Gift Ideas For a Woodworker

Coming up with great gift ideas for a woodworker can be a hard thing if you don’t know what to look for. In this article I take all the guesswork out of picking the right gift for the woodworker in your life.

There seems to be an infinite number of tools for woodworking these days. This makes it a daunting task when coming up with the best tool gift ideas for the woodworker in your life. 

The truth is the vast majority of the tool options out there are something that would be used maybe once, or even not at all.  When these choices are eliminated the choices become much more manageable.

For this reason I made it a lot easier for you by putting together this list of the best tool gift ideas for woodworkers.

I categorized the gift options into different price categories to help make it easier to decide on what range you are considering.

My Top Choice Tool Gift

I am starting this list with my number 1 pick for the best tool gift to get.

Kreg Circular Saw Guide

The Kreg ACCU-Cut XL is a perfect alternative to a table saw. It’s easy to make a straight cut on plywood up to 100 inches long. This means this tool lets you cut an eight foot long sheet of plywood. 

This versatile piece of equipment is nice in a smaller woodshop that doesn’t have a lot of room to store a bulky table saw. It’s also great for someone beginning their woodworking adventure because it lets them use the same saw for multiple purposes.  

The Kreg Circular Saw Guide disassembles into shorter, more manageable pieces, making it easy to store out of the way when not in use. It does not come with a circular saw so I include my top choice for circular saws later in this article.

Next I would like to start showcasing some other options for good tool gift ideas for the woodworker in your life. They are divided into separate price categories, starting from least expensive. 

Tool Gifts Under $25

Magnetic Wristband

This Magnetic Wristband is great when doing a job around the woodshop, or house where there is not a convenient place to put screws, drill bits, or other small components. 

It’s all too easy to mis-place these items, which makes your time on this project more like a wild goose chase.

The magnetic wristband is the perfect tool for the job because it puts everything right where you need it, but also keeps these pieces out of your way. 

My magnetic wristband was a gift that at first I wasn’t expecting. But after I used it, I love having it in my toolbox. It’s so comfortable I forget I’m wearing it most of the time.

I like keeping things I won’t be using as much like drill bits and driver bits in the pockets. I was impressed at how strong the magnets are when holding the gold screws I was using.

The most use it had was when I built a shed in my yard. I have used it to install cabinets and do many smaller jobs around the house as well.

Woodworking Square

Having a great Woodworking Square in the toolbox is indispensable. The most important thing when woodworking is cutting correct angles.

Although it is possible to do this literally by hand, it’s not easy to repeat it perfectly each time. That’s why using a woodworking square is a great option.

This tool makes it simple to draw the right angle on your material and make the perfect cut every time. I like how easy it is to read when making marks.

Magnetic Angle Gauge

A Magnetic Angle Gauges is great for checking the angle on a table saw, band saw, etc. It’s important to have an accurate idea of exactly what the angle is on your tools before making a cut. 

I have ran into quite a few problems with making a cut that wasn’t good because my blade was not at the right angle. This can be a big problem that is easy to avoid by using a magnetic angle gauge.

This one has a digital readout, making it quick and easy to use. Plus the magnetic base ensures it is flat against the blade, or the surface of your equipment.

Step Drill Bit Set

Having a good Step Drill Bit Set comes in handy so often. They are a great option for drilling holes in wood and you are not sure how wide you need them. I have used them to countersink screws after drilling pilot holes. 

The step drill bit is a great choice when making the right size holes in so many applications. I love how many options this drill bit set offers. I have used them when drilling holes for pipes in the back of cabinets during installation. The options for this tool are virtually endless.

Universal Socket

A Universal Socket Wrench is awesome because it can be used on more parts than just the hexagonal nuts and bolts. These can fasten things like cup hooks to the underside of a cabinet, or also install eye-hooks to a board.

Some people might think sockets are typically used by mechanics and not woodworkers. There are a lot of hardware like lag screws and eye-screws that are used by woodworkers. 

These are so easy to use on just about anything. Attach it to a drill or socket wrench and press it onto the hardware you want to turn. This works for things that are any shape that fits in the socket, giving it a countless number of options to use on. 

Tool Gift Ideas Between $25 and $50

Bosch Spade Bit Set

The Bosch Spade Bit Set is perfect to make wider holes than normal. These Bosch spade bits have a drill bit attached to the center making a straight and accurate hole. The contour on these bits help clean out the sawdust from the hole as it digs, keeping it clear of shavings, making it easier to see what you are working on.

I have had my set for years. They are great when I need to drill a hole in furniture like desks to run electric cables.

There are so many clever and creative uses for my spade bits, and they still hold a sharp edge after all the wear and tear I put them through. Bosch makes stellar products in general, and this spade bit set is no exception.

DeWalt 100 piece Screwdriver Bit Set / Drill Bit Set

The Dewalt 100 Piece Bit Set is a great thing to have for so many reasons! First and foremost DeWalt continues to make a solid product with this huge set of bits. These are tools that a woodworker will always need to have around. 

This is a nice, practical gift to get someone. I got mine as a Christmas gift from my in-laws and I use them practically every day. This set is complete with any type of drill bit and driver bit needed to do the vast majority of jobs.

I just love having them in these four handy cases. It makes it easy for me to have one or two in my drill bag without feeling like they are getting in the way. Plus having them in the cases means it’s easier not to lose any bits. 

Contour Gauge

When shopping for the woodworker that seems to have everything, a Contour Gauge is a good choice to add to their arsenal. This tool is indispensable when doing things like installing moulding, or other detailed work.

I like to use mine when I install crown moulding because it helps me figure out what angle I need to cut. It keeps me from wasting much material because I am able to make the right cut the first time.

Once your woodworker has one of these they will find plenty of uses for it. 

Kreg Pocket Hole Jig

The Kreg Pocket Hole Jig is perfect for fastening material together at a right angle without seeing any screws on the finished edge. This is generally used for cabinet making, or making furniture like coffee tables and desks. 

It’s nice to not see any screws on a finished edge. This pocket hole jig allows you to use very strong screws that will do a great job at holding two pieces together without being seen.

I did a video on my unboxing and review of the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig. Take a look at it here 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7gXxZtcRJU

This jig is perfect when combined with a set of Right Angle Clamps to hold your material together when fastening it. Let’s talk about these next.

Tool Gifts Under $100

Right Angle Clamps

The Right Angle Clamp is actually under $20, but I add it to the under $100 category because it’s best to get multiple. I recommend four being enough for the average woodshop. 

This is a great addition to any woodworker’s workshop. They do a great job at holding the material at a perpendicular angle, making it much easier to fasten or glue the pieces together. 

When I worked at a cabinet shop we used these quite often to make custom cabinets and accessories. You don’t need to be a cabinet maker to find many uses for these clamps. They are great for building a variety of furniture, or helping out with other projects around the house. 

Bar Clamps

There’s a saying in the woodworking community. A woodworker can never have too many clamps. And yes that includes this set of Bar Clamps.

There’s nothing quite like being in the middle of a project and needing to stop what you are doing and run to the hardware store just to get a few more clamps. 

I know this isn’t the most glamorous gift idea for the woodworker in your life. But it is extremely practical. Believe me when I say they will thank you later.

I prefer to have a variety of lengths on hand. I have used many different types of clamps over the years, and I prefer Bar Clamps with a quick release handle like the ones you see here. 

Skil Circular Saw

Skil Circular Saw is a great handheld circular saw for anyone from beginners to experts. Skil has been around for a very long time, and I have used for many years.

This model has some cool features like a built in laser to help cut straight lines. And being light weight is a huge plus, making it easier to maneuver for longer rip cuts. 

This saw combined with the Kreg Circular Saw guide is a great combo gift for woodworkers of all skill levels.

Bosch Colt Palm Router

The Bosch Colt Palm Router is a smaller, more compact type of woodworking router. It’s great for using it in tight, or harder to reach areas. They are lightweight which makes them a lot easier to control. 

The variable speed capability allows you to use it on different types of materials, and for different applications. I’ve used my palm router a lot to trim edge banding. With the right bit it makes a clean edge in a matter of seconds.

I have two routers in my woodshop. The Bosch Colt is a perfect addition that allows for a larger selection of router bits than my larger router. I tend to find myself using it more than my larger router because it’s easier to handle, and will accept a large selection of router bit patterns. 

Custom Work Bench

This Custom Work Bench makes it easy to create exactly what you need. These are heavy strength workbench legs that are ready for you to use with your own lumber.

It has shelf options so you will have plenty of storage space for all your tools. It goes together with 90 degree cuts, so a circular saw would be plenty to put it together. 

I like that it allows you to customize the size of your workbench to your own personal needs. Oftentimes we have a limited space. This custom work bench allows us to fit a workbench into virtually any space we have to work with. 

It can also be used as a secondary, smaller workbench if you already have another bench but need a surface to assemble your projects.

Tool Gifts Over $100

DeWalt Drill and Impact Driver Combo

I love my DeWalt Drills. It’s lightweight, very powerful, and easy to spot quickly in my workshop. Having an impact driver to go along with it makes the perfect combination. 

The drill is ideal for drilling pilot holes, or screws that need to go to a specific depth. The clutch makes it easy to drill multiple screws to the same depth.

Impact drivers are great for driving long screws or lag bolts quickly and into dense wood. The head has a ratcheting feature making it easy drive screws and bolts without slowing down. 

I like working with both because I can set the drill up to make pilot holes. The impact driver is great driving screws without needing to switch bits. This is so helpful with larger projects that require a lot of drilling.

WORX Multi-Functional Work Table and Sawhorse With Built In Clamps

This Work Table is great for someone who has limited space to work in. It is great for the weekend woodworker who isn’t ready to invest in a full size workbench yet, but still needs to have a stable place to use some tools. 

I like that it has built in clamps that store out of the way when not in use. It’s a big enough surface for the majority of my projects. And All of it folds down to a compact size to store when not being used.

Tool Accessory Gift Ideas

Woodworking Apron

This Woodworking Apron is a rugged and stylish way to protect your clothes while woodworking. It’s durable enough to withstand cuts and scrapes that come with the turf, but also has plenty of storage for tools, cellphones, and pencils. All things that are needed when working in the woodshop.

This is a comfortable apron that also looks great. It will keep you safe from getting injured by tools or sharp material. It’s comfortable to wear, while also keeping your clothes free from glue stains, sawdust, or even cuts. 

UE Megaboom Bluetooth Speaker

Having music or a podcast in the background is a must in my woodshop. The UE Megaboom bluetooth speaker is perfect with it’s smaller size, but larger sound. It does a great job at projecting a clean, crisp sound over a larger distance. 

Connect it to your player either directly or via bluetooth. It has a long battery life, and is easy to use.

I use my Megaboom almost daily. I really like how portable it is, making it easy to take anywhere I want to go. I also like the tall, cylindrical profile of it. It doesn’t have a very big footprint, so it doesn’t take up much space on my workbench.

Wood Glue Dispenser Bottle

This Wood Glue Dispenser Bottle is a great way to store your wood glue. It dispenses glue quickly and easily. first take off the red cap from the tip of the dispenser. Then hold it up to the material you are about to glue. Squeeze the bottle to dispense glue from the nozzle. 

This bottle works both at an angle and also upright, making it easy to use in just about any position. When you are done the red cap can go back onto the tip to help prevent the glue from drying out. 

This bottle is easy to fill with your favorite type of wood glue. It’s a nice size that fits nicely in the hand. It’s not so big that it is hard to find a good spot in the shop to store it when not in use.

I’m hoping this list of gift ideas for a woodworker will help make your decisions a lot easier. I know how confusing it can be to pick a gift that they actually want, instead of picking it randomly.