Xmas presents

My wife is hassling me for ideas of what she and the family/outlaws can buy me for Christmas as I'm notoriously hard to buy presents for (ie if I really want something I'll do a lot of research and then buy it myself).

So are there any good suggestions. I suppose the sort of thing I'm after is something that is a bit of a luxury/novelty. If it was an essential, I'd probably already have bought it or I would want to be involved in the decision. It should be something I wouldn'y buy myself but would be happy to have.

I need to come up with a range of stuff from about $20 to $200, as the outlaws are notoriously bad at getting me presents.

I'm sort of expecting you lot to come up with some really off-the-wall suggestions, but if we can stick to woodwork/renovation ideas that would be great.

As an incentive, there will be rep points awarded to any suggestions that make it onto the list, and I'll be checking it twice.

Just to start you off:
1. A set of decent chisels (maybe $120)

Thanks

Simon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by simon c

1. A set of decent chisels (maybe $120)
Simon

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May be a bit more than that :rolleyes:

How about a Veritas #80 cabinet scraper? $79 from Mik. (I know 'cause I just bought one :D )

Or a Veritas low angle spokeshave ?

Thanks for the reply Craig.

I should state my woodworking level at above beginner, but not much. So item 1 on my list becomes: A set of fairly good chisels ($120).

I have (inherited) a spokeshave and I'm not really at the cabinet scraper level yet. But you were first and it's Xmas so have some rep points anyway.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by simon c

(ie if I really want something I'll do a lot of research and then buy it myself).

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Simon,

I am a bit like you. I am not into presents. If I want something I would buy it anyway. I would prefer to give people money and let them buy things they want (need).

My wife is totally opposite. She wants something different and special every time. Birthday present, mothers day present, wedding anniversary present and Christmas present. It is so hard isn’t it.

She is changing though. My last birthday present was a copy of FWW and $100 cash. Sadly I cannot do the same to her.

So Simon my friend, ask for a copy of FWW and $200 cash in hand. Trust me you will be a very happy man. Good luck :cool:

[QUOTE=simon c]My wife is hassling me for ideas of what she and the family/outlaws can buy me for Christmas . . .

you have enough clamps?

Well you say you are above beginner so you must have a bit of a wish list already. Ever thought of getting the rellos to pool the loot and getting a bit of machinery?

Thanks for all the replies but I'll tell you a bit more of the dilema I have.

I do actually love getting presents. I quite like novelty/luxury stuff that I wouldn't buy myself. So I don't want them to buy me something that I really want, just something that would be a surprise. The problem is that the outlaws (including the wife) are useless at buying presents. They buy things that I already have, or that I'd never use or that just aren't me. So I have to give them a list so that they can then go and get it for me.

I'm not really into the cash or all club together thing as that's for real stuff that I need.

As I said, I'm hard to buy presents for. :rolleyes:

So the current list is:
1. A set of fairly good chisels (craigb)
2. Some clamps (malcolm)
3. FWW (Wongo)

Gee Simon you make it hard for us...

What about a HNT Gordon Block Plane $125

Paul

Simon,

How about some router bits,

Spiral upcut bit for mortise and tennons,
rail and stile bits,
raised panel bits.

etc. etc.etc.....

Himzo.

Now tools and stuff can always be bought on the grounds of "that's what I NEED" so how about something that you don't NEED but would be fun to have?

The latest issue of FWW has an ad for a new DVD which has all their online video tips on it (45mins worth) and a new book on Jigs for some nominal (!) sum, and you'd get them here for Christmas if you(she) ordered now.

Or how about the complete set of Workshop/Workbench and Toolbox book in a slipcase for $60 US??

Cheers,

P

so lets get this straight

1... you want something you can unwrap
2... you want something that is a surprise .
3... you want something that you are guaranteed to like
4... you don't want something that you already know that you really want

I think if I were buying for you I'd be giving you a beautifully wrapped empty box cos at least I'd be guaranteed of getting 1 and 2 right :p

I'd go for the fine woodworking subscription - much cheaper than buying them from the newstand but definately in the luxury category

A case of the best quality red your local can recommend for under 200
Now there's a bit of luxury. ;)

A large bottle in a dispenser stand with contents being your favorite beverage from scotland perhaps - I luv gluteny :p :p

Seeing as I will not advocate smocks and jackets under any circumstances as others might I advise that all such presents be of the kind that you can use at the end of the day after a hard day's work in the shop. :D :D

A new bedroom water work bench if that's your fantasy/fancy?? :o
Yes I know I'm warped :D

See you're not so hard to buy for at all with a little imagination :cool: :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jackiew

so lets get this straight

1... you want something you can unwrap
2... you want something that is a surprise .
3... you want something that you are guaranteed to like
4... you don't want something that you already know that you really want

I think if I were buying for you I'd be giving you a beautifully wrapped empty box cos at least I'd be guaranteed of getting 1 and 2 right :p

I'd go for the fine woodworking subscription - much cheaper than buying them from the newstand but definately in the luxury category

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Yes, I know I can't have all of them so I have decided to give up on 2, in the hope that I get 1, 3 & 4.

However, that kast time I tried this, I gave them a list of roughly 12 things. On XMas day we handed out the presents and I didn't get a single one off of the list.

Once a year I give relos the subscription page from the mags, lots of lovely reading all year.

Rubber matting for infront of the bench - very cushy :)
Space heater (no flame) for the shed
Cooler
new vac to replace the old shed one.
A second (third) cordless drill so you don't have to change bits when drilling/counter sinking/screwing.

The perfect present is the one where you said "I like that, but I can't justify getting it"

How about some water stones.

Magnets.
It is amazing the number of places around the workshop that you can use a high power magnet to good advantage. I myself use them to attach various tools to the sides of my Jet table saw. Ie the depth gauge and the ruler. Everything is then in easy reach. Can be really cheap too.
Another very useful magnetic tool is a base for a dial gauge. Just about essential for setting up saws etc accurately.

Beware. If you start mucking about with the really strong stuff then be prepared to bleed a bit.

Thanks for all of your input.

The final (?) list with suggestees now looks like:

1. A set of fairly good chisels (craigb)
2. Some clamps (malcolm)
3. FWW (Wongo)
4. Block Plane (PaulS)
5. Router bits (himzol)
6. Various woodwork books (bitingmidge)
7. Empty box cos I'm really difficult (jackiew)
8. Wine (barnsey)
9. Smock/Jacket (definately not barnsey)
10. Various items for the workshop (DaveInOz)
11. Water stones (Wood borer)
12. Magnets (Bob Willson)

Thanks all,

Fingers crossed.

You could also add a subscription to the "Australian Wood Review" magazine.

Simonc


You say you are not into getting cash and a heap of other things which really don't make it easy to buy you a present that you would appreciate. Now how about your rellis all buy you gift vouchers from Carbatec.......then because you don't like gift vouchers, you post them on to me and I'll put them towards the TSC-10HB table saw that I want to buy. That way you havn't got anything that you don't want AND I'll be a very happy man.

I know the feeling about getting kinda 'useless things' or something that I already have 4 off, but I suppose it's the idea that it is all about. However I have told my immediate family to rather get me a voucher from a toolshop or a gift cheque ( do we have those in Oz?) so that I can buy something useful with the money. Being an ex South African I would like to receive a good quality piece of South African style Beef Jerky. Now thats something different you can ad to your list

Hope you get what you want!
Have a good one

:)