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Screw You, Tools Included
Jan. 28th, 2010 05:33 pmSo the other day I was asked to assemble one of those laptop stands/tables. By no means was this a difficult task but I realized it could be done allot faster if I wasn't using the tool that came with the stand. See this laptop stand and honestly pretty much every piece of furniture that I've assembled came with an Allen Wrench.
That's this for those of you who are not familiar with tools
Those of you who play Guitar will recognize this as the tool you use for truss-rod adjustments.
Now my problem with the Allen Wrench is that the ones that come with these pieces of furniture are pretty small so they don't fit in my big hands very well and they can be slightly difficult to turn. A much easier tool for these jobs would be a Screwdriver (especially since I own several tools that double as electric screwdrivers). I would bet that the only reason that Allen Wrench is the primary tool for furniture is that it's definately cheaper to include that little tiny piece of metal than it is to throw in a screwdriver, thus these companies can put "Tools Included" on the box and make the product more enticing.
I have to question however, how many people are out there that don't own a screwdriver that they couldn't atleast give screws instead of Allen bolts? It's almost an essential tool like a can opener. Have one of those little repair kits for glasses? Own one of those safety kits for your car? Have a few electronics that don't use rechargeable batteries? Chances are you have a screwdriver. If you don't have a screwdriver you can get one with multiple head attachments for 5-10 bucks at your local drug store.
So until we lose the "Tools Included" mantra I'm going to be stuck with a pile of assorted Allen Wrenches inferior not only to the screwdriver but the ratcheting Allen wrenches I already have in my tool box.
That's this for those of you who are not familiar with tools
Those of you who play Guitar will recognize this as the tool you use for truss-rod adjustments.
Now my problem with the Allen Wrench is that the ones that come with these pieces of furniture are pretty small so they don't fit in my big hands very well and they can be slightly difficult to turn. A much easier tool for these jobs would be a Screwdriver (especially since I own several tools that double as electric screwdrivers). I would bet that the only reason that Allen Wrench is the primary tool for furniture is that it's definately cheaper to include that little tiny piece of metal than it is to throw in a screwdriver, thus these companies can put "Tools Included" on the box and make the product more enticing.
I have to question however, how many people are out there that don't own a screwdriver that they couldn't atleast give screws instead of Allen bolts? It's almost an essential tool like a can opener. Have one of those little repair kits for glasses? Own one of those safety kits for your car? Have a few electronics that don't use rechargeable batteries? Chances are you have a screwdriver. If you don't have a screwdriver you can get one with multiple head attachments for 5-10 bucks at your local drug store.
So until we lose the "Tools Included" mantra I'm going to be stuck with a pile of assorted Allen Wrenches inferior not only to the screwdriver but the ratcheting Allen wrenches I already have in my tool box.
