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Some good gift ideas for a woodworking enthusiast include tools, woods, books, plans, classes, accessories, workshop items, and gift cards. Hand tools like chisels, planes, saws, clamps, and files make great gifts. Hardwoods like walnut, maple, cherry, and exotic woods are always appreciated. Books and plans provide inspiration for new projects. Classes allow them to expand their skills. Accessories like dust collection, lighting, apparel, storage, finishes, and adhesives help optimize their workshop. And gift cards to woodworking stores allow them to pick their own supplies.
Woodworking is a popular hobby that involves using specialized tools to craft beautiful and functional items out of wood. For woodworking enthusiasts, few things bring more joy than receiving a thoughtful gift related to their craft for a birthday, holiday or other special occasion. When choosing a gift for the woodworker in your life, there are many amazing options to select from that they are guaranteed to appreciate and get use out of.
In this article, we will explore some of the top gift ideas to give any woodworking aficionado. We will cover useful workshop tools and accessories, different types of wood, inspirational books and plans, gift cards and more. By the end, you should have plenty of great ideas to pick the perfect woodworking gift.
Hand Tools
One of the best gift categories for woodworkers is hand tools. Skilled woodworkers rely on high-quality hand tools to carefully and accurately shape and finish their projects. Some great specific hand tools to consider gifting include:
Chisels
Chisels are a vital hand tool for carving, shaping and trimming wood. Look for a set that includes different widths like 1⁄4, 1⁄2 and 1 inch. Opt for chisels made from chrome vanadium steel alloy which holds an edge very well. Japanese chisels are renowned for their sharpness and quality.
Hand Planes
Hand planes allow a woodworker to evenly flatten and smooth surfaces. Useful types to gift include block planes for end grain, smoothers for final finishes and jointers for edge joining. Choose planes with durable cast iron or bronze components and extremely sharp, replaceable steel blades.
Saws
Saws are essential for precisely cutting wood joints and constructs. Consider giving a dovetail saw for fine joinery work, a coping saw for shaping curves and a crosscut saw for slicing wood cleanly across the grain. Look for saws made by reputable brands that feel balanced and offer razor-sharp teeth.
Clamps
Clamps are invaluable for holding glued joints securely as they dry. Look for F-style bar clamps in a range of lengths like 12 to 48 inches. Also consider specialty corner clamps for assembling picture frames. Quality clamps provide strong gripping power without marring the wood.
Files & Rasps
Files and rasps allow shaping and smoothing of wood edges and curves. A set of flat, round and half-round files along with common rasps like pattern, cabinet and surform types make an excellent gift. Useful additions include needle files for precision work and riffler files for hard to reach spots.
Sharpening Kit
A complete sharpening system helps keep all those gifted chisels, planes, knives and gouges performing at their peak. Look for a water stone set ranging from coarse to extra-fine grit. Include a honing guide, leather stropping block and polishing compound. A premium sharpening kit ensures blades stay hair-splitting sharp.
Power Tools
While many woodworkers enjoy using hand tools for the tradition and craftsmanship, power tools also have an indispensable place in any workshop. Some great power tool gift ideas include:
Table Saw
A table saw is one of the most essential stationary power tools for precise ripping, crosscutting, mitering and joinery work. Choose a model with sufficient table size, maximum cutting depth, a sturdy fence and a powerful motor to handle thick hardwoods. Safety features like riving knives, splitters and blade guards are also key.
Circular Saw
For breaking down sheet goods and general purpose cutting tasks, a circular saw is invaluable. Select a corded model offering cutting depths up to 2 1⁄2 inches, powerful 15 amp motor and sturdy metal shoe. Useful features include bevel adjustments, dust blowers and electric brakes. An excellent do-it-all portable power saw.
Router
Routers shape, edge, joint and customize wood in countless ways. Opt for a versatile combo kit with both fixed and plunge base options. Key specs include variable speed, soft start, electronic feedback and at least 2 HP motor power. Different bit profiles enable limitless routing applications.
Random Orbital Sander
For smoothing flat surfaces and removing saw marks, a random orbital sander cannot be beat. They are comfortable, easy to control and leave a smooth finish. Features to look for include dust collection, variable speed dial and a smooth, low vibration motion. Matching sandpaper packs also make a great paired gift.
Jigsaw
Jigsaws are ideal for cutting interior curves and openings like arches, circles and decorative patterns. Look for tool-less blade changes, orbital action, splinter control, dust collection and 3.5 to 5 amp motor power. A well-made jigsaw handles even delicate finishing tasks with control.
Drill/Driver
A quality power drill and screwdriver combo kit serves countless uses in any shop. Opt for a 18 to 20 volt cordless model with 1⁄2 inch chuck size, 1500+ RPM, 2-speed settings and long battery life. Kits with 2 batteries, charger and a selection of driver bits make drilling and driving tasks a breeze.
Wood Selections
One gift a woodworker can never have enough of is wood! Consider giving some exotic hardwood boards or turning blanks to provide them with premium material for upcoming projects. Some top wood species to gift include:
Walnut
Prized for its rich brown coloration and grain patterns, walnut offers beauty and workability. It’s commonly used for furniture, cabinets, gunstocks and architectural accents. Walnut machines smoothly and polishes to a lustrous patina.
Maple
Maple provides a clean, uniform pale cream canvas for woodworking projects. Its close-grained texture takes precise details very well. Maple exhibits good strength, steam bending traits and finishing qualities. Common uses include furniture, cabinets, bowling pins and butcher blocks.
Cherry
Cherry is a classic American wood cherished for its vibrant red hues and ability to age beautifully. Over time, exposure to light causes cherry to progressively darken to a rich winery tone. It’s frequently used for cabinets, fine furniture and smoking pipes.
Purpleheart
Purpleheart is a luxurious exotic wood with a distinctive violet coloration. It features good hardness, strength and stability ideal for turnings and smaller objects. The purple tones tend to deepen over time with exposure to UV light.
Cocobolo
Cocobolo hails from tropical Latin America and offers vibrant orange-red coloration with dramatic grain figure. It has excellent workability and takes an exceptional polished finish. Cocobolo is popular for fine musical instruments, small boxes and luxury car interiors.
Bubinga
Bubinga is another exotic wood popular for decorative turnings and small projects. It boasts dramatic grain patterns and a rich burgundy hue. Bubinga works smoothly with hand and power tools. Fine detailing and finishes are enhanced by its natural oils.
Books & Plans
Expanding a woodworker’s knowledge through books and project plans makes a thoughtful gift. Some great woodworking books to consider gifting include:
Joinery Books
Mastering the many intricate ways to join wood is critical for fine woodworking. Look for detailed books on traditional mortise and tenon joinery, dovetailing, box joints, veneering and bent laminations. Quality joinery is both decorative and functional.
Furniture Making Books
Forwoodworkers interested in making heirloom quality furniture, in-depth furniture books make perfect gifts. Look for titles covering Queen Anne, Chippendale, Shaker, Mission and other styles. Both traditional hand tool and modern power tool methods should be included.
Carving Books
The artistic side of woodworking is unlocked with carving skills. Look for books detailing power and hand carving methods. Topics like chip carving, relief carving, sculpting, chainsaw carving and whittling provide inspiration for artistic projects.
Lathe Books
For the wood turner on your list, books on operating lathes are extremely useful. Subjects like spindle turning, bowl turning, hollow forms, boxes, ornaments, pens, finishing techniques and more let them pursue new skills.
Project Plan Books
Nothing gets a woodworker more excited than starting their next project. Plan books offer tons of fun project ideas along with detailed diagrams, instructions, cut lists, joinery tips and finishing suggestions. Look for plans focused on beginner skills all the way up to advanced projects.
Classes
Advancing their woodworking skills through classes makes a fantastic gift for any woodworking enthusiast. Consider gifting:
Local Woodworking Classes
Many specialty woodworking stores offer regular woodworking classes on nights and weekends covering topics like cabinetry, turning, carving, joinery and finishing. Call local woodworking stores to purchase gift certificates for upcoming class sessions.
Professional Workshops
For more advanced training, professional workshops last multiple days and teach intensive skills. Renowned woodworkers like Marc Adams and David Marks offer immersive workshops around the country. Subjects like veneering, bandsaw usage, bent laminations and period furniture provide deep training opportunities.
Woodturning Schools
Specialty woodturning schools like Arrowmont, John C. Campbell Folk School and Anderson Ranch Arts Center offer weeklong intensive turning classes focused on skills like hollow vessels, bowl making and embellishment techniques. Lodging and meals are often included.
Furniture Schools
Serious furniture makers can enroll in deeper training like the nine month program at North Bennet Street School. Students work through a structured curriculum building fundamental to advanced furniture making skills. Programs result in beautiful handcrafted pieces.
Online Classes
Can’t make it to a school? Online woodworking classes make great virtual gifts. Websites like Craftsy, Steve Ramsey Woodworking for Mere Mortals and Popular Woodworking offer on-demand video classes teaching woodworking fundamentals through expert projects.
Accessories
Every woodworking shop relies on a range of accessories and organizational tools to function smoothly. Some great accessory gift ideas include:
Dust Collection
Controlling fine wood dust is a critical health and safety concern. Help a woodworker breathe easier by gifting a dust collector or air filtration unit. Powerful 1 to 2 HP collectors attach to machines to capture dust at the source. Air cleaners scrub shop air providing cleaner air to breathe.
Work Lights
Proper lighting is vital for detailed woodworking tasks. Consider gifting professional LED shop lights that provide full spectrum illumination of the work area without shadows. Magnetictracks allowflexible light placement while linkable sections expand coverage.
Mobile Workbench
A sturdy rolling workbench provides flexible extra workspace to assemble projects and stage tools. Look for solid maple tops, steel frames, smoothrolling casters and storage drawers. Optional add-ons include pegboards, shelves and power strips.
Safety Gear
Protecting eyes, ears and lungs is crucial during extended shop time. Look for safety packages containing earmuffs, respirators and eye protection. Useful additions include disposable dust masks, hearing protectors and magnifying safety glasses.
Shop Stool
Working on your feet for hours at a time can be exhausting. An adjustable shop stool provides welcome relief for the woodworker’s back and feet. Models with padded seats, swiveling bases and foot rings allow all-day support and mobility around larger projects.
Tool Storage
Well-organized workshops waste less time searching for tools. Consider gifting handy wall-mounted tool storage options like pegboards, slat panels, cabinets and shelving. Labeled outline silhouettes neatly organize all types of hand and power tools.
Gift Cards
Not sure exactly what to get? You really can’t go wrong with a gift card to a quality woodworking retailer. This allows the woodworker the flexibility and enjoyment of shopping for their own specialty supplies. Some top national retailers to consider include:
Woodcraft
With over 70 stores nationwide, Woodcraft stocks every tool and material a woodworker could need. Gift cards can be purchased online or at local stores. They offer premium tools, project materials, books, classes and more.
Rockler
Rockler specializes in hardware, accessories and specialty tools for cabinetry, joinery, turning, carving and furniture building. Gift cards never expire so woodworkers can use them on future projects as needed. They ship most items too.
Woodworker’s Supply
This online retailer focuses on mail order woodworking tools, plans, supplies and books. A gift card allows the freedom to order whatever items they are currently needing for projects. They offer free shipping on most orders over $99.
Lee Valley
Based in Canada but with a US site, Lee Valley sells specialty woodworking tools plus hardware, plans and books. A gift card can be used on items like premium marking and measuring tools, specialty carving tools, heirloom hardware and unique project plans.
Non-Traditional Gifts
Sometimes it’s fun to gift something useful yet out of the ordinary for a woodworker. Some unique but handy options include:
Welding Helmet
Protecting eyes from flying chips and dust when working power tools is important. An auto-darkening welding helmet provides instant darkened eye protection when sawing or sanding. Premium models even actively filter dust particles.
Fitbit
Woodworking involves a lot of physical activity. A fitness tracker allows monitoring heart rate, calories burned, steps and activity trends. Seeing health stats can inspire taking regular activity breaks, drinking water and getting better sleep to stay fit for shop time.
Blue Apron Subscription
Let’s face it, woodworkers often skip meals caught up in the workshop. Home delivered meal kits supporting healthy eating habits are a thoughtful gift. Select from curated recipes and pre-portioned ingredients are shipped weekly ready to prepare delicious dinners in under 30 minutes.
Smart Thermostat
Maintaining workshop heating and cooling costs money. A smart thermostat allows effortlessly tweaking temperatures when away from home to conserve energy. It can also track usage patterns over time, allowing better optimization of settings for savings.
Weather Station
Wood moisture content and movement depends heavily on humidity. An indoor/outdoor weather station monitors temperature, rainfall, wind and humidity trends. Tracking conditions allows adjusting projects for expected wood movement at different times of year.
Conclusion
Finding a satisfying gift for the woodworking enthusiast in your life is now effortless. We’ve covered a wide range of gift ideas spanning useful workshop tools and accessories to woods, books, classes, gift cards and fun unconventional items too.
Any of the options explored above is sure to bring a smile and be appreciated by the carpenter in your life. With a bit of thought into matching the gift to their skill level and interests, it will provide years of productive use pursuing their woodcrafting passions. Just picture the joy on their face Christmas morning or birthday when they’re excitedly unwrapping that perfect woodworking gift picked just for them!