HOLIDAY SHOPPING Tool time

Basic tools for everyday projects should be on everyone's list.
By REBECCA SLOAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Forget toys, forget clothes, forget electronics -- Christmas isn't really Christmas until there are tools under the tree.
This holiday season, there are plenty of tools on the market -- both new and not-so-new -- that are sure to please the Mr. or Ms. Fix It in your life.
Black & amp; Decker: Both Frank DiCicco, of Lowes in Boardman, and John Babyha, of The Home Depot in Boardman, said revamped Black & amp; Decker Firestorm cordless drills are hot, new, must-have items this holiday season.
"Black & amp; Decker just came out with redesigned 9.6 volt, 14.4 volt and 18 volt Firestorm drills," Babyha said. "They are redesigned with a leveling device and a quick bit change system for fast drilling or screw driving."
Other features include a two-position gearbox for adjusting drill speed and a clutch with "micro-adjust torque" for driving various screw sizes.
Babyha said Firestorm drills are sturdier than a basic cordless drill but not quite as top-of-the line or expensive as a drill that a contractor might use.
"The Firestorm is ideal for the serious do-it-yourselfer," Babyha said. "This isn't the type of drill made to use every day -- like the type a contractor might use, but it is a better quality drill than the kind of drill you would use only once or twice a year for light projects."
Firestorm drills range about $50 to $100.
Babyha said the 18-volt model is the most expensive and most popular.
Sanders: Tom Wagner, of Lowes in Niles, said other popular Black & amp; Decker tools favored by holiday shoppers include handheld electric sanders, such as the Mouse sander, and various models of less expensive cordless drills.
"Anyone can use these kinds of tools, whether they are a serious do-it-yourselfer or they just need a tool around for occasional use around the house," Wagner said. "I've been in this business for six years, and Black & amp; Decker tools always sell well during the holidays."
Babyha, DiCicco and Wagner said the Roto Zip spiral saw, by Roto Zip Tool Corporation, is another hot seller.
Spiral saw: Once used exclusively among those who specialized in cutting drywall, Babyha said the Roto Zip spiral saw eventually evolved into a tool that could be used to cut ceramic wall tile, wood, cement and aluminum siding, among other things.
"You can buy different attachments for it. People use it for all sorts of projects -- from home remodeling to craft projects where you would normally need a jigsaw," DiCicco explained.
Traditional saws rip material with a linear action, while spiral saws slice material away and leave a cleaner cut.
There are three Roto Zip spiral saws: the Revo 1, the Rebel and the Solaris, which is the smallest. They cost from about $80 to $100.
Babyha said Dremel and Black & amp; Decker also sell their own version of the Roto Zip.
Wagner said most holiday shoppers buy smaller tools as gifts, but larger items, such as table saws, planers, radio arm saws and power miter saws, are in demand too.
"We always run specials on these kinds of tools," Wagner said.
Babyha said The Home Depot hopes to cash in big on a four-pack combo deal by Ryobi.
"The combo is an 18-volt cordless setup with two batteries that includes a drill, flashlight, saw and reciprocating saw all for $199," Babyha said. "Generally just the drill by itself would cost around $100."
Uncertain shoppers: With so many tools to choose from, Babyha said sometimes shoppers are uncertain what to buy.
"If it's a woman buying for her husband, usually he'll tell her exactly what he wants, but if not and the gift is a surprise, she needs to know what kind of project he will use it for and how often he will use it," Babyha said.
Wagner said that when he spots holiday shoppers wandering around the tool department with a deer-in-the-headlights look, he'll ask them a series of questions.
"Is this tool for a homeowner who will use it occasionally, a construction worker who will use it every day or a serious do-it-yourselfer who will use it a lot but not every day -- that will help narrow it down quite a bit," Wagner said.