4$ LC meter -with 555 may be

[dave_j_fan]

i Have recently tested this L -meter

http://apexys-toan.blogspot.in/2011/02/ne555-based-inductivty-meter.html
It works very nicely in uH range
with some  tweak did 10mH range too

I suppose with constant L we can use this a cap meter
I like as it is vv simple , all ppl have a n xtra 555 and sm spare NPNS
There is an issue , if no coil is there it over shoots ....may damage analogue meter


i came up with a preventer ckt  as in the attachment ..please share your views

[Napalm2002]

Cool I like building stuff

[dave_j_fan]

the preventer is not able to fully zero the meter .. will try volt divider to do that