We are judged, they say, by the company we keep and by the clothes we wear, but also, perhaps, by the gifts we give. Hardware stores and garden and home centers can yield imaginative gifts for the inveterate do-it-yourselfer, the rehab addict, the green thumb and even for the hopelessly unhandy. A snappy design or a new version of an old standby can make the most mundane item appealing.
The products here prove that ”practical” doesn`t have to mean
”boring.” If you can`t find a product, the manufacturers listed can guide you to the proper stores and enable you to order some items by mail. All prices given are suggested retail, but discounts are available at certain stores.
Multi-bit screwdriver
Here is a new twist on an old standard that should reduce scrounging around for the right size screwdriver. Sicommerce Inc. has developed the Revolver Screwdriver, a set of six screwdrivers combined in just one tool. Slotted and Phillips bits are stored in a cylinder on the shaft, which revolves so you can select the right one for the job. The sleek, glossy black Revolver has a handle designed for easy gripping and turning. Price: $18. International Consumer Brands, c/o Rick Franklin, 126 Monroe Turnpike, Trumball, Conn. 06611 (203-268-0200).
For sawing and more
The name C-Saw may sound like a children`s game, but this new combination tool from Sonin is childlike only in its simplicity. The C-Saw has a design that professionals can appreciate, but novices will find easy to use. A black plastic case houses seven basic cutting and layout tools: a wood saw for use in the workshop or garden, a hacksaw, a carpenter`s square, a protractor/
bevel, a ruler, a removable utility knife for cutting sheetrock or wallpaper or just opening boxes, and a slot for cutting string or wire. Price: $14.99. Sonin Inc., Customer Service Dept., 672 White Plains Rd., Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 (800-223-7511).
Cooler glue gun
For the craft enthusiast, Stanley-Parker has created the Cool Melt glue gun. This white gun with a blue trigger is safer and more versatile than the former designs. Its tip remains 155 degrees cooler than those on standard hot melt guns, reducing the risk of burns. The bonding strength of the Cool Melt glue sticks is comparable to the hotter sticks`, but the lower temperature increases applications to such materials as polystyrene foam, synthetic fabrics and even balloons. Price: $11.99 or $19.99, depending on size. Stanley-Parker, c/o Dave Nicholson, 149 Washington St., Worchester, Mass. 01610 (508-795-0909).
Tape reading at a glance
Homestar adds contemporary technology to the ordinary tape measure. Its QuickerTape has the standard metal pull-out tape, but measurements are given on a digital display. It eliminates the need to decipher fractional measurements with readouts in inches and one-sixteenth of an inch. Price:
$34.95. Homestar International Inc., 4473 Willow Rd., Suite 250, Pleasanton, Calif. 94588 (800-628-0300).
Compact tool stash
The Swiss have thought of a better way to store tools, in their compact T-Box from Posso. This vertical toolbox neatly organizes 40 to 70 tools, depending on the model. A bright red cover lifts off to reveal a blue stand with slots to hold tools upright as well as drawers for small parts. The cover is designed to be used as a stool. Price: $24.99 and $39.99, depending on size. Posso Savoy, 175 Ward Hill Ave., P.O. Box 8287, Haverhill, Mass. 01835-0487 (800-343-8140).
Handy holster
Tools are heavy enough to tote, without adding the weight of a leather pouch, so Atchison Leather Products has created a new line of rugged nylon tool carriers called Featherweights. Any do-it-yourselfer would be happy to strap on the ”Weekender” model, which has a five-pocket nail bag, a leather loop for a hammer and a leather tape holder. Price: $18.73. Atchison Leather Products, 201 Main St., P.O. Box 248, Atchison, Kan. 66002 (800-255-6023).
Portable security
For security at home or when you travel, the Watcher from Watson Inc. is a portable alarm that has several useful features. To guard against intruders, the sleek red and gray Watcher (which is the size of a hand-held telephone)
can be set on a surface or mounted on the wall to sound an alarm or flash a light when someone comes within its sensing range. It also can be used as an emergency alarm or as a flashlight that will go on as you enter a room. Available only by mail order. Price: $16.75 (which includes a wall bracket and a spare bulb) plus $3 for shipping and handling. Watson Inc., Easy Living Products Division, 598 Addison Rd., Painted Post, N.Y. 14870 (607-962-2837).
Long-term batteries
Millennium is the gift that keeps on giving for the many Christmas presents that bear the label ”batteries not included.” Rechargeable Millennium Power Cells are available in AA, C, D, AAA and 9-volt sizes and come with a lifetime replacement guarantee. Tests have shown that they run 33 percent longer than other rechargeable batteries on the market. In addition, the two- and four-battery Millennium RapidChargers can charge the cells in as little as three hours. Price: $6.99 for two AA or AAA cells, $7 for two C or D cells or one 9-volt; $14.99 for a 2-position charger with 2 AA cells; $19.99 for a 4-position charger without batteries. Gates Energy Products Inc., P.O. Box 23649, Gainesville, Fla. 32602 (800-543-9300).
Pruning ease
To cut through the back yard tangle, there is a new hedger/pruner from Takagi. This lightweight tool is designed with thin, high-quality tempered steel to give clean cuts. The shorter blades, which are Teflon coated to minimize sap buildup, are designed to give more cutting power than longer blades. Non-slip, rubberized resin grips increase comfort and safety. Price:
$28.99 for the 20-inch model, $35.99 for the 25-inch version. Takagi Tools Inc., P.O. Box 14355, Torrance, Calif. 90503 (800-777-5538).
Garden seeds
The Gardener`s Eden catalog has the stuff that a green thumb`s dreams are made of. This year they have gathered a seed collection called the ”Flowers of Giverny,” chosen from varieties planted by Impressionist painter Claude Monet (catalog No. 87-469148). The six seed packets of easy-to-grow annuals include blue morning glories, red corn poppies and yellow wallflowers packaged in a wooden box. Children can test their gardening skills, too, with the Child`s Garden in a Box (catalog No. 87-466540). The wooden growing box comes with potting mix and six packets of easy-to-grow vegetables, such as round Paris Market carrots and tiny peas. Price: $12 plus state tax and $3.15 for delivery for the Flowers of Giverny; $21.50 plus tax and $4.15 for delivery for Child`s Garden in a Box. Gardener`s Eden, P.O. Box 7307, San Francisco, Calif. 94120-7307 (415-421-4242).
