistance.

Buy at Amazon

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Holiday Gift Ideas for the Tool Hound on Your List

Standouts from this year’s tool reviews:

More interesting picks:

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Tool Hound

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