Gift Ideas for Dad: 15 Tools Your Father Probably Doesn’t Have

Gift-shopping for Dad is tough—especially if he’s the kind of guy that always wants tools.

Because he probably has a million already and you’re left trying to find new ones that he doesn’t own.

So, we made this list to help you out.

While we can’t guarantee that your Pop doesn’t already have these, we can at least say with certainty that these are far-less common tools than, say, screwdrivers or wrenches.

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1. Ball Joint Service Tools

Don’t let the name fool you, these tools can be handy for dozens of other jobs, too. At the heart of the set is a device that’s basically a big C-Clamp with a pass-through on the bottom, so Dad can use it as a small press or as a wood clamp with easy screw-hole access.

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2. Security Bit Sets

Nowadays, many things are assembled with “security” fasteners that require a specialized bit to remove. The good news is, you can get sets with dozens of different security adapter bits, which will save Pop a ton of frustration when he’s making a repair.

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3. Wiper Arm / Battery Terminal Pullers

These two tools do a similar job: they help pull something off of a shaft—so we’ve seen them used for jobs ranging from model train wheel removal, to taking gears off of an RC car, as well as repairing pinball machine solenoids.

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4. Pry Bar Sets

Dad may be getting by just using a long screwdriver or chisel for prying jobs—but he could damage his tools or the parts he’s working on. What he really needs is a nice set of pry bars. Gentle Pry Kits are worth their weight in gold if Pop works around delicate plastic or metals.

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5. Cord Reels

Have you ever heard your Father screaming at a knotted-up ball of extension cords? Well, these can cure that (and maybe even lower his blood pressure, too).

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6. Vacuum Pumps

These tools are tailor-made for bleeding brakes, but have tons of other uses as well. You can use them to check the integrity of pressurized lines, drain liquid reservoirs, and even pull fluid samples.

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7. Thread Setter Kits

Drill a hole in a panel, and then use one of these tools to press-in a threaded insert that allows a removable bolt or stud to be secured into the panel. These kits are perfect problem-solvers, and may be just the fix Dad needs on his next project.

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8. Inspection Scopes

With a tiny camera about the size of a AA battery, these scopes let you get a mouse-eye view of tight spaces—like air ducts, engine cylinders, or clogged plumbing. The built-in screen shows you the action in real-time.

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9. Spring-Loaded Wire Stripping Tool

Does Dad do a lot of electrical work? This tool will save him hours of mundane stripping and wire prep. Simply put the wire in the mouth of the tool and squeeze the handles—then the tip of the wire is stripped and ready for crimping/soldering.

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10. Pass-Thru Uni-Fit Socket Set

OK, Pop’s got a ton of sockets already…but how many allow you to slip the ratchet head over a long bolt or into a narrow slot? Yeah, thought so. This Channellock set can be downright magical in tight situations.

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11. Magnetic Finger Gloves

These are like having an extra set of hands—they make starting nuts/bolts in tight or blind spots much, much easier. (Also handy if your Dad is always losing his car keys.)

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12. Battery Charger

Is Dad always cursing a dead battery? Here’s the fix. And if Dad already has a battery charger, he may want a battery maintainer (a device that keeps the battery healthy over long storage periods) for his mower, bike, or boat.

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13. Heat Sleeves

If your Father spends a lot of time under the hood, these sleeves will keep his arms protected from heat and scrapes—while still allowing him to rock a short-sleeve t-shirt.

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14. Digital Infrared Thermometers

Sure, you can use one to troubleshoot vehicle cooling components or home HVAC systems, but the real reason Dad needs this is to impress his buddies around the BBQ grill.

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15. Extendable Ratchets

These are simply traditional ratchets with a telescoping, extendable head. That means Pop will have better leverage, allowing him to use physics (and not his back) to un-stuck stubborn bolts.

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If Dad already has all of the tools on this list, he probably needs a place to store them, right? One of these will fit the bill.

Or, if none of the tools on this list work for you, then Dad will probably be perfectly happy with a pair of hastily-purchased socks and a card.

Probably.

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Summit Racing’s Jason Liss, Rick Eash, and Tom Lynch contributed to this story.