Because do-it-yourself renovators are actually closet cheapskates, this time of year has a slightly deeper meaning than just Christmas.

The tool sales are on and this year the cost of some of the basic tools home renovators require has never been lower. I noticed this the other day while I was walking through by a power tool display in one of the building supply stores. I know what I paid for the power tools I bought a couple of years ago and it was a lot more than the price of some of the tools on display.

I know its Christmas gift giving time, and I expect to see this kind of special being advertised - but less than half price of the one I bought two years ago? And it's better than mine. That's a tough pill to swallow. The newer power tools are lighter, have better controls and are easier to operate. You can change bits and blades some times without tools, just lift a lever to pop the use bit out.

Well, I thought I was okay with my old jigsaw but now I want one with a quick change blade option. I think I also like the fact that it tilts to one side or the other. I don't think I will ever use that feature but I want it never the less. I see there was a cordless drill with a light - another got-to-have item. I rarely drill in the dark but who cares; my old drill doesn't have a light and I want one that does.

When I grabbed a hold of one of the new cordless drills I was amazed at how comfortable it feels - like the grip was made for my hand. My old drill - for that matter all five of my old drills - have great handle, or so I thought. Shows you what I know. I spend a lot of time with my fist wrapped around a cordless drill and to have that little extra comfort would make a big difference to me.

If you are screwing down fifty twelve-foot long deck boards then you can count on having the drill in your hand most of the day. I have gone home after a day full of deck building with a very sore hand from just that, holding onto a cordless drill. The same is true for swinging a hammer all day.

I noticed they also have vibration dampening hammers now. What the heck? So I grabbed onto one. Well, now, that's a hammer. I assume that when you are smashing a three-inch nail into a 2X4 it won't sting as much. As you would expect a great handle to. Saying nothing about the weird colours these new tools have now. If you bring a bright orange hammer to a job site who is gonna steal it?

Boy, tools have come a long way in the past few years. In the old days the tool distribution reps would come by big job sites and talk to the fellas on lunch breaks. They would show off new tools and ask questions like what they would like to see in a power tool or hand tool. Some manufacturers would come up with some type of innovation two years later and the price would be twice as much as the old one.

Now they get together a focus group and serve them coffee and donuts. Within weeks they come out with a new drill that has a smaller more comfortable handle with a longer lasting battery that costs less. Just in time for Christmas or the spring renovation season. Father's day is another great time to save big bucks on tools.