Favorite cheap-O tool.

[Tatsuya]

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

Same here, and it is very handy.


Those orange HF hooks and picks.

 

[Bolster]

I'm very fond of this inexpensive tool from HF...their "old style" dial calipers. Can't get them at HF anymore.

They were too good, so HF replaced them with a much cheapened version that's gritty and inaccurate.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

My Husky Pro ratcheting screwdriver and Husky putty knife. Use both of these around the house and they hold up well.

 

[Catalyze]

My favorite tool is a length of 3/4" PVC pipe about 40" long. When I am doing fleet inspections at work, I jam it between the brake pedal and the seat back. Then I can walk back and check brake lights. I also took a permanent marker and wrote "Snap On Brake Tool" on it and put the little "R" for registered trademark after Snap On.
Craig

 

[IDASHO]

I dont even pop the hood, or grab the creeper until I grab one of my Redlines.

I have 6 of them.....

220 lumens of glory to light the way!

 

[sonnyboy]

I've got a cheap "Amtos" china made 6" caliper that I've used pretty much everyday for the past 15 years. It's not quite HF cheap, but still pretty cheap for a toolmaker when most everything else in the toolbox is Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, or Mitutoyo. I've also got a "GRIP" brand cheap chinese needlenose pliers that was may main needlenose at work until I decided in the past couple months that it is getting too sloppy to be my main one, and was replaced a few weeks ago with a new name brand USA made one. I'll keep it around for that time when I'll need to make a "custom" pliers.

 

[Kurt4440]

GearWrench 56 pc. Ratcheting Screwdriver Set - I purchased a set on sale for ~$17.

 

[Lexustech1]

Bump.

This thread kicks ***

 

[Lexustech1]

My contribution:

The 12" magnetic tool holder bar from HF. Works great. I have three on my tool cart. Sockets, pliers, and the lug nut keys for Lexus vehicles. Love em,
$6 I believe

 

[jragain]

HF portable band saw. $60 out the door; tough, reliable, and accurate.

 

[djjsr]

A couple of HF powertools that I couldn't do without. I'm amazed at how well they work and they're cheap enough to easily replace when they go up in flames.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

I gotta go with the multi wrench!! it does not hurt fresh cad. it hits flats only!!

 

[strnjss]

This HF soldering iron:

$5 investment has saved me hundreds and hundreds of dollars so far. It can be a little flaky sometimes, and the tip doesn't get as hot as the side of the tip does, but it gets the job done.

I also have another favorite:

Serpentine belt removal tool. It's $17 now, but I think I paid $8.99 for it at the time. It makes pulling back tensioners incredibly easy. No fumbling around with wrenches and trying to fit them into impossibly tight spots. It comes with almost every size you'll ever need, and is nice and thin to fit.

I was quoted $100 to replace my belt. That's over an hour's labor where I take the car. I bought a belt myself for $25, and had it on with this thing in less than 10 minutes.

I've since used it on several other cars, equally as easy. This tool was definitely worth the investment.