Favorite cheap-O tool.

[jeffk14]

This little ****** here is $5 at home depot. It has some supper small torx bits, down to T4. It is really nice for all of these electronics and stuff with the tiny little torx.

Here is a link
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xh9/R-100087664/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Got that exact same one from Lowes, just labeled Kobalt. Very handy.

 

[The Rider]

they were even better when they used to be $9.99

Twice as good!

 

[Greatbear]

I bought that Centech meter when I had a coupon from HF for $1.99. The absolute last thing I needed was another DMM, but I just HAD to find out what kind of DMM you could buy for less than 2 bucks. Also, since my primary work is with standards and calibration, I put the cheapo DMM through a few tests. It was dead on. Accuracy comparable to a meter costing ten times as much. What it seriously lacks in is input protection. Use the thing on the wrong range (too low) range and it's likely to get fried. Use it in a high energy environment (class III or IV) and you are risking your life. But for automotive and low voltage tinkering, it will do a good job.

 

[2oolhound]

I bought one of those flex stem lights on a magnetic base for $12.00. It's a dial indicator base too. Any time you're having trouble seeing the fine details just grab it and stick it to the nearest piece of steel and presto - you can see! I now have 2 of them.

 

[Kev442]

The HF wrenches. Bought the 17.99 set to get the 1"-1 1/4". Yup. Made in India. I always expect one to shatter and take my eye out. Hasn't happened yet, although I only need one in those sizes a few times per year.
I also used one of those Centech meters to troubleshoot a no charge condition. It verified there was alternator output and helped find out what was wrong. A really tough repair to track down as it would allow 12v through but no real amperage due to wire corrosion.

 

[Hank McMauser]

Got that exact same one from Lowes, just labeled Kobalt. Very handy.

+ 3 on the mini torx screwdriver, used mine the other day to repair my sheffield pocket knife,was all set to go out & replace the knife didn't have to spend another $20.00-woohoo

 

[matthew]

I paid $9.99 for the Mastercraft bit ratchet at Canadian Tire. It's not the best bit ratchet ever made, but is incredibly handy and useful and is among the best $10 I've ever spent on tools.

 

[ngk22r]

Craftsman makes this knurled mini-speeder that accepts hex and square attachments. Like $4. Man, do I reach for this thing alot! For extremely tight screw removal on furnaces, this tool and a 1/4" shallow socket are the ticket.

picture please!!!

 

[Walterchang]

3/8 -1/4 stubby flex head ratchet. Bought it for $8 I use it every day good smooth movement. I freaking love it.

 

[Krokodil]

This thread is very good for Christmas shopping ideas!

 

[mrholeshot]

My Harbor Freight 6 inch Digital Calipers. Best tool ever for less that 10 dollars.

2nd place goes to a Advance Auto Parts 3.99 6-1 screwdriver.

 

[diesel research]

2nd place goes to a Advance Auto Parts 3.99 6-1 screwdriver.

NorthernTool has them on in store clearance for $1 (the normal cheap kind with 2 flip bits and 2 nut drivers) along with miscellaneous Pratt Reed screw drivers. Mostly USA, but some newer slovenia stuff.

They also had "sk edge" superknife folding box cutters for $3.77. Like it better than the rest I had for several reasons. The orange is easier to see, the rubber grip is comfy, and the easier one-step blade changes.

Loved my old Kmart 3/8 set from about 15 years ago. $10?

I also used one of those Centech meters to troubleshoot a no charge condition. It verified there was alternator output and helped find out what was wrong. A really tough repair to track down as it would allow 12v through but no real amperage due to wire corrosion.

Would not have been tough with a simple voltage drop test, but I am kind of leery of using a 1 decimal place meter for such test. Might still be able to do it.

 

[ledthrax]

Craftsman makes this knurled mini-speeder that accepts hex and square attachments. Like $4. Man, do I reach for this thing alot! For extremely tight screw removal on furnaces, this tool and a 1/4" shallow socket are the ticket.

Do you have any pictures or a link? I am interested in this.

 

[34 Ply]

Went to a car show years ago and priced 3/8 extentions from SnapOn. They were over a hundred for 3. A week later I went to the Dollar store with the wife and they a 3 set for $5 bucks, a 24,12, and 8. Have'nt used them lately but have quite often.

 

[bonneyman]

Someone requested pics of my Craftsman mini-speeder:

 

[Pro-Painter]

My fav cheap tool is the HF 7" polisher for $24.95 I bought it a year ago in a panic because my trusty Makita died on me in the middle of the job. The HF polisher did a great job and still works just fine.
The same day I ordered another makita polisher for $229.99 and now I only use it on high end jobs I'm worried about or ones that need a lot of polishing. The HF polisher sees most of the action and gets well used. It's light weight, well balanced and basically a mirror copy of the Makita polisher except with an ugly orange body.

Next would be the $9.99 HF HVLP gravity spray guns. Their not top coat quality, But they do great for spraying upholstery glues, undercoating,frame paint and fiberglass resin. It cost more to clean them then replace them. Great disposable guns.

 

[eurokid]

New favorite cheap-O tool is my "pit bull" 1/4" drive flex shaft driver. It was like five dollars and came with a 6" flex extension too. Made pretty well I was kinda impressed. I use it quite a bit mostly for loosening/tightening hose clamps in hard to reach areas. works great.

 

[CobraBronco]

I like my cheap pocket multi-tool with flashlight. I think it was under $5 and they sell them everywhere. It is a little smaller than my Leatherman Juice, and the flashlight has come in handy more than a few times.

 

[jeepnut24]

Cheap head light I got a REI. I use it all the time, it has two bright LEDs and is pointable. Makes seeing things under my Jeep a lot easier than having to lug around a big work light.

 

[Chris Adams]

I like those orange dead blow hammers from HF,they take the abuse and ask for more with no problems as of yet.

Love those. I have a full set or two, (I buy a lot of used tool collections...) and never lost one yet. Whup the tar out of them, no failures yet.


Also, the cheap blue handle hf screwdrivers, use those for any awful job I won't use my high end drivers for. Can't break them.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Matador washer nozzle aim adjuster pocket pin... has a pin for aiming the nozzles and a telescoping magnet on the other end... got it for less than $5.

 

[Quint]

Can't beat it for most indoor maintenance.

Cabinet handles
On-the go
Fridge disassembly
Furniture disassembly
You name it, this tool kit has done it.

 

[Quint]

My Harbor Freight 6 inch Digital Calipers. Best tool ever for less that 10 dollars.

I can't tell you how many times I've used mine.
I'm a design engineer that has to reverse engineer many parts. This tool is priceless. I will be looking into buying the 12" calipers soon (Even though I've heard the quality has gone way down on these)

 

[mrholeshot]

I can't tell you how many times I've used mine.
I'm a design engineer that has to reverse engineer many parts. This tool is priceless. I will be looking into buying the 12" calipers soon (Even though I've heard the quality has gone way down on these)

I have the 12 inch version I use for measuing pushrods. My 12 inch version is blue and about 4 years old. Works great

 

[turkdc]

I bought that Centech meter when I had a coupon from HF for $1.99. The absolute last thing I needed was another DMM, but I just HAD to find out what kind of DMM you could buy for less than 2 bucks. Also, since my primary work is with standards and calibration, I put the cheapo DMM through a few tests. It was dead on. Accuracy comparable to a meter costing ten times as much. What it seriously lacks in is input protection. Use the thing on the wrong range (too low) range and it's likely to get fried. Use it in a high energy environment (class III or IV) and you are risking your life. But for automotive and low voltage tinkering, it will do a good job.

I got mine for FREE... What's ten times three???

 

[VegasBruce]

My poor old used and abused hammer, a foreman at work gave it to me 10 years ago. Broken and welded several times. I bought a new one, but it just doesn't feel right.

 

[bonneyman]

My poor old used and abused hammer, a foreman at work gave it to me 10 years ago. Broken and welded several times. I bought a new one, but it just doesn't feel right.

Love the handle!
Looks like it came from an old tomahawk.

 

[VegasBruce]

Love the handle!
Looks like it came from an old tomahawk.

Thanks, its the second one. The first one wore out and was wrapped in tape.

 

[NOTABLAZER]

I've been replacing my cheapo stuff with better stuff lately,but one notable piece is the impact socket set from pep boys (performance tool I think),was cheap as hell but I have yet to bust one.

 

[c_mccann]

Kobalt ratching screwdriver

 

[csargents1546]

I have a stubby 1/4 drive ratchet from hf, I have used it to break exhaust bolts off of manifolds several times. I use it almost every day at work.

 

[airbatica]

My Chicago Electric 4.5 inch angle grinder from Harbor Freight. It was cheap, and I only expected it to last a couple of hours... but it keeps on going. It gets used more than any other power tool in my (meager) garage.

 

[moparmuscle88]

its not an inferior tool, but my old SK 10" 1/2 drive extension does extra duty as an extension, punch, pry bar, stick the right impact socket on it and you have a cheater bar to stick on the handle of a ratchet, ive had it about 8 years, havent bent it, havent broken it or mushroomed the ends miraculously with te size of the hammers ive hit it with.

ill say, if there ever was a tool that was indestructible this is it

 

[t100]

I bought 4 of these 4 years ago, 1 had a broken spring, replaced by HF, but the rest 3 are all good.

 

[LawnDart79]

I know this thread is a few months old, but I wanted to contribute.

I would have to say that my favorite cheap-o tool would have to be my Harbor Freight pry bars.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?category=&q=prybar

I bought this set 10-12 years ago as a "get me by" set until I could afford to buy name brand pry bars. At the time, I was just starting out and couldn't afford to pay Snap-On prices for everything I needed.

Well, fast forward to today. These HF cheap-o pry bars are still in use today. I liked them so much and they held up so well, I never felt the need to replace them with anything else.

I was very surprised they held up since most of their life, they were used in a professional setting on a daily basis. I also believe I only paid $5-6 for them way back when.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

+1 for the HF prybars. Mine have done a little bit of everything for around 15 years now, and are finally retiring as part of my downsizing scheme.

 

[jhn9840]

Ball Pein hammer set from the Buffalo Tool Co. Had them since the 70's and they keep on giving a beating.

jhn9840
John

 

[wafrederick]

My ATD and Central Pneumatic Earthquake 1/4 air ratchets at work,much better than the expensive top brand 1/4 air ratchets.Had no problems with them yet and are very dependable.If they ever break one day,pitch them and buy another one.

 

[Strouty]

This little ****** here is $5 at home depot. It has some supper small torx bits, down to T4. It is really nice for all of these electronics and stuff with the tiny little torx.

Here is a link
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xh9/R-100087664/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I have this and the one with flathead and phillips screwdriver tips too. They are great for small stuff and have gotten me out of a bind, a bunch of times. The flat head screwdrivers are sharp enough to go through skin, ask me how I know.

 

[JSBriggs]

-Jeff