If you enjoy woodworking and DIY projects, there are always new tools and items that you need (or want). Why not add them to your Christmas list?
There’s a good chance your family needs some gift ideas for you so you don’t end up with another pair of gloves or colorful socks. The problem is, non-woodworkers don’t necessarily know what to give you.
Let’s make it easier on your loved ones. Just send them a link to this “Christmas Gift Ideas for Woodworkers & DIYers” post so you don’t end up with another grooming kit.
And while you are at it, add your recommendations for this list in the comments below.
Gift Ideas for Woodworkers & DIYers 2018
Black Lantern “tree ring” t-shirt
You gotta look good when you work. And what person with an inkling of woodworking prowess could pass up a wood-themed shirt? Black Lantern produced this shirt from an actual wood ring from an actual ponderosa pine…it’s not just something someone made up in Photoshop.
Safety glasses with magnifiers.
I hate to admit it, but I am starting to have trouble seeing very small details up close. My eyes just won’t focus anymore under a certain distance. Consequently, when I am working in my shop I sometimes have issues being able to see what I need to see. But thankfully I found a solution (short of ditching my contacts and getting bifocals).
You can get safety glasses with magnifying lenses built in, and you can choose from various strengths of magnification from 1.5 to 3.0 power.
Respirator
Sanding is one of my least favorite woodworking tasks, but it’s one of the most important in getting a good finish. I have a dust collector, but it is virtually impossible to collect all the dust that comes from sanding. I’ve typically used those inexpensive, disposable dust masks, which help, but they never truly filter all the really fine wood dust particles.
To get the best protection, I recommend a professional grade half mask with replaceable filters. These masks will fit tight to your face, eliminate gaps, and do a much better job of filtering particles than the paper masks.
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig
In my opinion, some people rely on pocket holes way too much. I am very selective as to which situations I will use pocket hole joinery. I often choose biscuits, mortise and tenons, or recessed dados instead.
However, there are many times when pocket holes make a great joinery solution. I used pocket hole joinery in my recent cedar star project, for example.
If you are a cheapskate, and just want to try the pocket hole system, you can get the Kreg Mini kit. But if you want the most useful solution, I recommend the Kreg K4 system. It will save you a lot of time when you have to make multiple pocket holes.
Marking Knife
I have simply used pencils to do most of my marking over the years. I found that I either needed a very sharp pencil to get a precise, thin line, or I used a mechanical pencil. A fat pencil line can put you off your measurement as much as 1/16th of an inch.
A much better option is a marking knife. These knives leave a very precise mark, though you often need to gently go over it with a pencil in order to see it. They also give you a small groove in which, for example, the edge of your chisel can sit when chiseling out a dado. A marking knife may take some getting used to, but your work will become much more precise.
