Help Me Improve These Snap On Tools: A stronger wire stripper jaw lock and a Torch300 magnetic base.

[@marcmckenzie5110]

Years ago I had a colleague who worked with me in his day job, who invented a shop light. He sold it to either Stanley or Sears, and it became wildly popular. Wish I could remember more - I know he eventually made enough to retire early!

[@birddogg3270]

3d print work base that can pop in the torch when using it standing up and removing it when you need to hold it so it’s not in the way.

[@brianhall9019]

Totally agree with you. There looks like there’s enough of a lip on the bottom that you could slide it on from the back of the tool and it would friction fit. You could keep the base about a quarter of an inch thick (plus the needed upper rail system) and print to capture two of those magnets within the bottom.

[@alexdrockhound9497]

For the torch, you could have a U shape wire spring that usually sits up along the length of the handle that would pivot and sit along the front below the torch head sitting on the ground like a foot, and it would snap into place along a grove like a detent. The magnetic base is a good idea too.

[@CapeSIX]

The biggest thing I've never understood was making a torch that can stay on and putting such a wobbly handle that you know people are gonna balance on. If anything, make a torch200 torpedo style and put it on a Magnetic base/clamp w/ Flexible Articulating Arm. Would be more for workbench use.

[@cliffordmaynard6559]

How about a molded piece for it to slip in and out of to be able to use it with.

[@alexdrockhound9497]

I think that locking mechanism just needs a complete redesign from the ground up. It needs the top of the bell to be hollow with a spring inside and a skid plate on the bottom of the bell that pushes against the tool, and be able to adjust the pressure with a set screw on the top of the bell. And the assembly would require going in from the bottom for the spring and skid plate, so the bottom part of that would have to be a screw that screws into place after the bell gets the spring and skid plate installed. Would add a lot of parts and machining but it should work well, and its snapon so as long as it works well the added price should be justified.

[@Snowmannorth]

Velcro that magnet to the torch?

[@Kenny-8327]

That new torch 100 does look very tiny

[@The_Privateer]

Of course the easiest answer for the torch - just glue the magnets to the base of the torch where you had them stuck on.

[@cuongly523]

I really dislike those wire cutters

[@The_Privateer]

For the magnetic base for the torch - learn to 3D print. You can make any light duty (and even some medium duty) part or shape you can imagine. Embed all the magnets, in any position you want. I could see the torch base that you envision, if invented and sold by Snap-On, costing... what... $30 sounds reasonable. 3D print it for pennies. Literally under 25 cents of plastic. You dont have to depend on someone else, or some company that doesn't know or care that you exist to make something that only you and maybe a handful of people would want. Don't want to "learn 3D printing"? C'mon, exercise that brain and neuroplasticity and learn something new!