Tools you love the most (gift ideas for milestone birthday)
Heya,
I'm fast approaching a milestone birthday, and my wonderful friends, family, and loved ones are asking (via my wife) what I might want. This is a premium opportunity to acquire tools that wouldn't buy normally.
Have at it at - what would be on your list?
Since it's a milestone, I'm thinking 'keep forever' tools. Power tools are out. I'm a hybrid guy, and have the big stuff I need. I'm finding that I want more and better hand tools for finessing things. Especially for furniture joinery and also finer work, like little hardwood boxes, and maybe kumiko later.
Here's my starter list:
- Henry Eckert Low Angle Jack. You might have seen I grabbed a stanley #62 recently, but returned it because it wasn't quite right. The HE should be very, very right! Also a nice keepsake, since these are made not far from where I grew up in SA. I might even take a trip to do the half day sharpening workshop when borders open again.
- Medium shoulder plane. The Lie Nielsen looks grand.
- Medium router plane. Veritas?
- Bridge City Chopstick Master. It's frivolous and silly - perfect as a gift. As it turns good chopsticks are hard to buy, and comes a great mini block plane. So it's not all that silly, really.
- Fret saw. What's good?
- Paolini pocket rule.
- Nice winding sticks. I know... I can just use angle iron, levels, or some scrap. But it's nice to have nice things sometimes.
I quite like learning too. I want to do the Bern Chandley class one day. Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking and Victoria School of Woodcraft also have some nice options.
What are some tools things you've been given and have loved?