Christmas is around the corner but there’s still time to buy your favorite woodworker a Christmas gift. Whether you realize it or not there are a host of tools that would make your woodworkers life much easier I’ve provided a list and links below for you to explore and find the cool tools for Christmas of 2025.

Cool Tools for Christmas

Squares and Measures

So let’s start with squares and measures.

16’ Milwaukee Tape Measure

The first thing really is a tape measure. You really need only a 16 foot tape measure and even that is probably a little too long. But it’s a good all around size for around the house and around the shop. That being said you only be using the 1st 6 inches most of the time and maybe the 1st 12 inches the rest of the time. Occasionally you’ll stretch it out to 2 foot or three feet but most of your projects are going to be in that beginning end of the tape measure. So make sure you pick a good tape measure. There are several quality tape measures out there my personal recommendation happens to be in Milwaukee but I’m sure Stanley and DeWalt make equally good tape measures.

Starrett Bench Rule

While your bench rule doesn’t actually have to be a Starrett it does have to be good. There are several other good ones on the market but you can’t go wrong with them American made tool in Steel. And this is one piece of equipment that your woodworker will be reaching for regularly.

Starrett Combination Square or a Square Set

A Starrett combination square or combination square set will last you a lifetime, your kids lifetime, and even your grandkids lifetime. A Starrett is a precision piece of equipment and while it does cost more it’s going to last this side of forever. I highly recommend these tools to anyone doing any kind of marking you’re measuring.

Machinist Squares Set

Well having a combination square it’s very useful you probably also need a set of machinist squares. These again are pieces of precision equipment that will last a lifetime and quite frankly again something your woodworker will reach for frequently. I wouldn’t skimp on these either again American made or European made is your best bet

Crown Tools 4” Square

Having a Crown Tool 4 inch square is like holding a piece of history. The blued steel blade rosewood handle, and brass fittings really make this stand out as an heirloom tool that your woodworker really should have.

Precision Double Square

So I have a couple of precision double squares. These are super handy to keep close and small enough to drop in your apron pocket or even in your back pocket while doing small work. And again, because these are precision pieces they will improve your word working and last lifetime.

Marking

Double and Right & Left hand Marking Knife

So to amp up your woodworkers game consider gifting a marking knife. Or even a pair. You can get a double edged marking knife where the blade point looks like a diamond. Or a pair of specific left and right hand marking knives. Both work well but personally I like the right and the left hand knives.

Surface Prep

Crown Tool Scraper and Burnisher Tool Set

A surface scraper is another step up they’re also called cabinet scrapers. These are absolutely outstanding tools that very few people have so it’s almost a sense that if you buy one your woodworker won’t have one sitting in his drawer somewhere. Crown tool makes a good set which includes a burnishing tool. And frankly you absolutely need to have the burnishing tool in order to sharpen these things to the point where they are actually useful.

Chisels & Mallets

Narex Chisel Set

I’m sure your woodworker has a chisel or two laying around somewhere. But most likely these were purchased from the big box store add our tough to sharpen and quite frankly probably don’t hold an edge. Holding an edge is based on the quality of the steel and the heat treating. So make sure you invest in something good like the Narex chisel set. These are reasonably priced and made in the Czech Republic with high quality steel. This is a set of chisels that will last year woodworker for a very very long time and it will make his woodworking easier.

Wood is Good Striking Mallet

Along with chisels you’re also going to need a good striking ballot. There are several kinds you can use from brass to wood to Poly. Well I have all three my go to is my round Poly mallets for strike chisels. These are easier on the chisel butt and allows the chisel to last very much longer.

Handsaws

Tennon/Dovetail Saw

Though few seem to have one every woodworker needs a Tenon/Dovetail saw. These are perfect for cutting small parts striking chisel lines and quite a few more things. Veritas makes a really good one but the Thomas Flynn 10 inch is a much better one. And it comes ready to rock. It has a brass back and a really nice Beech handle.

Irwin Pull Saw

And of course every shop needs to have a Japanese style pull saw. You cannot sharpen the Japanese saw. So when it finally dulls up you’ll need to get a new blade and learn how to actually install it wrap it in the Japanese manner. 4 you can get your woodworker an Irwin pull saw. The great features about this saw are threefold it has a fine edge a coarse edge so you can cross cut and RIP with it and, the blade is replaceable with the push of a button. I have to say I’ve been using mine for a while and I love it.

20” British Bench Saw

As far as saws go your woodworker also needs a bench saw. This is a western style saw which means it cuts on the push. And it needs to be fairly short because most of the time you’ll be using this for cross cutting or cutting smaller types of parts. A good 20 inch western style saw is really handy to have in a wood shop. Thomas Flynn makes a great 20 inch British bench saw that will work in almost every instance from ripping through cross cutting. It’s a great all around saw to have handy anytime you need to make a cut.

Drill Bits

Fisch Brad Point Bit Set

So we all have drill bits laying around and most of them are the Standard 118° bit tip. While these work for a lot of instances they’re not as good for woodworking. For woodworking you actually need a Brad point drill. A Brad point drill is just what it says it has a very sharp and pointy bread point at the end. So when you put the point wherever you want to drill the drill will follow unlike the standard drill points which tend to wander around sometimes and put your hole where you don’t want it. So Brad point drill set is something every woodworker should have in his arsenal of tools. Fisch makes an absolutely outstanding set of these drills and while again they’re pricey they are German steel and they last forever. Just don’t break off the point.

Freud Forstner Bit Set

And finally, as far as drill bits go every shop needs to have a Forstner bits. Forester bits create a flat bottom hole. And while this type of a tool is not used every day when you need to do a flat bottom hole this is the first tool your woodworker will reach for.

PPE Gear

ISOtunes Bluetooth Earmuffs

Most of the tools that are currently used in wood shops are power tools. Those generally make a lot of noise. So it’s a great idea to protect your hearing so that you’ll have it as you get older. A really good set of hearing protection is really needed for almost all operations using woodworking tools. My suggestion is use ISO tunes because in my experience they’re highly reliable have a long battery life and work really well. My particular set let’s be listen to music, answer phone calls, it has a pass through feature so I can hear while my earmuffs are still on to normal conversation, and they also protect my ears up to 24 to 26 decibels. For me that’s quite the package.

Gloves

Mechanix Wear Gloves

I don’t advocate wearing gloves around most power tools especially a table saw or radial arm saw or even a chop saw. With gloves on you’re not quite certain where the end of your finger is and that can cause great harm. However, gloves come in really handy for doing a number of things especially things with high vibration like sanding a good set of gloves we’ll put a layer between you and the vibration of the Sander so you can say in longer and more comfort. And also sometimes you just need them when it’s cold out. Mechanix Wear gloves Fit the bill for me on all points.

Drill & Driver

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Drill and Driver

So most people already have some type of a drill and may be an impact driver possibly. But most of those are usually old and don’t do a really good job. So here’s the Milwaukee M12 fuel drill and driver package that includes charger batteries the drill the impact driver and 3/8 inch ratchet. This will cover your woodworker for almost anything he could possibly do.

With all these tools there are at least four or five that would fit for your woodworker as gifts for this Christmas. Don’t leave your woodworker out and don’t leave him or her wishing that they had that new tool.

Merry Christmas and the best to you in the new year.

Thanks for reading and until next time Good Making!

Bill

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