Best Black Friday Hardware Ads: Stocking Stuffer Discounts from Sears, More

High-tech gadgets aren't the only items to go on sale on Black Friday. As it turns out, this time of year is also a great time to stock up on power tools and home appliances for the do-it-yourself-er. We haven't heard from Home Depot yet, and we're still going over the latest from Lowes; but for now, we've hand-picked the best deals from Ace Hardware, Sears, and Harbor Freight Tools for an early look at what we can expect.

Don't be alarmed if the savings seem modest. This first round of promos focuses on tools and kits, leaving deals on big-ticket items like washers and dryers for later this month. And although Sears' Black Friday ad is a 36-page monster, there were many deals which we have already seen throughout the year at cheaper prices. This Craftsman Circular Saw, for instance, already hit a $30 price point back in October. (As did other non-Craftsman models). The same can be said for this Craftsman Digital Tire Gauge, which we saw for $3 less multiple times this past summer, and this 22" Snow Thrower; similar models have sold for $70 less. That's not to say all hardware ads are currently worth skipping, but instead shoppers should be wary as this is just the initial wave of deals for this category of items. Prices will get better as competing stores reveal their holiday deals. Hardware deals will also improve as we reach the holidays.

• 10% to 30% Off Grills at Sears
  August is generally the best time of the year to buy grills, but Sears' Black Friday sale promises to take 10% to 30% off select outdoor grills. It may not rival the half-off discounts we see in August, but it could prove to be a close second-best time of the year to buy a grill.
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• $10 Off Regularly-Priced Purchases of $50 or more at Ace Hardware
  Ace Hardware coupons are extremely hard to come by and of the few we've seen this year, this is among the top five. It takes $10 off regularly-priced items of $50 or more.
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• 50% Off a Regularly-Priced Item Under $30 at Ace Hardware
  Although this matches Ace Hardware's 2012 and 2013 Black Friday promos, it's still their best coupon-based discount of the year and one we gladly welcome again for 2014.
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• Craftsman 100-Piece Drill/Driver Set for $12 at Sears
  This drill/driver set may not scream doorbuster, but it still caught our eye: It's $8 cheaper than last season's 80-piece DeWalt set, yet this Craftsman set features 20 additional bits. It's an excellent stocking stuffer for the DIY crowd and provides a slightly better value than Sears' 50-piece set at $9.
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• Drillmaster 3/8" 18V Cordless Drill Driver for $15 at Harbor Freight Tools
  This cordless drill driver features a built-in LED light bulb, keyless chuck, and interchangeable battery. It's $4 cheaper than last Black Friday's best drill driver deal and the cheapest 18-volt drill/driver combo we've seen this year by $20.
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• Pittsburgh 105-Piece Tool Kit with 4-Drawer Chest for $37 at Harbor Freight Tools
  Whether it's your first set or a backup set, this 105-piece tool kit is ideal for any home or auto repairs. It's $27 under the cost of similar tool kits and the best price we've seen for such a set all year. It even beats Sears' similar 108-piece tool set for $45. This set includes a 4-drawer chest with handle for easy transport.
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• Predator Generators 8,750W 13HP Gas Generator for $550 at Harbor Freight Tools
  Power outages are probably the last thing on your mind this month, but emergency preparedness is always a good thing and this generator is $225 under the cheapest 8,000-watt generator we've seen all year. Even better, it also manages to undercut every 5,000-watt generator we've posted this year. While most experts recommend a 4,000-watt unit, at $550 you can afford to double the power. A great buy for home owners who've yet to purchase a generator.
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As we get closer to Black Friday, more hardware stores will release their sales circulars, which could in turn heat up the sales we're seeing today. We'll be updating this page as we find more Black Friday hardware ads, so check back often. Also, be sure to check out our Black Friday deals page for all the latest news, ads, and predictions.

And if you're really excited for Black Friday deals, consider subscribing to the DealNews Select Newsletter to get a daily recap of all our deals; you never know when a Black Friday price will be released! You can also download the DealNews app, check out the latest Black Friday ads, or read more buying advice.