The Knipex 0011V50 is a magnetic LED lamp that looks to attach to most styles of pliers.
It’s a fairly simple idea, but one that seems quite convenient. This is basically a small keychain-sized flashlight with a boxy shape and magnetic mount.
The Knipex pliers worklight has an on/off sliding button and comes with a snap-hook connector so you can add it to a keyring.
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It has an impact-resistant plastic housing, measures 21 x 10 mm, and weighs 8 grams.
The light is powered by user-replaceable batteries – 2 CR1220 button cells – which provide approximately 24 hours of runtime.
This seems like a neat idea for working in dark spaces and cabinets, and that the module is magnetic means you can attach it to many different makes and models of pliers.
If you’re worried about knocking the magnet loose, it does have a small loop for the included snap-hook fastener, and so it should be easy enough to create a small tether for it, just in case.
We’ve seen pliers with built-in worklights before, and while the Knipex magnetic light module adds some bulk to any tool you attach it, its mobility makes it much more versatile.
It’s interesting how a built-in LED light makes the older Craftsman pliers seem gimmicky, while the Knipex seems like a more professional accessory.
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Alternatively, you could improvise with something like the Photon keychain light or less expensive options, but the Knipex module seems much more streamlined with its magnetic mount. The Knipex also seems well-sized for placement on most full-size pliers’ pivot zone.
Obviously this will work better on full-size pliers than precision pliers, adjustable pliers (like the Cobra), or specialty pliers (like the Pliers Wrench).
MT_Noob
Would it also work on a screwdriver in a pinch?
Stuart
Probably, but it might have weak magnetic strength and could spin around or fall off a screwdriver’s shaft.
A rubber band or large o-ring might be all that’s needed to securely mount this to a screwdriver.
Harry
In this day of mega lumen lights in every possible shape and size, I just don’t see the need to have one attached directly to a tool.
Stuart
It’s good to have options.
Mounting a tiny light to your tool, if that’s all you need, can be more convenience than holding one in your other hand, wearing one on your head, or trying to find a place to stick a light with a magnet or hanging hook.
Why buy a 12 oz soda bottle when you can by a 64 oz Big Gulp cup?
Lance
“Mounting a tiny light to your tool…”
Stewart, I really think you’re onto something here! 🙂
Jon
NSFW… this could be a real game changer! 🙂
Randy
A distanced bright light often produces a lot of glare. Especially if working on something with a reflective surface. For example, try looking into a deep hole with a bright broad light, good luck. A smaller light placed into the hole is much more effective
Scotty Kilmer
It doesn’t take up your other hand, and it’s not on the wrong side of a cable, harness, module, strut, axle, etc. casting a shadow on your work. Yes, it’s great to have a powerful light to light up everything, but when that mega lumen (central point/spot) light just casts a shadow, due to something in-between the light and your work, sometimes you want a light right there at the end of your tool
King duck
Seems expensive for what it is but knowing knipex it will be good quality I’ll wait for it to be included on a set of pliers I want though.
fred
It might be OK – unless you knock it off and it falls and attaches to something else – then cause you a retrieval problem.
It sort of reminds me of this one for screwdrivers :
https://www.amazon.com/Cal-Van-Tools-794-Drive-Light/dp/B0068VUNKC
and this 2008 post on Toolmonger:
https://toolmonger.com/2008/04/21/close-encounters-of-the-flashlight-kind/
Mike
A good headlamp and cheap AAA light stick seems infinitely more useful.
Wayne R.
Agreed.
Certainly, those two should be on-hand/attempted prior to reaching for one of these, and the only times I can imagine this being useful to me I think the kind of light with a flexible stalk would be a lot more useful.
https://www.tooldiscounter.com/product/lisle-flashlight-led-flexible-lis35900 (and, if needed, using a piece of heat shrink tubing to fashion a shade is easy)
Trying to wiggle a tool into crowded/complicated space would not, to me, be easier when the light’s wiggling too. Keeping them separate always has worked better.
If I ended up with one of these I’d keep it handy though…you never know.
Nathan
seems to need a flat spot for attachment. Overall I think it’s an OK idea.
But got to ask would you think as highly of this if it came from someone else for just a little bit cheaper. Like gearwrench, tekton, or dare I say it craftsman/SBD.
Again I think it’s a reasonable idea. I like this over a built in light – and if I thought about buying one I would probably buy 2-3.
Stuart
I’m more open-minded about this.
If it came from say Craftsman or Stanley Black & Decker, at least part of the design and engineering focus would be on price. The goal might be split – 50% to design something useful, and 50% to design something to sell, potentially in large quantities at lower prices via a holiday season sales floor display.
With Knipex, I am more trusting that the design and engineering motivation would be to ease a user frustration.
A consumer brand might aim to sell you a solution to a problem you might not even realize you had, whereas Knipex might design around users who might pay more for a solution to an existing problem.
Nathan
OH and fully agree with the headlamp comment. tell people all the time to buy one.
Jared
Couple other options that I use:
1. If you often wear a hat, any of the small Olights with the double-direction clips works well on the brim.
2. Right angle flashlights – they can clip to your shirt or sit on a surface adjacent to the work area. Olight makes one of these too, but mine are from other brands.
Wayne R.
The Olight i3E isn’t a headlight but it’s, I think, the perfect “mouthlight”. Hanging from a lanyard, it’s easy to bite on, and can also be stuck somewhere crowded since it’s so small. I find it even more useful (usually) than a headlight.
Jared
I like the i3E too. Good little cheap light. Were I choosing between a headlamp and a small flashlight – I would definitely prefer the flashlight.
Scott F
Ditto – love the i3e for general garage use/mouth light. Best option 80% of the time, and still good the other 20%.
Jared
I might pick one up. This isn’t the first such accessory I’ve seen, but I trust Knipex to make a good one. It’s not expensive. I do wonder how often I would have it with me, or if I would remember to take it out. But, not expensive.
Stacey Jones
Take my money!
Stacey Jones
Picked one up. It’s not bad, but the magnet should be stronger. Seems like it will probably fall off or tilt if you bang it against something. Also needs a flat area on the tool to stick to.
MM
Looks like a great idea. I like magnetic mount lights and headlamps but there are situations where those may not get light where you need it. A few times in the past I’ve taped or zip-tied a AAA Solitare Maglite to a wrench or a long socket extension or some other tool to see in a tight spot. This looks like it would be even more handy.
Better yet, add a V-shaped groove to it and now it can stick on round objects. Assuming it uses a modern rare-earth magnet it should be unlikely to fall off or move without a pretty good bump.
MT_Noob
Totally agree on the v-shaped groove.
Jim Felt
Kinda interesting.
So I just checked Amazon and read their Reviews. Not a very positive experience. Magnets fell off. Batteries spring loaded and no +/- indicator to replace them.
And all for $6 at some point in the past.
I’m out.
Jim Felt
Two CR1220 button cells are needed according to the Home Depot site.
At least on Amazon they’re wildly cheap in multi packs.
Jared
This link is Canada-specific, but I recently bought one of these (and I’m sure similar options exist south of the border):
https://www.princessauto.com/en/lighted-socket-adapter/product/PA0008823171
Similar idea but for ratchets – a short extension with a built-in LED.
I thought it could prove handy. Sometimes even when you have good shop lights, even if you also have an under-hood light, there are still shadows that can make spotting a fastener difficult in a tight engine bay.
fred
Sears-Craftsman use to sell lighted extension bars in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive sizes
This is what I see now:
https://www.amazon.com/Ampro-Tools-T11390-Lighted-Extension/dp/B000U5WABC
fred
Doing a bit more research – the old Craftsman ones bore UPC’s 714994425267 and 714994425281, look to have been marketed about 20 years ago – and seemed to have been sourced from Danaher ‘s Easco Tool Co.
TMedina
Neat idea, but for working in machinery, I see too many opportunities for it be knocked loose and fall somewhere you really don’t want it to be.
The few times I couldn’t angle a flashlight or a headlamp into a corner or crevice, I guarantee you the pliers/screwdriver/whatever got knocked around quite a bit and this gadget would have gone flying.
I use either a basic Energizer headlamp, or a warm/neutral tint flashlight – Milwaukee makes a surprisingly good one, given the issues that seem to plague their other lighting options, depending on ambient lighting and how much glare or reflection I’m getting off the internals.
TMedina
Although I suppose if you wanted to test the concept, get a Photon keychain light or similar tiny light, superglue a magnet to the side, and play with it for a couple of days to see how well it works for you.
Huh, I’m kind of tempted to do that with AAA keychain light, like the Olight and see how it works.
MT_Noob
They could do a UV version. Maybe? To help find very small pet stains.
Stuart
Why would you hunt for pet stains with pliers?
MT_Noob
I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. Kidney stones from rodents? Just kidding of course.
Paul Sikkema
At my age the more light – the better.
Ball_bearing
Looks useful for HVAC, appliance and electronics repair. It will depend on how strong is the magnet that attaches it to the pliers, and if it causes any inconveniences due to it’s size. The price isn’t bad.
I agree with the UV version idea of MT_Noob, but for finding fluorescent dye stains on refrigeration equipment.
Hmm I would attach one to some nail clippers. I hate having bad eyesight.
MM
The UV option would be nice for auto diagnosis as well. UV dye is commonly added not only to refrigerant but also to oil, trans fluid, engine coolant, etc, to find leaks.
Dustin
They do this same exact thing on certain “W” style crimpers. We bought a couple very expensive TE crimpers for work and they had little magnetic lights that illuminated the crimp nest
fred
How about these lighted fishing pliers:
https://www.shopkastking.com/product/2016-new-lighted-aluminum-fishing-pliers-tungsten-carbide-braid-cutters-super-bright-led-bulb-crimper-hook-remover/
Jeremiah Ducate
HA, You said fishing pliers my first thought was for fishing wires in walls. That was until I read hook remover in the link/description.
Maps Bam
“It’s interesting how a built-in LED light makes the older Craftsman pliers seem gimmicky, while the Knipex seems like a more professional accessory.”
I disagree. This Knipex light looks as gimmicky as it gets and I love Knipex. This looks like something Olight would sell.
Jon
I have one of these and I’ve used it maybe one time. Not useful.
Robert
With regard to other pliers like the Craftsman pictured above, I generally avoided those and considered them gimmicky. About everything I own these days is a job specific computer. The thought of applying yet another need for batteries with my hand tools was where I really shook my head.
This actually makes some sense to me. One little device you can stick on most hand tools without individual batteries is logical and reasonable. My reservation would simply be that those things, in spite of my good intentions, inevitably get misplaced. To be painfully honest, I no longer possess much capacity for multitasking. I’d seldom remember where I stuck it in a moment of working through a process. I’d therefore have to purchase 4 just to be sure I had at least one at any given time.
Jared
Lee Valley alternative:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/home/lighting/specialty-lights/72426-magnetic-led-tool-light?item=09A0490