Cygnus A Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 What are some things you have around you shop you find yourself always using for $50 or less? For me it is the 4" Lee Valley Precision Double Square. 12 inch squares are always more clumsy to use on smaller precision type work, or even on the edge of plywood. I am looking for things I didn't know I needed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 Dollar store steel ruler for about $1-2. Much easier than a tape measure for smaller stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 Well.... Tools under $50? Is drill bits, a tape, a square, center finder, router bits and shop supplies considered tools? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cygnus A Posted October 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 18 minutes ago, mat60 said: Well.... Tools under $50? Is drill bits, a tape, a square, center finder, router bits and shop supplies considered tools? Of course. Anything you find useful or something odd that others might be interested in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmotjr Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 Combo Square Digital Calipers Marking gauge Glue Bots Silicone glue brush and tray Daylight balanced bulbs if you don't have LED/fluorescent fixtures Fractional Calculator 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 I have a Wixey cube angle gauge. Never thought I would use it that much , but I use it all the time to check my blade and on my tablesaw, bandsaw and even my drill press. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eric. Posted October 9, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 4" double squares, except I get mine from Epstein. Same as the LV PEC squares...only cheaper. 16' Fat Max tapes, as many as you can afford. Box of 1,000 mechanical pencils . Beater set of chisels for scraping glue. Now that I'm trying to think of more I'm realizing how few tools cost less than $50. This hobby is ridiculous. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 Card scraper & burnishing tool or Veritas device. Rectangular and curved scrapers are handy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatCharlieDude Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 Sharpies and duct tape or are those not considered tools? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 The only thing I can think of that fits the criteria and you may not have is a dial caliper that reads down to the .001." I bought a decent quality one for about $45. I had bought it back when I was a farm equipment mechanic, but found it way more useful for woodworking than for mechanicing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatCharlieDude Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 On a more serious note, I love this drill. I wanted a lightweight drill/screwdriver and since I'm cheap I bought something inexpensive. I thought that if it got me through my current project then it was worth it's cheap price. 3 years later I'm still abusing this drill. It's listed as a screwdriver but I've used it as a drill for all sorts of projects including building a new fence. It has done well and I would say worth several times its purchase price. It's worked better than other name brand lightweight drills I've owned. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008CCE7H0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatCharlieDude Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 3 hours ago, Art said: Dollar store steel ruler for about $1-2. Much easier than a tape measure for smaller stuff. I love the ones with cork on one side, it stays in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmotjr Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 Oh, I recently required a 1-2-3 block. Very useful for setups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck Nall Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 On 10/9/2017 at 2:44 PM, Cygnus A said: What are some things you have around you shop you find yourself always using for $50 or less? For me it is the 4" Lee Valley Precision Double Square. 12 inch squares are always more clumsy to use on smaller precision type work, or even on the edge of plywood. I am looking for things I didn't know I needed. Bar clamps, lots of'm, never have enuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 2 minutes ago, Buck Nall said: Bar clamps, lots of'm, never have enuff. Buck Nall? That's unusual. What's the origin? And welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted October 14, 2017 Report Share Posted October 14, 2017 Countersink sets, Plug cutter sets, Allen wrench T handle set, Magnetic and bits Brad points.. etc......................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted October 14, 2017 Report Share Posted October 14, 2017 My $36 japanese pull saw has become super useful to me. Each of my chisels were about $12. I can't function without mineral spirits. Plus those squares and things from Harry Epstein like Eric said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted October 15, 2017 Report Share Posted October 15, 2017 I recently bought a glue bot - fantastic shop aid for 10 bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted October 15, 2017 Report Share Posted October 15, 2017 That reminds me I need a new glue bot. The tip of mine fell off yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted October 15, 2017 Report Share Posted October 15, 2017 4 hours ago, mat60 said: That reminds me I need a new glue bot. The tip of mine fell off yesterday. You can get replacement tip sets - save a few bucks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck Nall Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 On 10/11/2017 at 10:23 PM, Buck Nall said: Bar clamps, lots of'm, never have enuff. Gallon of glue & a squeez bottle of Mustard(squeeze the mustard out, wrenst it good, fill it with THAT glue.. Several different grits of SANDPAPER. Quart er two of Poly, couple brushes to go/use it with. Good Claw Hammer. I'm goin bak to tha wagon folks these shoes are killin me. GOOD LUCK, Cya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck Nall Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 On 10/15/2017 at 10:41 PM, Buck Nall said: Gallon of glue & a squeez bottle of Mustard(squeeze the mustard out, wrenst it good, fill it with THAT glue.. Several different grits of SANDPAPER. Quart er two of Poly, couple brushes to go/use it with. Good Claw Hammer. I'm goin bak to tha wagon folks these shoes are killin me. GOOD LUCK, Cya One of those little giz-mos you pass over wood to see if there is any metal hiding in there . HAND CLAMPS, vice grip type plyers w./flat area for gripping wood. Ear protection. BELIEVE i'M DONE now, Cya.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 If you put in the leg work, you can find antique Stanley hand planes, often for under $20. Some require little more than sharpening to be very functional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 9 hours ago, Isaac said: If you put in the leg work, you can find antique Stanley hand planes, often for under $20. Some require little more than sharpening to be very functional. Ive gotten alot of use out of a couple Craftsman planes from the 40's. One was given to me, one I picked up at a pawn shop for $25. All I did was clean them up and sharpen the blade. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 11 hours ago, woodbutcher said: Ive gotten alot of use out of a couple Craftsman planes from the 40's. One was given to me, one I picked up at a pawn shop for $25. All I did was clean them up and sharpen the blade. I've had similar success. I'm sure it awesome pulling a brand new lie Nielsen out of the box and having it slicer transparent shavings, but if you put in the time even pretty cheap planes can perform. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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