New love for the Pocketwrench II

[JAfromMn]

I removed my 4 inch crescent wrench from my edc in favor of a pw2

it handles alot more sizes of bolts and will hold a 1/4 bit.

[Kampfer]

I could not resist any longer, bought one, testing today.

I have a feeling it might bump the Croc from your EDC.

It surely did exactly that.

[Kampfer]

I tried to tighten a screw in the gap between baby car seat and it's base, first I use the mini surge, not enough room for the tool to work ( the driver doesn't lock at 90*) ; and not enough level age for just using the bit. Here comes in the new PWII!
I use it's bit driver to turn the bit. Worked great! That is something Croc can not do.

Never thought I need a bit driver but I was wrong.

[ironraven]

So you just put a hair bungie against the bit? BRILLIANT!

I've always had trouble keeping the bit in place in my PW and my Croc.

[nate j]

I've always had trouble keeping the bit in place in my PW and my Croc.

Special bits are available for the PWII with stops and ball detents to hold them in place.  They are on the expensive side though.

[enki_ck]

I've always had trouble keeping the bit in place in my PW and my Croc.

Special bits are available for the PWII with stops and ball detents to hold them in place.  They are on the expensive side though.

Chapman bits are great for that and not that expensive. And the mini ratchet is great.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_hi?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Chapman&node=228013

[edcgear]

PW II and Chapman... 

[Kampfer]

I use LM bits with PWII so they can be comparable with Mini-Surge.
They fall out from PWII too easy, a small o-ring can fix that.

[David]

This thread is one year old today. Here is a new pic of the different pocketwrenches over time

[enki_ck]

This thread is one year old today. Here is a new pic of the different pocketwrenches over time

(Image removed from quote.)

Great looking line up.

Didn't realize until now that the McFeely's was stamped upside down. Both the text and the teeth of the wrench. Strange.

[Mr. Whippy]

This thread is one year old today. Here is a new pic of the different pocketwrenches over time

(Image removed from quote.)

Great looking line up.

Didn't realize until now that the McFeely's was stamped upside down. Both the text and the teeth of the wrench. Strange.

David, that is an amazing collection.  Thanks for sharing that picture. 

[parnass]

I like the Pocketwrench II, as well, but I wish it was more useful for prying.

Earlier this month, I conducted an informal test using a few of my one hand multitools to remove staples from an envelope.  The Pocketwrench II was the worst of the bunch because both ends are rounded and I couldn't get the tapered end to fit underneath the staple.

The Nite-Ize DoohicKey worked well because I was able to fit a sharp corner of its "screwdriver" end underneath the staple.  The Gerber Artifact and Schrade titanium keychain tool worked better than the Pocketwrench II, too.

Was thinking about whether I should cut a V-shaped slot in the end of the Pocketwrench II as found in the Gerber Artifact and other pry type tools.

[David]

Thank you enki_ck and Mr W. The McFreely stamping and teeth are backwards or reversed to the others. It also has different style lettering.

Parnass that might be a good mod. I've thought of several different types of mods but cant seem to make a decision as what I really want to do yet.   

[enki_ck]

Thank you enki_ck and Mr W. The McFreely stamping and teeth are backwards or reversed to the others. It also has different style lettering.

Parnass that might be a good mod. I've thought of several different types of mods but cant seem to make a decision as what I really want to do yet.   

Same here. And I agree the PW2's width and angle sometimes make it be far less effective as a pry tool than it should be. I'm most inclined to try and do a Pocketwrench Slim mod.

[lister]

Thank you enki_ck and Mr W. The McFreely stamping and teeth are backwards or reversed to the others. It also has different style lettering.

Parnass that might be a good mod. I've thought of several different types of mods but cant seem to make a decision as what I really want to do yet.   

Order cheap knockoffs from the dealextreme and do them all! Then find the ones you like and do them on the real thing... 

[Sparky415]

Thank you enki_ck and Mr W. The McFreely stamping and teeth are backwards or reversed to the others. It also has different style lettering.

Parnass that might be a good mod. I've thought of several different types of mods but cant seem to make a decision as what I really want to do yet.   

Order cheap knockoffs from the dealextreme and do them all! Then find the ones you like and do them on the real thing... 

Sounds like a good plan 

[David]

I found this original Pocketwrench w/ Brookstone logo on it on the ebay. It has a mirror polish finish with laser engraving instead of the usual stamping. Since I didnt have a good light source the pics dont show it very well. Enjoy.   

[enki_ck]

Another variation.

Congrats on the find.

[parnass]

I do not recall where I got these photos.

[David]

Those are real interesting and a neat part of history of the Pocketwrench. Thank you for posting those Parnass!         

[kirk13]

I actually used my pocketwrench for the first time yesterday,after carrying the damn thing for two years!

It makes one hell of a Prybar! Used it to pry open the hook on a damages shelf,worked a treat!

[Freaver]

This thread is giving me problems...
Ever since I stumbled upon this thread, I've been thinking about getting a PWII, even though I can't really think of a situation where such a tool would have helped me. I just like the idea of having a wrench that can handle pretty much any size nut or bolt.

Now, the big question:
Since funds are a bit scarce at the moment, I'm seriously thinking about buying the copy from DealExtreme. However, I have yet to hear from anybody how good that is, compared to the original. I know the difference can't be that big, but if the one from DX has a tendency to slip on every bolt it touches or the teeth break after a few uses, it'll just be wasted money.
So... Does anybody have experiences with the copy from DealExtreme? Both good and bad; throw it at me, so I can make a proper decision. 

[enki_ck]

Would this help?

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=53099.0

[Freaver]

Would this help?

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=53099.0

I feel stupid now... 
Thanks for the link.

[neillcurrie]

I ordered the DX version last week. Don't have the genuine article to compare it to though.

Outside of the real PW and the DX versions, is there a very close tool on the market that does all they do, and maybe even more?

[nate j]

I admit to owning several of the real deal and none of the knockoffs for comparison.  If it were me, though, I would wait the extra month or two or however long it takes to save up the funds for the original.  Just my $0.02 though.

[Kampfer]

I admit to owning several of the real deal and none of the knockoffs for comparison.  If it were me, though, I would wait the extra month or two or however long it takes to save up the funds for the original.  Just my $0.02 though.

+1

[neillcurrie]

I just got my faux PocketWrench from DealExtreme.com. Shipping to the eastern part of the USA took almost exactly a week.
I have to say that I am very pleasantly surprised with the tool. Finish, markings, teeth, and the 1/4" drive all seem very well finished/impressed/cut/, and it's quite a deal for less than $6 shipped. It'll happily live with one of my Leathermen or other MT's.

[enki_ck]

Glad you got a good one.00
Let  us know how it works in the long run and if you notice and if you notice any rust.

[neillcurrie]

Though I appreciate having the best possible, in this case the tool will only be very occasionally used, and the price difference was a factor.