How Does This Gimmicky Wrench Work?! - Ep. 33 - Disassembly

[@Steebee-ob1ee]

Thanks for the video! I received this years ago as a gift(except mine was Kobalt brand but otherwise exactly identical)and it seemed like a nice tool and a neat idea. Have used it maybe 3 times and now it won’t retract and is stuck expanded. I have the top of it torn apart at the moment and see the pin with the spring is not sitting in the proper hole, thus not allowing the gears to engage. I’ve tried to remove the back side where the larger tension coil is but it looks like the screws are all damaged from the factory, of course. I seriously wish manufacturers would QUIT using these cheap soft metal screws that tear up like that. My damaged screw removal taps aren’t small enough for those tiny screws, so I won’t be getting the back off. I guess I will put it back together. It’s stuck out at about 1”, so it might be able to be used if I needed that size, but I’ll probably use my other “old fashioned” adjustable wrench instead. It’s a shame the kobalt design wasn’t well implemented. I think the issue lies with the quick release button, it isn’t very smooth when it is activated and probably knocked the spring and pin out of place. Since I hate to throw it out, I guess it’ll sit in the tool box being a worthless piece of junk😊

[@happylittletools]

Ouch! I'm sorry to hear that. Kobolt is a lowes brand. Have you looked into your warranty? Maybe since you opened it it is no longer there. But then again, maybe it is! Definitely worth a try. Also possible is if you get the screes out, you can reorder more from McMasterCarr. But you'll need to figure out the size and thread of the bolt. Might be a fun project? If you just drill them out and extend the holds, you can use your own size screws maybe.

[@kevbu4]

All knowledge is worth having. I see this wrench as being useful mainly for one handed and possibly blind operation. It looks like the kind of thing I would buy if I was bored at the hardware store with some extra cash. But there are an awful lot of moving parts for a wrench.

[@happylittletools]

"It looks like the kind of thing I would buy if I was bored at the hardware store with some extra cash." Indeed this was the case!

[@pricedlx]

Here are some thoughts in no particular order. 1. I did not expect the belt drive. Brilliant or weak point? Time will tell 2. I generally dislike multi bit holding screwdrivers. This is kinda making me rethink this as I watched you use the Hazet. 3. While that is a rad tool I think there are too many failure points for professional use. 4. Your final thoughts are spot on! We live in a disposable world. I grew up poor. So buying new wasn’t an option. 5. Love this channel! Please keep up the good work!

[@happylittletools]

1. Considering belts are used for so much and the belt feels robust, i don't think thata the issue. 2. Haha i think for medium duty work, the Hazet is fantastic! 3. The biggest failure point is all the plastic internals. Definitely not something worth buying. And i only bought it for the fun gimmick of it and not for use. 4. As more and more people realize this, i hope there is a resurgence in fixers and tinkerers. 5. Thank you so much!!!

[@kronop8884]

Talk about crossing the river for water... interesting from a design standpoint tho...

[@steve-qr5up]

Why is there an open banana in the corner?

[@gibsoneustermann9846]

i believe that’s a paper weight. but hey he could’ve been hungry.

[@adjutant]

For scale

[@TlD-dg6ug]

Dumb design, huge housing. What bolts do you ever get that have that much clearance? If you want something like this, get the Knipex pliers wrench. Or the wera joker self adjusting

[@happylittletools]

It is definitely not a wrench i recommend.

[@arrebarre]

I can see it being very useful for when we put up "kabelstegar" basically metal things that look like ladders but hold cables, they use 10mm, 13mm and 15mm nuts that are all easily accesible to mount to ceilings, extensions etc. When you're on a huge ladder or up in a skylift it's nice having less stuff on your belt PS: I do use knipex ones right now though ;)

[@AToolWithTools]

The PliersWrench has its own clearance issues but much larger range, and the Wera self-setters require a whole (expensive) set to cover the same range as a single classic adjustable, and are just a copy of a really old design anyway that shouldn't cost as much as they do.

[@happylittletools]

Not many people take time to learn about old tools. So it is often forgotten that the Wera Self-Setters (i think you're referring to the jokers?) are a new take on an old wrench. The thing Wera did differently with the Jokers, is that they installed a spring in a new spot that made the original old wrench design they are based off of, much more useable. I find that most of the useful new tool designs now days, (likely by necessity) are new takes, or straight up copies of old, long forgotten tools.

[@TlD-dg6ug]

@@happylittletools That would invariably be the case, as there have been hundreds of thousands of parents on just about every design fathomable. So invariably any new idea (at least for hand tools) will lead back at least in part, to an old idea.

[@AndersLie]

Hey just some constructive criticism for the video, the fast forward voice is really obnoxious. Maybe try doing a voiceover separate from speeding up your narration

[@happylittletools]

Thanks, i will try to remember that next time i do that. Typically when watching youtube i watch it at 1.25-2x normal speed, so i forget that others aren't used to that!

[@feynthefallen]

Talk about overengineered...