Retirement gift ideas for an Engineer

[chris y]

Hello All.
A colleague of mine who I've worked with for 20 years is about to retire.
We have had a whip round and raised about £150 and I want to get him something that would be the kind of thing you would be happy to keep forever, maybe somewhere its seen, and Engineering related or themed.
He's not a welding Engineer, he started in precision engineering, and we work together in production engineering in car supplier plants, although working with a lot of welding equipment.
He's an old school type of guy, real passionate engineer, so I think he would appreciate it.

Any idea very welcome if you can share please.

 

[Lewis_RX8]

Hello All.
A colleague of mine who I've worked with for 20 years is about to retire.
We have had a whip round and raised about £150 and I want to get him something that would be the kind of thing you would be happy to keep forever, maybe somewhere its seen, and Engineering related or themed.
He's not a welding Engineer, he started in precision engineering, and we work together in production engineering in car supplier plants, although working with a lot of welding equipment.
He's an old school type of guy, real passionate engineer, so I think he would appreciate it.

Any idea very welcome if you can share please.

A machine shop I worked in made a lot of retirement presents that were what they made (subsea trees) but machined at maybe 5% scale to make a desk ornament and engrave the person title on it and how long they have been there etc.

Thought it was nice as it was unique to the company and would be a reminder of what they worked on for so long

Not sure if that would be a idea in your case?

 

[Munkul]

A model machine tool, or a metal figure?

Something like these

Topseller Professions Metal Sculptures - Steelman24

High quality, ✓handmade Topseller Professions Metal Sculptures from Steelman24, Germany. Fast delivery, personal engraving & more!

www.steelman24.co.uk

An ex gf got me the metal welding man figurine and i love it, I have never told the wife where it came from

 

[RichardM]

Piston & conrod clock.

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/big-piston-conrod-cap.115369/page-3#post-1921777

 

[Ali]

A nice high end leatherman knife usually goes down well.

 

[steveo3002]

give him the ££ to put towards a holiday or something he enjoys

 

[atomant48]

An engineer I used to work with had a coffee mug with a moving piston / engine thing on top that rotated with the steam from the coffee. It was pretty cool and very unique.

 

[Memmeddu]

I'm both for the clock or the knife.
But I think you can rent a Ferrari for a Day .
It won't last long but would be something special that he would remind for a long time

 

[James1979]

A nice high end leatherman knife usually goes down well.

I got that as a leaving present and use it daily

I like the miniature product idea though

 

[Pete.]

An engineer I used to work with had a coffee mug with a moving piston / engine thing on top that rotated with the steam from the coffee. It was pretty cool and very unique.

A coffee cup LTD Stirling engine

Low Temperature Stirling Engine Heat Model Cool No Steam Education Toys Kit Set (Color:Yellow) | Wish

Buy Low Temperature Stirling Engine Heat Model Cool No Steam Education Toys Kit Set (Color:Yellow) at Wish - Shopping Made Fun

www.wish.com

 

[Lewis_RX8]

from wish so might manage a few revolutions before it breaks

 

[stuvy]

from wish so might manage a few revolutions before it breaks

Obviously they didn’t like him

personally an Engraved knife would be the ones for me

do you know what hobbies he has outside of work?

 

[Agroshield]

from wish so might manage a few revolutions before it breaks...

That's a safety feature, so the steam from the coffee does not dissolve too much mercury/lead/cadmium into the beverage.

 

[Morrisman]

Piston & conrod clock.

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/big-piston-conrod-cap.115369/page-3#post-1921777

Interesting idea. I have a piston and rod from a top fuel dragster, undamaged, but changed out every second run. Just need to find a suitable clock and I have another interesting decor to display with my collection of oddities.

Big end size is 2.50”

 

[bricol]

Take the 150 quid, add a few nuts, washer and odd bolt . . . shove in jiffy bag, seal and present at the obligatory cringe inducing "thanks for all your hard work" briefing in-front of the entire office, many of whom barely know them

Rather than some ornament/tool/experience/cheap tat they either already have if they needed it, or simply don't want or need.

 

[Maker]

A machine shop I worked in made a lot of retirement presents that were what they made (subsea trees) but machined at maybe 5% scale to make a desk ornament and engrave the person title on it and how long they have been there etc.

Thought it was nice as it was unique to the company and would be a reminder of what they worked on for so long

Not sure if that would be a idea in your case?

I've seen a pair of cast bronze testicles given to a retiring urologist.

 

[steveo3002]

here you go mate , weve worked with you for xxx years so asked some randoms on the internet what you would like

if he wanted a fancy penknife he probably already has one at his age

 

[Lewis_RX8]

Take the 150 quid, add a few nuts, washer and odd bolt . . . shove in jiffy bag, seal and present at the obligatory cringe inducing "thanks for all your hard work" briefing in-front of the entire office, many of whom barely know them

Rather than some ornament/tool/experience/cheap tat they either already have if they needed it, or simply don't want or need.

Supply of overalls , gloves , fasteners and other workshop buffet items for the length of retirement

 

[Barking Mat]

What are his interests, fishing, shooting, model making ?

Something to do with his hobbies ?

 

[atomant48]

here you go mate , weve worked with you for xxx years so asked some randoms on the internet what you would like

if he wanted a fancy penknife he probably already has one at his age

I guess that’s fair. I have my grandfathers gold Rolex from when he retired after (can’t remember how many decades) and they managed to spell his name wrong.