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Daddy's Little Helpers

Of course you love your dad, no one is disputing it. But there's love, and then there's love . Put another way, there's the gift that expresses affection, and then there are tools. Beautiful, functional tools.

If your father finds excuses to go to the hardware store just to linger in the tool section gawking at cordless drills like a pubescent boy with his first Cosmopolitan magazine, he needs more than a World's Best Dad mug for Father's Day .

Tools have a mystique that is hard to describe. For those initiated into the cult of manly endeavor, looking at new tools is absurdly thrilling. It might have something to do with potential - think of all the wood products I could wreak havoc upon with that . If this describes your male role model, read on.

There is a revolution happening in cordless tools. New lithium-ion batteries are replacing what was until recently the industry standard, nickel-cadmium batteries. This the cutting edge of battery technology. The latest electric cars use lithium batteries.

In short, today's tools use batteries that are lighter, more compact, last longer, and in every way outperform the older variety. It's like HDTV compared to a cathode ray tube model.

Buying your Dad a cordless tool with lithium batteries, together with a brief peroration on the beauty of this new technology, will gain you forgiveness in advance for many months of future transgressions.

Power tools aren't cheap. Well some of them are, but like with most things, you get what you pay for. Consider it a long term investment. So here's a little help with what to look for in tools.

The Must-Have

 

You want your father on a ladder dragging a 25-foot extension cord behind him? Heck no. Every man needs a cordless drill. It's like owning a white shirt, or one good suit. They can cost anywhere from $40 to $300. But which brand should you buy?

 

By now, almost every company that makes cordless tools has at least a drill with lithium technology. But the best tools are still made by a few companies. Milwaukee , Bosch , DeWalt and Makita have models with lithium batteries, and consistently produce a durable, professional quality product.

 

Milwaukee has been an innovator in this field. Their new, improved batteries fit older model drills. Each of these brands makes a very good drill. Other brands make a decent product, and they all look flashy and impressive, but you won't be disappointed with the brands mentioned above.

 

In trade-speak, you want a drill with plenty of ass (i.e. power). Buying anything less than 14 volts is cheating your dad of pure tool bliss. Pleasants Hardware ( pleasantshardware.com, (800) 552-2717 ) has a large selection of drills and their knowledgeable staff can give you the whatfor on all their tools.

 

The Gift Horse

 

If you want to increase the love, try a tool combo pack . You can find them at just about any hardware store that sells tools. These have become increasingly popular, and they are a good deal. The idea is simple - the two batteries included (one charges while you use the other) will fit three or four different tools.

 

Combos always contain a cordless drill and a work light. Other items might include a circular saw, a jigsaw or a reciprocating saw. Buying these items separately would cost much more than buying them in combination.

 

Be careful to look for combos that include lithium batteries. Porter Cable , for example, makes very good tools, but as of this writing, they do not have a combo pack (or a cordless drill) with lithium batteries. The brands mentioned above are still the most recommended.

 

Nirvana

 

Okay, I know this is pie in the sky. But let's pretend that money is no issue. The Model 4100-09 10" Bosch Worksite Saw with Gravity Rise Stand, with a 4 horsepower motor that draws 15 amps, a 29" table, deluxe patented locking fence, 8" pneumatic wheels, and a Smart-Guard attachment to prevent kickbacks. Just saying that out loud is exhilarating.

 

This saw is the closest a tool can come to poetry. It folds up, and is portable. When collapsed, it takes up no more room than a large suitcase. It is extremely rugged, well-designed and accurate.

 

I bought one for myself and used it to cut full sheets of plywood. A 90-pound weakling could push it around, set-it up and break it down. If you have been angling to move to the top of the inheritance list on your father's last will and testament, here's your play. This thing is an heirloom.

 

The Easy Way

 

Woodcrafter's in Willow Lawn ( 4925 W. Broad St. (804) 355-3945 ) has specialty woodworking tools that you won't find at your local hardware store. They specialize in tools for carving and turning, but you will find all sorts of tools for those who prefer to destroy wood by hand.

 

If you are unsure what Dad might prefer, choose a Woodcrafter's gift card. If your father always wanted to know how to make that duck decoy but didn't know how, they also offer classes on specialized topics. Call them or check the store's website for a schedule.

 

A Tool of Another Kind

 

Do you consider your father cool? I don't mean tolerable in front of friends, I mean cool. Like Benicio Del Toro, or George Clooney? Never again will you be embarrassed being in public with your father. The new iPhone ( Apple Store 11800 W. Broad St. (804) 360-3118)  is due July 11.You'll want to make sure to load it up beforehand with some Gnarls Barkley, just to be sure.

 

It most likely doesn't matter to your Dad if you don't get him something for Father's Day. He'll appreciate a phone call or a card. But just getting him any old thing won't cut it. Tools, on the other hand, will definitely cut it.