Favorite tools under $20...

[stioc]

This is one of my favorite threads here so I'll add a couple of inexpensive yet useful tools that I take for granted:

1. Those little dental pick type hooks and things. Even though I have a cheap GreatNeck set.

2. The telescoping magnet, it's saved me a lot of frustration when nuts and bolts have fallen into the abyss on the engine compartment

3. The disk brake pad spreader (the one you turn the knob)

 

[peteco]

My little Swiss Army Knife that is on my keychain. Not a powerhouse but it gets used a lot: knife, screwdriver/file, scissors, tweezers, toothpick. Cost about $10 new. Have had for 15 years.

 

[r6_cannibal]

i'm diggin this thread! i'll have to chime in

my pocket knife. i use it for everything and really abuse the thing. it's made by byrd, which is made by spyderco. same handle as the spyderco's but the blade is cheaper which is perfect for me because i don't care about really getting down and dirty with the knife. paid <$20 on ebay for it and i always have it on me.

the second one on the list would be a streamlight microstream
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00143JZ08/?tag=atomicindus08-20
it's a single high powered LED flash light that runs off of 1 AAA battery. i *love* this little light. it also lives clipped to my pocket, next to the knife. too many times i've been out at night and dropped something or went over to help out a friend who's car broke down in a parking lot.

 

[Mike83]

+1 on the pocket knife. My Swiss Army Knife probably cost more than $20, though. It was a gift from my grandparents when they traveled to Europe many years ago and it has my name "inset" with steel on the handle. Hard to explain, but its not like an engraving that will wear off. I use that thing all the time and it reminds me of my grandpa who always had his own Swiss Army Knife handy.

 

[bostonae22]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...Name=Hand+Tools,+General+Purpose&sName=Pliers

 

[bushhawg73]

I would have to say my Snap on wire strippers.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=&item_ID=38&group_ID=796&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Thay have been in my box for at least 8 years and have held up well. Great value for 12.00 or 13.00 I spent on them.

 

[BigRed390]

Those Milwaukee safety glasses Ryan wrote about are at the very top of my list.

The extendable magnet-on-a-handle is way up there too, as is a Leatherman Micra.

 

[nexum1919]

I'm an apprentice tech, still in school but the Back-tap saved me couple of times already... It's a collapsible re-threader that you stick into the spark plug hole and start tapping from the inside using the good thread... Priceless when a simple spark plug job turns into a nightmare... Sometimes threads get so rusted and dirty it's impossible to put the new plug in, so you don't necessarily cross-thread to need this tool. Or just to clean the threads up. Make sure to dip it in oil before tapping to keep the dirt and chips from falling in the cylinder...

www.back-tap.com

Sold on ebay for $10 plus $6 shipping, comes in 10-12-14mm sizes

 

[Bolster]

Wera bit holder for me, $11 at Amazon...

I just love it to pieces, so much better than any other bit holder I've owned previously. Really speeds me up and allows me to change bits with one hand.

 

[Nortonscustom]

My number 1 favorite hands down is my Mini-Maglite, it's been threw hell and back over the years and has never failed to work.

I picked up this Gearwrench MicroDriver set from Lowes a while back for $19 and change. Carry it on my service cart at work and use it every day for all sorts of stuff.

 

[Farmallgray]

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

Dang! I had to give $25 for mine!

 

[Enloe]

They were free but I got 3 rimac valve spring testers I have already sold 1 on ebay and have another one on sale on there now. so I can buy more toolsd and toys for the driving and riding and shooting toys...

here is a link to it

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...&sellerpreview=true&sspagename=STRK:MESELX:IT

 

[shocksystems]

I'm an apprentice tech, still in school but the Back-tap saved me couple of times already... It's a collapsible re-threader that you stick into the spark plug hole and start tapping from the inside using the good thread... Priceless when a simple spark plug job turns into a nightmare... Sometimes threads get so rusted and dirty it's impossible to put the new plug in, so you don't necessarily cross-thread to need this tool. Or just to clean the threads up. Make sure to dip it in oil before tapping to keep the dirt and chips from falling in the cylinder...

www.back-tap.com

Sold on ebay for $10 plus $6 shipping, comes in 10-12-14mm sizes

Great tip. I may buy these.

Jim

 

[chrislehr]

zip tie gun

 

[bmxr4life87]

pocket screwdriver +1 for me. i always have one in my pocket while at work and i keep atleast 2 in my box. its a very useful prying tool for connectors, trim, gaskets, threads all sorts of stuff. I have proved my point to the other guys in the shop that its worthwhile to keep one around.

inspection mirrors, extendable magnets, cheapo screwdrivers and prybars, cheap pliers all handy to have around a few cheap tools around when you need to "customize" one theres no need to tear up a good craftsman or snap on wrench when you can heat and grind on a hf one all day!!! Pick sets and small wire brushes will pay for them selves after one use

 

[Monte]

My number 1 favorite hands down is my Mini-Maglite, it's been threw hell and back over the years and has never failed to work.

I picked up this Gearwrench MicroDriver set from Lowes a while back for $19 and change. Carry it on my service cart at work and use it every day for all sorts of stuff.

Sweet set !!
ps: Does it say "Reverse Gear" on the black disc ??

 

[Seth]

I love a good 6 in 1 screwdriver. Not the multi-bit jobs (easy to lose bits) Just one with two bits and the reversible shank.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

My 30" crowbar. Has served me well for about 8 years. Makes an awesome prybar, has many other uses.

4' scaffold pole, paid £5 for it the other day from a scaffold crew. GREAT for removing seized wheels, as an extension tube, enormous drift, levering, all manner of uses.

 

[PhantomEB]

I honestly cant include the 4x8 table that included **** loads of power tools, air nailers, air body tools, mitre saw, plus a full table saw, and bench drill press. Best freinds dad passed away a year ago and he was a major tool nut and never parted with anything since he never had to.

Well bud wanted room in Dads old garage to actually be able to work in so he called me up, said go get a case n a half of beer, and come over, dont ask questions! I did so and thats all, that stuff cost me was a case of beer, still need to go back and get the hyd bench press and AC stick welder when we dig it out!

Paid for tool? Easy, either the 4.5 grinder or little air cut off wheel, either cost me 19.99 or less!

 

[fixerup]

My Winchester pocket knives bought at Wal-Mart. Cost five to ten bucks. Pretty good for the price. I grind one blade end like a screw driver. I can use and abuse it all I want. If I loose one no big deal. If someone asks if I have a jackknife I reply have my pants on don't I?

 

[greenreese]

This is one of my favorite threads here so I'll add a couple of inexpensive yet useful tools that I take for granted:

1. Those little dental pick type hooks and things. Even though I have a cheap GreatNeck set.

Even better, next time you go to the dentist or orthodontist ask them if they have any old/worn tools they wouldn't mind giving away. Last time I asked and they brought out a box filled with em and told me to take whatever I wanted. Nothing like surgical quality picks of all different shapes and sizes for free. Also I split my knee straight open and got a couple dozen stitches. While they were stitching me up they had all sorts of little locking pliers and scissors and tweezers and such that they throw away after. They were happy to give me those instead of tossing em.

 

[mjozefow]

Even better, next time you go to the dentist or orthodontist ask them if they have any old/worn tools they wouldn't mind giving away. Last time I asked and they brought out a box filled with em and told me to take whatever I wanted. Nothing like surgical quality picks of all different shapes and sizes for free. Also I split my knee straight open and got a couple dozen stitches. While they were stitching me up they had all sorts of little locking pliers and scissors and tweezers and such that they throw away after. They were happy to give me those instead of tossing em.

Now all you have to do is get injured every couple years to replenish you supply!

 

[msrfrog]

this wrench, one side for toyotas and the other for hyundai. got it from mike wren for like 8 bucks or so.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

Sometimes around the holiday season the three piece red handled craftsman pry bar set goes on sale for 19.99. I love those suckers, and if you can get them for 20 bucks, its a great deal.

 

[stioc]

I just bought Accu Sharp knife sharpner from Amazon for $10 and it's one of the best $10 I've spent in a long time. I just got done sharpening my camping/survival knife, Fiskars axe and even a couple of kitchen knives for the wife.

Also bought a Hori-Hori for gardening. If you don't know what it is, it's a Japanese gardening tool that allows you to dig, prune, cut, poke etc. It was $25 at Amazon and made in Japan - very good quality.

 

[ilateapex]

I am suprised only one person has said the 6 in 1 screwdrivers. I keep one in the car, one in the electrical pouch, one in the plumbing tray, one just about everywhere. I use the bits in drills when i don't have the right stuff with me. They are awsome.

Michael

 

[stricht8]

Sometimes around the holiday season the three piece red handled craftsman pry bar set goes on sale for 19.99. I love those suckers, and if you can get them for 20 bucks, its a great deal.

yeah I got a set for $20. They seem nicely made.

 

[Soon2AdjustYou]

Here are my favs

Dr. B

 

[Here2Learn]

my cheapie Craftsman roll around mechanic seat!!

anytime little wire brushes are on sale at Harbor Freight

 

[Tim Cowan]

A six way screwdriver, 9" Channellocks, and a 8" Cresent wrench is enough for one pocket and a roll of plastic electrical tape in the other pocket will get you in trouble for all you need for spot repairs. If you have one more pocket, keep it for a cell phone to call for help and other tools. I also like the 5 gallon "bucket boss" for when more tools are needed; only when you load the bucket, it is too heavy and the bail wire handles strech off the bucket.

 

[stioc]

I was at walmart to buy some engine oil and ended up picking up a Winchester brand pocket knife (one handed opening). It was $5 so I didn't have a lot of expectations other than it looked good and had the Winchester name on it. Well I've now used this knife for about 3 weeks and I really like it. It's compact, has a pocket clip, lightweight and sharp. It looks almost exactly like this one except mine's brushed aluminum.

http://cdn2.overstock.com/images/products/MLB12378267.jpg

 

[quneur]

This radio I bought for 49 cents

My second best tool was an old army can opener. Doubled as a standard screwdriver, a bottle-opener, a hard plastic package wrapping opener, and sometimes as a can opener.

 

[TireTracks]

Hmmmm.

well my little single blade buck knife( china), i sharpend it up like a razer blade, has a 3" blade and it's tiny.

 

[plummad]

What? After 4 pages of posts and nobody has mentioned a " Hammer" for their favorite tool for under $20? Well, I use one probably more than I should. Its just so useful though.. Ha,Ha.. good thread.

 

[tonydanzah]

+1

[/QUOTE]

combine this thing and a good 1/4 racthet and long extension you can fix 90% of problems on electric forklifts

 

[byrd]

magnetic ground terminal i got off the snapon truck for $15.

 

[pmohr]

My second best tool was an old army can opener. Doubled as a standard screwdriver, a bottle-opener, a hard plastic package wrapping opener, and sometimes as a can opener.

Do you mean one of the P-38s?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_can_opener

They are useful, used to always carry one on my keyring but ended up having to throw it away the last time I took a flight somewhere.

 

[Mickey O]

Do you mean one of the P-38s?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_can_opener

They are useful, used to always carry one on my keyring but ended up having to throw it away the last time I took a flight somewhere.

That's the only can opener I have (I have a lot of them) or ever owned, always pisses off the girlfriends.

 

[american lockpicker]

That reminds me I used to use a P-51 until I got this.

Its American made and priced less than the Chinese ones also it opens beers...

Its so good NASA uses it I found it at true value for $6.99.

 

[vssjim]

razor blades for gasket scrapers and cleanging up surfaces