Making a sonic screwdriver is all well and good. I own a commercially produced version of the 10th Doctor’s blue LED screwdriver. But, as a screwdriver it’s just crap. As a flashlight, it is underwhelming. Also, it’s not red, so it will kill your night vision. There’s just no really good use or call for it. That said… I think it is fantastic. I just am realistic that while I enjoy this thing, it serves no particular purpose.
But, what if I could have a small sonic screwdriver like device that had a purpose? Well, then I suppose I would end up using it. Thus, I came to think about how to make a potentially useless prop/replica useful. I could add a screwdriver attachment to it – which would be damn hilarious. I could make the light red instead of blue – so it could be used at night and not affect night vision. I could make it super bright – so that it IS good as a flashlight. I could make it so that it has a Tic-Tac-shakey rechargeable flashlight. If it were a shakey rechargeable flashlight, it would be very useful in emergencies – since it would never be without power.
After consideration, I think the best use of a sonic screwdriver shaped device would be a flashlight that incorporated a shake recharger and some combination of a UV LED and either a a red (for night vision) or white LED (for a bright light). And, space allowing, maybe even a hex screwdriver bit. I could see how such a device, which would never need new batteries, could come in useful in a lot of situations. It could be both frivolous and functional! My favorite combination!
I don’t really know how to read circuit diagrams, but I think I could assemble the simple circuit from that instructible. It shouldn’t be too much harder to add a three-position switch for the second LED. Although, if I had to choose just one LED it would definitely be the UV kind.
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