Really Cheap Tools that You Love!

[mrborohachi]

Stanley locking flex head extending handle 3/8 ratchet. Home de Pot has a re-branded Husky now

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95809

 

[Aberdale]

+1 for the HF composite ratchets. I have them in 1/4". 3/8", and 1/2" drive sizes. They have been my favorite ratchets for a while now. Although they are inexpensive, they do not feel cheap.

Come to think of it, the next time I'm near a HF, I think I'll pick up another set.

'dale

 

[thebeekeeper1]

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.

Yes--but they are NOT for driving in with a sledge hammer as the other gentleman stated. They are simply tapped in behind a chainsaw bar in order to keep the tree from closing the cut and pinching the saw.

 

[unslow1]

+1 for the HF composite ratchets. I have them in 1/4". 3/8", and 1/2" drive sizes. They have been my favorite ratchets for a while now. Although they are inexpensive, they do not feel cheap.

Come to think of it, the next time I'm near a HF, I think I'll pick up another set.

'dale

They are my favorites also. I work on mostly show cars. Chipping paint with a regular one is always a fear.

 

[Scout Driver]

Harbor Freight dead-blow hammer.

Harbor Freight trim removal tool set.

Harbor Freight digital caliper.

Scott

 

[thom1968]

HP 36" pick up tool Item 61413. I use it all the time for picking up stuff I drop under my bench.
http://www.harborfreight.com/36-in-pickup-and-reach-tool-61413.html

HF nitril gloves. the X-large actually fit my oversize meat-hooks.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-mil-nitrile-gloves-powder-free-x-large-50-pc-68506-8414.html


Bitz bit holder. This is the only place I've seen it. It works great, is durable and won't drop your bits if you drop your driver like a magnet will.

http://www.rockler.com/lutz-self-adhesive-bit-holder

Thom

 

[stage20]

HP 36" pick up tool Item 61413. I use it all the time for picking up stuff I drop under my bench.
http://www.harborfreight.com/36-in-pickup-and-reach-tool-61413.html

HF nitril gloves. the X-large actually fit my oversize meat-hooks.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-mil-nitrile-gloves-powder-free-x-large-50-pc-68506-8414.html


Bitz bit holder. This is the only place I've seen it. It works great, is durable and won't drop your bits if you drop your driver like a magnet will.

http://www.rockler.com/lutz-self-adhesive-bit-holder

Thom

do you know where i can get some XL chemical gloves? long loose cuff style. ive got big hands too and HF, lowes, HD does not carry anything that will fit. lowes used to have some nice green XL gloves that worked great, now they have another brand of green gloves and they are so tight it cups my hands when i FINALLY get them on. haha.
sorry to hijack.

 

[p12386]

These angle head wrenches from northertools http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200304151_200304151
Pretty sure I only paid maybe $20 for them when I got them 7 years ago. I have ground these down, cut them in half and welded them back together, anything you can think of to abuse a tool and only had one break(9/16) in all that time.

 

[steveo3002]

got a little flat bladed screw driver from the 99c store for an emergency job while away , its now my go to tool for little jobs its just right

 

[James_B]

Yes--but they are NOT for driving in with a sledge hammer as the other gentleman stated. They are simply tapped in behind a chainsaw bar in order to keep the tree from closing the cut and pinching the saw.

Yep. The local small engine mechanic near my place (in this logging area, chain saws are a big part of his business) has barrels of both the plastic and wooden ones in a multitude of sizes.

 

[Steinmetz]

The first name in cheap tools: "Globemaster".

 

[retDAC]

The first name in cheap tools: "Globemaster".

I can remember the display at the local hardware store. Those tools seemed to come from nearly every country, even West Germany and the US.

 

[bonneyman]

....HF nitril gloves. the X-large actually fit my oversize meat-hooks.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-mil-nitrile-gloves-powder-free-x-large-50-pc-68506-8414.html....

Oh yeah. Forgot about those.

 

[Kev442]

Jack, how about the Master Mechanic from True Value?

 

[Kev442]

My favorite cheap tool. After having one that says "S F" on it for thirty years, I would pay a lot more than $8.99 for one.

 

[WVBrady]

My favorite cheap tool. After having one that says "S F" on it for thirty years, I would pay a lot more than $8.99 for one.

There is a little joke in that. "Wunderbar" in German means "wonderful".

 

[thom1968]

No. I have some big ol' long rubber gloves that work pretty well but, it has been a long time and I can't remember where I bought them. Try paint or photographic supply stores.

 

[ADSR]

This little thing is amazing

+2

I love my set.

 

[AlbertaPM&S]

I got a set of open end / offset open end from 1 3/8" to 2" at Princess auto three years ago, they are the hydraulic fitting go to's at the shop. $5 a pop.Can't go wrong.

 

[air]

Lisle Hose Pinchers

 

[pauls_workshop]

Duct Tape.

Noooo! The new duct tape is Gorilla Tape! The best thing ever known to man! About 10x more sticky than duct tape and 5x stronger too! I discovered this last year and keep finding uses for it. Temporary use or semi-permanent uses.

Also, I can now add Gorilla exterior glue to this group. Super and the best ever for exterior gluing jobs. Whatever. Metal to metal, wood to metal, wood to wood, etc. Amazing stuff. I haven't tried the other gorilla products but will now. - Paul

 

[T_Roze]

Have to add my 3/8" ratchet to the mix. Bought at Princess Auto for $8. Swivel head and handle. Been using it for 3 1/2 years with absolutely no trouble. It is my hands down favourite ratchet for spark plug r&r in the shop. Wish I would have bought a few more as I have not seen them since.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nicksnothereman]

Have to add my 3/8" ratchet to the mix. Bought at Princess Auto for $8. Swivel head and handle. Been using it for 3 1/2 years with absolutely no trouble. It is my hands down favourite ratchet for spark plug r&r in the shop. Wish I would have bought a few more as I have not seen them since.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's an interesting one, no doubt about that.

 

[newchris]

a tiny flat blade screwdriver about the size of a pen with a mgnet on the back, even comes with a clip to put it in a shirt pocket. I got one for free from my mac dealer and i use it endlessly. Popping off wiper blades, prying up stubborn plastic tabs on electrical connections, removing o rings....come to think of it im not sure ive ever turn a screw with it

 

[diggerrick]

HF 1/2" drive extendable ratchet I bought on sale for $10:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-extendable-ratchet-98831.html

 

[Farmall450]

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

Gearwrench has some now.

 

[scaron]

i nominate the ideal brand "lil' ripper stripper" romex outer jacket stripper. it's dirt cheap, clever in design, simple in construction, basically indestructible, and it always does a nice job. the epitome of what a tool should be!

 

[imagine44]

I recently got one of these LED torch lights for 5 bucks, and I find myself using it a lot.

http://www.kmart.com/craftsman-led-pocket-light/p-005W006136591001P

 

[diggerrick]

i nominate the ideal brand "lil' ripper stripper" romex outer jacket stripper. it's dirt cheap, clever in design, simple in construction, basically indestructible, and it always does a nice job. the epitome of what a tool should be!

I just looked that up and it would be handy as hell!

I gotta get one - thanks!

 

[SlowPoke-Canada]

Mastercraft/Gearwrench flex head combination wrenches.
7pc Metric or SAE and I paid $24.99 on sale. When the Gearwrench concept hit the streets, maybe 15 years ago, I picked up a set and rarely used them. I found them difficult to use in many applications because they were 0* offset.
When I saw the flex set I thought now that looks really handy but I'm not paying $100/set!! The day I saw them on sale at 75% off I picked up a Metric and SAE set. They've become my go-to wrench almost every time. Zero issues after a couple years now and I'd recommend them to homeowners and pros at the sale price.
They're currently on sale at 70% off too.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/t...pc-flex-wrench-set-0588586p.html#.Uqop2KU9l0s

 

[sberry]

I like that Mastercraft bit set at 9$. I bought a ratchet a long time ago and overpaid from the auto parts counter but its the best ratchet I have ever owned. I bought it after a fire when we were short and never given one lick of trouble and at this rate another 20 years before it needs work. The grip lasted 20 years and only reason its not there now is I was too lazy to adhesive it when it came off.

 

[sberry]

The thing that is great about all this cheap stuff is a guy doesn't have to feel guilty about buying a few things he needs or take out a second mortgage to be able to get stuff done.
One of the best mechanics I know has a set of cobbled cheap **** he has tunes all along the way and doesn't beat on a HF pick set with a 4 # hammer.

The dollar combination wrench has been a Godsend, we got them where they are needed. Its not painful to throw them in a pickup or golf cart, tractor tool boxes. Spent 50$ on 50 of them 20 years ago and broke about 2 with a hammer, lost a couple and the rest are still in business.

They have mastered the cheap adjustable, the cheap Vise Grip not and never really can seem to perfectly duplicate the 440 Channelock and make a long life side cutter or number 9 side cutter.

Cheap sockets have come of age as of recent as well as some cheap screwdrivers and other bits. Performance wise no longer see a difference in a low dollar uni bit as a pricey one.

 

[knobby]

euro tool multi-nut pliers for setting nuts in hard to reach and awkward spots these pliers can save a hole lot of frustration
done everything from tape on my finger to magnets and even conventional nut setters and these pliers work best for me
http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/euro-tool-plr-698-00-multi-nut-pliers/p/418-949

 

[T_Roze]

a tiny flat blade screwdriver about the size of a pen with a mgnet on the back, even comes with a clip to put it in a shirt pocket. I got one for free from my mac dealer and i use it endlessly. Popping off wiper blades, prying up stubborn plastic tabs on electrical connections, removing o rings....come to think of it im not sure ive ever turn a screw with it

Second!!

 

[rob0781]

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.

I have this and I agree, it is great for tight areas like replacing blower motors under the dash.

 

[parnass]

When I was in 9th grade I bought this 4 prong grasper off the 99¢ table at K-Mart. ...
Nearly 40 years later I still use it more than I care to admit!

I've had the Craftsman version of this spring loaded grabber for many years and it has saved the day so many times. I just used it when snaking wires through the dashboard of my truck.

 

[-Brent-]

Empire brass pocket caliper. This is my go-to measuring device for tubing, nuts, bolts, etc.

I got mine at Home Depot, years ago. They should give me a commission for all of these that have sold because of people picking one up after they've seen me using it.

I've got a great, high quality Starrett but it's too high-end and feels like it should be in its case and not sitting in a pocket. With this one, I can toss it in my pocket and head out to a pick-n-pull and not worry if it's dropped.

 

[GSMotorrad]

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.

Anymore information on these? I have this orange one, looks like it's made of cheap plastic, found it at my mom's house the other day. It's from almost thirty years ago, and it still works perfectly. It sounds like it's got a lot of teeth too, tiny ones. It's a transparent orange ball, and it brought back a lot of memories. It might be one of the very first tools I ever bought myself. I think I bought it from K-Mart in like 1986 or so.