Technicians gifts

[len]

I always put stuff on my list, but I never get it. So this year I just bought all the techie stuff I wanted. Not that there was much, but I ordered "The Automated Light Programmer's Handbook" by Brad Schiller, which I found on ebay cheaper than Amazon, and some new Setwear gloves. Of course, by me buying them they have become business expenses, also. Other than time off, I really can't think of anything I want or need.

Except for clients with bigger budgets.

 

[propmonkey]

gloves, knives, wrenches, caffine, flashlights, books, dmm, the usual tools

 

[Diarmuid]

If they dont have one, surely a leatherman, Gerber or Maglite is the best present ever...? Even though a lot of people do.

 

[CHScrew]

I give everyone money. No matter what holiday. That way, you always buy the perfect gift. Whatever they wanted.

 

[farmerjo1111]

For me batteries, batteries, oh yeah did I mention batteries. Gel, Gaff tape, and other consumable items are always good.

 

[ship]

IN a quick search for what's out there that is new: Not saying that they are great or more than interesting, just that there is constantly lots of tools being developed that might be curious to look at.

Cooper/Crescent website has some interesting new tools http://www.cooperhandtools.com/index1.cfm The R2 Rapid Rench, Rapid Slide Adjustable Wrench, the BP645 Battery Powered Soldering Iron.

http://www.blackhawk.com/ sells gloves, tactical assult gear, flashlights and pouches etc.

http://www.cementexusa.thomasregister.com/olc/12577219/it5.htm has some really cool hot tools/live wire working on tools including a 1,000V - insulated flash light, inspection mirror and their #STL-100 or #11505 “Secure-A-Tool Lanyard which is very heavy duty over that of the Set Wear style.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/ Duluth Trading constantly has interesting stuff available like their #96825 Extreme Tape. Amongst stuff like tool lanyards, various interesting Crescent Conundrum wrenches and Ratcheting Pry Bars.

This month on the http://www.dewalt.com/us/core/ DeWalt website you can register to win a 12" Compound Miter Saw with Laser amongst other very frequent contests. Most tool companies including them, Crescent, Klien etc. have promotions, contests and even scholarships to look into.
On new tools for them, they have the 14.4v fluorescent lamps, and for the 18v folks, they have the “Pencil Vibrator.” Yes, my chuckling at you 18 volters’ is intended though I am clueless in what this vibrator is for, it is part #DC530KA.

http://www.elclighting.com/newweb/elc.htm has a lot of DMX gadgets of interest.

http://www.fluke.com/ has their new “Volt Alert” 1AC-A1-II which is very inexpensive and worth buying.

http://www.galls.com/ has an interesting rescue tool and various lock picks etc.

http://www.gardnerbender.com/ has the “Multi-Purpose Circuit Alert” which is a combination of ergonamic wire stripper/cutter and voltage sniffer.

http://www.idealindustries.com/ has their “PowerBlade Drill-Powered Cable Cutter.” In other words, as opposed to buying a normally $200.00 ratcheting cutting tool, or one that’s cordless, one can mount this tip to one’s cordless or corded tool and cut away.

http://www.kleintools.com/index.html has magnetic nut drivers, amongst other brands - Ergodynamic wire stripers, Glow in the dark magnetic levels, their “Journeyman” and “Grip-It” lines of tool.

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/us/en/site.nsf/frmIndex?ReadForm has their new V28 system which is some decent sized battery packs to run a large power tool. Amongst other interesting concepts such as the adjustable handle Sawzall. Between Milwaukee and DeWalt, they both offer also stuff like gloves and eye glasses amongst other safety gear worth looking into. Join the DeWalt and Milwaukee tool clubs, doesn’t cost anything and you might win free stuff.

http://www.roadietools.com has lots of innovative techie products, tools and testers from DMX testers to Follow Spot Sites. Very good tech tool website - all the most in styling gear offered.

http://www.toolsforstagecraft.com/ like Roadie Tools (A IA supply) has lots of testers and cool techie gear. They are also running Christmas specials such as the “Combo 8" Box Crescent with 3/8" Ratchet.”

http://www.tmb.com/ has a new DMX tester out that is worth looking at amongst a few other unique items.

 

[Hughesie]

so it has come to that time of the year, commenly known as christmas. and today i have found out one of the greatest people i have ever worked with is leaving and i need to find him a gift that has a technical theme, unfortunetly i am running out of time as it's tuesday and he leaves on thursday so any suggestions

 

[gafftaper]

Wow it's a little late to get something really cool special ordered... lot's of good idea at tools for stagecraft or from Setwear... but you won't get them in time. You need local hardware store items. I'm really happy with my Mag LED light. It's sweet. I love my pocket Leatherman squirt with pliers... most of the models have scissors... the pliers rock... even have a little wire cutter on them. Can't go wrong with a cool multi-tool. Gift certificate to the local hardware store? I just got a calculator I love at the hardware store. It is able to seamlessly deal with inches, feet, yards, at the same time and has all kinds of stuff built in for working with paint, lumber, wallpaper... you name it... calculating materials needed and budgeting. There must be a similar product for the metric world at your hardware store. One of the best gifts my students ever gave me was a gift certificate for dinner at a nice restaurant. The wife sacrifices so much of my time, what a nice way to thank her and me. Also got great tickets to a baseball game once.

 

[TechiesDoItInTheDark]

i'm with gafftaper in that it's a little late to get something really cool and special ordered (i.e. a bogo of their name) however LED mags are good and you could always go for a techie t-shirt.

 

[avkid]

i'm with gafftaper in that it's a little late to get something really cool and special ordered (i.e. a bogo of their name) however LED mags are good and you could always go for a techie t-shirt.

You're about five days too late.

 

[v75vette]

A flask is a good gift. Depending on how well you know the person you're giving the gift to. Or take them out to lunch or dinner. That's alway was a nice thing.

 

[icewolf08]

I made my board op very happy with a gift of the FireByrd knife from Spyderco's Byrd series. For a technician, knives make nice gifts, and they are pretty easy to get.

 

[Charc]

I made my board op very happy with a gift of the FireByrd knife from Spyderco's Byrd series. For a technician, knives make nice gifts, and they are pretty easy to get.

A knife... plus lighter and bottle opener? Need I remind you we're impressionable youth!

 

[icewolf08]

A knife... plus lighter and bottle opener? Need I remind you we're impressionable youth!

There is a reason my board op was happy with this gift...

But.....
Smoking causes cancer (but what in theatre doesn't), so don't do it. Besides, it is always useful to have a lighter to whip the ends of synthetic rope! At Costco you can get Coke in glass bottles, so the bottle opener is handy.

 

[Lightingguy32]

I was thinking a compact Surefire LED light, costs more but blows the maglite LED out of the water. Also, I agree with leathermans and gloves ( i need a new pair). I might even think a professional copy of vectorworks could do no harm.

 

[SweetBennyFenton]

One word:


Scotch.

 

[jonhirsh]

engraved iPod nano?

 

[soundlight]

engraved iPod nano?

Not to hijack, but just a warning to those purchasing ipods this xmas - if it's engraved, you do not have the option to return it.

 

[avkid]

Not to hijack, but just a warning to those purchasing ipods this xmas - if it's engraved, you do not have the option to return it.

Or anything else that is engraved anywhere.

 

[gafftapegreenia]

"Because things engraved, and things non-returnable"