Another year is about ready to wrap up as the holiday season is upon us. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be stressful for those in your life that are hard to buy for, especially those in the construction trades. Our goal is to make that process easier for you or your loved one with our top picks for gifts every year!
For more gift ideas, be sure to check out our Ultimate Construction Holiday Gift Guides from 2015, 2016, and 2017, 2018 or our past Father's Day Gift Guides from 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
We’ve been lucky enough to be able to use many of the tools on this list throughout the year and there are others on the list that we’d love to try because they have been highly regarded in reviews. It should be assumed that the tool manufacturers have given us these tools for free to test out, but none of them have paid to be a part of this gift guide. All tools on this list have been chosen by me, because I think they would be great gifts.
This post contains affiliate links, which earn us a small commission for the things that you buy. The prices in the links are exactly the same as they would be normally!
Ultimate Construction Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Under $50
StudMark Magnentic Stud Finder
Finding a wall stud is an important step to hanging anything safely on the job or at the house and battery powered stud finders can be finicky and unreliable. I’ve found that high powered magnets are a fantastic and easy way to locate studs in any wall configuration. The reason is simple: drywall is hung using metal screws into the studs, lathe in plaster walls is secured to the studs usually with metal nails, and metal studs are made out of metal (obviously). A magnet will pick up on all of those materials.
Rite in the Rain All-Weather Top-Spiral Notebook
Construction workers don't have the luxury of working inside in perfect conditions. Rain, snow, grease, and mud make it extremely difficult to keep notes, which are a very important task in the industry. Rite in the Rain notebooks each contain 50 sheets and won't break down in tough jobsite conditions. It will even survive an accidental ride in the washing machine.
Be sure to also pick up an all-weather pen, like the Fisher Space Pen ($17.06 on Amazon), so you'll be able to write on the notebook in wet conditions, as well.
Bosch Table Saw Dust Bag
This is honestly one of the best purchases I’ve made and it’s so inexpensive. Table saws are essential on many jobsites and workshops, but dust collection can be an issue. If you don’t have an extensive dust collection system or don’t want to deal with the extra noise of a vacuum, this Bosch table saw dust bag is a no brainer. I’ve been using it on my Milwaukee M18 cordless table saw and it collects probably 80-90% of the dust
Wiss Single Ring Shop Shears
There is a lot of stuff to cut on a jobsite and sometimes scissors are a lot easier and safer way to make the cut versus a utility knife. A good pair of shears can reduce fatigue and make quick work of thicker materials and the Wiss Single Ring Shop Shears promise to do just that. These shears feature a spring loaded blade to help you better cut paper, cardboard, heavy fabric, rope, leather, and plastic.
Milwaukee Balaclava or Hard Hat Liner
It’s getting cold out, but that doesn’t mean the work will stop. Milwaukee recently introduced winter head gear in their lineup of apparel, in the form of a Balaclava (pictured) and a hard hat liner. The balaclava covers the whole face, minus the eyes, and the hard hat liner is thin enough to not impede the safety factor of your hard hat, but still keep you warm. Both are great and affordable options depending on how cold your area gets.
Quickloader Retractable Ratchet Tiedown
If you own a truck, you know that securing a load can be a huge hassle, especially if you’re used to dealing with bungee cords or traditional tiedowns. With Quickloaders, there will never be any additional slack flapping in the wind, because the excess retracts back into it. It’s so easy, you can do it one handed. There are various sizes and strengths available on their website, starting at around $20, but the QL4500 is a good one to start with, at around $40.
Custom Handmade Felt Pennant
Some dads are extremely hard to buy for and you might not feel comfortable buying a tool for him. How about getting him a customized, handmade felt pennant for his work or home office? The pennants can be made in any shape or size, in many different colors, and with any words, which is great if you want a pennant for a business or just personal use.
My wife actually makes these and she's a very talented graphic designer. Check out the Uptown Heritage Company on etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/UptownHeritage
Custom Felt Pennant ($35+) | Uptown Heritage Company
Klein Tradesman Pro Tough Box 9-Quart Cooler
Your dad works hard, so it's important that his lunch and drinks stay cool and protected on the jobsite. The new Klein Tools Pro Tough 9-Quart Cooler can fit 11 cans inside, keeps items cool for up to 30 hours, and has a reasonable price at less than $45. There usually aren't picnic tables on the job, either, so Klein designed the box to be used as a seat and holds up to 300 pounds.
If you need a bigger capacity than 9-quarts, Kelin also offers a 17-quart cooler with the same benefits. It's priced just a little bit higher, at around $54 on Amazon.
Milwaukee 4-1/2” Trim Square
Speed squares have been a must have tool for most craftsmen for decades, but some might not need to capacity of a full 7” speed square. For example, they can be awkward to use on small trim pieces or thin metal for marking.
The new Milwaukee 4-1/2” trim square is a pocket -sized speed square for those smaller detail pieces. Priced under $11, it’s an easy buy for the convenience it provides.
Diablo Carbide Tipped Pruning Blade
Carbide tipped blades have recently changed the game and Diablo is widely considered to be at the forefront of the revolution. Carbide blades are much more expensive than traditional bi-metal blades, but they cut through material much faster and last much longer.
One of the most handy blades Diablo makes is the new carbide tipped pruning reciprocating saw blade, which can not only assist in the demolition of structures, but are a great for knocking off pesky tree branches.
I’ve used this blade on many tree branches and to make fast, rough cuts through lumber. It’s goes especially well with Milwaukee’s recent one-handed Hackzall release!
Craftsman Versastack 2-Drawer Storage Unit
Craftsman Versastack 2-Drawer Unit
After being acquired by Stanley Black & Decker (SBD), Craftsman recently launched a brand new line of around 1,200 new tools. It already appears to be a good move for Craftsman tool lovers as it has breathed new life into the old Sears brand. One of the best buys in the new brand is the Versastack 2-drawer unit. Every tradesman or garage warrior needs additional storage and the Verstastack will not only stack on top of other Versastack units, but will also stack on DeWalt T-stack units, thanks to that aforementioned SBD acquisition. Only available at Lowe’s for around $30.
Knipex Pliers Wrench
You’ve heard of a wrench. You’ve heard of pliers. But, have you ever heard of a pliers wrench?
The Knipex Pliers Wrench is a favorite of electricians and plumbers alike, but it has many benefits for other tradesmen or homeowners that do occasional plumbing installs. Unlike most pliers, these have a smooth jaw, so they don’t mar or scratch up finished pieces when you’re tightening them. They jaws also move completely parallel with each other, giving you a perfect grip without the risk of slippage.
Over $50
ISOtunes Free Wireless OSHA-Compliant Hearing Protection Headphones
Hearing protection is one of those things that construction workers ignore until years later when they realize they have lost a significant amount of their hearing. OSHA has strict hearing protection requirements to avoid hearing loss in workers, ISOtunes FREE Bluetooth Hearing Protectors offer a 22db noise reduction rating and they also limit the audio playback to 85db, keeping you below the actionable noise level.
These wireless ear buds will last for 7 hours, but the rechargeable charging case it comes with will provide an additional 14 hours of playback time.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option and don’t mind the cords, the ISOtunes Pro 2.0 offers similar features at a lower cost.
OtterSpot Wireless Charging System
Thanks to Rob McKinney (@conappguru) for this great suggestion! He says:
“The OtterSpot Charging base is an interesting device for construction crews using Smartphones on job sites where plug in power option can be scarce to find! In 2019 the smartphone has become the digital tool that contractors depend on to stay connected with their project team, document their daily activities, and use to navigate their way back home.
No matter how good the promises are from hardware companies, the workload field staff place on smartphone batteries is more than demanding! There a few times each day when crews come together for breaks and meetings that can provide an opportunity to charge back up a mobile device. Whether it be around a plan table, a meeting room, or a gang box the OtterSpot provides a unique charging option for up to five devices. When a team starts a meeting they can simply spread the charging bases around and place their smartphones on them to get a charge, then stack them back up to recharge and be ready for use again.”
For more information on OtterBox’s Business line of accessories, check out our recent post here!
DeWalt DCC020IB 20V Max Inflator
Everyone needs an inflator at some point, whether it’s an emergency roadside tire fill-up, bike tire top offs, camping mattresses, or those pesky pool floats. The DeWalt 20V MAX Inflator is the most versatile of them all, as it’s able to inflate high pressure or high volume and can be powered by battery, 12V DC (car plug-in), or a 110V wall outlet.
Besides its versatility, one of its greatest features is the ability to set the PSI you’d like to fill it to and it will automatically shut off when it reaches that level. You can read our full review of it by clicking here.
DEWALT DCE511B 11" Corded/Cordless Jobsite Fan
The DeWalt 20V jobsite fan is a super-efficient, powerful, and convenient option for the workshop or jobsite. Delivering up to 500 CFM of air, the fan can easily last a full day on one battery. If your battery runs out of juice, no worries, because it can also be plugged into an outlet through an extension cord. Rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, it’s ready to be put to work in tough conditions.
Truewerk Work Pants
Truewerk makes some seriously comfortable work pants. You may like your jeans, but your jeans are water repellent, stain and wind resistent while also being breathable and stretchable for increased mobility.
The T3 Werkpants are made for the colder months, as they are fleece lined for additional insulation. I’ve been wearing mine for a couple weeks and they truly do make a difference.
For warmer climates, the T2 Werkpants are not lined, but has all of the same features as the T3.
DeWalt 33 in. Folding Portable Workbench
With the ability to be opened or closed in less than three seconds, the DeWalt Folding Portable Workbench is a versatile worktop for a variety of different tasks. It’s equipped with clamping holes throughout to allow clamping of materials from any angle. The table is able to support up to 1,000 pound load capacity, so there won’t be many jobs it can’t handle.
I bought one of these from Tool Barn myself and it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made. Extra table space is at a premium on most jobsites and work shops and this one sets up so fast that you’ll wonder why you didn’t buy one years ago.
Grab it for $69 on Tool Barn
Milwaukee M12 SURGE Hydraulic Impact Driver
Impact drivers are a favorite tool of mine, but they’re loud due to metal on metal contact creating that impact. With hydraulic drivers, like the new Milwaukee M12 SURGE, fluid creates the impact, leaving you with a much quieter tool with a smoother operation. Hydraulic drivers are slightly less powerful than traditional drivers, but will still handle 90% of tasks most users need one for.
Little Giant King Kombo Ladder System
Nearly everyone needs a ladder at some point in their lives. At the same time, nearly everyone has used that ladder in an unsafe way. The Little Giant King Kombo ladder provides an extremely versatile solution to make using a ladder much safer.
With its ability to safely be used as a step ladder, a leaning step ladder, and an extension ladder, the King Kombo reduces the amount of ladders you may need, while giving you options so you don;t have to use it unsafely.
Milwaukee M12 Axis Heated Jacket
Available for both men and women, the Milwaukee M12 Heated Axis Jacket is unlike any other heated jacket I’ve ever worn. It’s much less bulky than normal work jackets and it’s compressible for easier layering or if you need to store it in a bag. While it has reinforcement in high wear zones that protect from abrasion and tears, this isn’t going to be the most heavy duty jacket you can buy, but it’s extremely comfortable and it’s become one of my favorite jackets.
Want to take your warm to the next level? Add one of Milwaukee’s new Hydrobreak Rain Shell jackets over top of the Axis to keep you dry, as well.
Bosch GLM400CL Outdoor Laser Measure
Just like Milwaukee excels with lights, Bosch excels in laser measures. The Bosch GLM400CL is the coolest laser I’ve ever used, because it solves a laser measure’s biggest problem: sunlight. With the use of a built-in camera and on-screen crosshairs, this measure lets users measure up to 400 feet away without the need to see where the laser is pointing. This laser will set you back around $300, so if you don’t want to spend that kind of cash, Bosch makes plenty of other great laser measures that won’t break the bank. Their GLM30 model has a 100’ range and can be found for around $70 currently.
OXX COFFEEBOXX Job SIte Tough Coffee Maker
A lot of us aren’t able to function without a metric ton of caffeine pumped through our veins each morning, but many coffee makers just can’t stand up to the rigors of a construction site.
The OXX Coffeeboxx is an exception to that, and they proved that point by parking a jeep on top of 4 them — one under each wheel. Not only is it strong, all of the components are tucked away and concealed to keep jobsite debris out of the machine and your coffee.
