Best $35 gift for a woodworker?

Dec 08, 2003 17 Replies

What's the best $35 you ever spent on a new tool, book or other woodworking related item?



JP


A Critter.

Sandor Whathiznameski's book on setting up a shop.

A dial indicator with mag base (Chiwanese kind).

Some Eye Talian needle files.

Pinch dogs.

Set of drill countersinks/drivers (not DeWalt).

A solid phenolic saw insert and enough 1/2" baltic birch to make a whole bunch more.

Most of the above are available from Lee Valley. In my catalog they all have a Post-It-Note marking their page.

UA100

Probably the DustFoe. And I bought it per recommendation here in the WRECK. No more of those stupid paper masks that don't work worth a damn. No more sneezing, coughing, nor allergic reactions from spending time in the dusty shop. Thanks guys!

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idea. Fire extinguisher also. Ed

Just spent $35 on a molding cutterhead that I used in my table saw. I thought it worked great.

todd

My Starrett 6" combo square was $40. It's the most used tool in my shop, always in the apron pocket.

Other really useful stuff under $35:

Leonard Lee's Sharpening Book The book: "Tune Up Your Tools" A Lee Valley saddle square A subscription to "Fine Woodworking"

Barry

LOL. I purchased the same mask (88) for the exact same reasons. I did a google search of the wreck and got it through Woodcraft. It's absolutely worth it. Ditto - thanks guys.

JP

Bought an older model "brand new" Makita jig saw at a Going out of business sale at a local hardware store. Cost me $36.00. The poor guy had been in business for over 40 years, but an orange disaster store opened a quarter mile from his front door.

Dave

a gallon of jonny walker red

-- mike hide

Shame on you, Michael.

(It should be Tullamore Dew.)

Regards, Tom Thomas J. Watson-Cabinetmaker Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania

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Where?

I'm not sure a liter could be had for $35.

Feh. I missed the original post (damn news server) but I assume the subject pretty much says it all. For me, for $35, keep your booze. I don't drink much anyway, and it would take me 10 years to get through a gallon or a liter of whatever. Buy me a Lee Valley gift certificate.

Gift certificates are usually considered a thoughtless gift, but I've been trying hard to get everyone who barely knows me to buy me a Lee Valley gift certificate this year. So much better than putting on a fake smile.

You spell it just like you say it: Nagyszalanczy

Good to see I'm not the only one who does that. SWMBO usually gives me a gift certificate for xmas, and I've been known to go through the catalog and post-it all the little odds-and-ends that I thought about buying but never did during the past year.

Best $35 and under buys:

Veritas wheel marking gage (~$20)

Veritas dovetail markers (~$10.00/pair)

Veritas saddle square (~$10.00)

[So you can get all three above for a shade more than $40.) And my non-LV best value:

Starrett 4" sliding double square (OK, so that's about $40, but it's still cheap)

Chuck Vance

dial indicator

dave

Jay Pique wrote:

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