Stocking stuffers for any woodworker
Eleven gifts for around $10 that any woodworker would be happy to getLet’s face it, woodworkers are a finicky bunch, and fairly difficult to buy gifts for. You may know that your woodworker wants a new handsaw, but which one? Oh, a Western-style crosscut saw; OK, how many TPI, what kind of filing on the teeth, what kind of handle? Can you see where I’m going here? There are too many variables, and too many options for anyone to pick out tools but your beloved woodworker. So, if you’re looking to throw down some big bucks, make sure they have a wish list set up, or do what my wife does: Ask for specifics. It may not be as much fun as picking out the perfect present, but it’ll be the right present.
If you don’t have a wish list or you prefer to shop for a woodworker without asking 20 questions, the staff at Fine Woodworking came up with a list of small items that just about any woodworker is sure to enjoy.
Michael Fortune turned us on to this little knife, and we believe one can be found in Tim Rousseau’s apron as well. I started using this when my nice marking knife went missing, and after using it for awhile, I’ve stopped looking for my nice marking knife. For around $10, any woodworker would be happy to have one at hand.
6-in. General Metric/English ruler
Sure, every woodworker has at least one or two rulers… that they can’t find. So every woodworker can always use one more. Frequent contributor Tim Coleman considers this little ruler one of his favorite tools of all time. For around $5, you can be one step closer to becoming Tim Coleman… plus, it’s a great little ruler.
Really though, any 6-in. metal ruler will be a welcome gift for a woodworker.
Wooden Kyougi Pads – $9.95–$11.90
Deputy art director John Tetreault mentioned these. Woodworkers love pads—for notes, drawings, or just a place to put a wet glue brush. We are always looking for paper. Even better if the paper was actually superthin pieces of veneer!! Get one for yourself too; you’ve earned it.
Tweezers for Slinters
Sliver Gripper™ Tweezers – $8 | or | Tweezerman Splintertweeze – $10 |
If you’re going to work with wood, you’re going to get splinters. The tweezers that can be found in most medicine cabinets just don’t cut it for removing most splinters. While these may seem high priced for a pair of tweezers, in the heat of the moment most woodworkers would gladly pay five times this for a pair that gets the splinter out.
Crepe block for cleaning sanding abrasive – $8
Many woodworkers don’t even know that crepe blocks exist, but any woodworker who uses them knows that they are a must-have. Not only do they extend the life of your sanding tools, they save your keister when you forgot to stock up on sanding supplies.
Bahco Scraper– $10.50
Even if you’re certain your beloved woodworker has a card scraper, or 10, they need another one. This is a great card scraper. Can’t miss here.
Clapham’s Beeswax Polish – $8.50
Woodworkers love wax. We put it on our tools to prevent rusting, or to make slippy things slipperier, or on our furniture to protect and polish. Every woodworker can use some more wax.
Shrink wrap/tape – $12
This is another great thing to keep around the shop for bundling parts together for transport, or as a down-and-dirty clamp.
Blue tape – $6.50
Even if you have caught your favorite woodworker wrapping presents in blue tape because they have so much blue tape, they need more blue tape. I’m gonna say it one more time—BLUE TAPE! Extra points for different widths.
Glue brushes – $3
Woodworkers go through these little brushes faster than seems physically possible. But we need them, and we need more. Plus, this is one circumstance where the cheap one works.
Comments
Lemme guess - you're getting Mike a case of ____ ____ for the holiday, right Ben? It would also work for Matt in a snarky kinda way!
Also - I find rulers with both metric and inch scales a total PITA. Wood workers in North America use inches. (I'm looking at you, Canada!) The metric scale simply gaurantees you have to flip it around every time you need to use it. Yeah, I know, statistically it shouldn't be so, but it is. And BTW, I'm an engineer, so don't talk to me about the superiority of the metric system. I know that. It's 'convention', sports fans! Quick! How many mms in eight quarter stock? Build out your shop with 50.8 x 203's much?
I think you left one big one out,that a woodworker may enjoy and thats woodworking plans!! i got mine here -https://tinyurl.com/ycyplzh9 over 15000!! super fun weekend projects that a wood worker will be sure to love.
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