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Woodworker gift guide for 2021 here!

This years gift guide is here. Check out our latest gift finds for the woodworker in your life!

Best holiday gift ideas for woodworkers

My wife convinced me to make this list for all the wives, husbands, girlfriends, and boyfriends just like her. That not only don’t know what gift to get for their woodworking significant other, but fear even if they guess right… their spouse already has that item. So I’ve compiled a list of items I know any woodworker would love. And if you’re like my wife and have no idea what is already in their shop, I have a number of items here that any woodworker can’t have too many of.

Clamps

The running joke in the woodworking community is “How many clamps do you need for a project?... all you have, plus one.” While its not the funniest joke ever, any woodworker can relate. A woodworker can never have too many clamps, so buy your craftsman as many of these deep throat F-clamps as you’d like without fear of it going to waste.

Shop Fox 24’ F-clamp ~$22, Amazon

Japanese Marking Knife

Guys love knives. So while they may not NEED another marking knife, they would most likely love one. Especially if their currently using a box knife. I have around six different marking knives, and this japanese style is my favorite.

Japanese Marking Knife $20, Amazon

Fire Extinguisher

Ok, this is the socks of woodworking presents. But everyone needs socks. And socks wont save your shop. Get them one (or more) of these, but don’t make it the only present. Call it an oversized stocking stuffer that shows you really care.

Fire extinguisher, $20: Amazon

Sandpaper Storage

Unless your person feverishly follows my page, they probably don’t have this one. I discovered an affordable, awesome solution to storing sandpaper (constant battle for us). They are designed to be art bins. Which means they’ll accomplish the same job as a $90 systainer, but without the standard woodworking tax companies like Festool like to add to plastic containers. I have three of these in different colors to keep my different sized papers organized.

Sandpaper Storage, $27: Amazon

Chisel Set

Every woodworker needs one good bench chisel set. I’ve owned every chisel from $3 each up to $100 per chisel. These Narex chisels compete with the very best ones at reasonable price. Pick them up a set of four or eight and they will last a lifetime.

Chisel set, $50-100: Amazon

Scraper

This simple little tool might be the biggest time saver on the list. Although it probably isn’t the sexiest tool here, they will thank you when they realize how many hours they saved by having it.

Scraper, $20: Amazon

Glubot

This inventor should have won the nobel prize. For $7 they came up with the most universally useful item on this list. Woodworkers use glue. All of them. All the time.I have four of these to ensure one is always within arms reach.

Glubot, $7: Amazon

Oscillating Belt Sander

This is an item you want to make sure they don’t already have. If they don’t, they will absolutely love this oscillating belt sander by Ridgid. It delivers more features for less money than machines twice as expensive. Its compact design makes itself right at home in garage workspaces and professional shops.

Oscillating belt sander $280: Amazon

Hydroflask

Woodworkers hate taking breaks. We got stuff that needs making. Unfortunately we still need water occasionally. I fill my hydroflask in the morning and am guaranteed cold water at 4pm.

Hydroflask, $40: Amazon

Work Sharp Sharpener

There isn’t much point to having good chisels if they aren’t sharp. And believe it or not, repeatedly pounding a fine piece of steel into hardwood tends to dull that steel. I love my worksharp. It takes all the work and skill out of sharpening chisels. This single unit replaces $1000 worth of stones and makes it dummy proof for those of use who can’t hold a steady angle on a stone.

Work Sharp Sharpener, $199: Amazon

Spiral Router Bits

Photographers will tell you to spend your money on the lenses, not the camera bodies. The same applies to routers and bits. A good spiral bit will more than double the power of your router vs a straight bit. Like a good lens though, they are an investment. Can’t go wrong with having ¼, ⅜, and ½” spiral router bits. Definitely ok to buy one at a time though. If you want to blow their socks off, the “ultimate template bit” lives up to its name. Although it costs more than my first router.

Spiral router bits, $68: Amazon

Spiral router bits, $174: Amazon

Pinless Moisture Meter

If your person likes to work with live edge wood, then they’re going to need a moisture meter. They may already have a pin meter, but those are wildly insufficient for any serious woodworker (see my YouTube vid on live edge woodworking). Wagner makes the industry standard for individuals as well as big production facilities. They’re new Orion line has loads of features never before seen in a compact hand held meter. I recommend their Orion 950 with all the bells and whistles

Pinless moisture meter, $375-500: Amazon

Vacuum Clamp

Ok… this one is for the people who either really really love their woodworking spouse. Or have recently done something horrible and need to make up in a big way. At just under $1400, this one isn’t a stocking stuffer. But there aren’t many tools in my shop that I absolutely adore like this one. My wife even commented on how much I talk to her about it. And if she knows a specific tool in my shop, its either amazing, or significantly injured me.

Festool Vacuum Clamp, $1375: Amazon

Sawstop Cabinet Saw

Figured I’d lump the really expensive ones together. The rest will be more reasonable, I promise. That said, you want them to have a sawstop. Even if you don’t know it. If you are unfamiliar, a sawstop is a table saw that won’t cut you (youtube it, it’ll blow your mind). And while $3000 for a christmas saw is kinda like the lexus commercials with a big bow on the “present” in the driveway. This one can actually justify the cost when you think of the medical costs associated with losing a finger (or worse). Also, it’s not just a safety saw. It’s also the BEST saw. Hands down my (and my wifes) favorite tool.

Sawstop, $1700-3000: Amazon

Flexzilla Hose Reel

Modern take on an old tool. The flexzilla has a hybrid air hose and retractable reel that is far superior to the old rigid hoses that crack and split. I mounted mine to the ceiling, but it can fit on any wall or flat surface. Highly recommend.

Flexzilla hose reel, $95: Amazon

Rasp Set

Like chisels, everyone needs a set of rasps. And like chisels, Narex makes an affordable set that will last a lifetime. Eventually they’ll need fine and course rasps in several sizes. But don’t worry about buying one or two at time.

Rasp set, $99: Amazon

Sonos Speaker

Even though we go to the shop to be entertained, we can never have too much entertainment. Love my sonos when I’m in the shop for playing pandora, listening to audiobooks, or just using it as surround sound with my TV.

Sonos Speaker, $179: Amazon

Japanese Saw Set

Japan does a lot of things very very well. And woodworking is definitely an area they excel. If your maker doesn’t have any japanese saws, this kit is a great start. I use mine on detailed projects in the shop, and even odd jobs around the house.

Japanese saw set, $95: Amazon

Woodworking Square

It's all about accuracy. If your maker is ready to graduate from the home depot carpenter square (they are), check out Woodpeckers for some great tools. Start off with a 6” square, but don’t be afraid to add anything else by woodpeckers if you want to make a bundle.

Woodworking square, $99-139: Amazon

Mini Square

Also by Woodpecker, this mini square is a perfect stocking stuffer. Compact, accurate, and absolutely adorable I’m told.

Mini square, $30: Amazon

The Best Gifts for Woodworkers | Gift Guide 2019