Knives– X-acto, box cutter, pocket knife , paint scraper This list can go on and on. Have a place for them, and their replacement blades. They need to be together, but no one says they will be happy in a drawer, or on a shelf. Maybe a colorful bucket, funny box or old frying pan is where they like to live. You will not use them every day, but when you need them, you don’t have time to hunt for them. Just go to their home!
Saws– Woodworkers can never have enough saws. People who love woodworkers need to understand this. Storing, and sharpening handsaws is important. Once again the French cleat can be handy. Do not put a saw under something to get rusty or bent. Power saws need sturdy bases, safe power sources, ventilation, dust collection, noise protection and storage for scraps. Also stable infeed and outfeed tables.
Measure for measure– Another endless grouping. Rulers, tape measures ( steel or cloth) vernier caliper, carpenters angles. I keep a tiny six foot measure tape in my purse. A dollar bill is 6.14 inches long and 2.61 inches wide. Once again, gather your measures while you may, and give them a designated place. Stretch your arms out as wide as they will go and measure the distance from finger tip to finger tip. This will be a great help for estimations.
Clamps– not just for woodworkers. From binder clips for paper to clamps for wood, there are a wide variety of clamps and you think you can never have enough. Ask for them for Christmas, instead of a reindeer sweater!
Storage– Before you set your recycling bin on the curb, look at it for storage needs. If the box the screws came in got wet and disintegrated, put the screws in the pickle jar and label with masking tape. Why tape? Because when those screws are used up the next use of the jar may be nuts or washers. It is easy to cover the old tape or peel it off.