DEAR DAD... : WACKY TIES, ELECTRONIC TOYS AND OTHER FUN FATHER'S DAY GIFTS FROM MIZ HOT TIPS.

Byline: Barbara De Witt

When the toilet won't flush, the car won't start and the VCR won't work, Dad becomes the hero.

Catch a rerun of ``Father Knows Best'' or ``The Brady Bunch.'' It's obvious that Dad gets all the dirty work. Not only does he have to act as family disciplinarian, he has to give piggyback rides, squash spiders, fix flat tires and perform doll surgery without an instruction book.

Miz Hot Tips has searched for a few tokens worthy of the level of appreciation this inspires at Father's Day.

Every year Dad complains, but he really loves those ugly ties you give him. A tie gives him something to talk about at the office or bowling alley.

Take a gander at Vicky Davis' new Tie 'n Tak collection at Macy's stores. Davis makes silk theme ties for $32.50 and up that incorporate jewelry into the design to create a three-dimensional effect. For instance, she's got a light bulb tie for which the chain is the tie tack, and a to-do list for which the pin holding the note is the tie tack.

For dads who like to play ball - football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, golf, pool or tennis - there's a new line called ``Just Balls'' from Ralph Marlin and Co. at department stores.

Or forget the novelty type and go for a one-of-a-kind work of art that you could frame instead of wear. A limited edition have been hand-painted by children's book illustrators such as William Joyce and Maris Kalman and are available at Storyopolis, a children's art gallery and bookstore. But you've got to go this week and place a bid, starting at $100.

For $105, you can buy a classy Chanel cravat with the famous double C design at Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney's New York and Neiman Marcus. Also at Neiman's you'll also find monochromatic ties by Ralph Lauren for the practical patriarch, priced at $68.50.

For more gift ideas, read on.

Dapper Dad Get Dad out of his comfy old faves and into a golf jacket made of that new microfiber fabric by Newport Harbor, $110 at Nordstrom. If that's out of your price range, consider JC Penney's weathered ``attendant's'' jacket with '50s flair for $45.

It's too hot for him to wear now, but he'll treasure his '70s-inspired shearling coat with toggle fasteners in the fall. We spied the natural lambskin shearling coat inspired by firemen's coats for $2,450 at Sulka in Beverly Hills. If that's too pricey, but he loves making a fashion statement, take a gander at the elegant ebony-shaft walking stick with a fancy silver ball on top for $425.

Got a pool party coming up? Let him play the Hollywood movie star who conducts poolside business in a classy terry robe. Nautica's version with notched lapels is $90 at major department stores.

He's the sporty type Some fathers aren't keen about office attire, but boy, when they go fishing, they like a high profile. For those guys, how about the Eisenhower fishing jacket with three big bellows fly box pockets, easy-access fly box sleeves and a tiny pocket to hold the butt of your fishing pole? It's $198 in the Willis & Geiger outfitter's catalog; call [phone].

The golf course is equally important when it comes to accouterments. There's no guarantee he'll play better, but he'll look spiffy with a bright yellow leather golf club bag priced at $540 at Giorgio Beverly Hills ... especially if he's got matching leather graphite covers priced at $20 each.

Love those gadget gifts To keep him up to the minute wherever he is, strap on the new dual-time-zone Hampton watch by Baume and Mercier. It has a classy tank-style face with a tobacco calf-leather strap, priced at $1,990 at fine jewelry counters.

Need a reality check? Go for the ``Star Trek'' limited-edition watch by Fossil for $85 or a vintage style with a golf bag on the face for $60 at Macy's.

More timely ideas are a wall clock with a barometer and thermometer for only $29.95 at IKEA stores.

Another gadget to add to the list is a stainless-steel weather station that includes a barometer, thermometer and hygrometer. It's $65 at the Nature Co. stores. While you're there, consider the Skywatcher's Cloud Chart to help Dad spot rain clouds and avoid getting wet during his next golf game, priced at $11.95.

Sure, he doesn't mind mowing the lawn, he says. But he'd love a new toy to trim the grass. For a mower that's sure to get the neighbors' attention, try the new battery-operated Husqvarna 43RC mower that cuts grass quietly on two 12-volt batteries. It's $349.95 at hardware stores.

To get him singing and shaving in the shower, wrap up the fog-free shower mirror or shower radio-and-clock combo in white plastic. They're $14.99 each at Mervyn's.

If Dad's on his feet all day, the Conair foot shiatsu vibrator could be the highlight of his day. The appliance provides vibration and infrared heat to massage tired feet. It's $49 at Sears stores.

Or go for the whole body with a Homedics Back Pleaser chair that offers massage relief in five areas and works on a 12-volt adapter. All this stress-busting costs $99.99 at Macy's.

Small tokens of love When allowances are small, give big hugs and a budget-priced gift.

Among Miz Hot Tips' faves are a four-pack collection of John Wayne movies for only $9.99 and some arcade games for the computer priced at $5.99 at Best Buy stores.

At Target stores, they've got a cute ``Danger: Dad Working'' tee for $7.99, and a California Car Duster to keep his car sparkling for only $8.88.

For dads who get a vicarious thrill out of watching the Olympics, get him JC Penney's exclusive set of four pins commemorating the Olympic Games in various cities. It's only $9.96, with a $25 purchase, and that could be their five-piece bar set with the old-fashioned golfer design.

When your allowance can only afford sweat socks but you're sick of giving the same old gift, consider alternatives. Two to try are a fresh supply of Duracell batteries for $3.99 and a new can of Penn tennis balls for only $1.67 at Kmart. And Sears' tape measure for $4.99 is another alternative.

Maybe he needs to relive his childhood, and you can help him for only $3. Mattel now makes a Frisbee Coaster Ring that's designed for beginners, but he'll catch on fast. Look for it at Toys R Us and other toy stores.

Gifts steeped in nostalgia No matter what his age, he loves stuff from his childhood days.

Remember those Hush Puppy shoes that always featured a hound dog in the ad? The shoes are hot again, priced at about $70 in most department stores, including Nordstrom.

And he probably grew up with Bugs Bunny cartoons at the theaters, so he might like starting his morning with a cute zinc-and-aluminum razor that's shaped like Bugs. The hefty little appliance holds standard blades, costs $18 and comes in a cute package at the Warner Bros. Studio Stores.

He always wanted to be a fireman? Give him the official firefighter's knife in bright red with a little gold fire engine on the knife. It's authorized by the Fireman's Hall Museum in honor of the 75th anniversary of the 1922 Ahrens-Fox R-K-4 Pumper and is very cool. You'll have to order it from the Franklin Mint for $37.50. Write to Franklin Mint Collector Knives, Franklin Center, Pa. 19091-0001 before June 30.

Maybe he dreamed of becoming a basketball star. Sorry, you can't buy him a spot on the team, but he can at least wear the same shoes. Miz Hot Tips is talking about those original Converse shoes first worn by Chuck Taylor. They're $75 at sporting good and department stores.

Timbercreek makes a gold-toned pocket watch with an old-fashioned hunting scene etched on the cover for $11.88 at Target. The store also carries Looney Tunes character pens in a souvenir tin for $10.99.

You say he likes vintage Hawaiian shirts? How about a pair of boxer shorts with palm trees and hula dancers? They're $10 at Mervyn's. And while you're there, how about a new pair of Levi's? If he's been wearing linen trousers for a few years, he'll feel like he's 16 in a pair of Classic 501s for about $32.

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Photo: (1--Color) Bowl Dad over with something from hischildhood, like these Hush Puppies in colorful suede. They're $69.95 at Nordstrom at Topanga Plaza and Glendale Galleria.

(2--Color) Suggest a bike ride on Dad's day and give him a new ensemble, including this weathered attendant's jacket, $45, and textured polo, $19.99, from City Streets at JC Penney stores.

(3--Color) When your allowance won't stretch too far, indulge Dad with a new pair of conversation print boxers. The dog print and palm tree designs are $10 each by Left Coast at Mervyn's California stores.

(4--Color) Mud packs aren't just for women. At Georgette Klinger in Beverly Hills, Dad can get a full day of pampering, including a mud pack facial, manicure, scalp treatment and lunch for $225.

(5--Color) Terrifically tacky ties are a Father's Day fave, especially these new styles by Vicky Davis with the tie tack as part of the design. They're $32.50 and up at Macy's stores.