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Need a present idea for a Carpenter

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slickgt1

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My father in law is a carpenter. A very good one as a matter of fact. Taught me everything I know know about construction and wood working. His B-day is coming up. I have no idea what to get him. Tools is sort of out of the question, he pretty much has everything he needs. So I need some ideas.

Here are some things to consider. His garage is small as small can get. He has a sort of home shop setup in it.

I was thinking of getting him some sort of Ipad book for wood projects. Doors benches, stuff like that. He always looks at pictures of random stuff for ideas. If anyone knows of such a book, that would be great. But it has to be on the advanced level, not for a novice.

Maybe some sort of magazine subscription. Not sure what.

Anything else you guys want to suggest, that would be great. Thanks in advance.
 
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woodrail

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How about ordering some really nice specialty wood from woodcraft and maybe pick out a set of plans of what he could make from it? Kind of a like a "challenge" kit!

Also, maybe one of those Japaneese pull saws. These are hidden gems that work great. Lowe's has them. Not too expensive either.
 
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slickgt1

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The saws is a moot point. He has a few. The fancy wood is an idea, but the plans for something serious and usable is the problem. I don't even know where to start looking.
 
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RKA

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I know you said he doesn't need tools, but what about buying him something he wouldn't necessarily buy himself? Lie neilson or bridge city tool works?
 
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slickgt1

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I've been buying him tools for the past 11 years. The problem with him, is that if he doesn't use the tool regularly, he has a tendency to give it away. So I would like to stay away from that. I did buy him Lie Neilson and Bridge City tools before. Amazing stuff, and not cheap. I don't want to risk getting him something he won't use.

I got him a Lie Neilson plane, that he gifted to me a year later. Yea.... that's nice. lol.
 
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djjsr

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See if he has one of those oscillating multi-tools. It's one of those things that a carpenter may not have and probably thinks he doesn't need, but when he tries it he will like it.
 
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woodrail

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As our entire family gets older, and our youngest "kid" is 20, our Christmas gift exchange has changed. We try to "cap" the amount to about $20 per person.

This year I asked for and recieved shop towles, disc sandpaper assortments, and nu/bolt assortments. Basically, a bunch of little stuff that just makes my life and work a little easier. Nothing particularly remarkable, but helpful. Its all fun!

Then again, maybe I'm just weird. Everyone tells me that anyway.
 
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slickgt1

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Steevo said:
One of these:
Click to expand...

lol, no. lol

djjsr said:
See if he has one of those oscillating multi-tools. It's one of those things that a carpenter may not have and probably thinks he doesn't need, but when he tries it he will like it.
Click to expand...

Has it.

woodrail said:
As our entire family gets older, and our youngest "kid" is 20, our Christmas gift exchange has changed. We try to "cap" the amount to about $20 per person.

This year I asked for and recieved shop towles, disc sandpaper assortments, and nu/bolt assortments. Basically, a bunch of little stuff that just makes my life and work a little easier. Nothing particularly remarkable, but helpful. Its all fun!

Then again, maybe I'm just weird. Everyone tells me that anyway.
Click to expand...

I wish it was that easy.
 
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larry_g

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A good traditional pocket knife. A good jug of booze if he enjoys it. A gift certificate to an upscale restaurant he would thing extravagant.

lg
no neat sig line
 
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ringneck

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Got Kids?

My father is a detail fanatic, woodworker.... I sent my boy and some nice black walnut over one weekend. It was a nice chunk of wood from an old tree my grandfather had... In any case, they muddled around the garage for the day without anyone's involvement... That piece of walnut turned into a pretty cool "Harry potter wand". I am guessing 99.8% or better of that beautiful piece of walnut turned into chips. However, the day spent was priceless for both of them. The old man imparted a lot of knowledge (much learned from his dad), and my boy was delighted (not for the wand so much as his experience).

This was a number of years ago, but has stuck with me. The boy is headed to college, but the wand still sits on his dresser. I spent countless hours woodworking and repairing machines with my father. Got to thinking it was a chore at some point, but was too stupid to realize what it really was.

Sometimes the best gifts have nothing to do with an object.
 
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gol4

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You could give him a gift certificate to HF.
I've discovered that as I get older in life I don't value gifts that can be purchased.
How about giving him some time with family. Give him a certificate for you and his daughter taking him out for dinner or drop by his job site with lunch. Perhaps some time fishing, hunting or just visiting a local attraction. If you have kids, some time with the grand kids. Heck just take him down for a few drinks at the local watering hole and shoot a couple rounds of pool. Maybe wash his vehicle-assist with cleaning his shop or just assist him with a project. Anything that lets him spend time with loved ones is the best gift you can give. It also pays you back because you get to spent time with this special man. Something you will treasure many years from now when he has passed.
 
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GarageEnvy

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How about blades and consumables. My father also has every tool he needs but never sharpens anything and never has replacements. One year I bought extra blades for the chop and table saw, sanding disks and belts and some replacement tips for his welder. It was appreciated and it's stuff most of us hate buying.
 
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Davefr

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Giving a carpenter wood or tools as a gift is kind of like giving your wife a new vacuum cleaner or mop for her birthday.

I'd figure out what he likes to do as a hobby or after work and pick something non working related that he'll enjoy.
 
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slickgt1

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Great ideas guys. I am especially loving the clothes idea. His garage is fairly cool this time of year.

Keep em coming, going to pull the trigger tomorrow on something. Thanks again all.
 
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NUTTSGT

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How about a nice radio for his small home shop ?



Doesn't matter how old you are, everybody (well almost) enjoys tunes while they are working.
 
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never enuf time

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I am also a Carpenter, my inlaws gave me a Menards gift certificate. I got a new level at the 11% back sale & have enough left over for what ever need I have in the future.

Lee Valley has nice stuff too , a gc to there or Duluth would be greatly appreciated.

Fine Homebuilding is a magazine that has real substantce, no fluff.

Anything that makes his day easier would be great.
 
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slickgt1

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Wow those magazines are nice. I think I will get him Fine woodworking, popular wood working, and fine homebuilding for his Ipad.

I went to go through his garage yesterday. He has like 8 jackets in there, 3 pairs of boots, a ton of other ****.

He has 4 Stabila levels, and 2 laser ones. So that's out.

Thanks a lot guys.
 
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slickgt1

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My wife is used to that, so she picks up pencils for us all the time. We have boxes of them in our garages. We also get him reading glasses. He has issues seeing small details when it gets late. So that's covered.
 
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48Classic

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What about an antique tool, maybe something very old like a old wooden block plane, or old manual drill, Something that maybe his grandfather might have used...
 
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IndyGarage

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Milwaukee M12 heated jacket - or a nice fleece jacket if his shop is cold.

How about a course from the local community college or art school on something that he's always wanted to learn, but never had time to. It could be computers, or electronics, or metalworking or even something like watercolor painting.

Or maybe a day or weekend course in welding at the welding supply store - the EAA - experimental aviation association has some neat courses if you're able to travel.

Or a weekend trip to Airventure or a big car show or antique tractor show, or large home show.
 
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BWS

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Amazon books....you can get some nice high-end WW stuff.Skip the entry level "How-to" and go straight for the jugular......Curved stairs.Or consider where his efforts are directed,might be furniture?Might be old buildings?Old tools/equip?And go from there.I get books all the time for less than 5$....shipping is 3.99.Grab him a cpl.

And buying say 20' of some nice Cherry,Maple,Oak if he's into building cool stuff is always a welcome gift.
 
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terry603

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if he makes things(not renovations) how about one of those branding irons that will burn his name into things that he makes?
 
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flippin

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With their head office less than 2 miles from my home, I always think of Lee Valley Tools when someone asks for help with a woodworker in their family.

They have an extensive library of books and two of my favorite are the workbench book and the workshop book both by Scott Landis. They talk about the history, designs and they have incredible pictures that are really inspiring. They both also address compact workshops/benches.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=31133&cat=1,46096,46124&ap=1

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=31157&cat=1,46096,46124&ap=1

Another must have for the woodworker is Leonard Lee's own book on sharpening hand tools. He's a real master and this instructional book will teach you to perfectly sharpen everything in your shop.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=32991&cat=1,46096,46109&ap=2


There are also a ton of "project books". Though they do mail a ton of mail order into the US, it might be easier to order the book from Amazon. At least this way, if the book is available from Lee Valley, you can be pretty confident that it is a good read. Leonard Lee use to assess each book before it became part of their catalogue.


If you are looking for another really nice gift, consider the Rolls Royce of tool bags a "Veto Pro Pac". They aren't cheap but there is nothing that even comes close to organizing and protecting your tools.If he has a small shop and frequently helps out friends/family with projects, then a tool bag is a godsend. I interviewed Roger Brouard the founder on my radio show and as a shipwright and carpenter by trade his bags reflect the ultimate in mobile tool storage. He frequently rides along with carpenters, HVAC techs, electricians to observe how they work and use their tools to ensure that his bags reflect everything that they need as professionals.

http://www.vetopropac.com/


Hope this helps.

-Paul
 
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LeonardY

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I'm like your father in law. No one dares buys me tools.

A good friend gave me something that I really enjoyed.

A book. " A Splintered History of Wood" by Spike Carlsen.
It's an enjoyable read about wood and what our lives might have been without it.
 
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bmwe0692

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Any way to extend the small garage? Sides or end, maybe give him a little

more elbow room. If so, he might like to rearrange the shop more efficiently.

Then! !, you can get him something to fill the empty space.(lol lol lol lol.

T.J.
 
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