HOUSTON – Even if you have a tool chest full of tools, it's tough to make sure you always have the right tool when and where you need it. The Tac Tool, made by Bell and Howell, is 18 tools in one. We asked Michael Callihan a home builder with Riverway Homes to try it out.
Claim: The Tac Tool has 18 tools in one small, compact package, eliminating the need for your whole toolbox.Â
True, the Tac Tool does have 18 tools. We counted them:Â
1) HammerÂ
2) Needlenose PlierÂ
3)Â ClawÂ
4) Wire cutterÂ
5) PliersÂ
6)Â KnifeÂ
7) Phillips head screwdriverÂ
8) Branch sawÂ
9)Â Flat-head screwdriverÂ
10-13) Four wrenchesÂ
14) Bottle openerÂ
15)Â V-Type stripper
16) Coarse sawÂ
17)Â FileÂ
18) Slotted screwdriverÂ
Callihan tested seven of the 18 tools. He said the hammer's small size made it difficult to use, but once he got the hang of it, it worked.Â
The claw helped him get the wayward nails out of a 2 x 4. The wire cutter worked effortlessly. The coarse saw cut a piece of wood. The Phillips head screwdriver was a little hard to seat into the top of the screw, but Callihan managed. He thought the nail file and the bottle opener were a nice touch.Â
"I think I love it for the fact that it's small and if you need something quick to do around the house, you don't have to grab your whole toolset," Callihan said.Â
We paid $19.99 for the Tac Tool at Fry's Electronics, but you can get it on Walmart.com right now for just over $10.
Verdict: The claim is true.
While Callihan wouldn't trade his toolbox for the Tac Tool, he said he would carry it around to have the tools on hand in situations where the toolbox is too big to transport