Basic Tools

[iaaems]

A few years ago I rescued some wire coathangers that were being dumped. I cut off the non straight bits - the hook - and straightened out the simple bits. Ended up with a good selection of usable gauge wire. Cost nothing except a little time and the wire has proved to be useful time and time again.
Similar source was some domestic copper pipe as used on small bore central heating. Have slowly added a few solder fittings to my kit over the years - again you can find uses for these things outside of their original use plus they come in handy for moving radiators and installing taps!!?