What are some good, cheap tools?

[Mike Hess]

This is partially inspired by the $20 Christmas Gift thread.

Tell us about some tools that you bought thinking "Eh, for that price, I can pitch it if it doesn't work out" but ended up being impressed with enough to keep and use regularly.

I'll start:

I have a Kobalt (Lowe's house brand) screwdriver gadget that can ratchet in either direction or lock in both directions, has a magnetic bit reciever, and an assortment of bits (standard, phillips, hex, square and star drive) built into the handle. It is kinda gadgety for a hand tool, and I don't know how well the ratchet mechanism would hold up in high-torque applications, but I use it frequently. The ratcheting feature is nice, and I don't have to carry several screwdrivers when I'm working around the house. I liked it enough that I now have 2; one in my tool belt and one in the truck.

I think it was about $7.00

[John Bailey]

Screwdriver (even if I have enough now, seems I'm always losing them.)
Tape Measure (I like the small ones - 12ft, and since I have a hard time finding them, I try to keep many around the shop.)
Clamps
Clamps
More Clamps - I always need more

John

[Dave Lehnert]

This is partially inspired by the $20 Christmas Gift thread.

Tell us about some tools that you bought thinking "Eh, for that price, I can pitch it if it doesn't work out" but ended up being impressed with enough to keep and use regularly.

I'll start:

I have a Kobalt (Lowe's house brand) screwdriver gadget that can ratchet in either direction or lock in both directions, has a magnetic bit reciever, and an assortment of bits (standard, phillips, hex, square and star drive) built into the handle. It is kinda gadgety for a hand tool, and I don't know how well the ratchet mechanism would hold up in high-torque applications, but I use it frequently. The ratcheting feature is nice, and I don't have to carry several screwdrivers when I'm working around the house. I liked it enough that I now have 2; one in my tool belt and one in the truck.

I think it was about $7.00

You must have missed the giveaway Lowe's did a few month ago on that driver. I got one and it does work well.

[Chip Lindley]

I bought a set of 4 Buck wood chisels for $20 in an old neighborhood hardware store years ago. I just wanted something that was NOT Stanley!! These are made of fine steel and I still use them when I must slice a sliver off here and there, or chop a shallow mortise. $20 well invested!!

[Jason White]

There's nothing more expensive than a cheap tool.

That said, the CRAFTSMAN 10" sliding CMS is a decent machine. Less than $200. I bought it as a disposable saw to cut fiber-cement siding for my house. It's actually holding up quite well.

The laser stinks and you have to align the fence when you take it out of the box, though.

Jason

This is partially inspired by the $20 Christmas Gift thread.

Tell us about some tools that you bought thinking "Eh, for that price, I can pitch it if it doesn't work out" but ended up being impressed with enough to keep and use regularly.

I'll start:

I have a Kobalt (Lowe's house brand) screwdriver gadget that can ratchet in either direction or lock in both directions, has a magnetic bit reciever, and an assortment of bits (standard, phillips, hex, square and star drive) built into the handle. It is kinda gadgety for a hand tool, and I don't know how well the ratchet mechanism would hold up in high-torque applications, but I use it frequently. The ratcheting feature is nice, and I don't have to carry several screwdrivers when I'm working around the house. I liked it enough that I now have 2; one in my tool belt and one in the truck.

I think it was about $7.00

[Bob Parker]

a card scraper!

[Larry Fox]

Magnifying glass - I think I gave about $6.00 for it and I use it quite often. In general though, I think the title of the thread represents a contradiction in terms.

[scott spencer]

- I've got a set of 24 router bits from Holbren for $20 that have more than earned their keep.

- Also have a boxed set of 5 wood handled chisels from Northern Tool for $8 shipped that have served me well.

- My Oshlun 40T full kerf blade for $24 is on the impressive side.

[Russ Sears]

Bag of cheapo artists brushes from the hardware store, the kind that your kids would use for watercoloring. I use them for glue, pen finishing, etc.

[Prashun Patel]

$40 trim router from Grizzly. Love it.
6 x 18" F clamps on ebay for $19.00. 4 years and running; haven't had to upgrade to Kbody yet.
Card scraper
Black and Decker 100pc tool kit with cordless driver. I keep one of these @ my parents' home for odd jobs. Surprisingly rugged bits and handtools.

[Ross Ellis]

For hand wrenches Pittsburg (HF) aren't bad. I use a set in my junkyard tool box and they work well...

[Sonny Edmonds]

...one that does the original intent,
but then hangs around for more use.
If I can get more than the original use from a "cheap" tool, it becomes a Good Cheap tool.
When it boogers up something though, you don't feel bad about throwing it far out in a field.

[Ray Schafer]

I bought a $19 japanese pull saw at the BORG and I have used it hundreds of times. It is often quicker than getting my miter saw set up.

[Jesse Cloud]

I have to eat some humble pie, actually found a good cheap tool. I'm usually in the "nothing more expensive than a cheap tool" camp. But I picked up a Lithium-ion driver from Skil - of all companies -the other day and the darned thing is a winner. Lots of power, tiny size, holds a charge and the light shines right on the tool. Less than $20. I'm not going to install any decks with it, but its perfect for those little chores around the house where you need to get into a tight dark space.

And I'll second card scraper. Saves its cost in sandpaper in no time, lasts forever.

[Derek Stevens]

I bought a $19 japanese pull saw at the BORG and I have used it hundreds of times. It is often quicker than getting my miter saw set up.

Good call, as I bought mine there as well, though I took the blades and made maple handles for them, some with strong backs at certain depths to the backer for dove cutting.