The best twenty bucks you’ve ever spent?
CaseyF
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
I know this doesn’t count as a tool, but I bought three hooded, zip up sweatshirts for three bucks apiece about three years ago. I wear them almost every day I’m working, if only on the way to work.
I was thinking the other day as I was putting one one that it was probably the best three bucks I had ever spent. It got me to thinking what other “tools” had that much bang for the buck. Honestly, my first cordless drill, a PC 19.2 is probably right up there, but I was kind of thinking of smaller tools, or accessories.
Anyone have any purchase that has just really paid for itself time and time again? Particurally something under twenty bucks.
Peace,
Casey
Replies
Brother and I paid $20 for a 1953 Chevy in 1962 that had a bad tranny.
Started us on the road to be able to fix any car we have ever owned ourselves - even today yet.
My wife's simple wedding ring only cost $11 in 1964, still together so must have been a good deal.
1942 British Navy Pocket Knife. This knife has a blade, an Awl, and a can opener. Tough as nails. It is a antique collectable but I use everyday a keep it in my coat pocket. It's 65 years old and it will last me another 65 years. I paid $15.00 for it on Ebay. I think I paid another $8.00 to have it shipped from Britain. It is the handiest damb tool I have ever purchased (and I've purchased alot).
I highly recommend it
Dave
Like this one?
View ImageI wish I had a reason; my flaws are open season
close, mine has a big heavy awl on it.
Dave
Well, I spent about $10 to see Jaco Pastorius and Mike Stern play a show in about 1984. Another $10 on some recreational beverages and smoking materials and you got a deal. The drummer was Kenwood Dennard... he completely killed.
1967 BLOOD, SWEAT, TEARS........$3.00 2 SHOWS 3HRS TOTAL
1968 CHICAGO....................$5.00 1HR 45 MIN
1969 LED ZEPPELIN ..............$4.00 2 1/2 HRS STRAIGHT
1970 3 DOG NIGHT/ P.G.E. .......$6.00 4 HOURS
1971 MOUNTAIN, BLACK SABATH,
HUMBLE PIE.................$8.00 5 HRS
IT DOESNT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT!!!
Everytime I have to move a sheet of ply or mdf, the panel carrier I picked up for about $11 several years ago is my newest best friend.
Mongo
I was going to say something definitely not PC, like "I'd have to say it was the blond in the leather mini-skirt, net stockings and high heels I picked up on Telegragh in Detroit..." But you sort of beat me to it. Besides, mine wasn't exactly a tool for home building--maybe more for home wrecking! Can I say this without gettting in trouble?
Was going to edit this to reply via email only, but found I can't do that (edit to do that). So, if I offended anyone, I am sorry. It was meant to be funny.
Edited 3/3/2007 8:31 pm ET by Danno
I was going to say something along those lines as well but figured some things are just best left to rest. Besides I forgot how much it was.
$20 a little high i think.... this one little girl (she was 2yrs older than me) she liked me alot.... i liked that she liked me.... pretty sure over the course of 5-6 yrs.... i never bought her a coke... another girl told me several years later that girl #1 said i was the best boyfriend she'd ever had... go figure... glad i didn't spoil her :)
p
I've hit so many rummage sales through the years and gotten so many great tools and things for pennies on the dollar that it's hard to pick...Here's a few:36" aluminum Ridgid pipe wrench - $25
Hanson older 41 pc. made in USA tap and die set -never used in great case $20
Greenlee slugbuster 4pc set $13
Magnesium combo 6' stepladder/11 foot extension ladder $20
Super heavy duty not Carhart but similar artic brown coat on clearance a few years back for $20etc., etc. - I get som many bargains that my friends all ask me where to get stuff. The reason I get them is cause I'm looking for them at all times:)JT
B&D all-metal commercial D-handle 1/2" drill - from when they built real tools. That sucker will take you for a ride if you're not careful! $20 at the Marathon Key flea market.
First date with DW.
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
~ Voltaire
My Sheffield razor pocket knife. The one that takes a utility knife blade. I wear it for work. Love that bad boy. I haven't sharpened a knife blade in three years.
My Kobolt version of the foldout boxblade is sturdier and has an aluminum butt with slot thats perfect for opening beer caps.
My shark trim pry bar with the curved flat edge is my favorite for under 20$
20$ spent on Finehomebuilding.com has been the most reference material for the money.
The heavy duty 3 mil trash bags are worth the 15$ they cost can use them for cheap covers and they can handle 50 LBS of shingles no problem.
The expensive caulk guns with the automatic shutoff are definately worth the money.
I am going to order the forearm forklift straps after watching the news guy that debunks products gush over them 20$.
ANDYSZ2
WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
I definitely have to echo the shark pry bar sentiment.
I just looked my knife is the Kobalt LoL. When you said sturdier I thought how the heck can that be? So I had to get up and go look. I think Sheffield was the original one I had.
Think ya used enough dynamite there, Butch?
A few years ago one of my uncles were retiring and was selling off his tools.
1. Hilti .27 caliber Ramset $25
2. Milwaukee Worm Drive $20
3. Heat gun $4
4. Hitachi screw gun $2
5. Router $5
Just a few items I bought for cheap that have easily paid for themselves. When people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
I have a pair of 5 inch Vise Grips I keep in the ruler pocket on my carharts, they have the wire cutting feature.
I have actually turned around went back home to get them.
Either I'm dependent, or there just that handy.
I have actually turned around went back home to get them.
You have my support on that one--never go into battle without your weapons.
A 4" starret machinist square. I love it. Comes in handy . I use it in about everything I build
View Image "We fight not to enslave ,but to set free"
Thomas Paine
Funny thing ...I've had a "best $20" list in my mind for years. It is made up of things that I use all the time, and can't figure out how I went so long without them. They're also things that never seem to make "essential stuff" lists. First on the list was a 2-wheel hand cart (or truck). Full size, with big, fat pneumatic tires.
A mini tool pouch, made by Bucket Boss. It slips into your rear pocket, and holds the few small tools you always seem to need.
A mini-mag flashlight.
A Klein 10-N-1 screwdriver.
A small (5") pair of Channellocks.
As others have mentioned, a folding knife that uses box-cutter blades.
A pocket notebook holder. It holds a 4x6" spiral pad, covers the pesky 'spiral' part, and two pens. Other things followed. Some might not be used every day, but are a real boon when you use them.
A Harbor Freight angle grinder.
A Harbor Freight version of the Rotozip.
A rolling trash can.
A brass window scraper.
A map
I just flipped mine over ad looked, it is a Husky Brand, Blue. Great knife for sure.
Leatherman Micra
View Image
Pulled alot of splinters, cut small gauge wires, cut toys out of packages, small knife blade is good for digging out splinters, ......good tool for $20.
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
I meant tools or accessories, not accessories for your tool.
Peace,
Casey
i bought a "japenese saw"the type with the thin ,wide blade that you pull to cut.22.00 and it has got me outa more spots than i can count.
speed square 9.00 can't live without one
set of very fine ,sharp pointed tweezers to get those splinters out.20.00
eye wash bottle,6.00 works so well my eye doctor had to sell his mercedes because i wasn't coming in so often,drives a chevy now.......
years ago bought a david white transit at a garage sale ,had no clue how to use it,but learned.20.00 everytime i get it out it almost cost me a divorce with wife cause she won't hold the stick straight.
larryhand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
Lunch for someone in the BI office once a month. It is a write off since we talk about building. Those little "favors" have help me get all kind of things done quickly at city hall that I would not have happened otherwise.
Is it legal for them to accept that?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
A guy's gotta eat. It's just two friends having lunch, wink wink nod nod. No really, probably not but I really do talk to them about ongoing codes issues, building techniques and job screw-ups and accidents. They have lunch all the time with contractors and are a great resource for info on what is going on around town. Lunch is normally at the local pizza joint or cafe, nothing too expensive. It is not like I am bribing them. I really don't think anybody bribes the building department people in this town but lunch is a common practice.In return they are nice to me, a little good blood goes a long way, if there is a problem they call me before a complaint memo is written and put in the file. My jobs don't get tagged, I am just told to fix it and most often how to fix it to their liking. I really do everything I can to stay honest both in my dealings and in my building practices. At city hall the plan review people know that they don't have to go over my paperwork as hard and that speeds things up and the historical review people know that I am there to restore houses and not make Mcmansions. My paperwork move rather quickly through a sometime slow process because they all trust me because they all know me and my work personally.Day
I know about good relationships. I used to sub from a contractor who played poker once a week with the local building inspector and one of the county commisioners.
he got a lot of county work
;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Hands down, best money I spent for under twenty was my catspaw. It's been over-utilized and underappreciated, so here's the time. I bought it probably 5 years ago at HD (Vaughn) for $11, I think. I can't imagine working without it. Speedsquare is also great.
My first 2 vehicles bought for a total of $0.50. Combined selling price=$1050.
I'm sure there must be much more too.
Seconds on the cats paw. I keep two in my box, one medium and one small! Take them to the grinder every now and then to grind off that burr so a chunk of metal doesn't go flying up in my face. (yes I wear safety glasses)
Otherwise my favorite acutal 20 bucks spent are two bessy f-clamps. they will hold anything down,, solidly. they get used framing and in the shop. Every time I pick them up, I tell anyone who's listening - "the best twenty bucks I ever spent!"
d
Its a horse thing!
Auctions and army surplus stores have been great:
-- pair of army boots bought in the mid 1980's that lasted for 15+ years ($10)
-- old flatbed file cabinet now used for tool storage ($5)
-- old electric scroll saw at an auction ($20)
-- 3'x3'x4' pile of 1x4 cedar fence planks (same auction as saw, $5)
Bunch of us kids piled in the truck and went down the road to La Grange and visited the "Chicken Ranch."
Wednesday special....$5.
"Yew little'uns come back naow."
I was in a mall with my son back when I had that kind of time and this guy was promoting these fleece hoods, 25$ - not a bargain price, it seemed high to me but he seemed genuine about it.
It was everything he said and more. It has made unbearable days bearable and bearable days comfortable. I think it has a lot less fuzz now but it's the best 25$ I've invested in outdoor comfort.
I'd have to say my nail nippers - I ground the jaws thin so I can grab a tiny bit of nail - super handy; always in my pouch.
Forrest