Last minute gifts for Christmas
15 sleeps until Christmas. Are you stuck for a gift for a woodworker? Need a stocking filler in a hurry? I’m going to go through a few things I’ve purchased off Amazon in the last year that are good tools, and can still be delivered in time for Christmas. So go through the pictures below, and maybe get a few ideas for a stocking filler you can get in a hurry! I’ve bought every tool I have listed, and I’m happy with all of them.
Thor 4 1/2lb Nylon Hammer. This thing is a beast. It is huge. I bought it for the Stick chair class this year, as the recommended tool list included a large heavy mallet. This thing is overkill. By far the biggest anyone brought, when when you really need something to move, without marking it. It does a great job.
5 Pack of Reading glasses. I keep cheapish reading glasses around my bench. Great for fine detail work, and I don’t have to worry if I get them covered in dust, knock them off the bench, or otherwise crush them. These ones are my favourites so far. Don’t look terrible, and are sturdy enough to take a little mistreatment.
A good solid metric tape measure. Again bought for the chair class, as I only had imperial. It has lasted well for the few months I have had it, and it has a handy little tail that is useful for taking internal measurements.
Dowel Pins. One of those tools that you find a lot of uses for once you have them. For their intended use, drill one dowel hole, pop one in, then line up the two pieces and press them together to accurately mark the position to drill the second hole. I used these on my chisel holder to mark where the pivots and ball catch depressions should go.
Countersink bits Countersink bits that are clean in the nastiest soft wood I tried them on. When building the mini Dutch tool chest, getting a clean countersink in the horrible DIY store pine I bought was challenging. These solved it. I also used them to countersink holes in the strap hinges. They wear out fast on metal, but bits I only used in wood are still going strong. This design works great. I’m sure there are more expensive versions that will last a lot longer. But there are worth the money if you plan to just use it on wood.
Soft Vice Jaws Cheap and effective. I use these in my vintage Woden metal working vice when I need to hold something and not mark it. They clip on perfectly and do the job.
Spring Clamps These are not the exactly model I bought (discontinued), but the same maker. Sometimes you just need something held in place. I bought these when working on the dust seal for my Dutch tool chest. Very handy to just grab them, pin something in place and return to work. The set I have are remarkably strong. I now keep them hanging from a loop of string off the ceiling. When I’m stuck I can reach up and grab one with one hand, pin something in place, and move on. Very handy to have.
Auger Bit File. For the fellow drill bit junkies. You do not have to have an auger bit file to sharpen auger bits. But it really is the right tool for the job. I keep mine with my worker set, and its nice to be able to give them a quick touch up any time they need it. Each end has two safe sides, making it easy to sharpen an edge without taking off material where you do not want to.