Useful tools

A must-have tool for the modern tool box or tool shed is a series of clamps to act as a 'mate' when you have no-one around to hold a piece of wood or other material for you. I find clamps invaluable for two very specific jobs:

• When I am cutting wood to burn in the wood burner, the larger pieces are okay until they get to the last cut or two and there is little to hold onto - a good sized clamp really helps.
• When I am soldering wires or components - it is almost impossible unless you have some miniature clamps to hold everything in position for you.

If you know someone who is handy around the house either with carpentry or electronics, you can bet that they would be grateful to get a set of clamps for a gift.