WIHA speedE – SPEED AND SENSITIVITY - BY PETER BRETT
The Torque Solution?
THE packaging of the Wiha speedE sends out a powerful message that the tool inside is valuable, high tech and modern. It is not just another electricians’ screwdriver. In the world where electricians need effi ciency and precision even on standard domestic electrical installations, the speedE aims to provide a solution.
The Problem
Increasingly, manufacturers have been specifying that electrical installations need to be fi xed at certain torques to ensure electrical contact is optimised and safe. When electricians can be working on anything from a complex RCD installation - where overtorqueing can be an issue on some materials - or simply unscrewing the patress screws on a light switch, the balance between high tech and mundane practical is crucial. Of course, the big question for potential users is ‘Did Wiha get the balance right
when designing the speedE?’ This is what I examined in depth. As mentioned before, the presentation box is designed to press home the point that the speedE is a modern precision instrument. Inside the box the impression is reinforced.
Presentation
On opening the box, the fi rst layer contains a product information booklet and the user manual – rather like opening up the box of your new phone.
Underneath that is the speedE itself – held in its custom fi tted space. A further layer is lifted to reveal a small L-Boxx that contains the batteries, charger, torque adaptor and eight driver bits in a slim plastic container. All these are individually packed in their foam slots. Apart from the sheer practicality of having your speedE all in one place ready to pick up and go, the message is reinforced that this valuable kit should not simply be fl ung into a toolcase
or toolbox with all the other tools. With some tradespeople I know, this will still happen anyway and the speedE has been developed to be used like a normal screwdriver. Wiha has done their best to encourage tidiness and effi ciency.
Getting Going
The compact charger has a USB fi tting that means it is possible to charge the speedE in a modern USB mains socket, or in a van. There is also the option to use the mains plug adaptor supplied.
Charging the Li-Ion cells takes around 75 minutes, and the two cells in my experience provide enough oomph for even a demanding day’s work.
The battery is loaded into the speedE by simply unscrewing the cap on the top of the handle. Polarity is important here – the positive (+) needs to be at the bottom of the battery holder in the handle. Once the screwcap is replaced it looks and feels exactly like the well-established Wiha VDE handle that users have become accustomed to. Next, the optional easyTorque adaptor can be slotted into the hex socket on the handle. This adaptor is fully compliant to ensure electrical safety insulation standards. Using it extends the length of the screwdriver by about 40mm. This is very useful when reaching into wiring boxes for example, but bits can also be inserted straight into the handle for a shorter and more controllable feel. The little case of eight screwdriver bits has a range of tips from PZ, Phillips and SL and SL/PZ included. These are all identifi ed
14 TBH September, 2018
www.toolbusiness.co.uk
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