QOTD: Which tools and supplies are worth "cheaping out" on?

"No, I don't thank you for the fish at all" (notindetroit) 11/30/2013 at 11:36 • Filed to: QOTD, Question of the Day, Black Friday, Harbor Freight Tools

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Black Friday is associated with electronic swag nowadays, and Jalops are no exception as gizmos like the full array of Garmins and other accessories flew out the stores. But of course, the literal basic tools that go into a ride are no exception to Black Friday deals either. Steven Lang of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! waxes nostalgia about some previous automotive Black Friday deals and what's good and what's utter garbage. And Mike Spinelli has !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! So I ask, when you're in a money pinch what's worth absolutely cheaping out on? The Valvoline mentioned in the article is of course quality stuff, but I'd be afraid of buying a no-name brand of something I'm supposed to put in my engine. Mr. Lang disagrees, but I for one have actually had some pretty decent experience with some ultra-cheap wrench sets - of course, I don't use them every day either.

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TheBaron2112 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 11/30/2013 at 11:39

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Answer: anything that won't kill you.

Wrenches, sockets, etc. Perfectly fine. Jack stands? Hoists? Lifts? No. Absolutely not.

Decay buys too many beaters > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 11/30/2013 at 11:40

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If it has moving parts I try to get decent stuff, everything else in my toolbox is harbor freight or craftsmen.

anonsagainstanonymous > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 11/30/2013 at 11:40

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Hard to think of any that are worth cheaping out on.

Screwdriver bits. I lose them long before they break. Not the cheapest of the cheap, of course, but I don't see the value of getting the best of the best of them.

anonsagainstanonymous > anonsagainstanonymous 11/30/2013 at 11:43

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I guess cheap wrenches can be handy for when you need to bend and modify them to get to certain bolts. But they're also one of the tools that can stay with you for decades if they're good quality.

Sn210 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 11/30/2013 at 11:49

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Anything basic I get from Harbor Freight. I like their LED flashlights that you can get for free. I also go an 11 drawer tool box from them for like $150.

EL_ULY > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 11/30/2013 at 11:54

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Plastic interior trim tools
Organizers
Mirrors
Random hand tools
Grease gun
Clamps
Hammers
Zip ties
Razors
Bungee cord set
Shrink hose
Bulk rubber hose
Battery jumper
Rosin core
Test light
Hose clamp set
O-ring set
Shop rags
Magnetic trays
Measuring tape
Grease bearing packer
Roll around cart
Dude a bunch of little random stuff. Though, sockets, wrenches, tap and die set, breaker bars, specific measuring tools, things that could kill you if they fail, and airtools and NOT recommended to cheap out on. Im sure you'll be able to decide on what littke random things are ok.

Sn210 > EL_ULY 11/30/2013 at 11:59

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I'm pretty sure this list is an exact inventory of things I own from HF. I've got one of those magnetic small parts bowls, its awesome!

LappingLuke > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 11/30/2013 at 12:09

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Any tool you just need today

EL_ULY > Sn210 11/30/2013 at 12:33

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I got 4 of those to put on each leg of the lift to hold the lugs during rotations :]

Destructive Tester > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 11/30/2013 at 13:18

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Personally, I like the "better" line of Pittsburgh Tools from HF. I've had an assortment that I've used regularly for a while with no problems. Also I work in a calibration lab so I can check my torque wrenches, calipers, and multimeters periodically so I don't bother spending more than I have to for them.

shop-teacher > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 11/30/2013 at 22:00

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Stuff you use infrequently, that won't maime/kill you if it fails, and will get the job done just as well as the expensive stuff. For example, I've got a Harbor Freight 3 jaw gear puller. So far I've only used it once, it worked just fine, and who knows when I'll use it next.

I know a guy who's hand was crippled by a cheap impact socket shattering, those are definitely worth buying the good stuff.

shop-teacher > EL_ULY 12/01/2013 at 09:00

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I agree with your list, except for 1 item, bungee cords. I had a few cheapo bungee cords break on me a couple years ago. Scared the crap out of me, but luckily those flying metal hooks didn't hit me. Turns out, you can still get bungees from Home Depot that are made in the USA. A few bucks more, but after a few near misses, worth every penny.

EL_ULY > shop-teacher 12/01/2013 at 11:54

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lol that's true. As long at they are just for holding holding little interior trim or fender liners, light items mainly :] There is still a bunch of stuff that I didn't add to the list once I got to my box yesterday. Im sure this dude will know once he is there what to get.