Best cheap tool purchases that punched above their weight, share yours

[TheRock96]

Q: What is the cheapest tool you bought that surprised you with how useful it was?

A: Not asking about premium brands at premium prices. Asking about the finds that cost almost nothing and became essential.

Mine: a set of Japanese pull saws from a budget brand for about fifteen pounds. The cut quality is completely different from Western push saws and for hand cut joinery the results improved immediately. The blade is non-resharpening but at that price point it does not matter

[QuantumFoam]

A cheap digital angle finder. Probably twelve pounds. Instantly became the most used tool in my kit for anything that needs a consistent angle on a chop saw or during installation

[Kev94]

Flush cut oscillating blades for a multi-tool. The ability to cut a door frame flush to a new floor without removing the architrave is one of those capabilities that seems minor until you need it

[Brittle Ronan]

Cheap spring clamps in bulk. Every project needs more clamps than you have and the cheap ones hold glue joints fine even if they are not suitable for serious pressure applications

[SerialScroller]

A Knipex pliers wrench. Not cheap by cheap tool standards but dramatically cheaper than it should be for what it does. Grips without marking, adjusts instantly, has replaced three other tools

[Golden Tara]

Magnetic wristband for screws and small parts. Probably four pounds. Sounds silly and it is transformative when you are up a ladder with both hands occupied

[BigDog92]

A set of precision screwdrivers from a market stall. Handles electronics, glasses, small appliances. Used them more than any other screwdriver I own

[John]

Stubby screwdriver set. The situations where you need a driver but cannot swing a full length handle come up constantly once you notice them

[SharpFox]

A decent LED work light on a magnetic base. Changed how I work in confined spaces and under vehicles. The cheap ones are fine, the key feature is the magnetic base

[SGHolly]

Cheap plastic hole saw guide jig. Keeps hole saws from wandering on the entry cut. Probably worth twenty times its price in saved frustration