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.