T3
This page gets updates and additions regularly.
In many cases the things that I want are large or expensive and may require multiple people participating. (e.g. I would rather get a 200 dollar tool or tool bundle than a bunch of 30 dollar knickknacks.)
Here's a short list of people who you might contact. Becky is my spouse. That makes 1. She has 2 siblings who have 2 spouses and 5 kids. 1 + 9 = 10 people. I have 3 siblings who have 3 spouses and 5 kids. 10 + 6 + 5 = 21. Each of us has 2 living parents and 1 living grandparent. 21 + 5 = 26. My parents have 2 living siblings with 1 living spouse and 3 adult children. 26 + 6 = 32. Becky's parents have 9 siblings, and here is where I start to lose track. There are at least 5 spouses and 5 kids. I am likely missing some. Even so, 32 + 9 + 10 = 51 (at least 15 are young children). The conclusion here is that you have a lot of people to call on to collect for those big ticket items on my list.
You can usually get good deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I do not mind late presents.
No gift cards please. They are not as useful as the equivalent amount of money.
I have a moral opposition to Amazon. Please find my gifts from somewhere else.
Where type of item allows for a degree of artistry or customization - I like certain scifi-related themes. Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Firefly are good choices. I do not much care for Star Wars, and I have barely seen any Babylon 5 or Stargate.
Given the above I am going to list a bunch of things in no particular order and you can decide (without asking me) what you want to do.
Money. It is a very flexible and useful gift. I can use it to pay for goods and services, to address our loans, or whatever else. (You could even designate it for something specific like my tool/house project/induction stove money pile.)
Power tools.
- Cordless - I own three Craftsman V20 batteries and chargers. If you gift me one (or more) cordless tool(s) then feel free to include batteries or not. Lowes has a good selection of Craftsman tools. Brushless tools are preferable to brushed. Please do NOT buy me gas-powered tools. I will take them right back to the store and exchange for money or an electric version.
- Router
- Jigsaw
- Impact Driver
- Oscillating Multitool
- Reciprocating Saw
- Belt or Random Orbital Sander
- Shop Light (cordless or corded)
- Corded - Some things are big and/or stationary enough that I do not expect to need batteries and chargers. Please look for brands (and features) that are known for precision and durability.
- Table Saw (make sure the reviews mention that the fence is accurate and durable; rack and pinion fences often are)
- Drill Press (freestanding or benchtop)
- Scroll Saw
- Bandsaw
- Bench Grinder
Hand tools. Pick something with a reputation for quality like DeWalt, Stanley, Milwaukee, Wen, Diablo, Bosch, Kreg, Makita.
- Especially
- Combination square
- Digital Calipers (measuring)
- Digital angle finder
- A forstner bit set including one that is at least 1.5"
- Stud Finder
- Multimeter
- socket wrench (set)
- Vice grip pliers
- Pipe clamps (I have a bunch of 3/4 inch pipe at home)
- Corner clamps (clamping squares)
- Dowel jig
- Pocket hole jig
Outdoor tools
- Trimmer (string trimmer, weedwacker, pick a name) and a non-string cutting attachment
- Wheelbarrow
Tool parts, accessories, or related
- Wood lathe chucks (I already have two sizes of faceplate)
- Metal drywall pan
- Tool belt (leather or canvas; not something synthetic like nylon)
- Nicer blade for my miter saw - 10 inch blade, 5/8 inch arbor, 60+ teeth, FTG (not ATB)
I do *not* need
- screwdrivers
- tape
- glue
- caulk
- allen wrenches
- trigger clamps
Musical keyboard (a learner's model is fine; I do not need or want anything more right now)
Computer drawing pad
Garbage disposal
Kitchen remodel
Bathroom remodel
Bike trainer - so I can ride my bike at home
Punching bag. Freestanding.
Stainless steel water fountain(s) for the (three) cats
Automatic litter boxes for the (three) cats
A doorbell
Single-face corrugated - a big roll so that I can cut pieces off and give them to Steve to play with
A large (20+ pound) canvas bag of rice
Two player board games - especially cooperative ones
- Trogdor!! The Board Game
- Flashpoint
Leather collars for our (three) cats
Garment Bag (for taking nice clothes on trips)
Printer supplies
- 8.5x11 white printer paper (in bulk)
- TN227 Ink cartridges. We use black the most, but we will not say no to other colors.
Winter clothing
- A balaclava to keep my neck and face protected outside when the weather is cold
- A thick winter hat with a bill
- Thick winter socks. Dickies makes good ones.
Astronomic metal posters - https://displate.com/search?q=astrum-space&art=5f04759ac338b
An instant pot
Order of the Stick (OOTS) books and merchandise
- (https://www.giantitp.com/Shop.html)
- I have the first book
- They also have a board game, shirt, poster, and other stuff
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If you cannot bear the thought of talking to people or collaborating with others to get me one of the large things above then I guess you could try one of these smaller ideas.
- 4+ sets of houseshoes to keep outside dirt from wandering all over the inside of our house.
- Collapsible steel straw (consider outdoorsy-type stores)
- Reusable chopsticks (metal would be nice so I do not mind keeping them in my backpack).
- Collapsible camping/lawn chairs
- Metal pizza cutter
- Isometric pseudo-"3d" graph paper
- Kurzgesaget Merchandise (https://shop-us.kurzgesagt.org/)
- Two standing mats - One for my work desk, one for the kitchen
If you want more specificity then talk to somebody else who knows me and figure out the specifics without involving me.