The best retirement gifts for woodworkers can be easy to pick for new woodworkers. But downright frustrating for an experienced woodworker. Because woodworkers tend to buy what they need, figuring out what they want is harder.
Sure, you can always return what’s been purchased but it spoils the surprise and givers satisfaction in a tool they’ve chosen. In this guide learn about some top tools that even an experienced woodworker may not own.
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Retirement Gifts for Woodworkers
1. Waterproof work shop apron
Shown: Waterproof Workshop Apron
With a work shop apron you’ll be giving the gift of not wrecking every shirt and pair of pants exposed to wood glue. And reduce the dust tracked into the house.
So this one is probably as useful for the spouse of the woodworker giving the gift.
Not only will a woodworking apron keep dust and glue off your clothes, with a number of pockets it will keep small easy to forget tools in reach.
Risk they already have? Maybe – but having two aprons is just fine.
2. 90-degree angle clamp guide
Shown: 90-Degree Can Do Angle Clamp
With a 90-degree clamp joining together wood projects get a whole lot easier. By simply clamping into the corner of two boards the holes and screws can be quickly inserted.
In every workshop there has to be at least five different styles of clamps. And with this clamp the job of holding two pieces of wood perpendicular to each other is fully mastered.
Risk they own this? Not likely, but if they do it’s a type of clamp having two (or more) around doesn’t hurt.
3. Wrist screw and bit holder (Where Did I Put That?)
Shown: Magnetic Wristband
With a wrist organizer that uses powerful magnets to keep screws and drill bits handy your retiree will spend less time searching for small metal screws and more time building.
While this lowest price retirement gifts for woodworkers doesn’t disappoint on budget, it will be a favorite for helping to not lose small screws and bits.
4. Dusk and particle respirator with carbon filters
Shown: Dust Mask With Filters
A carbon filter dust mask will help prevent dust-induced health issues for the retiring woodworker.
Woodworking means dust will be generated no matter how small or large your project is. And there’s no reason to start a respiratory issue as the retiree spends more time woodworking.
With an N99 filter this style of mask will remove 99% of particles 0.3 micron or greater. But if you really want to be technical check out OSHA’s page and you’ll find wood dust is a serious issue.
Even if they own a dust mask it’s worth grabbing another one. Especially as these are inexpensive.
5. Shop air cleaner to remove small dust particles
Shown: WEN Air Filter
A shop air cleaner will remove harmful small particles left in the air during and after the sawing and sanding is done.
Once the sawing is done a temptation for any woodworker is to go ahead and remove their mask. But, harmful small dust particles can stay in the air for an extended duration before they settle. In fact, one article I’ve read highlighted the dust stays in the air for up to 30 minutes.
By installing a shop air cleaner in the workshop it will cycle the air in the room and filter out the dust particles more efficiently. How? Well units like this Wen can circulate the air in a 400 square foot room 7.5 times an hour and capture dust in dual 1-micron and 5-micron filters.
Risk they own this? Since it hangs from the ceiling you’ll spot one immediately. Just don’t confuse it with a garage heater.
6. Ultimate push block for saws, jointers and other machinery
Shown: GRR-RIPPER Push Block
A push block is a must as no saw or machinery with an exposed cutting edge should be used bare handed.
Anyone who works with wood long enough has had a few encounters with wood that snapped or kicked back. Perhaps some have even been cut (in my 25+ years, I haven’t).
Protect the retirees hands and woodworking hobby with a premium, high grip push block that will shield fingers from amputation or worse (remember I mentioned 10 table saw amputations a day in the US?).
Risk they own this? Very low as this is a high-end push block designed for use on all machines (table saw, jointer, router table, bandsaw). And with a bright yellow design it’s easy to spot if you have access to their workshop.
7. Table saw with integrated blade stopping
Shown: SawStop Table Saw
A SawStop table saw won’t just prevent amputations it will also greatly improve the capability and quality of projects. While the most expensive of retirement gifts for woodworkers this one is worth a look if you have the budget.
This is a big ticket item around $2500 but a table saw is the centerpiece of any woodworking shop. What’s different about the SawStop? Well, it has integrated technology that almost instantly slams the blade off and pulls it below the table if it contacts skin.
But why else invest in this saw? Because it features a 30″ premium fence, cast iron table, a massive motor and supports all dust collection systems.
Risk they own this? Very low but easy to spot. Also, if they own a table saw but it’s 20+ years old every woodworker wants an upgrade. And they can’t argue with you over safety.
8. Wood panel clamps (aka pipe clamps)
Shown: Pipe Clamps
Every woodworking project uses pipe clamps to create wood panels, glue frames, make table tops and many other glue-up jobs.
And the great thing about pipe clamps is you can never have too many. Because of that, and at last count, I have well over two dozen of these attached to a variety of 3/4″ black pipe ranging from 3-feet to 8-feet long.
Risk they own this? They likely do so check the shop for similar clamps and buy the same brand if so. Both Pony (orange and black) and Bessey (red and black) are other manufacturers of these clamps. Due to strength I use 3/4″ pipe, but you can also buy 1/2″ clamps (if weight is a concern).
9. Pocket hole screw system
Shown: Pocket Hole Screw System
With a pocket hole screw system a woodworker can join just about any two pieces of wood firmly and quickly. And with a complete system all drill bits, jigs and clamps come together.
This screw system is much more than a gadget. Due to it’s ability to join plywood, hardwood and softwood it is a flexible tool that can join wood. And best of all the pocket holes it creates can be filled with matching wood plugs.
Risk they own this? Unless they are a serious woodworker this is a low risk buy. But check around the shop just in case.
10. Dovetail router jig for sure bet retirement gift
Shown: Porter Cable Dovetail Jig
A dovetail jig belongs in every serious woodworkers shop. Because this jig enables construction of high quality drawers and boxes it’s a favorite of all woodworkers.
After building a hundred or more kitchens and 15-20 drawers per kitchen I’ve spent a lot of time with this type of jig. Due to that I wouldn’t even consider making a drawer any other way because of the quality of the final product.
Risk they own this? Check the workshop as a current woodworker just might. It’s easy to spot with it’s tooth-like front edge.
Related Article: Best dovetail jig for woodworking
11. Power miter saw for cutting wood to length
Shown: Bosch Miter Saw
A power miter saw is one of the true must-have tools for any woodworking operation. And if your woodworker has a radial arm saw scrap it immediately and buy a much safer miter saw.
The miter saw sits next to the table saw as one of the must have retirement gifts. And with the advances in cutting capacity and safety features the newest models, like this 12″ Bosch, will make woodworking safer and more enjoyable.
Risk they own this? It’s likely a retiree owns this, but not likely they own a modern saw that can be used weekly for high quality projects. And with massive cutting capacity, dust ports, and ability to integrate into a workbench it makes this a great investment regardless of their current saw.
12. Dewalt 10 tool combo pack plus jigsaw
Shown: Dewalt Cordless Jigsaw
With a combo pack of woodworking tools to power retirement all of the key tools will be portable. And by upgrading to the latest and greatest batteries over 100 other tools are ready to add later.
Every woodworker wants a set of cordless tools. And with the latest battery systems a countless variety of woodworking and yard tools are powered by massive battery packs.
Risk they have this? While almost everyone has a cordless drill very few own a set of cordless tools like this. Just take a look at the current system and see if it’s a single tool or not.
13. Professional router table retirement gift
Shown: Kreg Router Table System
A router table is a gateway to enabling more woodworking projects than just about any other tool. Because without a router table doors, trim, and other projects aren’t possible.
While this Kreg is an expensive tool it’s quite a bit cheaper than a standard shaper. Due to this system having all the gadgets you need the receiver of this gift will be left with only one task: finding a perfect router to insert into it.
Risk they have this? Very low and you can easily spot this one in the garage.
Summary
When looking for gifts you can never go wrong with purchasing safety supplies you can’t find in their workshop. And with age come health issues so managing dust is a #1 priority.
- About the Author
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Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.
