Items Under $50 that Improve your Garage Experience

[XJSuperman]

First off, I ran a couple searches with no luck. I was certain there is a thread like this already here on the site. Please post the link if you have one. Thank you.

In the spirit of holidays, birthdays, and general gift-giving, I would like us all to share handy items under $50 that you would rather not live without anymore. Items that make your life easier and greatly improve your garage experience. I suppose this thread will walk a fine line between gimmicks and quality items, depending on what you wish to share. Off the top of my head I am thinking items like 3d printed brackets, tool/hardware organizers, or maybe an item that generally improves your life. Ideally you provide a link or image in your post helping to point fellow forum members in the right direction.

I'll go first: One item that stands out for me is my Peet bootdryer. It was life-changing for me to wake up in the morning and be able to pull on a warm dry pair of boots. I pack mine with me on a lot of trips because I like it so much. A bit extra maybe, but worth it if I have the space to pack it. I believe I picked mine up on sale for 30 bucks or so, but its currently listed for $45 in several places including FleetFarm and Amazon.

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/peet-original-shoe-dryer/0000000005245?utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping%20feed&utm_content=free%20google%20shopping%20clicks&gclid=CjwKCAjwwqaGBhBKEiwAMk-FtDyST29521QEY5zUVZQlJ_YDOaaBaxq4saByehewdU7gtI3LVOYfoRoCy1QQAvD_BwE

 

[Walkers]

A case of Guinness Extra Stout.

Stanley Fat Max 25’ tape measure

Wireless phone charging upright stand.

Wall mount first aide kit

…

 

[ddurrett896]

These can be had for <$50. Allows for tons of garage door functions from iphone (remote open/close, notifications when open/close, schedule close in the even it's left open at night, etc.)

LiftMaster | Garage Door Openers, Remotes & Accessories

LiftMaster is the #1 brand of professionally-installed residential garage door systems and commercial door operators.

www.liftmaster.com

 

[steaks&anvils]

Boxes of rubber gloves. Saves my hands from reacting to machine oil/grease. My fingers/skin used to chap and crack (deep open cracks). I couldn't disassemble anything that had even the smallest amount of grease without skin problems. Gloves have made such a big difference.

 

[m6z]

Mechanics gloves
magnetic paper towel holder
magnetic shelf
comfortable stool or chair
lighting
fire extinguisher

I'm planning on adding a wall mounted fire extinguisher and first aid kit.

Magnetic Tray with Screwdriver Holder, Red

Amazing deals on this Magnetic Tray W/,Screwdriver Holder, Red at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Magnetic Paper Towel Holder, Orange

Amazing deals on this Orange Magnetic Paper Towel Holder at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[snickers muncher]

That ~ 20 inch folding work scaffold that HD puts on sale around Black Friday. Fold it up and lean it against the wall when not in use. Unfold it and use it as bench to sit on or keep things handy if you are sitting down and working. Oh yeah, you can stand on it too....

 

[jkeyser14]

Magnetic parts tray.

 

[didit]

That ~ 20 inch folding work scaffold that HD puts on sale around Black Friday. Fold it up and lean it against the wall when not in use. Unfold it and use it as bench to sit on or keep things handy if you are sitting down and working. Oh yeah, you can stand on it too....

+1 Those are a great addition to any garage. I have one that I use for storing lengths of structural steel, use another as an additional work surface or for reaching to the top of 12' high cabinets. I wheel it outside and use it as a portable work bench/tool caddy. Can never have enough flat surfaces.

 

[MrPink]

The rechargeable under hood light from Harbor Freight works pretty damn good and at $35 it is a great buy too!

845 Lumen LED Rechargeable Underhood Work Light

Amazing deals on this 845 Lumen Under Hood Work Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[oldmachinenut]

Cheap ******?

 

[Jeff C]

Pegboard?

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Work gloves and rubber gloves. Also magnetic trays. Mtn Dew too is a must have in the shop. Also the paper towel holder and rubber glove holder that are magnetic go on the side of the toolbox well and makes access handy.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Flashlight that you can wear on your head. (That description is kind of weird, but you all know what these are.)

 

[dwasifar]

Work gloves and rubber gloves. Also magnetic trays. Mtn Dew too is a must have in the shop. Also the paper towel holder and rubber glove holder that are magnetic go on the side of the toolbox well and makes access handy.

I just got one of those magnetic paper towel holders a few weeks ago, and now I wonder how I ever got along without it.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

A regular broom, a push broom, or a steel dust pan. A smaller snow shovel. Any size step ladder, a trash can, a rope, or a heavy duty extension cord. A smaller battery charger/maintainer makes a nice gift.

 

[bwringer]

Magnetic parts tray.

Correction: several magnetic parts trays.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Magnifying lamp or lighted magnifying glass, whatever you want to call it.

Whether its trying to read fine print, an old part number or digging a splinter out of your finger, it's money well spent.

 

[bassJAM]

I keep a chalkboard on the wall that lists all my vehicles and 4-stroke equipment with the date and miles/hours of the last oil/air filter/spark plug changes and tire rotations. I also list the socket size needed for each's oil plug and the socket size to remove my mower's blades.

 

[infinkc]

off the top of my head, this magnetic paper towel holder has done wonders. i can move it around my garage, holds sturdy. Its also nice when working on cars to bring it closer or attach under the hood. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-12-in-Adjustable-Magnetic-Paper-Towel-Holder-HMPTH/301084674

 

[quickfarms]

Flashlight that you can wear on your head. (That description is kind of weird, but you all know what these are.)

I use this one all the time it even has a clip that attaches to the baseball cap

Bandit® Pro Rechargeable LED Headlamp | Bright and Long Lasting | Streamlight®

 

[steaks&anvils]

Sharpie pens. Label glass/metal/plastics etc. and remove ink easily (with alcohol) from "a lot" of the hard surfaces. Permanent on other surfaces.

 

[bluesboy]

That ~ 20 inch folding work scaffold that HD puts on sale around Black Friday. Fold it up and lean it against the wall when not in use. Unfold it and use it as bench to sit on or keep things handy if you are sitting down and working. Oh yeah, you can stand on it too....

Can you post a link for that item. Thanks

 

[Dumber than lumber]

One of the borescope devices that connect to a smartphone. I don't have one, but I guess I should.
I agree with the idea about a maggot-frying glass. In the garage: the bigger, the better.
BTW - isn't this thread actually about Fathers Day gift ideas? Or am I just the last one to figure that out?

 

[HaiKarate]

Flashlight that you can wear on your head. (That description is kind of weird, but you all know what these are.)

I'm no rocket scientist, but I think they are generally called "headlamps".

I have no idea why.

 

[HaiKarate]

One of the borescope devices that connect to a smartphone. I don't have one, but I guess I should.

The best part about my cheap one is where it said 'not a medical device' in large red letters on a piece of paper in the box.

 

[Bad Habit]

The best part about my cheap one is where it said 'not a medical device' in large red letters on a piece of paper in the box.

So I guess that means they didn't include a little packet of lube...

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Funnels (flexible/formable ones), measuring cups. I also try and keep a variey of food storage containers (or recycled cool-whip, imitation butter containers etc) Good for mixing cups or holding/organizing small parts). Pump spray bottles are also handy.

 

[Benw455]

These are 26.93 at Rural King. Nice and comfy and well built.

 

[snickers muncher]

Can you post a link for that item. Thanks

I called it a scaffold, but I should have called it a work platform.

47.25 in. x 12 in. x 20 in. Aluminum Slim-Fold Work Platform, 300 lbs. Load Capacity

Gorilla Ladders 4 ft. x 12 in. x 20 in. Aluminum Slim-Fold Work Platform, 300 lbs. Load Capacity GLWP-47 - The Home Depot

Satisfy all technical and safety requirements during hours of work with the selection of this Gorilla Ladders Aluminum Slim-Fold Work Platform Load Capacity.

www.homedepot.com

They usually have it for ~25 for black friday.

 

[Forgottonia]

For me, my stainless steel insulated coffee cup. I drink lots of coffee, and I only use this cup in my shop and while working on projects. Had the same $5 coffee cup for about a decade.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

Lobby brush and dustpan. Great for floor cleanups without having to crouch down with a conventional dustpan.

Lobby Dust Pan & Broom (Open Lid) – libmanpro

Make mobile cleaning easy with the Libman Lobby Dust Pan & Broom set. The large-capacity dust pan features teeth to remove debris from the broom fibers and a simple handle clip for easy storage when not in use. The 10” wide sweeping width and 3.75” fibers made from recycled PET gives the user...

libmanpro.com

 

[Ralf11]

individual Snap On sockets, many of which are less than $50 each...

 

[bassJAM]

Someone mentioned sharpies. I have them in my garage, but also have a set of paint pens. They make marks more permanent and are opaque vs sharpies that tend to be somewhat translucent.

Here's another cheap thing, I added a cheap vent to each of my gas cans which makes a world of difference. Oh, and screw the plastic cans, the metal Eagle cans are superior and you can get them for $50 and under. Plus I'll never have to worry about a gas can tipping over in the back of my truck again. I also have a Justrite can I really like, but they're much more pricey.

Amazon.com: 10 Pack Universal Large Yellow Fuel Gas Can Vent Caps Chilton Briggs Rotopax Gott : Automotive

Amazon.com: 10 Pack Universal Large Yellow Fuel Gas Can Vent Caps Chilton Briggs Rotopax Gott : Automotive

www.amazon.com

Eagle UI-50-FS Red Galvanized Steel Type I Gasoline Safety Can with Funnel, 5 gallon Capacity, 13.5" Height, 12.5" Diameter,Red/Yellow: Hazardous Storage Cans: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Eagle UI-50-FS Red Galvanized Steel Type I Gasoline Safety Can with Funnel, 5 gallon Capacity, 13.5" Height, 12.5" Diameter,Red/Yellow: Hazardous Storage Cans: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

 

[Glemon]

Painters tape-garage wherever I have been using more and more, mark a spot to cut to, stop cutting, height not to exceed, drill hole. Unlike a pencil mark or scratch you can still see it if you start cutting and there is dust everywhere, provides a little protection to where you don't want to cut/sand etc. Once you done leaves no mark. Sounds like an ad, but painters tape, not just for painting.

 

[ddawg16]

A 12-pak of premium beer

 

[Rorin67]

Telescoping Magnetic Pickup Tool - only $5

 

[vrinner]

Speaking of magnetic holder things, I have a bunch of these magnetic holder cup things placed around the garage full of sharpies, pencils, pens. Got them from the 99 cent store in red and white so they stand out.

 

[isb cornbinder]

My neighbour had a good looking 40 something basement suite renter., She would often walk around the back yard in the ****. One morning she walked up the lane to the shop for a visit. I stopped her at the door because she was not wearing shoes, I was "worried" about her getting metal chips imbedded in her feet. My vising biker friend ripped off his boots and helped her put them on. I had to take a few whiffs of oxygen from my torch to help me gets my thoughts organized.
After this, I kept the floor well swept and clean.
Another time she made a surprise visit was when my 85 year old German friend was visiting. Poor ol' Horst lost his voice. Both visits cost me less than $50. I bought coffee at McD's drive through, both times. The young guy at the drive through dropped the credit car machine twice and started to shake. When he is at the pay window, now, he just smiles at me.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

My neighbour had a good looking 40 something basement suite renter., She would often walk around the back yard in the ****. One morning she walked up the lane to the shop for a visit. I stopped her at the door because she was not wearing shoes, I was "worried" about her getting metal chips imbedded in her feet. My vising biker friend ripped off his boots and helped her put them on. I had to take a few whiffs of oxygen from my torch to help me gets my thoughts organized.
After this, I kept the floor well swept and clean.
Another time she made a surprise visit was when my 85 year old German friend was visiting. Poor ol' Horst lost his voice. Both visits cost me less than $50. I bought coffee at McD's drive through, both times. The young guy at the drive through dropped the credit car machine twice and started to shake. When he is at the pay window, now, he just smiles at me.

Pictures. We need to decide if she is guilty. Or if you are guilty. Or ....

 

[isb cornbinder]

Pictures. We need to decide if she is guilty. Or if you are guilty. Or ....

I did not take pictures. I do not need the worry of pictures hanging around. I am reasonably confident that I could have a "peek, if I were to ask.