Craftsman has announced new pliers and cutters that will feature built-in LED lights. The sealed and waterproof LED modules are built into the pliers’ pivot hubs and direct a precise (i.e. narrow) beam of light towards whatever you’re working on.
The LEDs are powered by 3x 392 watch batteries and are user-replaceable, with an auto on-off circuit helping to extend battery life.
There will be 3 styles available – needle nose pliers, diagonal cutters and linemans pliers. The tools will be available separately at $20 each, and the needle nose and diagonal cutter combo pack will be $30. ETA is June 2012.
Do you guys think that these new pliers and cutters are neat and potentially convenient, or would you rather use a headlamp or other separate light source to illuminate your work?
Looking forward to the “lighted side cutters” by Craftsman tools. I reupholster a lot of furniture, and frequently have to pull staples hidden inside and under areas that are poorly lighted.
Reminds me of Al Bundy’s “Shoe Lights”.
Seriously, though, it sounds too gimmicky to me. I’d think most of the time it would cast a shadow in the exact wrong spot(s). Get a headlamp or five and keep them in your toolboxes. No tool lights required. I also don’t know that I’d buy, or recommend someone to buy, a set of medium to large size pliers or cutters that are not high-leverage. Can you warranty replace them if the light stops working?
Made in China? Seems like most new (and some old) Craftsman tools are.
I’d assume that the Craftsman guarantee applied to the whole shebang so that the pliers would be replaced if the LED module fails. If replacements are available should that happen.
I’m not sure where they’re made, but I think there’s a good chance they’re imported.
There are plenty of LED lighted gloves, hats and glasses out there for people adverse to actually using proper lighting. These tools seem like a Father’s Day Special.
I thought lights were a joke on tools, until I started buying the newer Bosch cordless tools that are mostly LED-lit.
I have to say, they have come in handy many a time now and I’m glad they’re there. I was just doing some rewiring work/etc. today and it was difficult to see, even with the lighting in the house, where I was drilling without the drill being on.
When it comes to cutting the right wire in an electrical box or something similar, I can honestly see it being a useful touch on occasion, even though it’s a marketing gimmick to begin with.
Here’s a similar pliers in Stainless Steel
http://www.troutlet.com/Streamworks-Lighted-Stainless-Steel-Pliers-P1054.aspx
Streamworks also markets a lighted nippers:
http://www.amazon.com/Stream-SWTL02-1-Lighted-Nipper-Plus-hook/dp/B001P1NGP4/ref=sr_1_17?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1327718732&sr=1-17
I vote for gimmick too, but still, I wouldn’t be opposed to giving them a try before I write them off completely. If they worked well, I could imagine I could find some uses for them.
Gimmick.
I’d never buy those.
I think it’s nice that they make them, don’t think I would buy any for myself. Would get a set for my father,nephews, etc…….IF THEY ARE MADE IN THE USA. If made in china, forget it.
I can’t wait tel the pliers hit the market. Being a mechanic you always run into issues of shadowing or not in off of lighting. The pliers will eliminate holding a flashlight so I can remove a hose clamp and etc. No matter if you have 5 lights around your work area I would still buy one. I did get into power impact drills with LED’s and seeing this coming out its impressive!!! I know one day I’ll have one in my tool box.
Nicely done Craftsman.
PB
Can’t wait until these hit the market I have been looking for a hand tool for years that has a built in light this will work great where lighting is an issue.