I have another one of those general discussion topics. What is/are your favorite tool(s) and/or the best purchase you made on a tool? In my case, the two that fall in the first category have to be tools that I didn’t even have to pay for. (My Dad got them for me. [Harbor Freight. He orders at times and has asked if I wanted anything.]) One is a digital caliper. (Very handy for measuring small parts and small holes.) The other is a fairly recent new tool: a handy hands with magifier. I haven’t used the magnifier yet but currently I am using it for holding my grain hoppers while the decals I am putting on them dry. (Thirty different decals pieces. I need to learn not to design such a complex scheme.)
The best investment tool has got to be my Dremel. I got it many years ago from a local shop that had changed owners and they were cleaning out the back room and putting many things on clearance. I got a new 2-speed corded Dremel kit (case, bits and other parts) for $20! Dad has even borrowed it a few times for work on the ranch.
I like my Stylus Dremel I got at Target for $15, they had two and later regreted not buying the other for a backup (battery will die someday). Then picked up a replacement at Osh for $8. But the tool that I use that most don’t seem to have is i micro square made out of metal.
The Harbor Freight & Tool digital caliper with the ability to display metric, standard digital and standard fractional is pretty amazing, especially if I’m looking for the next fractional size up or down.
A good cordless drill is definitely up there.
I got a rotary tool (Dremel brand type) from HF&T. It’s a multi speed and a great bargain. However using it freehand can be a challenge.
What I found was a Dremel brand workstation (#220-01) that converts the rotary tool to a small drill press. The HF&T rotary tool fits perfectly.
Yes I could have bought a small drill press for the same price but I didn’t need to take up more precious bench space for a single purpose tool.
The workstation can be broken down into a relatively small package for storage and I still get full use of the rotary tool.