Tool wedding gift for husband?

[cbcgirl]

Hi,
My almost husband loves making things and spends a lot of time in his workshop! So I want to get him something related to this for a wedding day gift. He loves woodworking, has also just bought himself a mini anvil so he can make us some curtain pole brackets.. unfortunately I don’t have a lot of Knowledge in this area. Does anyone have any ideas of something I could get him? Perhaps something antique / something that he could keep forever but would be useful at the same time ….? Thanks in advance!!

 

[F-22]

Does he have a decent bench vise? That's the staple of a good workshop. A rigid bench with a proper heavy duty vise that won't wobble or let loose. Nice thing about vises - a good vintage one is just as useful as a new one (and often a new one of good quality costs a ton of money).

Where are you from and how much would you be willing to spend?

The most well equipped workshop with a **** vise is still a **** workshop...
A big quality vise is something any guy who likes to spend time in the garage will appreciate.

 

[mike93lx]

If he loves Woodworking, something from Veritas or woodpeckers would likely be appreciated.

It's tough buying things for people that are really into a hobby. They know exactly what they want and the buyer is guessing. Often results in the gift being unused

 

[loganb]

Gift card to Lee Valley, Woodpeckers....local Woodcraft or Rockler if it exists?....his preferred local wood supplier?

 

[Davefr]

Does he have a decent bench vise? That's the staple of a good workshop. A rigid bench with a proper heavy duty vise that won't wobble or let loose. Nice thing about vises - a good vintage one is just as useful as a new one (and often a new one of good quality costs a ton of money).

Where are you from and how much would you be willing to spend?

The most well equipped workshop with a **** vise is still a **** workshop...
A big quality vise is something any guy who likes to spend time in the garage will appreciate.

Wrong vise. This will be way more useful for a woodworker:

I would also recommend some Starrett precision tools like these:




Or a precision Mitutoyo caliber:


A nice set of Japanese Chisels might be nice but that's more of a personal thing that he should pick out.

 

[lardy1]

Maybe a couple different sized ball peen hammers if he's using an anvil. High quality ones are always appreciated.

 

[cbcgirl]

Does he have a decent bench vise? That's the staple of a good workshop. A rigid bench with a proper heavy duty vise that won't wobble or let loose. Nice thing about vises - a good vintage one is just as useful as a new one (and often a new one of good quality costs a ton of money).

Where are you from and how much would you be willing to spend?

The most well equipped workshop with a **** vise is still a **** workshop...
A big quality vise is something any guy who likes to spend time in the garage will appreciate.

Thanks! He has 2 good vices that he bought second hand and has them on his bench already. Are there any other essentials you can think of like this?
I’m in the UK and was thinking upto £150 ish really.
He has some old planes as well.
I’m now wondering about some blacksmithinf type tools but unsure where to start with that!

 

[cbcgirl]

Maybe a couple different sized ball peen hammers if he's using an anvil. High quality ones are always appreciated.

Ooh thanks! Do you have any recommendations for good brands of these?

 

[CGarage]

Japanese woodworking saws (they have to be from Japan, not a knock-off made in China in the Japanese pattern)……

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Ask him "If you won the lottery, what kind of tools would you buy yourself?"

 

[Davefr]

Stanley Sweetheart Chisels are made in Sheffield:


If the focus is woodworking, look for mallets vs ball pein hammers.

 

[F-22]

Wrong vise. This will be way more useful for a woodworker:

I would also recommend some Starrett precision tools like these:




Or a precision Mitutoyo caliber:


A nice set of Japanese Chisels might be nice but that's more of a personal thing that he should pick out.

Sure, but if he has an anvil I assume a regular bench vise is more versatile than a wood vise.

I agree the starrett stuff is a really nice gift for sure!
I would not buy a Mitutoyo digital caliper for a gift unless maybe if he's a machinist.

 

[F-22]

Thanks! He has 2 good vices that he bought second hand and has them on his bench already. Are there any other essentials you can think of like this?
I’m in the UK and was thinking upto £150 ish really.
He has some old planes as well.
I’m now wondering about some blacksmithinf type tools but unsure where to start with that!

Keep in mind a lot of the advice you will get here will be very US centric. In UK, you may also want to look at European manufacturers that are equally high quality and easier to find than US tools.

For hammers and blacksmith stuff, check out Picard. It is an old German brand famous for hammers. They make hammers of countless patterns. They also have some various blacksmith tongs.

 

[legenddc]

Something from Woodpeckers would be great. He could use it whether he works with hand tools or power tools. Would probably be used on most projects so he could remember it.

If he wears a shop apron you could get him a nice one like one from Calavera.

I'm sure there are more UK based makers of both of those.

Depending on his experience you could look at an in-person or online woodworking class.

 

[bwringer]

I'll agree that tools and gifts for someone with specific interests are very personal and very difficult to buy "blind". It's just as tough, or tougher, than picking out clothing for someone.

My wife had to give up on this some time ago. I used to provide part numbers, but nowadays she asks me to order the specific thing I want, and we perform a very romantic funds transfer afterwards.


One thing I might suggest: does his shop have sufficient storage for his tools? Is it quality storage, or sort of haphazard and improvised and falling apart?

Tool cabinets or carts can be a very welcome addition or replacement for any shop, no matter what happens in said shop. And there should be something useful at any budget level.

Here in the US, Harbor Freight has great values in quality tool cabinets and carts. My wife bought me one of the five drawer carts a while back, and I was extremely happy. I don't know what equivalent they have over there, but that cart often goes on sale around $200 USD, which is close to your budget.

Still, keep the receipt, and make sure he knows that it's OK to return it and get something more exactly suitable.

 

[ybnormal]

...... and we perform a very romantic funds transfer afterwards.

right now I'm thinking he has the best future tool in the house....a wife who supports his hobby! what I'm wondering is....does she have a twin sister who is single?

 

[Ton ton]

Does your Husband have a set of King **** wrenches? I think they're supposed to be UK made.

 

[msharley]

Hi,
My almost husband loves making things and spends a lot of time in his workshop! So I want to get him something related to this for a wedding day gift. He loves woodworking, has also just bought himself a mini anvil so he can make us some curtain pole brackets.. unfortunately I don’t have a lot of Knowledge in this area. Does anyone have any ideas of something I could get him? Perhaps something antique / something that he could keep forever but would be useful at the same time ….? Thanks in advance!!

Welcome to GJ!

Wow! I use (almost daily) tools my late Bride gave me as presents through the years....

Does he have a lathe? Some lathe tools would be in his hands frequently...

A good set of small/medium hand planes?

A selection of quality hammers?

DeWalt battery tool(s)? This gizmo is fantastic, when you need it



A good set of chisels?

Quality screw drivers?

Am so glad for you!

 

[bb29510]

a 10 mm wrench, just one. you can never have too many 10mm

 

[IndyGarage]

Every hobbyist has things they would like to have. And it depends on what kind of woodworking he does. Does he do precision cabinetmaking or finish carpentry.

The problem is we have no idea how much he already has vs. what he might need. There are basic tools a woodworker needs - clamps, lots of clamps - saws, cordless drill and impact, cordless or pneumatic nailers, measuring tools, supplies.

Then there are advanced tools: setup tools, safety tools, routers, bits, sanders and sanding equipment, finishing tools.

People often try to buy me tools. If they are a tool person they usually buy something useful. If they are not, they most often miss. I would prefer if someone asks me before they buy.

 

[kbeefy]

My wife, and most of my friends, learned a long time ago not to buy things for my personal hobbies.
Usually I already have a nicer version than someone unexperienced would pick, or it's something that just doesn't match the things I am doing, or compliment the tools I already have.

As mentioned before, if he's getting into blacksmithing a nice apron, tongs, or hammer would be nice if he doesn't already have them.

Probably easier to shop for the new hobby than the one he's already well set up for....

 

[Davefr]

Every hobbyist has things they would like to have. And it depends on what kind of woodworking he does. Does he do precision cabinetmaking or finish carpentry.

The problem is we have no idea how much he already has vs. what he might need. There are basic tools a woodworker needs - clamps, lots of clamps - saws, cordless drill and impact, cordless or pneumatic nailers, measuring tools, supplies.

Then there are advanced tools: setup tools, safety tools, routers, bits, sanders and sanding equipment, finishing tools.

People often try to buy me tools. If they are a tool person they usually buy something useful. If they are not, they most often miss. I would prefer if someone asks me before they buy.

That's why the first suggestions I made listed Starrett squares and a Mitutoyo Caliper. Whether the lucky husband to be is a woodworker, finish carpenter, DIY homeowner, metalworker/machinist, hobbyist, these tools are pretty much of universal benefit and they represent "top shelf" brands.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Anything you choose will be treasured.

How about a wooden tool box like machinists use?

 

[aShop]

I think this is a great idea. Dodging what he has is going to be a challenge. Talk to his dad. What ever you choose pick something that will last a lifetime.

A Japanese handsaw is a good idea.

 

[bbrins]

Does he have any friends that share his interests? They would be in the best position to know what he does and does not already have, and what he might be needing.

 

[captain14]

You can’t go wrong with a good quality set of hearing protectors and safety glasses or shields.

I believe they are called ear defenders in the UK.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I gave one of my friends a Sledge-O-Matic for a house warming present !

 

[Carguy99]

I’ve been married for thirty years at the end of the month. When we got married my new bride asked me what I wanted. I said a fence for my table saw. I still use it today.
we were just talking this morning. I asked her what she wanted for our anniversary… She is going out to see her friend in California. Sh3 said thats enough. She asked what I wanted I said some new. Sockets.
she said done.
so my wife bought me 500$ worth of tools.
I guess just ask him. Tell him how much.
get into this habit… life is so much easier.

 

[Wamsutta]

Get'eem a full blown 8-1/4'' Skil Worm Drive. He can cut 4x4s with that thing.

 

[scooby074]

Woodworking? Something from the Lee Valley catalog. Veritas as suggested above is a LV brand.

How about something useful to carry everyday. Either a larger Swiss Army Knife like the Champ or a Leatherman pocket tool. You could even get them engraved.

 

[Beauregard]

A quality set of screwdrivers will always be appreciated. They are used across the whole spectrum of projects, woodworking, machining and automotive.
In the USA, I love my Snap-Ons, but there are many quality sets available.
Here's an example in your price range.

Wera 105630 Kraftform Big Pack 300 14 Piece Slotted/Phillips/Pozidriv/Torx Screwdriver Set

Wera 105630 Kraftform Big Pack 300 14 Piece Slotted/Phillips/Pozidriv/Torx Screwdriver Set - high quality German engineering at the lowest price. Free same day shipping available.

www.kctool.com

 

[Squez]

Buy him a plasma cutter… That way he can cut up his old wood working tools.. super cool for projects.. simple to use and it makes for a good side hustle.. I’ve made alot of money from mine.

 

[nadogail]

When Mrs Nadogail bought me some tools she found on Sale; i knew her heart was in the right place, but they are not very useful.

 

[littlebean]

you could try looking at suggestions from this thread here:

workshop heaven

it's uk based so easier for shipping

 

[kaymccampbell]

Get him a shop dog. I've got 2. They're great company, and good bed warmers on winter nights. Right now they're being heating pads on my sore shoulder.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Get'eem a full blown 8-1/4'' Skil Worm Drive. He can cut 4x4s with that thing.

Only if you cut from opposite sides. It will however cut 3X4's in a single cut.
There is a company called 'Big Foot Tools' that makes a replacement table/ guard for a 10-1/4" blade....THEN you can cut 4x's in a single pass. Much better than pulling out the 16" Makita beam saw to cut a 4X.

 

[civion]

far better to ask him exactly what he wants, chances are whatever you get will not be the tool/make/model he wanted and after expressing his appreciation for it, eventually it will be unused.

 

[mike93lx]

Only if you cut from opposite sides. It will however cut 3X4's in a single cut.
There is a company called 'Big Foot Tools' that makes a replacement table/ guard for a 10-1/4" blade....THEN you can cut 4x's in a single pass. Much better than pulling out the 16" Makita beam saw to cut a 4X.

Since the OP isn't coming back...

Worm drives are for the wrong coast. Real carpenters (Larry Haun aside) use sidewinders

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

^^^^maybe if you're left handed!

In my 32 years as a framer / framing contractor, I never used a 'sidewinder'...guess I wasn't a real carpenter.

 

[mike93lx]

^^^^maybe if you're left handed!

In my 32 years as a framer / framing contractor, I never used a 'sidewinder'...guess I wasn't a real carpenter.

Good to recognize that now

All in good fun