5 Gift Ideas Under $50 - Bench Magnifier Light

Finding the Right Tools
When I first started getting into lasers and woodworking, I had a tough time finding the right tool sources and shop supplies. The big box stores just didn’t carry what I needed. Over time, I discovered that many specialty suppliers actually sold through Amazon — and since I live in a smaller community with Amazon Prime, it quickly became my go-to.

George’s Amazon Store
Eventually, I decided to set up an Amazon Store so others could easily see the tools I actually use in my own shop.

👉 GEORGE’S AMAZON STORE – CLICK HERE

Now, it’s almost September, which means the holiday shopping season is right around the corner. Whether you’re looking to gift yourself something small, or you need a useful tool for another craftsman, here are some practical picks.

“These 5 Tools Under $50 Never Sit Idle — And the 6th One? Pure Magic (Worth Every Penny)”

1. Portable Magnifying Ring Light
Squinting is not a strategy. A magnifying ring light gives you bright, even light and a little optical backup for detail work. Perfect for engraving, soldering, or even just reading the microscopic “assembly instructions.”

 
2. Digital Calipers
Forget the “eyeball method.” Digital calipers let you measure wood, acrylic, or metal down to fractions of a millimeter. Accurate cuts = fewer mistakes = less money wasted.  The one in the picture is about $25.00 so you can keep shopping.

 
3. Magnetic Parts Tray
Because screws love to roll off the bench and vanish into thin air. A magnetic tray keeps them in one place, saving you from crawling around on the floor muttering words that would get you banned from church.   I got mine at Harbor freight it was like $14.00 for two of them.  Perfect for working on laser heads. 

 
4. Mini Ratchet Screwdriver Set
One compact driver, lots of interchangeable bits, and a ratcheting action that saves your wrist. It’ll cover nearly everything in your house or shop without weighing as much as a toolbox.  The one I have pictured is $30.00 so you can keep shopping, $20.00 left.

 
5. Clamp Variety Pack
Every project eventually requires “a third hand.” That’s what clamps are for. A good multi-pack gives you spring clamps, quick-grips, and C-clamps so your work doesn’t wiggle while you sand, glue, or engrave.  CLAMPS DONT RATE A PICTURE BUT THEY ARE GOOD GIFTS

Now to the Magic.

The Foredom tool.  This is a life saver of a tool for me.  For the value I am telling you these these are so cool  They are so cool I will share a short video I made for Youtube.   (for the record I am not a Foredom tool affilate)

💡 Takeaway: These aren’t gimmicks. Each of these tools actually gets used—and except for the "Foredom Magic"  each of the are  under $50, they’ll pay for themselves the first time they save your project (or your sanity).