ToolUtilities Mod 1.7.10, 1.7.2 adds a whole host of features to vanilla tools (and some mod tools that are similar in functionality), including "Tinkers style" right-click placing of blocks, mining in a 3x1 column or a 3x3 area, cutting sections of wood on trees and even attacking mobs in an AoE. All the upgrades happen in an anvil, with in-game tooltips providing informations to players about what items do what. Even better is that everything is fully configurable - the items required to upgrade, the experience required, and you can even turn every feature on and off separately.