UNIQUE GIFT IDEA: Florida Tech Grad’s Jet-Engine Furniture Fires Up Holiday Giving 

By  //  December 5, 2017

uses a decommissioned General Electric J-85 turbojet engine as its base

Shock Diamond Designs’ jet-engine tables are shown here. The company’s lamp, made from a turbine shaft, is visible in the background. These hand-made pieces make for unique holiday gifts. (Florida Tech image)

A Brief Guide to Cool and Useful Gifts from Race Team Personnel 

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — Bet the person on your holiday shopping list who allegedly “has everything” doesn’t have what Shock Diamond Designs is offering.

The Palm Bay, Florida-based company makes furniture, household goods, jewelry and more out of old jet engines and race car parts.

A unique amalgamation of DIY cool, adaptive reuse and steampunk artfulness, Shock Diamond Designs’ table, for example, uses a decommissioned General Electric J-85 turbojet engine as its base.

The products are the brainchild of Brian Tocci, 25, who has a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and later this month will receive his MBA from Florida Institute of Technology.

His day job is director of operations at Larsen Motorsports, a Florida-based company operating four jet dragster race teams.

“I love building stuff, whether a race car or furniture,” Tocci said. “With these extra parts, we decided to reuse them and not scrap them. So this gives me another outlet to be creative while putting these items to good use.”

Still have more people on your list? Larsen Motorsports co-founders Elaine and Chris Larsen have their own gift suggestions, and they are, not surprisingly, perfect for the automobile enthusiast in the family – or even just the drivers.

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Consider updating or adding to the essentials: jumper cables, tire pressure gauge (doesn’t have to be the digital style), car care detail kit, flashlight for the glove box, a sunshield, or even a full-car cover.

Thinking about safety? Maybe a seatbelt cutter or emergency hammer for smashing out a window, or a first aid kit.

And there are always great deals this time of year on tools. Consider a basic toolkit that has screwdrivers, socket wrenches, a hammer and other items.

“If you are a car owner, we recommend having these essential things,” said Chris Larsen, Larsen Motorsports’ head crew chief. “They will look great under your Christmas tree and even better in your car or garage.”

A table or clock, a business card holder or lamp, earrings or a necklace, there are unique items for all interests and price ranges. Find more at ShockDiamondDesigns.com

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