As the time draws near to the festive season, many people will be asking loved one's ''what would you like for Christmas''.

And indeed, you probably have already been asked this question!

As woodworkers, its always good to get some tools, from the big jolly red guy! 

And so i have listed some gift ideas, you may want to try out, that wont break the bank.

I have added a link to an amazon affiliate tool list you can access here, or below.

Japanese framing square

First up is a Japanese framing square (150 x 300mm). This is a relatively new tool to me, although l did have it’s little brother (50 x 100mm) for some time, but didn't really use it. With the larger square, I find myself using it all the time, to the point its getting used more than my combination square, which is very surprising, since I'm a fan of combination squares.

I find the Japanese square to be nice and light, something that i like in certain tools. I also find myself using the square for a lot of measuring, it is after all a rule at 90°. 

Its usually on the bench, so very convenient, and it's flat so it doesn't get in the way too much. 

I like it so much, im probably going to get the next size up (250 x 500mm). 

For me, it was just one of those tools you buy, and are immediately happy you purchased it.

You can get the 150 x 300mm version here (affiliate).

Drill block

I bought this when I was making my slot bench, and had a lot of dogholes drill, and wanted them to be accurate, or at the least as close to accurate as possible without spending a small fortune, on the dedicated tools to create your own MFT top.

I used the block to drill a small pilot hole, then i followed up with a 3/4" bit.

This was a little time consuming, but the results were pretty good, between my marking out, and using the drill block.

Was it as accurate as an MFT top? No, but it was damn close, close enough for me!

If you have need for 90° holes up to 12mm I'd have no problem with recommending this. The block can be a little tricky to use at first, but you'll soon get the knack for it.

You can pick one up here (Amazon affiliate).

Ryoba saw

Anyone who follows me on Instagram, has probably seen a lot of reels of myself, wielding a ryoba saw.

Some might even say im being biased, and i would agree, with good reason.

The ryoba saw is the one saw i would pick, if i could only have one saw, because it does it all.

Ripcuts, crosscuts, re-sawing, dovetailing, tenons, I've even cut a circle out with one of these. This is the saw that will do everything with satisfactory, to excellent results.

Admittedly there is a small learning curve, but well worth the time to do so.

You can get one here (Amazon affiliate)

Lever clamp

I've been using these 2 Qwork quick release clamps, for a few months now, and they are holding up very well.

I initially bought them them to substitute holdfasts, on my recent slot together plywood workbench (which you can view the build here).

The top is 22mm thick, as is the rest of the bench (per my design), so its not thick enough to handle holdfasts. 

This was a sacrifice i wasn't to happy about making, but in all fairness, the clamps have performed really well. Never has a work piece came loose, and for what they are, the clamping preasure is good.

The only 2 things i could nit pick at is, the clamping faces can marr, so gluing on some leather etc. is advisable, and when you first start using them, they can be a little fiddly to use, but i am happy with the purchase.

Available here (Amazon affiliate)

Thor hammer

I've been using a thor hammer/mallet for years now. Ive built my own mallets, tried rubber mallets, bought traditional wooden mallets, used hammers, but i always gravitate back towards the thor hammer.

For myself, I feel the mallet excels at chisel work, with a nice weight to do so. The heads are replaceable, and initially come with a hard white nylon head, and a softer grey head, which is better suited for assembly.

If you haven't used one of thor mallets before, im confident you will be pleasantly surprised.

Pick up a thor mallet here (Amazon affiliate)

Wood porn

roysboxes

View more on Instagram

Shut up, and take my money! This wooden box/vase is the creation of wood turner Simon Roy.

Click the reel (above) and see the hidden compartments, very cool!

What impressed me

910mokko.woodwork

View more on Instagram

The above is a reel from 910mokko.woodwork, in the reel, he is dry fitting a leg side to a bench top, with what i can only describe as a highly complex, and decorative mortice and tenon joint of sorts.

I highly encourage you to click the reel (above), and watch the fit. The fit is outstanding, all done with chisels, from a highly skilled (and patient) craftsman.

Definitely someone to follow on Instagram for inspiration, and a skill set to strive towards!

Woodwork ponder

Before the age of table saws, band saws, and electric planers, there were craftsman producing pieces of furniture, with only hand tools.

If you worked for a company, there was most likely a pressure, and expectation to finish a small piece of furniture in one day.

Imagine that, from literally scratch, prepping the wood, cutting all the joints etc. to the final product, in one day, all with hand tools.

These men must have had there workflow on point, and worked at an extremely quick pace!

Im sure a lot of what they practiced, and methodology has been lost.

Imagine the insight you would see in one day, the things you would learn, the skill you would see. It's a shame such things (not all) are lost.

Podcast

You can listen on Spotify here, and Apple Podcasts  here.

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Thats it for this one guys, see you next week!

Regards 

David