Buying a gift for someone who fixes watches, builds circuit boards or spends evenings on a scale model is hard. They already own the obvious tools, and the ones they want are often too specific to guess. This guide covers five precision micro-tools that solve real problems at a small bench, so the gift gets used instead of sitting in a drawer.
1. A mini drill press, for holes that go straight down
The single tool that changes small work the most. Drilling a 0.5 mm hole by hand almost always ends with a wandering hole or a snapped bit. The Mikrabench Mini Drill Press takes bits from 0.3 to 4 mm, has a speed dial from about 400 to 4500 rpm and is small enough for the corner of a bench. It comes as a Bench Kit, a Watchmaker Kit with a vise and dial indicator, or a PCB Kit with a cobalt bit set and center punch.
Best for: watchmakers, PCB builders, model makers who work in brass.
2. A cordless engraving pen, for personal gifts they make themselves
A gift that makes more gifts. The cordless engraving pen kit is held like a marker, has three speeds and charges by USB. It comes with 56 pieces, including 30 diamond burrs, and works on glass, wood, stone, shell, ceramic and soft metals. We also have free printable stencils for names and simple designs.
Best for: crafters, anyone who likes making personalized presents.
3. An XY stage or micro vise, for holes exactly in line
For the person who already has a drill press, the next step is moving the part by a measured amount. The brass micro vise on an XY stage clamps the part once, then a lead screw on each axis moves it under the bit, so the second hole lines up with the first. The XY micrometer stage does the same with 0.01 mm micrometer heads.
Best for: watch plates, dials, instrument parts and scale models.
4. A precision screwdriver set, used every single week
Not glamorous, but it will be the most used tool on this list. Our 55-piece precision screwdriver set has one knurled handle with a rotating cap and 54 magnetized bits, including Phillips, slotted, Torx, hex, pentalobe, tri-wing and Y-type. Watch case backs, battery doors, laptops and glasses hinges are all covered.
Best for: the person who fixes everyone else's things.
5. A digital caliper, because guessing sizes is where mistakes start
A hole that "looks like 2 mm" usually isn't. The 150 mm digital caliper reads to 0.01 mm and switches between millimeters, decimal inches and fractions like 3/32 right on the screen. It measures outside, inside, depth and step. Pair it with the drill press and the right bit is never a guess.
Best for: anyone who buys bits, screws or stock by size.
Quick picks by budget and person
- The one big gift: Mini Drill Press, Watchmaker or PCB Kit.
- For a creative person: cordless engraving pen kit.
- For someone who has the basics: brass micro vise on an XY stage.
- Stocking stuffer level: precision screwdriver set or digital caliper.
The gifts from this list, ready to order
Order early for the holidays
Every order ships free and tracked. In the United States the Mini Drill Press ships from a US warehouse and usually arrives in 3 to 7 business days; you can also find our tools in our Etsy shop. Australia and New Zealand orders ship from arvonelle.com and take two to three weeks, so order by late November for Christmas. All orders have 30-day returns from delivery.
Not sure which one fits the person you are buying for? Write to support@arvonelle.com, tell us what they make, and a real person will help you choose.
