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Christmas Gift Suggestion for Electrician Father

22182 Views 43 Replies 23 Participants Last post by  BleedgreenVA
So I hit google trying to find ideas on what to get my father in law for Christmas and found this forum. The posts I found were from boss's asking what to get their employees and and bunch of responses from guys giving them a hard time which was funny but not real helpful.

My wife's father is a solo residential and commercial electrician that has cut back his hours and therefore his income for a family matter this past year. My wife typically went the route of Harley swag since he rides and that's his main hobby.

I have no idea what type of tool inventory he has so I'm not sure if he needs anything upgraded or replaced.

What are some of the things you all might be excited to get as a thoughtful job related gift from a family member?

Nice gloves? top of the line tools? cold weather gear? Things that are annoying to buy but break or wear out frequently?

I'm in aviation and my wife is a teacher so I really don't know where to start.

Thanks in advance!
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My father in law is north of the Mason-Dixon and I'm not in Florida in case he posts here. Sorry for being vague.
try asking him, unless you want it to be a complete surprise:)
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Based on the family stuff going on I suspect that he'll dismiss the idea and tell us he doesn't need/want anything. So I was aiming for a surprise rather than the expected Harley gear.
Google Harley themed tools. Or, it might seem impersonal but a gift card to Home Depot might go a long way. Would for me anyways.
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A set of Wera screwdrivers for starters. A nice new Milwaukee M12 Fuel ¼" impact would be a nice thing too.

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A set of Wera screwdrivers for starters. A nice new Milwaukee M12 Fuel ¼" impact would be a nice thing too.
I would assume the insulated set would be the way to go?

Not sure if links to retailers are ok

http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Kraftform-Insulated-Professional-Screwdriver/dp/B00024JWQ2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1384401427&sr=8-7&keywords=wera+screwdriver+set
Wera Kraftform Plus 160i/168i/6 Insulated Professional Screwdriver Set, 6-Piece
I would assume the insulated set would be the way to go?

Not sure if links to retailers are ok

http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Kraftfor...84401427&sr=8-7&keywords=wera+screwdriver+set
probably not necassary on the insulated screw drivers.



Its really hard to say, without knowing what the guy already has. If he didn't have a nice cordless drill for the house and you bought him a halfway decent one, he'd be guaranteed to be stoked, but if he already has some nice dewalt cordless stuff and you buy him a Milwaukee cordless, it wouldn't be that great



You can never go wrong with some klein hand tools. Guaranteed he already has something equal, but hed be happy. Only problem is they would just get mixed in his work tools and its just saving him money on something he would already buy. Kinda like buying someone a tank of gas. They'd appreciate it and use it, but it would soon be forgotten
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Klein screwdriver set, a new set of screwdrivers is a nice, affordable gift he'll appreciate (has like 2 slotted and 2 Phillips screwdrivers)
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Wera Kraftform Plus 160i/168i/6 Insulated Professional Screwdriver Set, 6-Piece
That's a nice set!:thumbsup: The Wera 05347778001 334/368/6 S/D is a nice set too as it has the #1 and #2 Robertson drivers.

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Good point on getting mixed in with the rest of the tools. I'll have to get mom or grandpa to do some recon on the power tools for the house.
probably not necassary on the insulated screw drivers.



Its really hard to say, without knowing what the guy already has. If he didn't have a nice cordless drill for the house and you bought him a halfway decent one, he'd be guaranteed to be stoked, but if he already has some nice dewalt cordless stuff and you buy him a Milwaukee cordless, it wouldn't be that great



You can never go wrong with some klein hand tools. Guaranteed he already has something equal, but hed be happy. Only problem is they would just get mixed in his work tools and its just saving him money on something he would already buy. Kinda like buying someone a tank of gas. They'd appreciate it and use it, but it would soon be forgotten
This guy is an electrician, not a DIY !:laughing::laughing: Don't insult him with DeWalt tools and Klein screwdrivers!!! He probably already has Kleins and they're probably prematurely wore out!!:whistling2:
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Think of something else to get him dude. We have our tools that we use at work and they work well but our tools at home lack at times. You can either get him something he appreciates or you can go the easy route and get him tools. It's all in your court.
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If you gave me screwdrivers for Christmas I may get extra stupid drunk at your new years Party and say inappropriate things. Screw work related, you married his daughter for gods sake make it something personal.
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Budd and gold. Thank you both for your honesty.

He doesn't really have a hobby outside of riding and doesn't take the bike out a whole lot anymore. Just looking for an idea outside of a branded Harley shirt.

I completely understand and share the concern about tools for work being impersonal.

Just trying to get some ideas.

Some tools fall in the category of "luxury" items. Not everyone buys themselves the best of the best as small business owners. Or has the perfect tool for certain jobs when a different tool may be sufficient but take longer.

All that said, I appreciate your warning that this may be a bad idea.
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Budd and gold. Thank you both for your honesty.

He doesn't really have a hobby outside of riding and doesn't take the bike out a whole lot anymore. Just looking for an idea outside of a branded Harley shirt.

I completely understand and share the concern about tools for work being impersonal.

Just trying to get some ideas.

Some tools fall in the category of "luxury" items. Not everyone buys themselves the best of the best as small business owners. Or has the perfect tool for certain jobs when a different tool may be sufficient but take longer.

All that said, I appreciate your warning that this may be a bad idea.
Well, if you've already purchased them and don't want to give them to your dad-in-law, I'd sure be tickled to get them for Christmas. I wouldn't get drunk on you, wouldn't think less of you, or anything of the sort. I'd just say Thanks! :laughing::laughing:
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So I hit google trying to find ideas on what to get my father in law for Christmas and found this forum. The posts I found were from boss's asking what to get their employees and and bunch of responses from guys giving them a hard time which was funny but not real helpful.

My wife's father is a solo residential and commercial electrician that has cut back his hours and therefore his income for a family matter this past year. My wife typically went the route of Harley swag since he rides and that's his main hobby.

I have no idea what type of tool inventory he has so I'm not sure if he needs anything upgraded or replaced.

What are some of the things you all might be excited to get as a thoughtful job related gift from a family member?

Nice gloves? top of the line tools? cold weather gear? Things that are annoying to buy but break or wear out frequently?

I'm in aviation and my wife is a teacher so I really don't know where to start.

Thanks in advance!
If he has been an electrician for a while he probably has the tools he needs. I think it is time for a toy...of sorts. Get him a set of wire strippers that are also a proximity voltage tester. I bought one for my son at Lowe's about five years ago. Coooool!!! It lights up when near a live wire.
ever think of getting him a Knipex Plier wrench and/or irwin groove lock pliers??

I find out they are super handy for tighten connectors & so...

http://www.toolsnob.com/pictures/irwin_groovelock_three.jpg

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