Tool Review: Hammacher Schlemmer: Light Wrenches

This thread pointed me to the following tool: Hammacher Schlemmer: The Only Rechargeable Illuminating Wrenches

I talked myself into them in the thread, so I thought I'd put my money where my mouth was: $29.95, good for some entertainment I suppose, but if they worked...

I went to the sight and began my purchase. After it was all said and done, with tax and shipping it came to $40.27. Now we're talking real money. But, I figure the batteries and led's would cost that much. And if they worked...

Order was placed on February 5, order received on February 7. Not bad.

Inside the box: Heavy plastic sandwich case riveted together:


I look around and cannot find, at all, a country of origin. The power supply says "Made in China" but no manufacturer.

"Well, there has to be some clue somewhere!"

Off comes the back of the case:


I'm actually reasonably impressed with the electronics; everything's pretty sanitary. I've seen worse.

PCB board is custom for this application:

Here are the wrenches themselves:

Electronics portion in the center and covered LED chase on the sides. I didn't manage to pop this wire chase off. I guess this will affect the strength of the wrench some.




Side view of the wrench. Casting marks splatter. These wrenches are not polished, though the picture on the sales site surely shows a more polished piece




LED




Electronics and the battery: On both sides, there is a rubber gasket between the plastic cover and metal of the wrench.




View of the chase and the interior casting:

Now, plug it in and wait:

Sears will be mad they didn't think of this first.

An emergency flasher setting? Weird...

whyNick? said:

Sears will be mad they didn't think of this first.

An emergency flasher setting? Weird...

Click to expand...

I think they just reused an LED circuit from something like a bicycle light.

I've a few simple lights that have a low, high and flashing setting.

Non-update: Nothing really to work on that required an open ended wrench. Repaired a few drawer fronts this weekend and bought some wood for shelving. The shelves will be bolted together with the cordless though. Otherwise I'd use a socket.