The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 13 letter word SLEDGEHAMMERS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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More clues leading to the result SLEDGEHAMMERS
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Tools" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case tools = sledgehammers.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SLEDGEHAMMERS mean?
SLEDGEHAMMERS noun- A hammer that consists of a large, heavy, broad and flat block of metal (the head) attached to a handle typically 0.5 meter to 1 meter long. The sledgehammer's design is meant to allow it to be swung powerfully, and to distribute force over a wide area upon impact.