Help! Need a gift idea

[bfrikken]

I'm building a shed and through the process have gotten some various level of help. My neighbor's (and good friend) father-in-law was over their house and stopped by while I was working on some trusses and other stuff. He gave me a hand for a good 2 or 3 hours.


Then he stopped by again when I was finishing my roof, installing the decking and shingles. He asked me how I was going to finish the shed, and I said siding, and some soffit and fascia.

When I finished my roof, I was working on installing the windows and doors on another day, and he stopped by again. He installed my steel entry door for me. Now it took him a manner of minutes to install the door, but the point is that it would have taken me a long time as I was trying to figure out the best approach at installing it. He then proceeded to measure my overhangs and boards that needed to be covered with the soffit and fascia. He said he'd be by in another week with material for me. He does windows, doors, siding, steel roofing, etc with the comapny he works for. They are doing some big siding project for some condo's and apartments, and he said they throw the stuff away all the time that I could use for my shed.



Last night, he shows up with fascia and soffit, then proceeds to install it for me. He made quick work, and the whole time I'm shaking my head thinking, "How in the heck would I have done all that he just did." It was fascinating watching experience. His son-in-law (my neighbor) was over chatting, and he asked him what happend to his Estwing Hammer. He said that it actually broke on the job the other day. He had it for something like 20 years. He also commented the hammer he has now is one he found on the site. It seemed good enough.

Sorry about the length of the backstory.
Now to MY QUESTION - He does mostly doors and window, but is doing way more siding jobs now. I am looking at buying him a new Estwing Hammer. Question is, which one should I get? Should I ask him first? I was looking at this one: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...20S&lpage=none

That is 20oz. Should I get him 16 instead?
Would a gift cert for 30 bucks be better or an insult? I just don't want to do nothing...

Thanks for any help!

[cabinetman]

If you're sure that is what he would like, get him both. Or, if your budget is tight, isolate the hammer discussion so he doesn't catch on, like which one he would prefer. Or, get him a gift card, and let him get what he wants.
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[Uncle Cracker]

A bottle of 12-year single malt and a Woodcraft GC...

[dbhost]

Mind you, I am going with my friends and neighbors here...

I'd break out the smoker, and pecan smoke up a nice lean brisket, and deliver a hot bag of brisket, and fresh baked French bread, and a small foam cooler with Shiner Bock, Spicy BBQ sauce, pickles, sliced onions, etc...

Or if he's not a beer guy, a bottle of the finest Tequila and limes you can lay your hands on...

I've lived here too long...

[bfrikken]

A bottle of 12-year single malt and a Woodcraft GC...

I think that is a good idea too, but wasn't sure if he drinks at all.

[LarryG]

First of all, good on you not only for wanting to get him anything at all, but also for zeroing in on something that might be truly appreciated since it would replace a favored tool.

The problem I see is that, like many tools, hammers can be rather personal. Estwings are fine hammers (I prefer hickory-handled Vaughns, myself -- see what I mean about personal?) but they make numerous models, not only in different weights but also with different head shapes, grips, etc. So if you're going to actually buy him a hammer yourself, I think you need to try and find out for certain which model he'd prefer. Would your neighbor know? It sounds like he has more than a passing familiarity with his father-in-law's tools.

Failing this, a good approach might be to give him a gift card and write him a nice note or card thanking him for his help and saying something like, "Here's a little something to help you replace that favorite hammer you broke."

[bfrikken]

First of all, good on you not only for wanting to get him anything at all, but also for zeroing in on something that might be truly appreciated since it would replace a favored tool.

The problem I see is that, like many tools, hammers can be rather personal. Estwings are fine hammers (I prefer hickory-handled Vaughns, myself -- see what I mean about personal?) but they make numerous models, not only in different weights but also with different head shapes, grips, etc. So if you're going to actually buy him a hammer yourself, I think you need to try and find out for certain which model he'd prefer. Would your neighbor know? It sounds like he has more than a passing familiarity with his father-in-law's tools.

Failing this, a good approach might be to give him a gift card and write him a nice note or card thanking him for his help and saying something like, "Here's a little something to help you replace that favorite hammer you broke."

This is the exact dilemma. My wife knows that buying a tool for me is a slippery slope. It is a very personal thing. My table saw was researched thoroughly, my circular saw was not a impulse buy, same with shopvac, mini lathe, etc, you have the idea. And part of the fun is buying my new tool. Its nice to get gifts, but I love the thrill of researching my tool. I think I'm going to go the route of the gift card and add the note. Who knows maybe there is something else he'll really want that this will push him over the edge.

[Pappy]

I think you are going the right way with the GC. The note saying you were going to get him a new hammer but didn't know what his prefered style was makes it personal.

[LarryG]

Who knows maybe there is something else he'll really want that this will push him over the edge.

Something I was thinking as I was finishing up my previous post ... you could suggest using the GC to replace his broken hammer, but you might want to word your note such that he doesn't feel obligated to use the GC only for that. Just in case there's something else he fancies more.