Favorite tools under $20...

[Luckydevil]

I was looking through my toolbox this afternoon and thinking what my favorite tools under $20 are...

I'm a huge fan of anything Fiskars, and luckily none of their stuff is very expensive. I do a lot of small gauge wiring for stereos, so my Fiskars Utility Shears and Diagonal Flush Cutters get used quite a bit. Klein Electrician's Scissors are also at the top of my list.


What about the rest of of you guys, what are your favorite tools that cost under $20?

 

[blackjackbender]

my 20 dollar gearwrench set i got at sears, 10 wrenches for 20 bucks not a bad deal

 

[Canadian Charlie]

You can get alot of China tools for under $20

 

[eschoendorff]

Fiskars! I was just thinking that when I read your title before I clicked on your post. Fiskars makes me favorite scissors.

Another "tool" that I really like is a baseball cap I got at Sears. It has two LEDs built into it... I use that thing all the time in the garage. Less than $15.

Everything else that I really like or use (regularly), I simply paid less than $20 for. These were clearance items, etc. Like the Vaughan framing hammer I found for $14. Or the NOS Diamond tin snips (those are sweet!). Oh, and my full-face shield that I got a HF (the USA-made version)... less than $15 and I use it alot now that I have it.

 

[Luckydevil]

You can get alot of China tools for under $20

You ain't kidding. I could walk out of Harbor Freight with a bag full of stuff for $20 TOTAL. I'm talking about good tools here though, not stuff that will be used as a hammer later on.

 

[l_bilyk]

Well on ebay I got a nice small set of proto swivel sockets for $20... does that count?

Otherwise i got a decent made in canada ratcheting screwdriver at canadian tire for uunder $20. Lifetime warranty too

 

[dink]

All my Facom pliers when they were dirt cheap at Sears hahahaa

 

[Jared]

my #2 phillips my slotted snap on screwdrivers. costed me 1 dollar at pawn shop dont no if that counts tho

 

[iiibdsiil]

Hrmmm... 8 mm 1/4 Snapon socket that I lost was under $20...

What else? Had a bum stop by the warehouse about 2 in the morning with some stuff for sale. Almost a right angle drill (not 90* more like 65*) and a little electric bit driver. Cost me $22 total, used em both that night, and got him the hell outta my warehouse. Talked him down from $25, I felt bad, but figured he could still get a 2 rocks and a pipe for $22.

 

[wythors]

I got four government issue, mid-sixties vintage Snap-On swivel head sockets at a junk store for three bucks apiece.

 

[REFLEXX]

I love my "headlight" too. one AAA battery lasts forever!!!

It's a copy of this one, cost $19.95

 

[l_bilyk]

Hrmmm... 8 mm 1/4 Snapon socket that I lost was under $20...

What else? Had a bum stop by the warehouse about 2 in the morning with some stuff for sale. Almost a right angle drill (not 90* more like 65*) and a little electric bit driver. Cost me $22 total, used em both that night, and got him the hell outta my warehouse. Talked him down from $25, I felt bad, but figured he could still get a 2 rocks and a pipe for $22.

you DO realize those were probably stolen?

 

[Coach James]

One of my friends decided to become a diesel mechanic and spent a fortune on tools to do so. Then after a couple days of classes at the community college changed his mind. He's not a rocket scientist.

He started selling his stuff real cheap so he could go do something else equally dumb. I bought his KD 3/4 inch drive ratchet, never used, for $18! He paid $90 for it and sold it to me for $18.

He also bought a Winchester single shot 12 gauge for $150, put less than a box of shells through it, and sold it to me for $20.
Coach

 

[intoran]

One of my friends decided to become a diesel mechanic and spent a fortune of tools to do so. Then after a couple days of classes at the community college changed his mind. He's not a rocket scientist.

He started selling his stuff real cheap so he could go do something else equally dumb. I bought his KD 3/4 inch drive ratchet, never used, for $18! He paid $90 for it and sold it to me for $18.

He also bought a Winchester single shot 12 gauge for $150, put less than a box of shells through it, and sold it to me for $20.
Coach

Can I get his #?

 

[Wolverine]

Rigid mini-pipe or tubing cutter. Works well in tight spaces!

 

[eschoendorff]

One of my friends decided to become a diesel mechanic and spent a fortune of tools to do so. Then after a couple days of classes at the community college changed his mind. He's not a rocket scientist.

He started selling his stuff real cheap so he could go do something else equally dumb. I bought his KD 3/4 inch drive ratchet, never used, for $18! He paid $90 for it and sold it to me for $18.

He also bought a Winchester single shot 12 gauge for $150, put less than a box of shells through it, and sold it to me for $20.
Coach

Whoa! Gotta love dumb people!

 

[Coach James]

intoran, I'll send you his number AFTER I go through the rest of his stuff.

Yep, dumb people can be good to know. My buddy is a real nice guy, he just doesn't think before he does things. He decided he wanted a pickup truck to use in a side business he sometimes does. The real reason was to show off at work. I suggested he get a used F-150/Silverado or even a Ranger or S10. Instead he buys a used GMC 4 door dually and finances it for 6 years at over $500 a month! After 5 months he realized he couldn't afford it, took it back to the dealer. They bought it back for $4,000 less than he paid them for it so the dealer made $6500 and got their truck back.

Great guy, just doesn't think.
Coach

 

[Goobzilla]

My $9 Husky lockback utility knife has been a great pickup for me.

 

[iiibdsiil]

you DO realize those were probably stolen?

Ya know, I considered that, but who knows. He had a bag with some brand new stuff in it, and the stuff is definitely China stuff. He probably bought it all from Harbor Freight for $10 total. Oh well.

 

[pl_silverado]

My $9 Husky lockback utility knife has been a great pickup for me.

x2.... that thing has saved my *** a number of times

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Two years ago, a friend introduced me to a friend of his who was bringing him down some of his tools. He had terminal cancer, and knew his wife wouldn't either know what to do with or charge for his stuff. Anyone who he knew would get a good deal, and that was extended to me (he wanted to see the stuff went to good homes, and got used). I bought a Skill wormdrive for $25, and a 3/8" inch pound Hazet torque wrench for $20. They both paid for themselves.

 

[pmpski_1]

Impact driver from Harbor Freight. Works great for loosening those bolts that have been in the same place for 30 years.

 

[AntiqueCarNut]

Screw and nut starters from Ullman Devices. American-made, indispensable. They also have a variety of pick-up tools and inspection mirrors.

Lisle rubber-faced vise jaw pads

Lisle aluminum vise jaw pads

Lisle electrical connector terminal removal tool

 

[goodfellow]

Harbor Freight Orange 4.5" grinder with paddle switch. I have three of these and they have outlasted two of my DeWalt and Ryobi grinders.

 

[AZAV8]

That's easy. Milwaukee Job Saw, part no. 48-08-0401. Its a handle that accepts any 1/2" tang sawzall blade, has a twist-lock catch to hold the blade and is practically indestructible. Oh yeah, the end has a threaded hole to take a paint roller extension pole. I use mine where ever I have need to get in close to cut something. I've cut PVC sprinkler pipe for in-ground repairs using a hacksaw blade. I've got some 10" Stiele pruning saw blades for yard pruning. I've also used drywall blades to cut holes in drywall. Milwaukee lists other blades on the back of the packaging, including a curved linoleum knife, paint scraper, grout raker, hunting knife blade and others. There should be one in every garage. They make great gifts for the man who has every tool imaginable. Also great for the truck toolbox with an assortment of blades.

Phil

 

[Finley]

i love my t-handle! it takes 3/8 sockets, has a long reach, and is handy as all hell!

 

[TNToy]

That's easy. Milwaukee Job Saw, it's a handle that accepts any 1/2" tang sawzall blade...

That's definitely the winner so far.

 

[ooman]

Hate to sound like a wimp, but...

The first tool I pick up in my garage, and the last I put down, is a pair of Ansell gloves.

I have sensitive skin, and my nails are constantly getting ripped, so I almost always wear gloves. The Ansell Hyflex 11801 gloves are nylon with a Nitrile palm and finger coating. Very tough but very flexible and great tactile feel. Grainger part 5AJ29.

http://www.hyflexfoamgray.com/land.php?cid=11801

 

[Uncle Buck]

Hate to sound like a wimp, but...

The first tool I pick up in my garage, and the last I put down, is a pair of Ansell gloves.

I have sensitive skin, and my nails are constantly getting ripped, so I almost always wear gloves. The Ansell Hyflex 11801 gloves are nylon with a Nitrile palm and finger coating. Very tough but very flexible and great tactile feel. Grainger part 5AJ29.

http://www.hyflexfoamgray.com/land.php?cid=11801

Welcome to the board man! Glad to have you here with us, enjoy yourself!

 

[wilbilt]

I was at Home Depot today, and they had BD "Bullseye" laser levels on the clearance pile for $5. I bought one.

I remember when they were going for $60+ on eBay.

 

[Fedwrench]

My favorite tool under $20 would be my free pocket screwdriver the tool trucks hand out once in awhile. It gets used mutiple times daily to open parts boxes, release connectors, pick up small metal objects, open stuck hoods, etc. I feel naked without it in my shirt pocket. It is trully a multipurpose tool.

 

[seattlemart]

1/4 craftsman breaker bar (older style). I use it to break loose smaller hard to reach bolts or use it as a spinner to speed things up. $2 at pawn. also got a snap on 3/8 breaker for $10 there.

 

[Dan95YJ]

This really isn't fair because it was free. BUT, my favorite tool under $20 was my FREE Lincoln AC 225 stick welder!

 

[seattlemart]

Harbor Freight Orange 4.5" grinder with paddle switch. I have three of these and they have outlasted two of my DeWalt and Ryobi grinders.

I am thinking about getting one also http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=31309 I would use it for weld shop at school. Has anyone else had any experience with this model?

 

[creatureofthewheel]

Heyco 12,13mm double box end non offset wrench; $7. Heyco 17,19mm double boxend non offset wrench; $12.

 

[adirondack blues]

I am thinking about getting one also http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=31309 I would use it for weld shop at school. Has anyone else had any experience with this model?

I have one. It has worked fine so far. Nothing fancy, but completely usable. $15 on sale.

My $24 HF VSR hammer drill has worked well so far- drilled many holes for tapcons with it.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...7&group_ID=668&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Been through the mill, and still straight as ever.

 

[blue302stang]

I got a MAC AR778A air Ratchet on ebay for $6.01 and use it all the damn time

 

[billymade]

This is a cool little tool from Craftsman; it will magnetize or demagnetize any screwdriver tip that you might use. It is only $3.99! http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945021000P?keyword=magnetizer&sLevel=0

 

[Crossthread]

Does lube count? Well, you said tool, so I figured, oh nevermind.

Best el-cheapo for me was the safety glasses that saved my eyes last week when part of a cutoff disc got lose, zinged off and bounced back up taking a nice cut right on the left side. Would have lost an eye for sure.