Over at Kickstarter there’s a new fundraising campaign for this multi-bit screwdriver – the Tool Pen. The Tool Pen fits 6 screwdriver bits, which are changed by moving the front bit to the back, as you would change the tips of a “pop-a-point” pencil. Windows milled into the side of the pen allow you to read the sizes and styles of stored bits.
Each pen is machined from 6061 aluminum, and the bits are made from S45C carbon steel. A magnetic cap protects your pockets from the front bit tip, and an internal ring helps prevent all the bits from popping out when pressure is applied to the tool during use.
Current “reward levels” include $45 for one tool pen, or $80 for two. Each pen comes with a full set of 13 screwdriver bits. You have your choice of snow silver, gunmetal, and champagne gold finishes.
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Bit selection: slotted 3, 4, 4.5mm, Phillips Ph1, Ph2, Hex 2, 2.5, 3, 4mm, star T10, T15, T20, T25.
Estimated delivery is October 2014.
More Info(via Kickstarter)
Be sure to read about Kickstarter’s trust and safety page before you commit to the campaign.
First Thoughts
The Tool Pen is undoubtedly designed for on-the-go bike maintenance and other casual maintenance tasks. It looks great as an EDC screwdriver, and should work well too.
Despite its appeal, I wish the Tool Pen was compatible with standard 1/4″ hex bits, but that would make the pop-a-point bit change design a lot more challenging -if not impossible – to accomplish. Each Tool Pen bit has a pocket machined into their ends that allows them to all fit mate together within the pen.
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My biggest detraction is the bit selection. There’s no 5mm hex, which means it wouldn’t work on most of the adjustment fasteners on my bike. Other than that, the bit selection looks decent.
Yadda
There are so many other great screwdriver options out there. This appears to be solving a problem that doesn’t really exist. The price is exhorbitant for what you receive.
Dan
It also looks like it would get really uncomfortable to use on anything requiring even moderate torque.
Aellynh
Can’t really see the point of this… interesting in concept, but falls completely flat on its face when you realize you can buy about 10 of the 9-in-1 multi bit screwdrivers for the same price…. That probably do a better job and are more comfortable.
SteveR
Stuart–Interesting concept, but I don’t think I’d have a need for it with all the other screwdrivers I have. It does look like it’s ideal for the X-Gen (or is it Y-Gen?) type with human-powered wheeled transport that frequently vibrates screws loose. I agree that it looks difficult to apply much force to a fastener (so is that why they need to keep tightening them?). It could use a folding or screw-on T-handle that connects at 90 degrees to the end of the shaft so that greater force can be applied. Or, they could just apply a satin rubber coating to improve the grip.
Since you find that you would need a 5 mm hex, it’s still not too late for them to offer one among additional bits. As these are of a “proprietary design”, they’ll have to offer spares for those that become lost or damaged anyway. This and a 4-inch adjustable wrench should have a cyclist or skateboarder covered for most street-related problems.
Stuart
The bits look proprietary to me.
I wanted to say that it would look better with a hole in the end or middle and thin bar for pseudo-T-driver configuration, but I can’t see how they would do that. And since the body is made from aluminum, using a socket or other tool on the hex body wouldn’t be advised.
It’s an interesting concept, and I don’t think it should be discounted because of its price or non-heavy-duty design. I spend extra on pocket knives, pens, and watches that have designs that fit my personality. There’s nothing wrong about an EDC screwdriver that focuses a little more on style. If the bits were standard 1/4″ hex instead of modified ones, I probably would have purchased one.