1. Ridgid 18V JobMax; 2. Makita LXDT06 Impact Driver Kit; 3. Skil 360 Quick-Select 4V Max Cordless Screwdriver; 4. Rockwell VersaCut Mini-Circular Saw F. Martin Ramin for The Wall Street Journal, Styling by Anne Cardenas

FOR ALL BUT the most ambitious do-it-yourself-ers, power tools are a luxury, not a necessity. A simple hand saw can rip through drywall and plywood, and an old-fashioned screwdriver and a little elbow grease will get your flat-screen TV mounted just fine. That said, a good power tool is, undeniably, a blast to use—which makes it an especially appropriate gift for the family's handyperson (often, but not always, known as Dad). From a cordless screwdriver with impossible-to-lose bits to an ultracompact, laser-guided circular saw, the tools gathered here offer solutions to problems you might not have even realized you had. All should satisfy a seasoned pro while being simple enough for the weekend worker to handle with confidence.

—Erik Sofge

A cordless screwdriver with impossible-to-lose bits. An ultracompact, laser-guided saw. Erik Sofge takes a look at power tools for the casual but discerning handyman (sometimes known as Dad). Photo: Rockwell Tools.

1. Ridgid 18V JobMax
The idea behind the Ridgid JobMax line is simple: Instead of hauling around separate power tools, why not pair a motor-embedded handle with a range of modular tool heads? Both pros and serious DIYers alike have found that this system, introduced in 2010, works better than expected. The newest cordless iteration is the best to date, with a bump in battery life and power (18 volts to the previous 12). The seven available tool heads let the JobMax convert from a jigsaw to reciprocating saw to auto-hammer (attachment shown), which is ideal for pounding nails in tight quarters—or when you're just too lazy to wield a hammer. $99 for motorized base, $40-$69 for attachments, ridgid.com

2. Makita LXDT06 Impact Driver Kit
Impact drivers, like this Makita, are essentially turbocharged cordless drills. The extra torque they deliver is perfect for extricating rusted-in-place screws or for bolting down a deck's worth of planking, but all that power be difficult to control. This Makita not only has three speeds that you can shift among in mid-operation, it also automatically dials back the power as it senses a screw tightening into place, to help prevent stripping. Which means you'll get the extra jolt that impact drivers are known for—but only when you need it. $359 (bit not included), makitatools.com

Skil 360 Quick-Select 4V Max Cordless Screwdriver
If you've ever sat down to assemble an IKEA bookshelf only to discover the hex bit for your screwdriver has gone missing, Skil's 360 Quick Select cordless screwdriver could easily become your new favorite tool. This 4-volt driver stores 12 bits in a rotating cartridge, making them impossible to misplace. Just spin the wheel until the right bit appears in the lighted, magnified window, and slide a switch forward to load. Bonus: Instead of requiring a proprietary power base, the tool can charge via a standard micro-USB cord. $50, skiltools.com

Rockwell VersaCut Mini-Circular Saw
Unless you're a professional carpenter, full-size circular saws, which have 7¼-inch blades or larger, can be overkill. Rockwell's VersaCut, with its smaller, 3 3/8-inch blade, is more appropriate for the occasional handyman. Its size makes the tool lighter (3.4 pounds, less than half the weight of standard circular saws) and easier to handle, without sacrificing cutting performance: Its three included blades can be easily swapped out to cut through wood, tile and sheet metal up to 1 1/16 of an inch thick. The integrated laser guide makes sawing fast and precise, even for novices, while a vacuum attachment gives you the option of sucking away dust as you slice to keep your cutting path—and your workspace—clear. $130, rockwelltools.com