https://www.amazon.com/rOtring-Retractable-Mechanical-Pencil-1904447/dp/B00AZWNS84/

I consider anything less than $25 a worthwhile price for the 800, $21 is about as low as youll find

$27 with $10 off. Go!

rOtring 800 Retractable Mechanical Pencil, 0.5 mm, Black Barrel (1904447) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZWNS84/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RTeNEbV9W2QK9

So if he really likes to work on side projects, I would say a solid pair of calipers if he doesn't already have a pair and can't borrow them from work. Unless he's working on a space shuttle, these will be more than enough. (https://www.mcmaster.com/8647a42)

Or if he doesn't have a personal 3d printer and would like one, the Ender 3 is around $200 on Amazon and can get some impressive quality prints with the right settings. r/ender3 would agree.

Or if he does a lot of 3d modeling, a Space Mouse is one of those cool things that isn't 100% necessary, but is 100% awesome and beneficial once you give it an honest effort to learn.

On the cheaper side ($25), someone asked about an engineer gift and was recommended a high quality mechanical pencil, and I bit on that idea. Bought myself a rOtring pencil and it makes me feel like a boss every time I use it.

amazon.com, select Today's Deal (cyber monday sales), search for rOtring or https://www.amazon.com/rOtring-Retractable-Mechanical-Pencil-1904447/dp/B00AZWNS84/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=F1BLDSDG3QZ2&keywords=rotring&psr=EY17&qid=1669646143&s=cyber-monday&sprefix=rotring%2Ccyber-monday%2C72&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExT0Q3NTFPWkJLTzZTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzk3NjU1Mk00UUQ4RUxaR0gyUCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzQ2NzI1MkFEVE9JNk43RkZCNCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=