20 Premium Tool Gift Ideas to Take Any DIYer to the Pro Level

Take their shop to the next level with pro-grade, premium tool gift ideas for the DIYer in your life.

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20 Premium Tool Gift Ideas That Any Diyer Will LoveVIA MERCHANT

Every DIY enthusiast needs one more thing: more tools. With so many options out there, we’ve made things easier by curating a list of premium tool gift ideas that offer pro-level features. The handy person in your life may not even realize that they’re missing these splurge-worthy tools, but that’s all the more reason to surprise them with one. From essential tools for the shop to task-specific products to the latest cutting-edge tools, someone is about to be very happy when they unwrap these gifts.

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Handheld Cnc Router
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For the Precision Guru: Handheld CNC Router

Looking for digital precision capability but space is at a premium in their workshop? Consider the Shaper Origin, a digital handheld CNC that doesn’t require a large footprint in the shop, has a quick learning curve and has no limitations on workspace, making it ideal for larger projects that don’t fit on a traditional CNC. With it’s extensive hardware library, they’ll get templates for perfect recesses really quickly, making it a breeze to cut accurate mortises for door hinges, keyhole plates and concealed hinges.

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Pop Up Workbench
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For the Friend with Minimal Space: Pop-Up Workbench

The Bora Centipede is a multi-legged, pop-up workbench and saw horse that also functions as a tool stand and table base. It folds out in seconds, and is not only perfect for construction, but also handy on a camping trips, tailgating or anywhere they need a stable platform. Even with its featherweight construction, the Centipede supports thousands of pounds of weight. The 2-by-4-foot model holds up to 2,500 pounds while the biggest version (4 by 8 feet) can handle 6,000 pounds.

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Sawstop
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For the Safe Woodworker: SawStop Table Saw

As a SawStop Jobsite Pro owner myself, I have been delighted with the safety, accuracy and portability of this table saw. I researched table saws extensively before taking the plunge and have since seen its amazing skin-sensing safety system in action at the community makerspace, where the safety break cartridge engaged saving a woodworker’s digits.

“If I had to recommend one premium tool for DIYers, it would be a table saw, but specifically a SawStop table saw,” says Althea Tower, owner of Riveted Woodworking. “There are many versions to fit different budgets. When I was ready to upgrade to a new table saw for my shop, there was no question in my mind that it would be a SawStop. Accidents can happen, no matter how careful you are, and I knew the added peace of mind of the SawStop was priceless. I now have two in my shop!”

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Track Saw
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For the Tool Brand Loyalist: Track Saw

Makita tools have been highly regarded by tradespeople for decades. This Makita LS1018 miter saw offers 12 inches of cutting capacity with a 10-inch blade, a slide and dual bevel for left and right cuts. One exceptional feature: the soft-start 13-amp motor. It ramps up to top speed smoothly for consistent, accurate cuts every time they pull the trigger.

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Robotic Lawn Mower
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For the Quick-Fix DIYer: Robotic Lawn Mower

The Automower from Husqvarna is a tireless worker with a battery life that can cover up to 2.5 acres. The new generation mowers eliminate the need for a boundary wire and use satellite positioning instead. Plus, their app-based controls allow for scheduled cutting, multiple work areas, cutting height adjustments, mowing patterns and tracking location. What makes this machine excel is the adjustable cutting system using three retractable, razor-like cutting blades. They’re just a fraction of the size of thick steel blades, which results in clean cuts, longer runtimes and super-quiet operation.

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3d Printer
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For the Futuristic Friend: 3D Printer

For the DIYer, there’s nothing more satisfying than being able to fix something themself. “3D printers are a wonderful and accessible new tool to add to your growing collection,” says Sam Dirani, owner of Prototype LLC. “I not only use mine for my professional prototyping work, I regularly design and print replacement parts for a variety of things around the house, from tool organizers, jigs, kids toys to kitchen appliances.”

When choosing the best 3D printer for the hobbyist, Dirani recommends the Ender3. He adds, “Like any 3D printer, it will require time and patience to get it optimized to your needs, but well worth it.”

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Thickness Planer
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For the Serious Woodworker: Thickness Planer

The majority of woodworking starts with rough-sawn lumber that’s milled to dimensional lumber using three tools: a jointer, a thickness planer and a table saw. The Dewalt thickness planer is a must-have tool in the shop, and its performance is outstanding. It has three two-edged knives in the cutter head, so they can flip them around when one side gets dull.

There are two speed settings: The slower one is for smoother cuts (179 cuts per inch) while the second setting is for speedier work (96 cuts per inch). It handles stock up to 6 inches thick and 12.5 inches wide. It includes extra set of knives, infeed and outfeed tables and fastener attachments for the in/out feed table (attached to the base of the planer base).

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Tool Storage Chest Ecomm Via Homedepot.com
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For the Tool Hoarder: Tool Storage Chest

This 18-drawer Milwaukee heavy-duty cabinet has a deep drawer for storing drills, trim routers and nail guns. The drawers are rubber lined, so chisels and rasps won’t get nicked, and the tool chest is packed with cool features, like two power strips with USB ports. There are spots to hang their battery chargers so they stay plugged in and ready to use. Plus, that means they have a lot of storage space to fill with more new toys!

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Wheel Hauler
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For the Heavy Lifter: Two-Wheel Hauler

The foldable Cub Cadet hauler handles 800 pounds of whatever they’ve got—mulch, soil, rocks—and unloads easily with the press of a foot pedal. They can fold one side down for easy access to a heavy bag of fertilizer, or fold down all the sides and use it as a flat bed to haul logs, fence posts or lumber. There’s an optional tool caddy for rakes and shovels, and a handle kit to convert the trailer to a two-wheel pushcart. And when it’s not in use, they can fold it up small enough to store in their garage or shed.

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Metal Pegboard
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For the Constant Organizer: Metal Pegboard

The traditional pegboard is pretty unexciting, but this 20-gauge steel pegboard sports a slick, industrial style that comes in a variety of colors to mix and match. The steel-variety of pegboards elevate the shop and are much more durable than the standard kind. It keeps tools within arms reach and where they can easily find them. It has a wide variety of hooks, shelves and pegs to configure the pegboard just the way they like it.

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Nemo Grabber Tool Ecomm Via Northerntool.com
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For the Friend in Need of a Hand: Grabber Tool

The Grabo is an amazing tool that saves time (and your back) with heavy lifting of materials like stone, slabs or large awkward pieces of drywall or plywood. This battery-operated device creates a vacuum suction on the surface of the material, making it easy to pick up, move and set in place. The grabber tool is capable of instantly connecting to almost any surface, rough or smooth. Once the material has been moved, press the red vacuum release button to release the vacuum, and move on to the next object to be lifted.

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Oscillating Sander
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For the Smooth Operator: Oscillating Sander

For years, the Rigid oscillating sander has been a staple for many workshops and an excellent value for the price. The machine combines an oscillating edge belt sander with a spindle sander that oscillates, too. It comes with four sizes of spindles (0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.5 inches), and takes a 4-inch-by-24-inch belt. The dust collection port easily connects to a shop vac, plus, there are vents in the table that allow dust to be sucked down into the dust port.

This is one of my most-used tools in the shop, and the best two-in-one sander for the price. To be honest, I’m not sure how I survived without having this tool! It’s useful in so many situations, you’ll find your DIYer using it all the time.

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Benchtop Jointer
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For the Handy Carpenter: Bench Top Jointer

A bench top jointer is a handy tool for anyone who works with reclaimed or rough lumber. It’s used to make dimensional lumber—the first step to most woodworking projects. This 6-inch model has carbide head cutters, and is a first choice for squaring up short lumber. This bench top jointer weighs 36 pounds, solid enough to keep it stationary on the bench.

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Cordless Dremel Ecomm Via Homedepot.com
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For the Detail-Oriented Friend: Cordless Dremel

From light cutting to grinding and polishing, the cordless Dremel 8220 is a multi-purpose powerhouse. The set comes with a wide range of bits to get them started, and a plethora of accessories and attachments are available separately. Everything has been well thought out, from the way the bit is easily changed to the design and size of the tool itself, along with variable speed control that’s easy to adjust while in use. They’ll get a nice case, the tool itself, a 12-volt lithium-ion battery, a charger and a selection of accessories.

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Benchtop Mortiser
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For the Furniture Maker: Bench Top Mortiser

A bench top mortiser, often referred to as a hollow chisel mortiser, creates square holes in wooden pieces for tenons to fit into. These mortise and tenon joints add strength and visual appeal to furniture pieces, and are much quicker to make with mortisers compared to the old-fashioned way with a hammer and chisel, or a drill press and chisel.

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Laser Level And Measure
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For the Precision Master: Laser Level and Measure

This laser distance measure from Bosch is compact and easy to fit in a pocket or bag for on-the-go projects. Simply hold the laser to one surface, turn it on and measure to a distance of up to 165 feet. You can also use it to calculate area, volume and angles, and record all your results wirelessly on your phone. There’s also a handy digital level. Consider it a super-long, one-handed tape measure that you can slip into your pocket.

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Cordless Drill And Impact Driver Combo
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For the One Whose Tools Take a Beating: Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo

This Milwaukee cordless drill and impact driver combo is packed with all the bells and whistles, including LED lights, power meters, belt hooks and more. Powered by 1.5 amp-hour (Ah) lithium-ion batteries, this cordless set delivers more torque, more power and longer runtime than its competitors.

After using the Milwaukee brand of tools for years, they’ve never let me down. I’ve been particularly impressed by the impact driver’s speed selector, which can give you better control when it’s set for slow speed. The two tools are available as a set with two batteries and a charger. Plus, you’ll find lots of other pro tools that use the same excellent battery platform.

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Inverter Generator
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For the Always-Prepared Friend: Inverter Generator

The 2,000-watt Generac inverter power generator provides portable power for outdoor events without disturbing neighbors or wildlife. It has clear and easy starting directions and an LED dashboard that displays how much time you have before you run out of fuel. But the most striking feature is how quietly it runs. I’ve never heard a quieter generator. It would be perfect for camping, tailgating or anywhere you need power, but don’t want to yell over the roar of a noisy engine.

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Cordless Chainsaw
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For the One Looking to Go Cordless: Cordless Chainsaw

Cut the cord but keep the power with this cordless 80-volt Greenworks chainsaw. With its 18-inch bar, push-button starting and quieter operation, they can use this chainsaw to tackle heavy-duty tasks. Boasting an 80-volt battery, the chainsaw lasts up to 270 cuts on wood without needing to be recharged. They’ll get all this power without the smell, fumes or noise of a gas chainsaw or the hassle of a pull cord.

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Power Washer
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For the DIYer Who Seeks Instant Gratification: Power Washer

I recently received a compact Ryobi electric power washer model as a gift, and it has become my first stop when deep cleaning outdoor spaces. It’s lightweight (just 22 pounds) and small (fits on an 18-inch shelf), and it’s plenty powerful enough (1,900 pounds per square inch (PSI)) for all my cleaning jobs. It has all the features of my old gas-powered power washer for less than a third the price, and now I don’t have to mess around with gas. If your favorite DIYer doesn’t have an electric power washer yet, or needs an upgrade, get them one.

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Sources:

Cathy Harms
Cathy Harms is an award-winning woodworker, teaching artist and writer covering a range of topics including woodworking, home improvement, tool selection, DIY and home decor for a variety of publications. Her work has been featured in Fine Woodworking Magazine, and her educational toys were named "Etsy Finds." Cathy owns Charms Woodworks, a one-woman woodworking shop where she specializes in building furniture using fine joinery techniques and teaches toymaking/STEM workshops. All her woodworking projects are made with true DIY spirit and dedication to the finer points of design, form and function.