Really Cheap Tools that You Love!

[cubicle]

The HF automotive trim tools. $4 and have paid for themselves many times over.

 

[monster1]

Set of mastergrip ratcheting combo wrenches from Costco for 14 bucks. They won't break.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I have a bunch of cheap **** that I never break.

My favorite "cheap" tool is a set of black nickel performance tool sockets and the matching (sort of) composite ratchet in 3/8". I paid something like 15 bucks for the set, my best tool purchase of all time because I like using them (very clearly marked) and I haven't busted em. Even if I busted them no biggie.

Also harbor freight heat gun but it's not comparably that much cheaper than a cheap wagner heat gun.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Set of mastergrip ratcheting combo wrenches from Costco for 14 bucks. They won't break.

Lemme guess: taiwan.

I wonder what factory they came from...

 

[Danglerb]

100 bit security set, HF Drill Master, I have about 3 sets on sale $8 each. I've had one break, but routinely use one of these to hammer into a funky fastener before hitting with impact driver.

Set of two doubled ended scribe/picks, straight, curved, right angle, offset 45 degree. They are not strong and will bend, but bend right back with pliers, and they don't break anything you are picking at. Snapon sells better ones for about 20x as much.

Ullmann picks, SHARP and strong, great for accidentally poking yourself.

HF composite ratchets.
Stanley ratcheting screwdriver, gets more use than Williams.
EZdriver, I collect them too, not my go to first choice, but frequent LAST choice when other stuff won't work.
Skil 1/4 cordless ratchet still going, but I make sure not to leave it plugged in.
HF free screwdrivers, maybe 4 or so sets, as each of my specific use toolboxes needs basic screwdrivers.
HF 99 cent plastic calipers, used a LOT.
HF 49 cent plastic razor scraper, same as $2 Stanley at Home Depot, made in USA too.
$10 set of ratcheting straps, three or four sets, big and small.
HF $3 radiator hose pick.
HF $5 plastic radiator fin comb, straightens fins.
HF $9 set of 9 wobble extensions.
HF $7 set of 1/4 hex drive drill bits.
HF orange plastic deadblow hammers.
HF $14 set of 5 ball peen hammers.
HF large and small moving dollies, dandy for a block or transmission.

Everything else people mentioned.

 

[928'er]

Ratcheting ball drivers. I seem to collect them.
I'll even buy used ones that don't work, and take then apart and fix them and epoxy them back together for use. I've yet to actually wear one out.

I've got one of those "Screwballs" too. Damn handy tool, haven't seen one in years.

 

[WVBrady]

I don't have that exact same one, but typically that sort of thing would run on two AA nicads, though it could also be sub-c's. If you can open it up then you could easily solder in a couple of replacement batteries.

A little tip with devices like that thing, ones that don't have proper "cut-out" chargers, is to buy a small timer (electronic or mechanical) and always set a time limit for the charge. After having several similar experiences of cooking power tool batteries I always use them for charging stuff now days...

Thanks for the info!

 

[monkeyspanners]

Got a cheap led torch similar to this,

http://www.dymaxgroup.com/FL40KH-8601.html

had it for years, cost about $30, its been dropped, left turned on on site till i noticed it was missing, dropped in water tank twice, melted on a welded pipe but keeps working. It gets used every day and is much better than the $90 Sealey one i also have.

 

[oldtools]

Got it for $1. Use alot. Removing screw, scrapping, prying, etc..

http://www.harborfreight.com/16-piece-precision-screwdriver-set-4143.html

 

[Greatbear]

Those cheap-to-free HF LED "puck" lights. I have at least a dozen of them now. I stick them everywhere for localized workspace lighting, and other than the magnets falling out and needing to be glued back in, none of them have yet failed me. I pick them up for friends when they are on sale or free w/coupon. Only thing bad about them are the original cheapass batteries.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I spent a lot of money trying to find a better-made alternative to the long reach, very-narrow needle-nose pliers I've had as long as I can remember. So far, I haven't been able to match them.

 

[Sendcraps]

 

[Revere Cycles]

I've picked up plenty of used tools "cheap", but if we are talking strictly new, I would have to say that it is my Pittsburgh Pro Swivel Head Ratchet. I bought it for a quick trip to the pick and pull, and I find myself reaching for it more than I anticipated. It's the only swivel head in my drawer; the rest are Plomb, Craftsman Premium, Wright, SK, and Williams. If and when it dies, I will replace it with a better (and user serviceable) swivel head.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Duct Tape.

 

[djb2]

A dollar store wood chisel.

It needs to be a cheap one so that you don't feel badly abusing it.
Having one handy saves screwdrivers and good chisels from misuse.

Keep a half-sharp edge on it and you can use it for splitting apart gasketed parts such as water pumps, lifting washers embedded into boards, breaking apart partially sawn items, scraping off a 'wire edge', cleaning up partially cured adhesives, and a zillion other uses.

 

[monster1]

Lemme guess: taiwan.

I wonder what factory they came from...

Yes, I believe the COO is Taiwan on those.

 

[928'er]

I spent a lot of money trying to find a better-made alternative to the long reach, very-narrow needle-nose pliers I've had as long as I can remember. So far, I haven't been able to match them.

Those look a lot like a set of "Oly-Pro" (Olympia?) needle nose that I've got - except the band on the grips is yellow on mine. Came in a set of 5 (I think) long reach pliers. Think I bought them at Costco (or maybe Pep Boys) about 10 years ago - very handy.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

This little utility bar is killer for $2. Yes, it's made in China but for $2 I really don't care. I bought one after watching Stuey's video here:

I have since gone back and bought 3 more of them. I don't know if this is a Christmas only item so if you want one you better go to Lowe's and snag one!

That is copied from a beekeeper's "hive tool." They are made from spring steel and only have the nail puller hole, but are much better for scraping and prying. They usually cost <$10.

 

[Exceller8]

That is copied from a beekeeper's "hive tool." They are made from spring steel and only have the nail puller hole, but are much better for scraping and prying. They usually cost <$10.

Oh yeah, I have 4 or 5 of them. Guess that's why I like the little Kobalt version so much.

 

[matthew]

That's easy - my Mastercraft bit ratchet set, regularly goes on sale for about $10 at Canadian Tire. I'm sure you folks elsewhere in the world can find something similar. It's amazing how often it has been useful. It might not be high end - I like the Wera set I was subsequently given - but this cheap kit is among the most useful and best value tools I have ever purchased.

 

[retDAC]

I spent a lot of money trying to find a better-made alternative to the long reach, very-narrow needle-nose pliers I've had as long as I can remember. So far, I haven't been able to match them.

Except for the spring, those look like one of these: http://atdtools.com/814
Which are available separately.

 

[GoodEnough]

I spent a lot of money trying to find a better-made alternative to the long reach, very-narrow needle-nose pliers I've had as long as I can remember. So far, I haven't been able to match them.

I have these for $8
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NQ15YQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[chillrich]

http://www.theskrapr.com/the-skrapr-hd/ $10 at Canadian Tire

 

[porschedude996TT]

I don't have it anymore but when they were closing them out I bought a bunch or the Skil Power Wrenches for $15 each. I gave them all away except one. Used to use it all the time but I left it on the charger for about a month without using it and fried the battery, doh.
All the ones I gave away are still going strong.

Did you look into finding a battery?

 

[X1 Mike]

Did you look into finding a battery?

I looked all over and could not find ****.

 

[rusjack]

That's easy - my Mastercraft bit ratchet set, regularly goes on sale for about $10 at Canadian Tire. I'm sure you folks elsewhere in the world can find something similar. It's amazing how often it has been useful. It might not be high end - I like the Wera set I was subsequently given - but this cheap kit is among the most useful and best value tools I have ever purchased.

This little thing is amazing

 

[ndoran]

This little thing is amazing

another +1 vote for it, nice smooth ratchet is a bonus to the small size

 

[ndoran]

http://www.theskrapr.com/the-skrapr-hd/ $10 at Canadian Tire

+1 a great buy mine has had a lot of use and performs flawlessly

 

[CORTEZSS69]

The HF automotive trim tools. $4 and have paid for themselves many times over.

Used one this morning to get into my iced over car. Best spent $4 ever. Use them all the time

 

[greasemonkey44]

plastic felling wedge
handy as hell; i use it to open doors up to unlock cars
i used it to support an engine while the transmission was out
i used it to split a flywheel from a torque converter
used it to split engines from transmissions
occasionally even on trees

 

[Danglerb]

plastic felling wedge
handy as hell; i use it to open doors up to unlock cars
i used it to support an engine while the transmission was out
i used it to split a flywheel from a torque converter
used it to split engines from transmissions
occasionally even on trees

Does seem handy, but is it strong, can you drive it in, or is it more like a spacer?

Is it a lot better than a piece of wood?

BTW box of scrap wood 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 4x4. Very cheap, very handy.

 

[TJJP77]

I'm really impressed by the cheap Kobalt branded roto head ratchets I got from Cripe on closeout a while ago. The ratcheting mechanism is surprisingly smooth and they seem well made considering the COO.

 

[bwane]

I have learned that the best place to get good Quality Made in USA wrenches for almost free is estate sales. I got 75 Made in USA wrenches for $15. These wrenches were made in USA by companies with American History. I got 234 sockets for $15 too

 

[greasemonkey44]

Does seem handy, but is it strong, can you drive it in, or is it more like a spacer?

Is it a lot better than a piece of wood?

BTW box of scrap wood 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 4x4. Very cheap, very handy.

they are made to drive into wedge cuts in trees with a sledge hammer. They are pretty damn tough
i like it better than a piece of wood because it doesnt deform or splinter with damage

i too have a pile of scrap 2x and 4x blocks around the shop

 

[Danglerb]

they are made to drive into wedge cuts in trees with a sledge hammer. They are pretty damn tough
i like it better than a piece of wood because it doesnt deform or splinter with damage

i too have a pile of scrap 2x and 4x blocks around the shop

Ebay has a few brands around $7 shipped, checked and HF has them $4 in store apparently.

They are called;

Felling wedges
Falling wedges

Most of the ones I looked at sounded like not for splitting, just holding a split you made with a metal tool.

Now I need to pick up a couple to play with, HF or ebay, doubt anybody in So. Calif has ever chopped down a tree.

 

[pfbz]

plastic felling wedge

Cool! Will pick one up...

Another vote for the HF composite ratchet. I have many more expensive ratchets from Snap-on, Matco, Mac, Craftsman, etc. Yet this is the one I reach for quite often. Great $9 tool.

 

[stage20]

those composite ratchets are the best. the gearing in them is phenomenal even against my matco stuff. i have all 3. use the 1/2" one for a hammer sometimes, and its still kicking.

 

[Honda guy]

The pneumatic brake bleeder from Harbor Freight for 25.99. Works as good as the $150+ ones, off the tool trucks. Only thing is the reservoir is a little on the small side.

http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-fluid-bleeder-92924.html

 

[HTGTS350]

I bought a set of 3, 1/4 bit holder/adaptor things for $5, was a bit dubious at the time but I'm happy I did, they are very handy.

 

[kenburkholz]

The H.F. puck lights are great! I just bought some cheap *** H.F. batteries for them.