Cheapo survivor tools

[rockettauto]

What are some of the tools ( or even other items) you've bought on the cheap that have really strangely just been juggernauts beyond reasonable explanation or just performed unreasonably well?

Three I can think of right now that I have and have used basically non stop.

A 1/4 drive great neck ratchet from maybe 99. It's actually identical to a kobalt from right now and still works flawlessly.

An Excell 3/8 drive air ratchet from about the same time....it's outlasted mac's and an aircat and a matco of a different size. Never been rebuilt and still works strong.

A tasco 3-7x20 scope that's been mounted to a 30-30 since 95 that has been the loaner/learner hunting rifle for countless people....has never been resighted but is still dead on, and strangely gathers enough light you can see as if it's daylight when the dusk is too dark for the naked eye. That part is almost magical, outperforms $1000 40mm scopes I've used in that regard.

A 78 cutlass my family scrapped in still running condition with 3/4 of a million miles after 6 separate owners in our family.

 

[Citation]

When I bought my floor jack I lived in a house with a crawlspace and no garage. So I bought a high lift version of the cheap floor jacks that used to be $20 at the autoparts stores. My intent was always to replace the thing when I finally had a garage. I would call it a piece of junk but over 20 years later it's still my only floor jack and has never let me down. I would have got my money's worth if it had died 10 years ago.

 

[retDAC]

I have an Ohio Forge brand grinder bought from Big Lots 32? years ago. Still grinds lawnmower blades.

Also have factory reconditioned Campbell Hausfeld compressor bought from the same store 30? years ago. It's rated at 125 psi but it never would do that. In fact I took the first one back for that reason then realized with the second they wouldn't actually do that. Just had to put a new Oring and a couple of shims (tired spring) in the pressure setting/relief valve for the second time You can turn same all the way down past 100 and start the machine because it's so worn but it still will do 100 psi or better.

Been decades since Big Lots had much in the way of tools. Now that I think about it, back then its tool section was like a micro HF.

 

[joel_400]

I definitely miss when Big lots had tools back in the day. Actually found some decent stuff there from time to time. Had a set of wrenches that were 8 bucks for 30 some wrenches. Made in India. They were perfect for junkyard carry tools. Came in a roll pouch. I'd buy another set in a heartbeat for that price. Never broke one. And they got beat on, stood on, doubled up, etc. I think they were tougher than the Craftsman wrenches of the day. I seemed to have broken quite a few of them. Also easier on the hand as they were a bit smoother. Also found some 3/8 impact sockets for like 4 dollars a set...same deal, used em for years and never broke one. I'm sure there were many others I bought there, but those stand out in my memory the as the best deals.
Joel

 

[milky2k]

I have 6 in 1 no name, red handled screwdriver that I bought from Pep Boys about 23-25 years ago. I only bought it because it was next to the cash register. It's been everywhere, done everything and it now lives in my office tool box mostly for fixing computers. I also have a Korean made Great Neck small needle nose pliers that I've had since the early 90's. Still gets usage, just this week to fix an old ratchet. I have better versions of those same tools but I don't think I'll ever get rid of them, they have lots of good juju.

 

[mv213]

I definitely miss when Big lots had tools back in the day. Actually found some decent stuff there from time to time. Had a set of wrenches that were 8 bucks for 30 some wrenches. Made in India. They were perfect for junkyard carry tools. Came in a roll pouch. I'd buy another set in a heartbeat for that price. Never broke one. And they got beat on, stood on, doubled up, etc. I think they were tougher than the Craftsman wrenches of the day. I seemed to have broken quite a few of them. Also easier on the hand as they were a bit smoother. Also found some 3/8 impact sockets for like 4 dollars a set...same deal, used em for years and never broke one. I'm sure there were many others I bought there, but those stand out in my memory the as the best deals.
Joel

My first set of wrenches was one of those wrench rolls from India back in the late 1970’s. So crudely made! But they never broke.

 

[bwringer]

I have at least four ancient Harbor Freight angle grinders. The oldest ones were $10 when I bought them, and the current version can still be had for $15-$20. A few are that horrid cheap-looking orange HF used to use on everything, others are the later black version.

It's easier to just buy another and load it up with whatever than to bother switching between cutting wheels, flap discs, wire wheels, etc. (Mind you, it IS worthwhile to buy quality consumables somewhere else to put on these **** tools; HF's wire wheels and such are dangerously awful.)

These things just WILL NOT DIE. They're noisy as hell, they get ridiculously hot, I take zero care with them, but they still do the job after many years. I have no idea how.

 

[toolenthusiast]

I have at least four ancient Harbor Freight angle grinders. The oldest ones were $10 when I bought them, and the current version can still be had for $15-$20. A few are that horrid cheap-looking orange HF used to use on everything, others are the later black version.

It's easier to just buy another and load it up with whatever than to bother switching between cutting wheels, flap discs, wire wheels, etc. (Mind you, it IS worthwhile to buy quality consumables somewhere else to put on these **** tools; HF's wire wheels and such are dangerously awful.)

These things just WILL NOT DIE. They're noisy as hell, they get ridiculously hot, I take zero care with them, but they still do the job after many years. I have no idea how.

I know this is an unpopular opinion, but… those cheap angle grinders are way underpowered and they vibrate so badly even under no load that they’re liable to give you nerve damage. For $30 you can buy a Ryobi that’s still weak but won’t hurt you.

 

[MushCreek]

I have a -1" micrometer I bought at our local Western Auto store in the early 70's. The brand is 'General'. I'm not sure where they were made, as the plastic grips fell off decades ago. They're still very accurate, checked with gauge blocks. Over my career, I used them to measure grinding wheels, not wanting to use my $$$ Etalon mics for that. I started out my career setting up screw machines, and wore those cheap mics on a belt loop, using them constantly, all day long, for years.

Oddly enough, the only micrometer I had trouble with was a Starrett that I bought new in the 80's. It got very stiff, too stiff to use. I cleaned it, adjusted, and lubed it, to no avail. I packed it up and sent it back to Starrett, but even after that, it had a lousy 'feel'.

 

[woody 73]

Funny thing but many years ago...long ago I needed some impact sockets because I could not find my set at the time, so I ended buying a CH set from Taiwan. I beat the living hell and back out of that set and they just laughed at all the abuse and screamed for more abuse.

I am still amazed they did not grenade on me, but like the tv ad said they take a licking and keep on ticking.

 

[CS454]

Stamped, no name, raised panel combination wrenches. Sometimes I reach for em before my Mac's, long pattern doesn't fit. Actually just used a 7/8 with some encouragement from my 3lb to crack a NOx sensor loose.

 

[bwringer]

I know this is an unpopular opinion, but… those cheap angle grinders are way underpowered and they vibrate so badly even under no load that they’re liable to give you nerve damage. For $30 you can buy a Ryobi that’s still weak but won’t hurt you.

Good point. Plus, they're unholy loud, so ear protection is a must. If I made a living with them, or did a ton of fabrication, then yeah I'd pony up a bit more.

And to tell the complete truth, I stepped up to a Ryobi brushless cordless angle grinder a few months ago, and with HP batteries it is my go-to for grinding, cutting, etc. Much less vibration and such, and it also has a clever setup that makes it quick and easy to change consumables without rummaging around for the right pin spanner. But I still use my assortment of cheapos if I'm doing something where I need to switch around. I'm a crappy welder with a crappy welder, so any fabrication takes a LOT of sanding and grinding...