What are some must have items that cost less than $100 but will last you a lifetime?

[g5000]

Hand tools are way too generic.

Certain hand tools will. Others will not.
Stanley hand tools? Not likely to last a month. Craftsman? Maybe a month but not two. Wiha? Yep....a good 6 months with heavy use. Same with Klein. Channel lock brand will last too.
But they all wear out. Phillip head screwdrivers wear, slotted do as well BUT you can regrind the point and get a bit more use. The slots and handles on pliars wear out....same with side cutters and wire strippers.

Although....I got a pair of Stake-On crimpers....black and orange handles that were my grandfather's. Great for doing control cabinets that are better and easier to use than brand new Klein. I had to remove the rust and clean them up A LOT. But are still clipping ty-wraps and crimping well.

DeWalt's good, but more than $100.

 

[g5000]

The list is long depending on the person but I'm thinking.

Jumper cables
Hand tools
Leatherman
A quality pocket knife
Cast iron skillet

Since we are talking less than $100, I will exclude a generator. However, a propane space heater is a must have for cold climates which experience the occasional power outages.

I have a few Big Buddy space heaters. While they are technically over $100, I use the camelcamelcamel Chrome extension to let me know when the price is below $100 on Amazon. I think I got them for $85 apiece.


camelcamelcamel, aka The Camelizer, is a must have!

 

[JGalt]

The list is long depending on the person but I'm thinking.

Jumper cables
Hand tools
Leatherman
A quality pocket knife
Cast iron skillet

A very sharp 1/4" Stanley wood chisel I was using to make a powder horn back in 1977, when it slipped and went a half inch deep into my funny bone on my right knee. It didn't bleed at all but I had to go lay down to keep from passing out from the pain.

No idea how I've kept that stupid thing for so long, but it's out here in the garage.

 

[toobfreak]

A very sharp 1/4" Stanley wood chisel I was using to make a powder horn back in 1977, when it slipped and went a half inch deep into my funny bone on my right knee. It didn't bleed at all but I had to go lay down to keep from passing out from the pain. No idea how I've kept that stupid thing for so long, but it's out here in the garage.

One set of tools I'm rather proud of (other than my complete set of american made Klein insulated electricians tools good for working on live circuits up to 1000 volts)

are a pair of cutters my father had as a motor winder given him right after WWII, also made by Klein. They are still good and sharp and work well to this day.

 

[JGalt]

One set of tools I'm rather proud of (other than my complete set of american made Klein insulated electricians tools good for working on live circuits up to 1000 volts)

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are a pair of cutters my father had as a motor winder given him right after WWII, also made by Klein. They are still good and sharp and work well to this day.

View attachment 1030331View attachment 1030332

Nice tools! Those on the top will keep you from getting the shit shocked out of you, not so much the ones on the bottom. Guess they hadn't invented insulation back then.

 

[toobfreak]

Nice tools! Those on the top will keep you from getting the shit shocked out of you, not so much the ones on the bottom. Guess they hadn't invented insulation back then.

Live circuit or not, the Klein are the best electrical tools I've ever used. The Phillips head drivers have a special shape and process done to them, I forget what they call it--- you know how Phillips head drivers tend to ride up and chew up the screw slot unless you push down very hard? Whatever Klein does, these things lock into the + slot and grip it like they are welded to the head and almost never jump out and you can apply tremendous torque without ruining the head.

Sometimes you just have no choice to, or it is just a great advantage, to be able to work on stuff while power is still energized.