Practical Gift Ideas for the Working Handyman
You actually have a lot of options:
- Workwear
- Manuals and handbooks / references
- Tools
- Torches and headlamps
- Automotive care and maintenance
- Hose reels and accessories
- Lubrication
- Material handling and storage
- Paint and equipment
- Welding safety and accessories
Workwear
You can never go wrong with clothes, especially when they are made with safety and style in mind. From head to toe, our workwear selection covers every need and ensures comfort, safety, and durability.
- Jackets: Brave the elements with rugged jackets that offer warmth and protection.
- Overalls: Tackle messy tasks with confidence in overalls designed for heavy-duty work.
- Shirts: Stay cool and comfortable with breathable shirts made for active workdays.
- Trousers: Get the job done in tough trousers that can withstand any challenge.
- Vests: Keep essentials close at hand with practical vests featuring ample storage.
Also available: Belts, jumpers, shorts, boots and socks
Manuals and Handbooks
Indulge his inner engineer with these reference materials that even the pros use . You can even buy the most popular ones as a set and still have some spare change.
- Fastener Black Book: A comprehensive guide focused on fasteners, covering their terminology, standards, materials, selection, identification etc that includes both metric and imperial specifics
- Engineer's Black Book: A broader reference for engineers and machinists, encompassing conversion factors, geometry formulas, threads and additional topics such as materials, welding and metrology
- Electrical Black Book: Tailored to electricians and those working with electrical systems, and covers electrical fundamentals, materials, calculations, installations and emerging technologies
Tools
We’ll also let you in on a little secret: You can never have too many tools. You’ll never go wrong with any of these:
- Drill bits and sets: For creating holes of various sizes in different materials (wood, metal, concrete etc)
- Hand tools: For manual tasks that require manual dexterity and precision (crafts, construction, woodworking etc)
- Measuring tools: For determining the size, amount or dimensions of objects or substances
- Power tools: For tasks that would be difficult or time-consuming to do by hand, such as drilling holes, cutting wood or sanding surfaces
Also available: Tools for gardening, plumbing, general use etc
Torches and Headlamps
Spring, Father's Day and camping usually go together. Make sure to bring some handy lighting devices for you go a trip to the country. The best thing is that these lights never go out of season, thanks to their all-round utility.
- Handheld flashlights: For providing projected light in dark or low-light environments
- Penlights: For focused illumination in tight or poorly lit spaces for tasks such as repairs and inspections
Also available: Accessories for flashlights and headlamps, lanterns, torches and headlamps
Automotive Care and Maintenance
Perhaps he's the DIY kind of guy when it comes to the engine bay. Help him keep your vehicles in peak condition, looking neat and running smoothly with our comprehensive range of maintenance solutions.
Some products on sale:
- Engine care: For keeping the sensors, throttle bodies, turbochargers and valves clean and gunk-free to maintain optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency
- Battery maintenance: For keeping batteries and terminals clean to extend their service life
- Degreasers and cleaners: For tackling tough grease and grime on engines and other components
- Lubricants and protectants: For keeping the moving parts lubricated to reduce friction and avoid premature wear and tear
- Protectants: For shielding the vehicle's paint and surfaces from the elements with long-lasting protectants offering UV protection and anti-static properties
- Tyre care: For maintaining tyre appearance and longevity with easy-to-use foaming cleaners and wet look shine products
- Motor care: For protecting various automotive surfaces with specialised cleaners and polishers for leather, metal, plastic etc
- Brake cleaners: For ensuring optimal braking performance and safety for both heavy-duty and non-chlorinated applications
- Parts cleaners and degreasers: For removing grease, grime and contaminants from various parts and components
Brand on sale: CRC
Hose Reels and Accessories
Keep his workspace free of risk of trips with our wide selection of hose reels for domestic / household and commercial / industrial use, and even potentially dangerous chemicals.
Some products on sale:
- Air and water hose reels: For handling various liquid and gas substances (dedicated air and water hose reels also available)
- Grease reels: For handling grease and lubricants
- Hot water reels: For tough cleaning jobs in (commercial) food preparation areas, gardens, garages and workshops
- Specialised reels: For handling acetylene, diesel, oil, oxy, propane, urea and pesticides / weedicides
There are bare, manual and powered options, too! Choose hand-crank reels for areas without power, or enjoy the convenience of motorized reels for effortless hose management. Some models include features like Retracta's Adjustable Control Return (RACR) system for smooth and controlled rewinding.
Aside from hose management, you also have safety barrier reels to create temporary cordons and spray nozzles and water guns provide precise control for cleaning and industrial tasks.
Brands on sale: Alemite, Alemlube, Auzgrip, Coxreel, Dixon, Grip, Lubemate, Macnaught, Retracta, Samoa, Tecpro and Trax
Lubrication
From heavy machinery to delicate food processing equipment, the right lubricant can make all the difference in extending the lifespan of his equipment by minimising friction and wear and optimising performance.
Some products on sale:
- Anti-seize compounds: For preventing seizing, galling and corrosion in high-temperature applications
- Corrosion inhibitors: For creating a protective barrier against rust and corrosion
- Cutting compounds: For enhancing machining operations, improving tool life and ensuring precision cuts
- Greases: For providing superior lubrication under extreme pressures and temperatures
- Penetrating and other lubricants: For loosening rusted parts, displace moisture and protect against corrosion
- Release agents: For preventing sticking and facilitating easy release in molding and casting processes
Brand on sale: CRC
Material Handling and Storage
These hand trucks, skates, toolboxes, trolleys, winches and similar equipment are designed to help him move things easily and safely. There are even mobile workbenches for when he needs a new one, or compartments and organisers to accommodate his expanding handyman collection. So, if he’s someone who does a lot of moving in and around the house, garage or shed, then there’s something here for him.
Some products on sale:
- Ladders and steps: For accessing elevated areas
- Lifting equipment: For lifting and moving heavy loads (electric chain hoists, lever hoists, manual chain blocks, wire ropes etc)
- Storage: For keeping your spaces clutter-free versatile (bins, cabinets, cupboards, drawers, louvre panels, mobile workstations, shelving, trays etc)
- Trolleys, dollies and jacks: For transporting goods and equipment effortlessly (also available are hand trucks, platform trolleys, stair climbers etc)
- Winches: For reliable and safe lifting and pulling in various household, industrial and outdoor applications (manual and electric winches available)
Brands on sale: Austlift, Auzgrip, Beaver, Bossweld, Challenger, Champion, Easyroll, Ezylok, Fischer, Garrick, Grip, Knaack, Little Jumbo, MoveIt, Mungo, Pacific Hoist, Trax and Waku
Paint & Equipment
Whether it's touching up a scratch or repainting a whole room, you’ll find what he needs from our comprehensive range of high-quality paints, primers, rust treatments and specialty coatings. From surface preparation to the final protective layer, we've got you covered.
Some products on sale:
- Aerosols: For various household and workshop applications, including galvanic rust protection, reflective coatings and fast-drying rust converters
- Paint thinners and removers: For preparing surfaces effectively (and removing adhesive and paint before priming
- Rust treatments and undercoats: For preventing corrosion and ensuring a lasting finish with heavy-duty zinc-rich coatings, rust converters and specialised primers
- Specialty paint and coatings: For enhancing and protecting your finished projects with durable urethane seal coats
Brand on sale: CRC
Welding safety and accessories
If he’s the type who welds, then he probably already has a decent welder so you don’t want to give him something that will be redundant (or doesn’t match the required specifications of his welding kit). You can play it safe though with these welding accessories and equipment designed to keep him productive and safe on the job.
Some products on sale:
- Welding lube pads: For cleaning and lubricating welding wire, improving wire feeding, reducing burn-backs and extending the life of welding tips and liners
- Welding chemicals: For preventing spatter adhesion, cleaning welding equipment and improving the overall quality of welds
Brand on sale: CRC
Other product categories on sale
- Adhesives, sealants and tapes
- Cleaning and janitorial
- Pipes, tubs and fittings
- Pumps and fluid handling
- Safety
AIMS’ Note on Buying Industrial Supplies
- Breadth and depth of brands and categories: Go with a supplier that offers a wide range of reputable brands across multiple categories and sub-categories.
- Bulk purchase discounts: For large orders, check if you can take advantage of volume leverage. Some suppliers offer business accounts* that give you access to special pricing (volume discounts), preferential support and even credit eligibility (subject to supplier approval, terms and conditions).
- Product and service information: Evaluate the completeness and usefulness of data in their online product listings. Prudent suppliers will include as much useful information as possible to help you assess and compare products. In terms of service info, the supplier’s FAQs (if any) will give you a good idea of their standard policies*, processes and commitments.
- Promotions: Check for ongoing promotional campaigns so you can get the best prices. Many suppliers run regular discount-based promos. Some can point you to government-hosted rebate programmes like the SafeWork NSW $1000 Small Business Rebate.
- Safety compliance: Make sure the product in question meets Australian safety standards and regulations, especially if there are relevant compliance requirements or work health and safety (WHS) laws that apply to your business or state. Look for relevant certifications and markings where necessary.
- Supplier reliability: Choose reputable suppliers with a proven track record of delivering quality products and reliable customer service.
- Warranty and support: Check warranty terms and after-sales support* options, as this can be crucial in case of product defects or performance issues.
- Lead time and availability: Confirm product availability and estimated delivery times to avoid delays in your projects.
- Returns: Familiarise yourself with the suppliers returns and exchange policy in case you receive incorrect or damaged items.
- Delivery: Clarify delivery terms, including estimated delivery times, shipping costs and who handles insurance during transit (where applicable).
*Need help with a purchase decision? Contact us directly via chat or send an email to sales@aimsindustrial.com.au.