Low tech graft

Hi All - little help?

I'm looking for some ideas for inexpensive, yet useful, give away goodies for industrial maintenance people and their supervisors. I'm doing a lot of training now and we have some of the usual company swag, but I want something better.

So, under $10, useful, not crap and leaning towards a reliability angle.

Thanks in advance

Pencils are pretty reliable, and people always need to write things.

LED flashlights?

Thumb drives. Multitools.

http://www.safetyawardstore.com/tools/misc_tools.html

Miniature square

I have a mini Multi-tool that attaches to a keychain, I find it very useful.

Like these:

http://www.wholesalekeychain.com/multi-tool-keychains.html

The one I have is like this:

Thumb drive is a really good idea - especially with some useful files on it.

Matt - I was also thinking a small flashlight too, but most LED lights aren't C1D2 so it would have to be a small UK or Pelican penlight. Which is great.

ThePhranc wrote: Thumb drives.

Wrong, many companies are finally waking up to the risks involved in accepting outside hardware, viruses, monitoring software, etc, can be setup on a USB key and many companies (at least in the tech world) warn employees off about this and for some companies it is now a terminable offense to use non-company approved things like this on company assets...

MadScientistMatt wrote: LED flashlights?

I recently got one that was handed out at a conference and they are really handy.

Gerber makes a nice belt clip 2" pocket knife with a serrated blade Walmart used to sell for $9 like this one:

Raze wrote: Wrong, many companies are finally waking up to the risks involved in accepting outside hardware, viruses, monitoring software, etc, can be setup on a USB key and many companies (at least in the tech world) warn employees off about this and for some companies it is now a terminable offense to use non-company approved things like this on company assets...

Very good point - never even thought...

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Gerber makes a nice belt clip 2" pocket knife with a serrated blade Walmart used to sell for $9 like this one:

I like that too, but if I'm with the right (aka wrong) TSR, they might just shank him. Then I'd have to find a ride home.

akamcfly wrote: Thumb drive is a really good idea - especially with some useful files on it.

You said industrial maintenance. I am an industrial maintenance guy and I am the only technically savvy one I have ever met. Most of the old timers (not an line of work young people go into) regard any technology more advanced than a pound of 6011 welding rod with suspicion and metric fasteners are considered the end of the world.

Some sort of pocket multi-tool, sheet metal gauge or bolt gauge would be good. Flashlights and those folding razor knives are popular things to receive (I am still a Stanley 99E guy though)

Toolbox organizers, socket rails and stuff with a logo on them would be awesome. Magnetic parts trays with a simple screen print or ooh! Kneeling pads!!!! Those would be kickass.

Magnetic dish/bowl with company logo (sticker).

I like the magnetic tray. The problem with multitools and folding knives; they are great stuff and I'd love to get them myself but if your people fly in and out, TSA is not going to like them very much.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Gerber makes a nice belt clip 2" pocket knife with a serrated blade Walmart used to sell for $9 like this one:

I love the Paraframe, it's one of my favorites.

A letter opener with company advertisement on one side and a magnet on the other side. Plastic with a razor encased. sort of a safety cutter. Can't find a picture. Got one as swag at a conference a few years ago and use it all the time. Looking for another one but no one seems to give those away, just LED flashlights, bottle openers, coozies, t-shirts and hats.

mndsm wrote: Pencils are pretty reliable, and people always need to write things.

One step further...
5 or 7mm mechanical pencils?

rmarkc wrote:

mndsm wrote: Pencils are pretty reliable, and people always need to write things.

One step further... 5 or 7mm mechanical pencils?

Agreed, a machined aluminum mechanical pencil is a really nice gift.

For a while our O'Rielly rep was giving out magnetic tool holders with the company logo.  I got about 5 of them, a couple stuck to the toolbox lid, the rest on the front of a metal shelf.

10mm sockets.  6 point.