PERFECT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR WOODWORKER

STEVE RAMSEY of Woodworking for Mere Mortals deserves credit for giving me this idea.

Don't buy your woodworker a tool. They'd (it's the only way to avoid saying "he" and there are a lot of women in the field today) rather buy it on their own. And gift cards are so impersonal --er--but LOVED by all us woodworkers. Then there are How To books. They're always nice. Or pictures of things you'd like your woodworker to build. But the following is a type of Care Package idea which I'm sure every woodworker would love.

This general concept can be used for any DIYers preferred field.

I use this stuff in just about every project from holding things together until the glue dries to writing on it rather than my project. Then there is also the super useful Duct Tape. Oh, and masking tape, two-sided tape, colorful tape, scotch tape. You get the idea.

WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE: If it moves and it shouldn't = Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and it should = WD-40.

All grits, all shapes and sizes. Peek at the tools your woodworker has and get sandpaper for it. Like for an orbital sander, a belt sander and so on.

I have a feeling that pencils and those socks that disappear from the dryer hide in the same place. Somewhere out there is a vast pile of wayward socks and pencils kanoodling, an image you cannot unsee once envisioned. Oh, and add a pencil sharpener to this idea. Not only do pencils disappear, those who hang around get dull.

What I've been known to do is just duct tape my wounds. I know, real healthy. Seriously, I did accidentally injure the tip of my thumb once and duct taped the flap of skin back on and continued working. Make sure there is some Neosporin in the kit. Oh, and magnifying tweezers.

There are all sorts of different types of rags used in a workshop. Be creative.

These can be used for spreading glue, painting, staining and more.

There are all different types, qualities and grades of dust protection. It'll show your woodworker how much you care. Also eye protection and ear protection, but these are usually already part of the shop.

A Gripper or similar push sticks. Anything to keep hands away from that spinning table saw blade. But this is something I'm sure is already being used. This is a chance to be creative with a gift.

The woodworker's mantra: You can never have enough clamps.

These come in an assortment of shapes and styles and sizes. I use a magnetic extension for my tips which is more than useful, it is a necessity.

One not shown above is the Fostner Bit.

This is one of my favorites. Glue. All kinds, all types and glue dispensers and spreaders. Add to that some Wax Paper for putting under glued parts to keep the workbench clean.

There are so many screws out there you'll have an endless variety from which to choose. The most common one I use is 1 1/4". You can also add to this idea nails. Too many to even think about. Time to take another peek in the shop.

My gloves all have holes in them. Thank goodness for duct tape. Oh, also the disposable ones. Great for keeping hands clean when staining or painting.

After a while it gets a bit annoying to jot down stuff on scraps of wood. And speaking of scraps of wood....

This is probably my favorite idea. We woodworkers usually don't go out and treat ourselves to exotic woods. But, man, do we love them. There are companies that sell boxes of hardwood scraps. If you have a local lumberyard (no, not one of the major Box Stores) see what they have in stock.

This brings me to the end, but by no means is it the end. Whatever the particular DIY category your DIYer falls under, you can make up a similar list for a creative Gift Package. Remember, an imagination is a terrible thing to waste.