Father’s Day Gift Ideas 2015 courtesy of Mr. Fix-It himself, Lou Manfredini. Father’s Day is the perfect time to expand the tool collection around the house.
I have some basic tools around the house, but my husband has always mentioned that he’d like to expand upon our tool collection. Father’s Day is an ideal time to get him what he needs. I’m not an expert about tools, so I interviewed Lou Manfredini, home expert and father of four.
Lisa LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – What is a great tool or set of tools to get for someone who doesn’t have much of a collection?
Lou Manfredini Mr. Fix-It Radio Host – Well, as far as I’m concerned, when it comes to tools, you can never have too many. The other thing I want everyone to know is the fact that you want to make sure you’re buying quality tools. I think that you can certainly come in to stores and you can find pretty cheap items… I just need a pair of pliers to put one thing together… but, they’re not going to last long. The whole idea this morning, we wanted to talk about some quality stuff. ACE has this great partnership with Craftsman, and has had it now for five years. So, those quality tools that have been around forever are now available at ACE. So, I got a nice collection of different items that I think really make a difference. It starts with this 193-piece mechanics tool set. This set, for about $200, comes with three different ratchet sizes, all the corresponding sockets you would need, wrenches, and the specialty tools like nut drivers… so, if you’re going to assemble furniture, if you’re going to work on a swingset, even if you wanted to work on a car, this set would be something you would have for life. And, the life really means a lot because with Craftsman, you let a lifetime guarantee on all those tools.
Lisa LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – What are the perfect Father’s Day gift ideas for the man who has a decent tool collection already started?
Lou Manfredini Mr. Fix-It Radio Host – I would say probably a good cordless drill. This is something that is kind of a go-to power tool that you can use for a lot of different projects. For instance, Craftsman has this half-inch drill driver that uses the lithium ion battery technology. The great thing about the lithium ion batteries is that they can hold a charge for up to 18 months. And, I think for a lot of people, they’ll have a cordless drill, they’ll have it plugged in and charged, and then it sits in a tool box or drawer… then when they need it, they’re like “Awww, the battery’s dead. Now I have to wait 15-20 minutes to charge it up.” Lithium ion batteries hold onto that charge. This particular one has a heavy duty battery… which means the thing is just going to work and work and work. For somebody who really needs a go-to, cordless drill is the way to go.
Lisa LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – Is there anything out there that is newer and more unique that a tool lover may not know of, but couldn’t do without?
Lou Manfredini Mr. Fix-It Radio Host – Oh wow. There’s a lot of new technology when it comes to electronics. For instance, while stud finders have been around a long time there’s newer technology now in those that are what they call deeper scan. So, if you live in an older home with plaster walls that have a very thick surface over the top of the framing, it’s still very difficult sometimes to find the framing underneath there when you’re hanging heavy objects. These deep scan scensors that used to be traditionally only available to the professionals are now available to home owners as well. They’re pretty affordable. I mean, you’re probably going to spend $20-$30 on something like that, but that kind of investment is better than sitting there poking a bunch of holes in the wall so you like you have a bunch of swiss cheese as you’re trying to hang a nice picture or some shelving, or whatever it may be. That’s a bit of technology that’s newer and out there. On the tool side, it’s a myriad of different things that are out there as well. This lithium ion technology that I talked to you about now has sort of overtaken all of the power tools that are available. So, if people have a choice when they’re looking over power tools and it’s a choice between a lithium ion battery and a NICAD (which is the traditional battery used in a cordless), I would always tell them to choose the lithium ion battery over that. Costs a little bit more, but definitely worth the investment.
Lisa LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – If you’re inexperienced with buying tools, what should you look for to make sure you’re getting a quality product?
Lou Manfredini Mr. Fix-It Radio Host – Great question. Something to remember for everyone when it comes to buying tools…you get what you pay for. So, it is definitely one of these things that your investment and what you’re going to spend directly correlates with the quality of the tools. Now, many manufacturers, Craftsman one of them, other brands as well, offer you a lifetime warranty on the tool. That means if it breaks, on certain items – the power tools that’s not the case – but hand tools, hammers.. all those types of tools, if it comes with a lifetime warranty – watch that on the package, save the receipt and/or the package, get a plastic bag in a work room or closet, throw all that stuff in there that if you were to break a tool and you didn’t misuse it, you can take it back to the store and have it replaced. To me, what’s better – as far as an investment goes – than if they get a lifetime warranty on something like that? It’s definitely worth paying for.
If peoplele want more information, they can go right to their neighborhood ACE Hardware store.
Lou Manfredini, Home Expert, is a self-made success story in the home maintenance industry. He got his start working at a local Ace Hardware store in high school and as a carpenter’s apprentice in college, which eventually led to launching his own construction company in Chicago and today, has turned into a booming career as a nationally respected home maintenance expert. Manfredini also has extensive media experience. He began his media career when WGN Radio launched his idea for a home improvement call-in radio show, Mr. Fix-It. In addition, he is the host of the nationally syndicated home improvement television and radio show HouseSmarts, and the syndicated radio show Lou Manfredini’s HouseSmarts Minutes heard on more than 175 radio stations across the country. Manfredini is also the official home expert for NBC’s Today Show, and has authored six successful DIY books. He resides in Chicago with his wife and four children, where they also own and operate two neighborhood Ace stores.
If people want more information for Father’s Day Gift Ideas, they can go right to their neighborhood ACE Hardware store.
