Thread: Inexpensive tools you can't live w/o

Figured I'd start a thread about this. There are a few inexpensive tools I've picked up along the way that I could no longer live without. Post up the ones you love!

Here are 3 of mine that come to mind.

*note* linked to amazon just for reference and convenience. These may or may not be the best/cheapest/whatever place to get these.

Impact Driver - I used to *HATE* old frozen screws... now I love them! This guy is the bomb:
Impact Driver

Calipers - I have an analogue set. I never knew how much I would end up using these until after I got them. I pull them out just about every time I'm in the garage.
Digital Calipers

Vice grips - I have a set of expensive sockets designed to removing stripped/rounded bolts, but generally I just use these to loosen stripped bolts or studs. Saved my ass countless times.
Vice Grips

Ratcheting wrenches. Got harbor freight ones, but im sure they make better ones.

LED flashlight!

Good thread Crim.

C-Clamp - Get the right size and shape, grind down the end if you have to so it will fit inside a brake caliper and you'll never worry about retracting caliper pistons for your pad replacement jobs ever again. Best universal piston retraction tool I've seen yet. (Don't use on rear caliper pistons that need to be "screwed" in).

3/4" sliding tbar with 36mm socket. Axle nuts can suck my nuts! Never again will I struggle with those bastards.
offset 17mm wrench for the alternator pivot bolt nut

Stihl KombiMotors. Inexpensive is a judgement call.

Bought the KM55R KombiMotor for $189.00.

STIHL KM 55 R KombiMotor - Occasional Use KombiMotor | STIHL USA

Using it with the HT Pole Pruner for $199.00.

KombiMotor Accessories - Interchangeable KombiSystem Attachments | STIHL USA

While $400'ish might not seem "inexpensive" it depends on what you need and the task at hand. If you need to clear 42-acres of fencelines, this thing is a freaking amazing bargain. Cuts down anything in it's path. Small trees, brush, big branches, will make short-easy-work of anything less than 10" or so in diameter. Lightweight, easily manueverable, keeps the blade portion safely about 4-feet from your body. I bought this Kombi-unit, a small chainsaw (MS211), and a honkin', steroided, chainsaw-from-hell (MS441 Magnum). I have not even used my regular Stihl chainsaws yet.

LOVE it.

mines are
-torque wrench
-impact gun (1/2 and 3/8)
- air ratchets (1/4 and 3/4)
- led flash light
- pick set
- gear wrenches
- pocket screw driver
- pry bar set
- good socket set with ratchets

Magnetic wand!!

18" Telescoping Magnet

i agree with ya crim, impact screwdriver helped me big time years ago when i tore down my first nx, and any other cars there after. i was getting my ass beat buy all these rust crews etc, my father walks out of the garage and hands me this old big old ass looking screwdriver, but dayum did it work.

i cant work with out-

gear wrenches
channel locks (plumbing stuff)
nut drivers
compression gauge
craftsman floor jacks

stratton.

My $50 Electtic impact gun. I broke my wrist when I was a kid so it makes things much easier for me. Also my Ideal Screw drivers and Craftsmen deep 1/4 deep socket set.