On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 02:27:20 GMT, Kathleen wrote:

I want to get him a few tools in the $50-$100 range or maybe one big
tool gift in the $300-$500 range.

Get him something good. Doesn't matter too much what it is, but most
well-equipped woodworkers already have everything they "need" (or else
they'd already have bought one). What they appreciate now is a _good_
one.

Avoid power tools. Nearly everything is badly made rubbish. It's hard
to get the right thing. Woodworkers _hate_ cheap gift sanders !


Japanese saw - a good dozuki (wooden handle as a minimum) is always
welcome, because they come in a dozen different sizes so it's unlikely
to be a duplicate, even if he already has one.

Sub to Fine Woodworking

Scraper plane. A #80 (cheap Stanley) or a #112 (Lee Valley /
Lie-Nielsen, not so cheap). Most people have never used a scraper
plane, and they're missing out.

Block plane. He's got one already. Get him the Lee Valley low-angle
adjustable-mouth block plane and show him what he's been missing.
Their shoulder plane looks good too.

Sketchbook. A hardback bound journal of excellent lined paper, an
artist's medium cartridge paper bound sketchbook, some good cheap pens
(pigment ink 0.7mm fibretips), a clutch pencil (0.7mm, with soft 2B
leads) a box of mixed-grade Derwent brand pencils (they do excellent
sets in tins), a workshop-proof pencil sharpener and a big artist's
rubber. Try to find a tin for all the pens and rubbers.

Tape Measure. The recent big yellow Stanleys, with the "leverlock"on
the _base_. This is one of the very few tape measures with a lock
that actually works (only the leverlock on the base)

Matched set of hardware for a project. Read the LV hardware catalogue
and find some top-end Brusso hinges, locks and drawer knobs (or
whatever) to make a jewellery box / humidor / fishing tackle box.

Timber. A couple of boards of walnut, birdseye maple, or something
really nice that he wouldn't normally buy.

I know he has these already

That's always awkward. Things like combination squares though, people
often make do with a poor one, but they'd really love a decent one
(Mitutoyo or Starrett) instead.


I welcome any ideas for gifts.

Next Fall, leave a Lee Valley catalogue lying around with a marker pen
tied to it. Tie some tinsel and a sprig of holly to the pen, if he
really needs a hint.

--
Smert' spamionam