Little screws, big headaches

The doom is done. The gloom is gone. Rejoice, for the tiny screw is actually turning. Do you believe in miracles? We do now that the Igo Mini Powered Screwdriver from Igo Home Products, Beachwood, Ohio, has made a joyful entrance into our lives. Exaggeration, you say. Au contraire. There is no greater frustration than not being able to change the batteries on our kids' toys and games because the stupid screws are too small for conventional tools.

More often than not, they end up stripped (and still in place) or the battery cover broken in anger and anguish. No longer, as the battery-operated (bow's that for irony) Igo Mini has a pair of accessible magnet-screwbits designed for extra-small screw sizes. It also includes two 40 mm-long screwbits, a Phillips number one, and a slotted 4 mm--conveniently stored in the handle. Actually, the Igo Mini ($7.99) would be the perfect tool if it could perform just one more task--snipping the wires that stubornly hold new toys and games in their boxes. At times, it seems only bolt cutters will do the trick.

Igo products can be purchased at major drug, grocery, and houseware stores, or online at www.igohomeproducts.com.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group