General Advice for a gift idea

[rburridge]

Hi,

Its my boyfriends 21st birthday coming up and I know that he would really appreciate a nice set of tools.
He has a barn at home where him and all his brothers do multiple projects at once....some mechanical, others woodwork....anyway there is a lot of things going on and not all of them look after the tools. They are all over the place and basically its a mess. I know it really annoys him so I intend to get him a nice set of various tools that he can keep for himself.

He really enjoys doing woodwork and often complains about the tools he has. He isn't an expert but he just enjoys it as a hobby. I have no idea about woodwork, i'm not nearly patient enough for it and so have never taken much of an interest.
So I was hoping for some advice. Any advice really as to what sort of basic tools I should get him, some ideas of good quality brands.
Also, being a student, I am on a tighter budget than i would like and was looking for some ways of restoring old tools, how to give them a new lease of life, as unfortunately I doubt I will be able to afford all brand new stuff.

Thank you, any and all advice is much appreciated

 

[nev]

Hello R
Have a read through this recent post and also the posts linked to on the third page, it should give you an idea of where to start in what is a huge choice.
woodwork-tool-kits-t77894.html

I would suggest that you cannot start any woodworking without a saw or two, some decent marking and measuring tools, some chisels and plane. with those tools you can cut the timber to size, smooth it and create simple joints, so you are on your way to making things

 

[marcros]

In terms of something that won't cost you a fortune, that you can add value to and will be treasured, I would suggest an old hand plane. It sounds like your boyf is effectively starting from scratch to build his own set of tools, so I would look for something like a vintage stanley 5 1/2. It is a general purpose plane, rather than one that might be purchased for a specific purpose after he has the basis, and would be useful to a beginner or old hand alike. Try to get an oldish one- not from the last 40 years when quality suffered. A wanted advert on the forum may be useful.

In terms of transforming it, there are many threads, but the basics are making sure it all works, a propping nasty varnish off handles and replacing with oil- cleaning and flattening the sole, sharpening it etc. nothing that a beginner (ie you!) couldn't do with effort and minimal expense. It will transform the £15 quid plane into a nice £40ish one.

 

[Alexam]

It may be difficult to find the right tools, but how about a gift card from a large tool outlet that has a good website. See here http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-gi ... or=voucher

Hope this helps. He may have fun looking around a large store like Axminster.

Alex

 

[Terry - Somerset]

Why not buy some decent tool storage rather than tools which may only join the mess (as you describe it). Steel tool chest (Halfords etc) springs to mind - not strictly woodworking but effective for most tools!

Terry