Five Woodworking Gifts Under $250

With the Porter-Cable 4212 Deluxe Dovetail Jig (and a router with the proper bits), the woodworker on your list can create through dovetails, half-blind dovetails, rabbeted half-blind dovetails, sliding dovetails, box joints and more. Along with an excellent clamping system, the jig's versatility makes this dovetail system a terrific value.

The Bosch 1617EVS Fixed Base & Plunge Router Kit is a well-built router combo that has withstood the test of time. The fixed base works great whether used by hand or in a router table, and the height adjustment is quite precise. The plunge base on this unit is one of my favorites, with very comfortable handles, a good locking mechanism and a smooth plunge action. A very good value that would make a great woodworking gift.

Milwaukee has a reputation for making very sturdy, solidly-built professional power woodworking tools, and in that respect, the Milwaukee 5616-24 certainly doesn't disappoint. With helpful features like an above-the-table height adjustment and both dual handles and a wrap-around grip built into the fixed base, the Milwaukee 5616-24 has a lot to offer to any woodworker who needs a well-built router kit.

The DeWalt DW618PK Fixed & Plunge Router Kit is a versatile, useful woodworking tool with some nice touches that make the router stand out from it's competitors. For instance, the height adjustment ring around the fixed base is a unique but very useful feature. Combined with one-handed bit changes and a spacious hard-sided case, the DeWalt DW618PK would make a great woodworking gift.

Freud's FT1700VCEK Router Kit features one of the best fixed base routers I've ever used. This unit has a powerful motor, an underside depth adjustment on the fixed base and bolt patterns to accommodate many popular router tables available. With the fixed base, the Freud FT1700VCEK may be the best 2-1/4 HP router I've ever used in a router table.