Under $50.00

[Ed62]

I thought about posting this in the tools forum, but this might be better because it's not necessarily about tools.

What tools, accessories, or items do you have that cost less than $50.00, and you feel you got the best bang for the buck? In other words, something you use all the time.

Ed

[crokett]

My squares, pencil, any of my measuring devices, cordless drill, hammer, framing nailer There are probably more.

[leehljp]

1. HF Multi-Master:
I don't have it and instead have the expensive original - but the HF version of the multi-master if it is half as good as the Fein - is a tool that is without equal in how well it does what it does.

2. LeeValley Veritas Sliding Square. (Now $36.50 was less than $15 when I bought it) My most used measuring tool in flat work. Been using it for years! Will not start a project if until I can find it!
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,42936,42945

3. HF Centec 6 inch digital calipers @ $19.95 or less.

4. Cabinet maker's Rule + the Rule stop - I actually use this more than the Sliding square above:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,43513,43519
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...25&cat=1,43513 For me - this is VERY handy.

I would add "Impact driver" but none of my cordless items are anywhere near under $50.00.

HF

[dbhost]

Hmmm. That's a toughie...

HF Fast Action Woodworking vise (Was around $35.00 after a sale and 20% coupon).

39 bin small parts bins.

T8 twin tube light fixtures.

Ryobi BGH6161 6" bench grinder on Black Friday sale. No jigs yet, just a very steady hand and a light touch and it is keeping my lathe tools nice and sharp...

HF Bar clamps.

Freud 40T General Purpose thin kerf TS blade.

Freud 60T Crosscut thin kerf TS blade.

Oshlun 6" Dado stack on sale at Rockler.

Ridgid 12 gallon wet / dry vac ($39.00 sale price).

I have a lot more items I got for under $50.00, the above are my favorites...

My least favorite under $50.00 items?

HF corner clamps.

Craftsman Professional Universal Band Saw Fence.

Wilton 9" woodworking vise from Home Depot.

HF Hole Saw Set.

Porter Cable 10pc (I think it is a 10 PC) Forstner bit set... They drill nice and true, but for what I paid for the set, I would think they could stay sharp longer...

[Wood_workur]

Ryobi router bits - 8 piece set, but for the price its actually pretty darn good.

Brass blocks- I can't think of the exact name, but they use them all the time on the router workshop. Anyways I use them all the time and they are a lot more convient than trying to get a rule in there to measure.

[pierhogunn]

my 12" orange plastic speed square...

[jackellis]

Block and rabbet planes. I've been pleasantly surprised by how handy they can be.

[docrowan]

The scroll saw my brother gave me. Sorry, doesn't really fit in with the thread since it can't be purchased at this price normally, but I thought it would be useless for the kind of work I do, but I've used it a number of times for some very unexpected things.

Ok, really on the thread - the HF 5 speed drill press. The little one you can catch on sale for about $40.00. If you don't have a drill press at all this thing is super handy. I've used the fire out of it for all kinds of things. Looking to upgrade now just for a little bit more capacity but it runs quiet, smooth, and has never bogged down on me.

[gsmittle]

12" orange plastic speed square (is there an echo in here?)
6" aluminum speed square
4" Rockler double sliding square
Glu-Bot glue bottles
Red Devil steel scraper
pencils, Sharpies, chalk, etc.
Center-finding rule (Free!)
Drywall screws (for jigs & shop stuff)
Bullet level

too much other stuff to mention, let alone remember…

g.

[LarryG]

Well, I have lots of useful stuff that cost under $50, including many items I reach for all the time and would not want to be without; but my top five truly indispensible items would be (in approximate order of usage):

Starrett 6" 4R rule ($20)
Veritas saddle square ($11)
tail vise screw used to build my leg vise ($39)
Vaughan 10oz rip hammer (~$18)
various card scrapers ($8-12 ea)

Honorable mention to my 6" Starrett double square, easily my most-used tool, but at a cost of $56 it just misses the cut.

[dbhost]

Got a few additions to my list of best under $50.00

-Estwing hammers. Patticularly my 16oz claw hammer.
-Stanley 10pc screwdriver set w/12 ft tape. Lost the tape, really like the screwdrivers.
-Stanley 5pc chisel set. Works great for me. But what do I know?
-Stanley 20" hand saw.
-Ryobi Quarter Sheet Sander
-Skil Orbital Sander
-Ace Hardware torpedo level, and 36" level
-Big Horn 8 inch 3pc caliper set.
-Mibro 5 piece countersink set.
-Neiko Pro-Quality 6" Digital Caliper Stainless Steel LCD - Extra Large LCD Display ($14.95, that's cheaper than the HF one!)
-3M 7503 respirator face piece / vapor cartridges.
-Particulate filters and cartridge adapters for 3M 6200 series.
-Winchester Shooting Muffs (Something like $6.00 at WalMart at end of hunting season closeout. They seem to come back every year though...)

Probably more to come, there are so many lower dollar gems in there it isn't funny...

[LCHIEN]

Send $49.99 to BT3CEntral for a year's support.

Worth every penny.

[dbhost]

Send $49.99 to BT3CEntral for a year's support.

Worth every penny.

Definately agreed...

[Charlie R]

Am I the only one who uses a pocket knife every day?

[pelligrini]

These are some items that I would pay double or more for, easily:

Veritas saddle square (used every shop day)
6" dial caliper (I prefer mechanical, batteries can be a pain)
Glue bottle applicator set link (mostly use the roller)
Pinnacle 36" Woodworking Rule link (I really like the center finding side)
Irwin 6" Quick Grips (very handy)
Groz engineers square set