Thread: Cheap but indispensable

Don't have one.

Seriously.

Closest thing would be my LV LA block plane, but that's blown the budget. Most everything else is either something I made up, something cheap and doesn't need attention or waaay over budget.

Maybe the next closest thing is the drill powered lathe I got. Turned heaps of stuff with it, and it cost about $10. Yeah, that's it. Stoopid thing got me hooked on turning too didn't it?

Hi GW,
I'll kick it off, being a specialist in bargain shopping!
I bought one of those framing clamps, consisting of 4 pressed steel cornor blocks, a length of spring steel strapping and a wind-in handle. I shouldn't really include it here, as it was broken in the shop, so I got it for $2 or something, brought it home and fixed it...but they are under $30. 5yrs or so later and it still works fine and a really handy device for mitred boxes and frames.
For a genuine new buy I can't choose between the small handled diamond hones, about $15 (ideal for router bits, lathe tools and marking knives) and a set of the cheapest cleanup brushes, 3 to set- nylon, brass and steel bristles- from Silly Sollies for $2. Ideal for cleaning tools, threads, little machine parts and the like. I find myself reaching for them all the time.

Cheers,

1 metre stainless ruler from a bargain store cost about $7-95 bout a year ago or so.
Great as a straight edge as well as a ruler

Clutch pencil.

Magnifying saftey glasses (for us blind bugas)

Magnets.

Large mouth plastic jars with a screw top for storing stuff away from dust but still easy to get at in a hurry. IE torn up pieces of rag for finishing, honing stones etc.

chunks of high density foam to stand on at machines/benches

Forum Cap to keep dust out of hair (if you have hair)

I also scored a 4' steel ruler with a handle on it for $13 at a clearance sale, good value for money.

Thanks, guys.

We're off to a good start.

I should have included my own items! How could I go past my Mujingfang planes? Although two of them cost more than $30, the 11 inch smoother was $10 from Paul's, and the mini high-angle smoother was $24 from CarbaTec. Both have already earned their keep. Nice to use, and boy, do they hold an edge!

Regards from a pokey little town called Sydney,
GW

Desk Lamp - constantly in use at the bench, even in daylight.

The padlock on the door to my shed, to keep my 17yo son out

The big cabinet makers squares from the flea markets, about $10 each, got a few of them in different sizes, biggest is 1 metre.

Originally Posted by Cagey

The padlock on the door to my shed, to keep my 17yo son out

Why do you need to keep him out?

My boys aren't interested in the shed at all, 'cept for the beer in the fridge.

The little Veritas shoulder square: use it all the time.

Cheers!

$20 worth of $2 F clamps from the warehouse occaisonally

1. Everything I pinched from my father; and

2. My little Mujingfang tri square - $24. It just feels good to hold and use.

I suppose the best thing that I have that I use constantly is my storage containers, they are the botttom of 1.25litre coke bottles. I figure this counts as its not a tool + my mujifangs

Oh jeeze.

Ian, yer a bluddy genius.

Why the heck didn't I think of that? We even have rectangular shaped bottles here that might work even better...

Can someone please tell me I am not a 6!@#head? Please???