Making It a Handyman’s Holiday at the Hardware Store

Holidays getting too close for comfort? If you’re like most people, you’ve bought a few gifts but most of your shopping remains undone.

If you have someone on your list who likes to tinker around the house, here is a selection of gift ideas to get him or her to start fixing things or at least look good trying:

* Telescopic Magnet, $6 at Rancho Lumber in Westminster and other hardware outlets. There’s a general rule of physics: The tighter the space you have to work in, the more likely you’ll drop a nut, bolt or tool in a place where you can’t reach it. The magnet fits in your pocket when it’s not needed, but when duty calls you can pull it out, extend the magnetic head up to 24 inches and grab something as big as a 12-inch wrench.

* RRR Hammer, $37 at hardware stores. Ideal for the “Home Improvement” fan, this well-built hammer is signed by Tim Allen and is also available in a professional framer style.

* Worklight Headset, $19 at Restoration Hardware stores around the county and other hardware outlets. They may look nerdy, but these types of lights keep your hands free while working on a job. Worn just above your eyes, they’re equipped with two bright mini-lanterns that let you see what you’re doing.

* 15-in-1 Screwdriver, $15 at hardware outlets. A handy tool to have in the car or under the kitchen sink, this gives you a variety of screwdriver bits including Phillips, slot and torx, as well as a ratcheting option to make the work easier. On top of that, all the bits are stored in the handle. Some versions of this are available with a built-in flashlight.

* 4-in-1 Staple Gun, $20 at Arrow True Value Hardware in Orange and other hardware outlets. A good gift for someone before the holidays, this will fire brads, nails, staples and wire tackers, which makes it ideal for stringing holiday lights.

* Klein Tool, $65 at Current Supply in Westminster and other electrical supply stores. The handy person with everything probably doesn’t have a Klein Tool. Similar to the popular Leatherman pocket combination tool, the Klein features a wire cutter and can cleanly strip wire from gauges 10 to 18, as well as a magnetic hex bit holder and four hex bits in addition to a knife and pliers. A good choice for the electronics wiz on your list.

* Kwikset Remote Control Keyless Entry Deadbolt Lock, $102 at Arrow True Value Hardware in Orange and other hardware outlets. Perhaps not the most common holiday gift, but a sign that you want to make sure someone is safe. This model unlocks the door with a remote similar to that found with car alarms.

* Black & Decker Portable Blender, $57 at Crown Ace Hardware in Newport Beach and other locations around the county. A great choice for the backyard barbecue maven, the powerpack is interchangeable with other Black & Decker tools.

* Adjustable Claw, $29 at Restoration Hardware stores around the county. Picture a marriage between a crescent wrench and a box-end wrench. The Adjustable Claw gives you the best of both tools. It adapts to numerous nut and bolt sizes and is slightly tilted to give you leverage as you turn the handle.

* Hammer and Screwdriver Combo, $10 at hardware outlets. A good all-purpose tool, the small brass ball-peen hammer is great for working on little projects around the house. Inside the handle are six screwdrivers of various sizes, including the tiny eyeglass-screw size.

* All Grips, $26 at hardware outlets. A set of pliers with a unique grabbing method that can take hold of an object without causing a great deal of damage.

* Work Aprons, from free to $25 at several hardware outlets. Although it’s not a necessity, you can’t have the “look” of a do-it-yourselfer without a work apron to hold tools, nails and gadgets while you’re in the midst of a project.

Many small hardware stores carry the simple wrap-around canvas aprons, emblazoned with the store’s name, free with a purchase or for as little as $1.50. The larger, more professional shop apron with more than enough little pockets for holding things is around $25.

* Brush and Roller Spinner, $20 at California Decorating Center in Santa Ana and other paint stores. If you’re buying for someone who’s planning a paint job next year, he or she will appreciate this one. Cleanup time is usually the worst part of painting, and the spinner makes it a little easier by forcing the paint out with centrifugal force. Pros swear by it.

* DeWalt Cordless Drill & Flashlight, $200 at hardware stores throughout the county. An idea whose time has been long overdue, this rechargeable unit lets you see what you’re drilling. A good choice for someone planning some woodworking projects next year.

* Four-Tray Tool Box, $22 at Restoration Hardware, locations around the county. This French-made aluminum container has four trays that neatly fold into a manageable 14-by-9-inch box, which helps keep tool clutter in check.

* Dual-Stand Work Station, $42 at hardware outlets. This handy device has two powerful halogen lights to illuminate any garage project.

* Dremel Multi-Pro Tool, $40 at hardware stores. One of those tools that you don’t realize you need until you get one. A hand-held rotating tool with various bits to sharpen blades, cut bolts and do fine woodworking and delicate drilling.