Woodcraft Magazine’s 2013 Gift -Buying Guide Tools every woodworker can use, whether they’re starti ng out or stepping up. If you have ever tried to buy a tool for another woodworker, or received one as a gift , you know that fi nding the right item is more akin to selecti ng a pair of shoes than a buying a bathrobe…one size does not fi t all. That’s because every woodworker is diff erent: the needs of a beginner are very diff erent than the wants of a sawdust-seasoned veteran. Selecti ng a tool that elicits a “hurrah” rather than a but if you can suss out a “harrumph” will require a bit litt le informati on about of espionage on your part, the woodworker(s) on your list, we can help you fi nd a gift that fi ts. Here, we’ve selected a few must- have items for folks on both ends of the woodworking experience curve. “Starti ng out” tools are perfect for new woodworkers, home- improvers, and even kids. “Stepping up” tools are aimed at those who are serious about woodworking and who are looking for Online Extra features not typically Sti ll searching for that found on entry-level perfect gift ? For a few tools. We’ve sprinkled in additi onal ideas go to a few moderately priced woodcraft magazine.com items that would work and click on Online Extras. for woodworkers on both ends of the spectrum. Opener photos: Chad McClung Dec/Jan 2014 woodcraftmagazine.com 21 Combinati on Squares Stepping Up: Starrett 12" Square Sharpening Systems Planes #06R12, $104.99 This square may be pricey, but it’s Starti ng Out: Bora 12" Square as close to perfect as you can get. Stepping Up: DMT 600/1200 Duo-Sharp, #817198, $134.99 Stepping Up: WoodRiver 1 #158639, $34.99 A Starrett combinati on square’s Diamonds like these are a backs of plane irons and chisels, 4 ⁄2 Smoothing Plane A multi -functi on measuring and marking tool, blade is square to the head within woodworker’s best friend. sharpening all types of steel #158001, $169.99 a combinati on square is a must-have item. 0.002" for the 12" blade; the This dual-grit diamond bench (O1, A2, and M2) and carbide, A woodworker who already With a weather-resistant stainless steel rule is straight and parallel stone is perfect for all sorts of and fl att ening dished stones. owns a handplane or two might blade, this square is a handy additi on within 0.001" per foot. This is chores, such as fl att ening the be ready to forgo scrapers to either a tool pouch or toolbox. a serious woodworker’s tool and sandpaper and pick up As a plus, the head uses rare-earth of choice for doing layouts, a smoothing plane for the magnets to hold the rule to the head, checking cuts, and for ulti mate surface fi nish. With 3 rather than a lock nut that can get lost on a jobsite. setti ng other machinery a 2 ⁄8"-wide iron and 10"-long 1 in the workshop. sole, the #4 ⁄2 is regarded by many woodworkers as their go-to fi nishing plane. The Bedrock-style frog adjustment anchors the blade to Tape Measures the sole, reducing Starti ng Out: King 1000/6000 chatt er for super- Stepping Up: M1 26' Tape Waterstone, #09C31, $37.99, smooth cuts. #856136, $39.99 and Honing Guide, #03A21, $14.99 Starti ng Out: FastCap 16' Story Pole Tape This is the tape to own if there’s a deck, An aff ordable way to sharpen guide takes #826097, $9.39 additi on, or a kitchen’s worth of cabinets in your chisels and plane irons. Use the the hassle out of Although designed for trim carpenters, this woodworker’s future. The patented Sight Scribe 1000x side to remove small nicks holding chisels and irons at tape sports a feature that's equally handy for allows you to measure and mark without using a and establish a bevel, and then the constant angle. Simply clamp those who miscount the lines between the big pencil: simply extend the retractable scribe, use the 6000x side to hone a the blade or iron into the jig, and numbers. Instead, users can make a mark on the pull the tape to the desired length, and razor-sharp edge. The honing then wheel the jig over the stone. 1 ⁄4"-wide blank strip on the blade and press down on the body to make your use the ti ck to mark out the mark. The double-sided tape and cut. The built-in sharpener four-way hook allow you to easily Stocking Stuff er: Granite Surface Plate, #144838 $34.99 is handy for the ti mes catch a stud or plywood edge and OK, it won't fi t into a stocking, 9 × 12 × 2" block serves as when they have stepped take your measurements from any but new and old woodworkers an ideal base for leveling away from the bench. angle. The blade is sti ff alike will appreciate fi nding this small plane soles, fl att ening enough for use as a coal-colored lump under the waterstones, and general Starti ng Out: WoodRiver straightedge. tree. The super fl at face of the sharpening duti es. Low Angle Block Plane #151125, $99.99 A block plane belongs in every tool pouch and on every workbench. Unlike other bench Chisels Stepping Up: Pfeil Swiss-Made Cabinetmaker’s planes, the block plane can be Bench Chisels, #05B54, $209.99 used one-handed. This att ribute Craft ed from the fi nest tool steel, makes it handy for situati ons and expertly ground, these chisels where you don’t have clamps Starti ng Out: Irwin Blue Chip Chisel Set are for the discriminati ng craft sman. or hold-downs. Block planes #111165, $43.50 The octagonal elm handles are are also available with standard “Blue-chip” chisels have been a workshop mainstay for decades. comfortable to hold, although angle (20°) beds, but the lower The long blades provide ample opportunity for beginners to they aren’t meant to withstand 12° bed allows easier shaving practi ce handcut joinery and master sharpening. The polypropylene hammer blows. Quality doesn’t of end grain. (If they already handles are tough enough to survive blows from those who come cheap, but bear in mind have the low-angle, treat don’t always diff erenti ate between a hammer and a mallet. that this is the set that will be them to a standard-angle.) handed-down to the grandkids. 22 woodcraftmagazine.com Dec/Jan 2014 Photos: Morehead Photography woodcraftmagazine.com 23 At The Bench Multi -functi on Drill/Drivers Starti ng Out: Rockwell 3rill 12V Li-Ion Cordless Drill #849073, $129.99 If you’re not sure what chores a drill is desti ned to do, consider a drill/driver that does it all. With a fl ick of a switch, the 3rill can apply 800 inch pounds of torque in impact mode to drive a lag bolt, or 3 pounds of force to fi nesse in a small screw. With a lifeti me Starti ng Out: VIKA TwoFold Stepping Up: Sjobergs Duo replacement batt ery program, this drill won’t let you down. Workbench and Scaff old Workbench, #145896, $649.99) #149184 $174.99 The perfect gift for the woodworker who does Stepping Up: This dual-faced, adjustable-height table is a not have the ti me (or inclinati on) to build his Festool CXS Li-Ion 10.8V Cordless Drill whole-house workstati on: it can serve as a or her own bench. This traditi onal workbench Stocking Stuff er: Multi -Chuck Set, #564274 $295 workbench, a workstati on for bench-top tools, features a solid beech top, dog holes, vises, and SNAPPY 5-Piece Essenti als Set Serious cabinetmakers and installers would and even as a scaff old. For those who can’t yet the sturdiness to stand up to heavy hand-planing #158795, $29.99 appreciate a CXS because of its unique aff ord permanent shop space, the bench can be without racking. The vises can be positi oned A handy assortment of pop-in/ ability to fi t where other drills can’t. The folded up and stowed away when the job is done. to suit right- or left -handed woodworkers. pop-out drills, drivers, and super-compact drill features a FastFix chuck countersinks for general work, system that enables it to use a Centrotec such as installing hardware, building chuck, a keyless chuck, or the right angle jigs, and assembling cabinets. chuck for gaining access to ti ght spaces. Pneumati c Stepping Up: Grex 23-Gauge Pin Nailer Nailers #836279, $199.99 A pin nailer's ability to Stepping Up: Bessey REVO Parallel Clamps Starti ng Out: Freeman tack together stock that Jaw Clamp 40"pair, #14951, $115.98 18-Gauge Brad Nailer, larger guns would turn Even discriminati ng cabinetmaker-types will #415927, $69.99 to splinters makes it appreciate another pair of parallel-jaw clamps. If the woodworker on your list has a compressor and is sti ll a welcome additi on This clamp features impact- and glue-resistant swinging a hammer, it’s ti me to get them a gun. An 18-gauge even in a stocked heads, and an internal frame that ensures that nailer is the go-to gun for assembling drawers, att aching shop. The pins can the heads remains perpendicular to the bar.