The Gimmick Tool Thread

[69f100]

The Bionic wrench, cool idea, but seems pretty big and useless

actually they dont work to bad, only problem ive had is that theyre pretty skinny, easily bust a knuckle.

 

[Coach James]

Grip-Tite damaged bolt sockets. These things are POS. Before I knew better I bought a set ($60) to remove a damage head bolt. I looked inside and saw plastic, not a good sign. I shattered 2 of them and returned the set to Sears (refunded my money). I then went to harbor freight and bought their $20 damaged bolt set and voila, worked like a charm.

http://www.bt-andf.com/index.php

But if the Hipster on Two Guys Garage recommends it, it must be good!

Coach

 

[beelsr]

The skewdriver is a right-angled screwdriver. In HD & L's, they sell a right-angled driver for $25. Stick that in your ratchet handle and you have a skewdriver.

Neither skewdriver nor the $25 aforementioned adapter can handle much torque. Yet another mom purchase that ended up in the recycled metal bin....

That looks like it should be posted in the WTF thread. Seriously, WTF is that thing?

 

[beelsr]

We should rename this thread to the "Tools my mom bought me that are fairly useless".

The bionic wrench is another "hey look what i found at costco, you should like it" tool. I think these were a birthday present one year. The best part of mine isn't the wrench, it was the bit driver with integrated handle and multi-angle bit holder. Came with 2 or 3 varying length extensions and a way strong magnet for its size.

The wrench hasn't been used in years but the driver sits in the chainsaw servicing toolbox and goes out into the woods with me....

actually they dont work to bad, only problem ive had is that theyre pretty skinny, easily bust a knuckle.

 

[hoopty388]

The skew driver

I have the knock off version and have only used it a handful of times.

I actually have wanted one of these for a while. I just never remember to put them on my want list. they are great for changing dash speakers by the windsheild.

 

[Mickey O]

The skew driver

I have the knock off version and have only used it a handful of times.

I love the SkewDriver, I used to use it quite frequently, I've had it for a long, long time. I kid you not, just last week I picked up some funky screwdriver made by the same company for a $1 just for the plastic piece on the top, I broke mine years ago and it always bugged me. Just put the new top on it a few days ago so it was sitting on top of my toolbox, the original SkewDriver:

 

[Thumper]

"Shelton Sockettool", approximate name. Little ratchety screwdriver with a bunch of extremely dodgy bits and sockets, available for several decades. Zillions sold through gift catalogs, no garage sale tool table is complete without a few bits from one of these sets rolling around in a coffee can. Not a terrible design, but too badly made for any real use. Marketed relentlessly to non-tool using primates who could be persuaded that it would be good to have around for "emergencies".

Geeze......I remember those ! They were "cheesy". I think I may even have one of those damn things in my storage building.

 

[woody 73]

THAT THING IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

I want one! not to use of course but it would look great in my "vintage" case.

my 2 cents:

I too think the dogbone is a great oil change wrench but otherwise useless. but I still wouldn't sell mine, because it is that GREAT for oil. oh and they were great when I skateboarded. I know I wasn't the only one!!! I had the dogbone and folding screwdriver in my pocket even when I wasn't on the board


my nomination for crappy, useless, gimmicky, **** is: the battery powered tape measure.

I remember black and decker made this about 5 years ago. man what a stupid idea. first off: if someone is too lazy to pull out a tape measure, are they possibly going to pull up the energy to build anything? second: they say these are good for long reach, as a roofer I think " hey go check this out!" but who wants to pack around a 5 lb tape measure that sticks out like 3" inches from my belt?


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517WN6W1RFL._AA300_.jpg

I have been looking for that pliers now going on ten years,yes it would look very cool on my wall!!!

 

[jeepnut24]

The craftsman robogrip pliers

This X1000.... Worst tool I have.

 

[srmofo]

I just recieved one of these for my birthday last week. I figured I would charge it up and see how she works before returning it. I havent driven any nails with it yet, but it packs a pretty hard hit similar to an air hammer but at a 90' angle. After seeing the price I may return it for some Hansen socket organizers that are on sale.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911818000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=

 

[jkeyser14]

Here is one I think is a failure. the Craftsman open end ratchet wrench. Snap-On came out with the concept back in the 70's and it was a huge flop then. If you arn't dead on your knuckles will pay the price. BTW the Craftman versions are built in China.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921936000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=#reviewsWrap

I bought those for a very specific reason. I needed something ratcheting for adjusting leveling feet on some of my machinery. Works great in that case. Otherwise I'd agree that they are junk.

 

[ravenzfusion]

How about these rechargeable lighted wrenches!

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/81281.asp?PID=4328635&cm_ven=CJ&cm_ite=Hammacher+Schlemmer&cm_pla=4328635&cm_cat=1329725&source=cj&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=CPA&utm_campaign=CJ

 

[mshell56118]

How about these rechargeable lighted wrenches!



http://www.hammacher.com/publish/81...urce=Affiliate&utm_medium=CPA&utm_campaign=CJ

Heck at $100 off those should be posted in the hot deals section



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Tyberius]

Heck at $100 off those should be posted in the hot deals section

If the electrics are serviceable, that might not be a bad gimmick. There are many times I've had to feel around for a nut or bolt from underneath a grease covered engine with the sunlight blinding me so I can't see, or my halogen worklight throwing shadows everywhere or wearing my teeth down with a maglight.

 

[anti-everything1990]

I worked construction for a while and my boss used that gator grip socket for EVERYTHING. I heard they work pretty good on chewed up nuts and bolts to but I have no first hand experience. Im gonna go out on a limb here and say that its actually a great tool.

 

[quattroJoe]

I'll vote ANY hand tool with an LED... main culprits being Kobalt and Craftsman. I've seen ratchets, extensions, screwdrivers, pliers, and surely more that I'm forgetting.

 

[quattroJoe]

Oh and best gimmick tool that's actually useful, pass through sockets. Not replacing normal sockets any time soon, but useful in their own right.

 

[Tyberius]

If the electrics are serviceable, that might not be a bad gimmick. There are many times I've had to feel around for a nut or bolt from underneath a grease covered engine with the sunlight blinding me so I can't see, or my halogen worklight throwing shadows everywhere or wearing my teeth down with a maglight.

Well, I went and did it.

Review here.