New Tools for 2020 (What to buy when you didn't get what you wanted for Christmas...)

9 New Tools for 2020! (what to buy if you didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas)

*plus a giveaway!*

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. I am excited to announce that I have partnered with The Home Depot Prosepctive tool review program. I received all these tools for free, and I am paid for these posts, but these opinions are my own. 

Quick note about the giveaway: The winner gets a Dewalt ATOMIC 20V One Handed Recip listed below PLUS a 20V battery and charger. All you need to do to win is leave a comment below with your email address and/or Instagram handle. Winner will be chosen at random on 1/31/2020. Good luck! - must be in US to win.

Dewalt Atomic 20V Recip

Dewalt Atomic 20V Recip

I’ll admit that I’m really hard to shop for. My family doesn’t always know exactly what I need in the shop, and sometimes getting someone a tool for Christmas isn’t the most exciting gift. Or they went the other way and just got you a gift card. Here are my 9 top gifts to gift yourself if you didn’t get everything you wanted this holiday season.

Ryobi 18V Drill/Impact

Ryobi 18V Drill/Impact

Ryobi One+ Drill & Impact Driver Kit

$94 at Home Depot - Buy

Whether you’re just starting out or your weekend warrior status now includes some weeknights, there is no better bang for your buck than this 18V Ryobi One+ Drill and Impact Driver kit. It comes with a handy tote bag, two batteries & a charger, and of course the Ryobi One+ Impact Driver and Drill. Ryobi tools will always have a special place in my heart because I started my maker journey with this exact set of drills 4 years ago. They are still going strong after all that time and wear & tear. 

Quick bits:

  • Compatible with the entire lineup of Ryobi One+ 18V tools

  • Drill/Driver: 1/2 in. heavy duty keyless chuck for quick, easy bit changes

  • Impact Driver: 1/4 in. quick-connect coupler provides quick and easy bit changes

  • Charger: Compatible with RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Lithium-Ion Batteries

  • 3-year manufacturer’s warranty

Ryobi 60 Piece Kit

Ryobi 60 Piece Kit

2. Ryobi 60 piece Drilling & Driving Kit

$12.97 at Home Depot - Buy

So you just picked up a new Ryobi drill and now you need stuff to…drill. Snag this Ryobi 60 piece drilling/driving kit and you’ve got what you need for drilling into metal, wood, plastic, and masonry. This bit also comes with a hex driver and commonly used bits for all your fastening needs. At less than $13 bucks that’s a lot of bang for your buck!

Quick bits:

  • Black oxide drill bits for general-purpose drilling in wood, metal, and plastic

  • Includes a hole saw for easy hole boring

  • 135° split point on drill bits allows for instant drilling and prevents bits from walking

  • Convenient carrying/storage case

Ryobi 40 piece kit

Ryobi 40 piece kit

3. Ryobi 40 piece Impact Driving Kit

$12.97 at Home Depot - Buy

An impact driver might be the tool I use most in the shop. This kit has all the impact bits you need in a nice, compact case. Heck, I’d shell out $13 for the case alone. (I’m a sucker for handy and compact bit or screw storage in a durable little package.) With 5 bit holders and 35 hex bits of various sizes this Ryobi 40 piece Impact Driving kit is a lot of…you guessed it, BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! That is definitely the trend with these Ryobi tools. Quality lasting tools at an affordable price. Being able to get a set of drills/impact driver, and 100 bits and bit holders all for around $120 is a huge bargain. 

Quick bits:

  • Impact Rated bits for use in impact drivers and drills

  • bits feature a TORSION ZONE that absorbs the high torque from more demanding applications and helps to preserve bit tips

  • milled bit tip for enhanced fitment with commonly used fasteners

  • Sturdy storage case

Dewalt Atomic Drills

Dewalt Atomic Drills

4. Dewalt ATOMIC 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammer Drill/Impact Combo (2-Tool) w/ ToughSystem Case

$199 at Home Depot - Buy

Now we’re moving on to what are currently my most used Drill/Impact Driver kit in the shop. I’m a big fan of the compact size and weight of all Dewalt ATOMIC 20V tools, but this set is the star of the show in my opinion. Both the Hammer Drill and Impact Driver feature brushless motors which run more efficient and require less maintenance. (never have to change motor brushes and fiddle with the awful springs that always seem to lock them in place!) This kit comes with 2 Dewalt 20V batteries, a charger, and a Dewalt ToughSystem hard case. The batteries/charger/case are alone worth more than $200, but you also get these little powerhouses of drilling/driving goodness. 

Quick Bits:

  • Compatible with over 200 Dewalt 20V tools

  • Hammer drill/driver is compact at only 6.9 in. front to back

  • Impact Driver is only 5.1 in. in length

  • Impact Driver has 1700 in-lbs of torque

  • Comes with charger & 2 batteries

  • Dewalt ToughSystem interlocking hard case

Dewalt Right Angle Adaptor

Dewalt Right Angle Adaptor

5. Dewalt Right Angle Adaptor 2.0


$17.97 at Home Depot - Buy

Let’s say you picked up the Dewalt ATOMIC Drill/Impact Driver kit above, but you have a spot that even those compact drills won’t fit. Time to call in the big guns! And by big I mean compact. This Dewalt Magnetic Right Angle Bit adaptor measures a measly 1 1/2 inch from front to back allowing you to drill in the tightest of spots. Anyone who has had the pleasure of doing cabinet work knows what it’s like to contort your body into a tight spot only to find you can’t fit your drill to drive in or remove that screw. (Why is it always just 2mm too tight?!?) When you grab that Dewalt drill/impact driver kit make sure to snag one of these beauties too. It’s one of those tools you won’t need often, but worth its weight in gold when you do!

Quick Bits:

  • Magnetic for fastener retention

  • Compact 1-1/2 in. front-to-back design

  • Impact rated for use in impact drivers

  • 6 in. Length

  • Right angle conversion for use in tight spaces

Dewalt Atomic Recip

Dewalt Atomic Recip

6. Dewalt ATOMIC 20V One Handed Reciprocating Saw

$129 (tool only) at Home Depot - Buy

Another little winner from the Dewalt ATOMIC line this one handed compact reciprocating saw talks softly, but cuts a big stick! (See what I did there…dad jokes!) Now I’m no hunter. I’m far too busy for that these days, and sitting freezing in the woods is not my idea of a good time. That said I live in Oklahoma and a lot of my friends are deer hunters. One pal in particular swears by this little beast for clearing brush and getting his tree stand and feeder ready for the season. I’ll take his word for it, but I find it handy for cutting pipe or breaking down pallets in the shop. I like this so much that I convinced Home Depot to send me one to give away to you. All you have to do to win is leave a comment down below with your email address so I can contact you when you win. 

Quick Bits:

  • Compact at only 12.5 in. front to back

  • 37% Lighter than the DCS367 reciprocating saw (tool only)

  • Brushless motor for increased performance

  • LED Light to help illuminate dark work spaces

  • Tool free blade release allows for quick and easy blade changes

  • Variable speed trigger provides user with improved speed control

Rigid Heated Jacket

Rigid Heated Jacket

3 heat modes

3 heat modes

7. Rigid 18V Heated Jacket 


$199 at Home Depot - Buy

For these last three items on the list I thought I would highlight some things that maybe you hadn’t already thought of. First let’s start with the Rigid 18V Heated Jacket. This. Is. AWESOME! These days you’re going to shell out $200 for a good winter coat, but it probably doesn’t include a heater, battery pack, and a charger. I recently went to Vermont, where its far too cold for my liking, and got to try this coat out. The coat is comfortable, fits well, looks stylish, and gets really TOASTY! I found that of the three heat settings the high setting really warmed me up, and I would have to turn it down to the lowest setting after about 30 minutes. It may feel a bit odd bit odd carrying a battery pack around in the designated pocket, but having the usb port to charge my phone more than made up for it. 

Quick Bits:

  • 3 heating zones provide maximum warmth

  • Removable hood provides convenience

  • Wrinkle resistant with an elastic banded waist and 4 pockets

  • Features a cell phone pocket and cell phone cord management

  • Included USB Power Source can be used to charge electronics on the go

  • 1-year manufacturer’s warranty

Bernzomatic Map gas Torch

Bernzomatic Map gas Torch

8. Bernzomatic Premium Torch Kit w/ Map Gas

$54.97 at Home Depot - Buy

A Bernzomatic handheld torch is one of those items I never knew I needed in the shop until I picked one up. I think I have 5 of them now…(Hi, I’m Jonny, and I’m a toolaholic) I use my Bernzomatic torch for so many things: lighting my forge, shou sugi ban wood burning, heating steel to bend, lighting the fireplace, popping bubbles in an epoxy pour. The list goes on, but that’s all I can come up with for now. My advice is to opt for the premium torch kit. It’s a bit more expensive, but it lights at the push of a button without fail, and the lock detent to keep it burning is nice. I prefer the Map gas bottles to the propane because they burn hotter. 

Quick Bits:

  • Instant on/off ignition

  • Pressure regulated for consistent inverted use

  • Adjustable flame

  • Continuous flame lock

  • Compatible with MAP-Pro and propane fuels

  • Limited lifetime warranty

Firm Grip Gloves

Firm Grip Gloves

9. Firm Grip Pro-Fit Flex Gloves w/ Touchscreen Compatibility.

$9.97 at Home Depot - Buy

Last on the list are these Firm Grip gloves. Every maker should have a good pair of non-disposable gloves in the shop for moving lumber around splinter free, handling oily/scaley steel, saving blisters while hammering, and many other needs. The touchscreen compatibility is nice for when you need to use your phone while working. These gloves looks great, are comfortable, and super durable. 

Quick Bits:

  • They’re $10 gloves that will save you from splinters and blisters…just grab a pair!

Alrighty, thanks for reading, and I would love to hear what you would add to the list. Don’t forget the GIVEAWAY! Leave your email and/or IG handle in the comments and I’ll pick a random winner for the Dewalt ATOMIC recip on 1/31/2020!