Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Holidays!!
So… what did you get?
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I bought myself a telescope! I’ve been wanting one for nearly 20 years now, and finally went for it! I opted for a 4″ refractor and an alt-azimuth mount. I’ve always wanted an 8″+ Schmidt Cassegrain, which would offer greater light-gathering capabilities, but I figured it’s better to start smaller, lighter, and simpler.
Tool-wise, I bought some Milwaukee hole saws and reciprocating saws, half because I could always use ’em, half because I want the freebies that Milwaukee’s offering for $50+, $100+, and $200+ purchases.
I splurged on some PB Swiss Tools for use and review.
I ordered a bunch more robotics prototyping and project parts.
Hmm, I didn’t really buy a lot of tools this year. I missed out on Acme’s 20% off deal, otherwise I would have ordered a Fuji finish sprayer.
There are some end of year promos that I might take advantage of.
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Lee Valley is running a free shipping promo thru January 4th.
Count On Tools has a 20% off PB Swiss Tools promo thru January 1st.
Overall, it was somewhat of a weak tool-buying holiday season for me. Partly because the deals weren’t all that great, partly because I hadn’t had as much time to really dig deep for deals as in past years.
Are there any New Year tool purchases in your plans?
Cr8ondt
Got a house to build soon, might be in the market for a Dewalt heated coat lol!!
fred
I got a Lee Valley $250 Gift Card (My Wife Says she bought it when they were doing a 10% off sale them)
Not sure what I’ll buy with it – maybe the Veritas Scrub plane and with it’s 2 fluting irons – for that rough-hewn look – I guess I’ll decide before the free shipping deal runs out.
The only other tool I got was a an Opinel Mushroom Foraging Knife – I hope that wasn’t a sinister plot on my wife’s part to do a lot more of this – because my skills are somewhat rudimentary. I stick to a few species that I am certain about – avoid ones that have look-alikes – and I am reminded that some have common names like Death Cap and Destroying Angel – for very good reasons.
mizzourob
Sockets and more sockets to complete my sets. Probably not too exciting to most.
Johnhenry
You can never have too many sockets,
Or extensions,
Or ratchets
Adam g
I picked up dewalts top of the line brushless hammer drill as well as the rolling dewalt tough system box, the large box, three of the 150 tough system boxes and a free tstak. I bought the kaizen foam for them and have them all set up now. I love the results.
William
Went a little overboard this year.
Dewalt Planer and Stand from Acme
Rikon 10 in h Bandsaw with Stand from highland woodworking
Nice wall mounted dust collector setup from Rockler
Excelsior Lathe and Tools
Nova Chuck
Quite a few other odds and ends
Rman
Bought myself the m18 9ah circular saw combo kit for upcoming attic conversion. Home Depot Milwaukee bits and knife set an m18 surge hex driver amazing how much quieter it is from my fuel model.
Mikal
Bought the 20v Dewalt brushless impact and the new 20v brushless sds hammer drill and a few batteries to add to the arsenal.
Chad Brink
i got a can of wd40 gel. Exactly what I was hoping for.
RC WARD
You killed it dude
Tim
Got the DeWalt tough system rack as a gift and a Milwaukee took belt.
Bought the 9AH sawzall and circular saw combos and some blades.
pencil neck
Storage drawers:
https://imgur.com/ozPXSAn
A future inlaw is a nut-N-bolt salesman for a distributor, so lucky me. 🙂
Oh, and I also got a bag of pecans for what it is worth.
Jonathan
Those look awesome! What are you going to store in them?
Pete
No tool tools for me although i did get a awesome GoLight Styker HID- its a remote control light for my truck! It has 550,000 candelas(whatever that is in lumens) and useable light up to a mile…. its pretty awesome. Might use it tonight looking for some coyotes.
BUT the 3yr old and 1 yr old both got toy bosch tool boxes, toy bosch hammer drills and toy bosch tool belts. So they can help me on the next project lol.
Bill K
Nothing for me, but had fun buying tools for friends. I really enjoyed buying a friend of mine a shop apron which I had monogrammed with something that will make it special.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Stuart and all ToolGuyd readers!
JMG
Got a six pack of micro-brew beer and some whiskey samplers from my nephews. They gave up trying to guess what toys I did not already have long ago…
Kevin
This gives me hope…my nephew just keeps stealing all my son’s new toys (they’re four). 🙂
I’d love for him to get on the whisky wagon when he’s of age 🙂
Wayne Ruffner
For my work and for my computers the initial thrills of adding capabilities, tools, equipment and knowledge has waned more than, well shoot, I never expected it to wane at all. Just really enjoyed the hunt & capture of good & better stuff that made me better.
I filled a couple of small gaps this year, but, really, I’m set. I think.
That taper-off happen to anyone else too?
Starting to think about how to pass this stuff on…
fred
Born in the 1940’s and starting to accumulate (buying and inheriting) tools in the 1960’s, I’ve long passed that stage of needing anything more. But then, once in a while, something that looks like it might be really convenient, make a routine job a lot easier, or appears to be a collector’s piece at a very attractive price comes along. Voilà – I break out the credit card and add a piece or two. It is a bit irrational – and like many other possessions that my wife and I have accumulated – tools are only of passing interest to our children who will need to sell/auction them off – probably getting pennies on the dollar that we paid for much of them. Who knows, with some of my heavy-iron machine tools they may need to have to pay to have them carted off or sell them with my house as part of the deal. My wife once remarked that maybe we should not have bought such a big primary residence – and would, therefore, have accumulated less. My shops (most for a 2400 square foot basement and part of a 3 car garage) probably did have some involvement in egging-on my tool collecting – but also provided (and still does) lots of enjoyment over the years. She likes to acquire paintings and antiques on our travels here and abroad (not exactly museum quality in either case) – but a big house to fill up has given her something to look forward too as well. I haven’t talked to my estate planning folks about my extensive tool collection other than in general terms of how my possessions will be divided up and pass to my heirs and other beneficiaries. I suspect, however, that including tools in a charitable trust or leaving a collection to a museum is not done unless you possess some extraordinary items (say Duncan Phyfe’s tool chest). At the other end of the spectrum – I guess folks like Habitat for Humanity might take some of the more widely used construction tools.
Wayne Ruffner
Some cities have “tool libraries” that are hungry for donations. You might want to start one yourself – you, in particular, might find a way to participate in one of those Maker facilities or tradeschools (create your own?) as a way to pass on a lot more than just tools…
Bolt
I got a bench grinder, lights, and a kerosene heater for the shop. The last one might stay in the box for a while since it’s almost 80 out there.
mattd
for myself I got a jawhorse, from family i got a Vaughan 24oz ball peen hammer and some pruning sheers (I have some overgrown trees and just have a sawsall which is kinda horrible for smaller branches).
Richard G.
Finally got myself a Milwaukee Fuel 2715 rotary hammer. Waiting on a chainsaw from them, but looks like it will be my next winter present ))
John Blair
Tools that I bought for myself: Dewalt 20v Max Starter Kit w/Drywall Gun and SDS Drill. (Of course it’s not all fun and games, now I have to widen every doorway in my fathers house for a walker/wheelchair).
Actual Presents: Big Bang Theory Lego Set.
Yadda
I received a Rockwell Jawstand and an eTape 16 digital tape measure.
James
I bought myself a Mafell track saw and Mafell Duo Dowel joiner. I used the track saw on some hickory already and the cuts where butter smooth. I have yet to use the joiner. Pricing was kind of nuts wish it was more inline with what they pay in Europe. Also picked up the Bosch 9 gallon dust extractor during the Acme 20% off sale, it’s been fantastic so far.
The only things I picked up that I regret are more L-Boxx’s. I have since decided I want more Systainer’s since the I can get to items in the stack quicker.
Shreeni Rao
Bosch GLM50c after reading here 🙂
Mick
A 4″ refractor will give ya many years of viewing Stu. Any plans for a Messier marathon? A local sale had a Questar 7″ Classic Titanium Maksutov-Cassegrain for sale. Far out of my price range. I was curious to see what it went for but missed it….oh well! A floor model PC drillpress now has a home in my workshop.
jason. w
My son got a tool belt with tools. It’s super cute to see him in his goggles hammering away on things. I only occasionally have to tell him to stop hammering his 9 month old brothers head.
I got SBD knee sleeves. I used them today during my squats. I nailed a 315 squat and cranked out lots of reps at 275. And my knees don’t hurt! I am a big fan of them already.
Bart
I just got into welding a few months ago and my wife surprised me with a nice flame retardant welding shirt. 🙂
I’m out of room for tools at the moment so I’m trying to show some restraint and not buy/ask for anything unless I just have to have it for a job. I’ve been covered on the basics for 15 years so almost anything I lust for these days falls into the “nice to have” category.
Joe R.
I got a $50 BEVMO gift card so just waiting for the Blanton’s to be re-stocked!
As for tools well none, but all mine are being used as I help a friend to get her house in order after years of neglect by her elderly parents.
Love this place…all of you give great updates and valued advise on tools.
Andrew
Was a bit of a bummer holiday as my mother passed on Friday (go figure, the one gift project I actually got done in time was hers!) but Santa picked up my spirits by delivering a Kreg Mobile Work Station, clamp set & Rip Cut; a Milwaukee locking pliers & straight jaw pliers set as well as a Milwaukee carpenters pouch. And to top it off, Mom left me a gift card to Home Depot which I’m going to set aside until I’ve saved up just enough for the M18 Miter saw or for something … special.
Hope everyone had a happy holiday. Very much enjoying the chance to revel in everyone’s haul.
Koko the Talking Ape
Just out of curiosity, I got myself a Mora Companion fixed-blade knife. It is a beauty, and it cost $12. 🙂
Harrolldean
Pre-ordered the new M18 OPE from AcmeTool.com
Jared
Based on the posts, a lot of guys on here bought themselves their own tool presents this year. Must be santa couldn’t find many great deals this year either.
Wayne Ruffner
Everyone around me knows that their guessing about what will fit in my collection has a low probability of getting a big grin. Almost all of us here no doubt have family with a similar understanding…
BonPacific
Expansive wishlists seem to have solved that for my family. There are always plenty of things I would like, but wouldn’t buy myself. if you provide enough options, people still feel like they were involved in the gift-picking process.
Adam
I got a new circular saw (Skilsaw SPT-67 WM-22) and some blades, and a Klein ratcheting screwdriver.
Very happy with both of them, so far.
Jay
Got a new hammer, a 21 oz. California framer, hickory handle, forged steel head. Love it!
Kurt
A friend got me an Arduino starter set, which I’m looking forward to playing with. I got an unexpected bonus for the end of the year, so I went out and bought myself a bit of extravagance for my workshop, a Proxxon 37060 Disc Sander. Should be great for the plastics and resin parts that I work with.
chris parker
well, i live alone so i didn’t get anything, but i am making a table for a new workbench..today is my birthday, so i am trying to finish it by today so i can have it planned.
BonPacific
Happy Birthday!
Saint Clarence
I got a Stanley rubber mallet (desperately needed), a shopvac (desperately needed), some safety glasses (always needed), and a cordless leaf blower (less needed). Pretty happy overall! I will probably be getting a table saw in the new year.
Jon
Ridgid 5″ random orbital sander and a couple flashlights. I’m pretty much set in the tool department. My parents recently downsized and I inherited some great gear from my father, including a Stihl chainsaw that is nearly 30 years old and still runs like a top, a nearly brand new Ariens 30″ snowblower (with hand warmers!) to replace my 30 year old Murray snowblower and a Giant Vac leaf blower.
My father kept most of his tools since he still needs them at his new place but the gear he gave me is fantastic! He kept all of it in great condition, they all still work like new. Thanks Grampa!
BonPacific
I got a Freud Forstner set (1/4″ – 2 1/8″) and a Woodpecker 1281 square as gifts. A Lie-Nielsen gift card went towards a 102 Low Angle block plane.
Chris
Dewalt 6 piece, 20v combo kit 🙂
Speaker,
Drill driver,
Impact,
Recip saw,
Circ saw
And led light.
Scott
Once again my wife reminded me why I married her. Each year she takes a second job with the income earmarked for Christmas spending and as usual I was the fortunate benefactor of her generosity. I received the Milwaukee 30″ tool chest, the Bosch 12″ glide miter saw, a Bosch belt sander, infeed/out feed tables for my drum sander, a Rikon air filter, 3/8 and 1/4 SK socket sets, some Klein screwdrivers and nut drivers AND a $600 gift card to Woodcraft for my next upgrade to a SawStop. I also received the standard shirts and other necessities. My wife really is the Best.
Nathan
I so wish I had the time/space/money for a big bandsaw, planer, and the like.
I did get a tool though – outdoor tool. Echo 58V electric trimmer setup that takes PAS, Husqy attachments. Got the Edger with it too.
4Ah – 58 V (didn’t get if that’s nominal or fresh unburdened) battery. melonfarmer is a hefty box though.
Seems stout enough – going to buy another battery for it anyway.
Brian
Everything on sale:
1. Dewalt 20v Max Starter Kit with DCD791B Drill Hammer and DCS331B Jig Saw. Good-bye never fully charged NiCad drill!
2. Dewalt DW735X Planer
3. Dewalt DCS355B Oscillating Multi-Tool (went on sale today on Amazon for $115.12, fyi)
Went waaaay overboard with the planer, but needed to build out my starter DIY tool collection and got greedy. Still need a table saw or the planer continues to sit in the box :\
Allen
Two six packs of South Dakota’s finest.
Liter of Cedar Ridge bourbon.
And a heart rate monitor.
Can you tell I’m starting a health program ?
Will
I got a vintage 1950s Kennedy-made, Craftsman badged, machinist tool box. It’s hammered gray with black felt lining, in beautiful shape, and will be used to hold my woodworking cutting and measuring tools. I’m pretty stoked!
Anton
I got my wife a telescope. A little travel one that I hope will get use even if she really gets into it and upgrades later.
Got a Lansky sharpening system which I’m kinda disapointed in.
Adam g
I was very tempted to pick up the klein electricians tool bundle as it’s down to 25 from 50 but stoll can’t justify it for how little use it would get. Also saw 2 wheelers for 14 bucks.
Anton
Is that the 7pc? Thats an insane price for it then looks like its in store only with none around me though. This one?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Electrician-s-Wiring-and-Testing-Kit-7-Piece-Z00019/207074262
Adam g
Yeah That’s the one, i just don’t work with electric much. My dad’s the one good with that
Adam g
I work overnights and your comment tipped the scales and i picked it up.
Anton
Nice, The screwdriver are almost worth it by themselves and you can never have too many scissors.
Nathan
New front rotors and pads and tie rods for one vehicle, new rear rotors and pads and front wheel bearing assemblies for the other vehicle. Merry Christmas, old cars. Bah humbug to me.
Tyler
Bought myself the Milwaukee impact drill set and a nice 12 gauge extension cord. Got a new 6 ft ladder and some diagonal cutters. Gifted a gripper to my wood working father in law.
Matt
Lots of clothes and food! The only things tool related I suppose would be a set of USA Made Zach’s sawhorses and a Craftsman sweatshirt. My wife got both from Sears… Happy New Year everyone!
Johnny Bright Light
I didn’t get anything from anyone. So bought myself a shop vac and a hammer drill both are craftsman. Bought online, and in three days they were sitting on my back porch. I didn’t have to go any where , pretty cool huh!!!…
firefly
Happy New Year to Stuart, Ben, Fred and everyone else 🙂
Most of the stuff that I got are either deal from this site or alternate product that I have learned from surfing this site. For example I got the QuikBench after I learned about the Mobile Project Center. I would love to get the Kreg version but none were available at the time. Plus the QuikBench are lighter.
I also got a few of the Morakniv, a set of Wera Kraftform, Dewalt folding utility knife along with the folding knife, california air compressor, empire square. Also score a Lenox high tension hacksaw with a few blade. That thing is much bigger than I have envision but it is a solid saw.
I also score a heavy duty work bench top. I will use that to build my own work bench. It will have caster that raise up. So the workbench will be solid once I set it but mobile when I need it to be.
jtkendall
I received a Makita XDT111 Impact Driver kit for Christmas as well as some cash and gift cards, which I turned into more tools and supplies.
I picked up:
– Snug Plugs Ear Plugs with Case
– Dewalt Concealer Safety Goggle, Clear Anti-Fog
– Makita Impact Gold (2-1/2 in.) Assorted Double-Ended Power Bit Set (3-Piece)
– Makita XOB01Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 5 in. Random Orbit Sander (Tool only)
– Makita 18V Compact Lithium-Ion 2.0Ah Battery
Rory
I got a Makita Magnesium Hypoid Saw, some diablo blades for it, a set of Wera slotted and philips screwdrivers and a 10″ Knipex pliers wrench. Not a bad haul!
Aaron
I was given “permission” to buy myself a Christmas gift and took advantage of HD two free DeWalt bare tools landing the brushless hammer drill, 3 speed impact driver, 6ah Flexvolt, 2ah battery, oscillating multi tool and the new cordless random orbital sander…..it was a great deal/promotion. I also woke up on Christmas day to find the new brushless grinder. Needless to say I had a much better Toolmas than I deserve.