Wera Tool-Check Plus 05056490001: Check the Version Before You Buy

Before choosing a Wera Tool-Check Plus, check the long part number. The metric 05056490001 is a compact 39-piece kit built around a miniature ratchet, a short screwdriver handle, bits and sockets. It remains useful for small fasteners in awkward spaces, but Wera now marks this exact version as discontinued. That changes the buying question: does this particular assortment earn its place at the seller's current price, or would a current version suit you better?

Start with the fasteners you actually need to turn

The included metric sockets cover 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 and 13 mm. That is a useful selection for many smaller jobs, but it is not a continuous run of every size. Check your equipment before assuming that a 39-piece label means complete coverage. The set also contains several screwdriver profiles and repeated popular sizes; the headline count is not the number of different socket sizes.

This is where the kit can be a sensible purchase for a travel bag or a compact repair drawer. A single organized carrier is easier to assess before leaving than a handful of loose tools. However, if your regular work needs inch sockets, larger nuts or a specific missing bit, the compactness will not solve that mismatch. Buy the assortment for its contents, not its piece count.

The small ratchet solves an access problem

The miniature ratchet accepts bits directly, keeping the working assembly shorter than arrangements that require an extra holder. Wera specifies a 60-tooth mechanism with a six-degree return angle. That matters when a nearby surface leaves little room to swing the handle: the mechanism can advance in smaller movements.

A compact ratchet is still only one part of access. You need enough room above the screw for the selected bit, and enough clearance around it to seat the tool straight. A deeply recessed fastener may require a longer accessory that this small package does not provide. Likewise, a tiny handle is a deliberate trade for portability; it is not the natural choice for every stubborn workshop fastener.

The thumb-operated wheel and reversing lever help explain why the ratchet is more than a miniature substitute for a screwdriver. For repeated small turns in a confined location, its layout has a clear purpose. For an exposed screw with plenty of room, the supplied screwdriver handle may be the more straightforward option.

Organization is valuable only if the kit returns complete

The carrier keeps the bits, sockets, ratchet and handle together. The socket color rings offer an additional identification cue, while the Rapidaptor holder makes bit changes convenient. The practical benefit is a repeatable setup: find the required piece, do the job, then return it to its place.

That last step is easy to overlook. Small removable parts can be misplaced, and one missing adapter can interrupt the task even when most of the set is present. Before a trip, inspect the carrier against your actual tool list. After work, check that every part is secured rather than dropping the assembly loose into a bag.

For frequent bench work, separate full-size tools may remain more comfortable. The case for this Wera is strongest when space and organized coverage matter enough to justify carrying a deliberately compact system.

Compare the exact old version with the current alternative

Wera's exact-model datasheet says a replacement version became available on June 1, 2025. Its current catalog lists Tool-Check PLUS 1 under a different part number, 05049055001. Similar names and familiar green-and-black styling make it especially important to compare the actual listing and included components.

Consider the older 05056490001 when its specific contents match your jobs and its delivered price is attractive relative to the current option. Do not pay extra simply because a seller uses a familiar product name. Check condition, missing pieces, seller terms and the exact part number before ordering. Choose something else if you need broader socket coverage, long reach or full-size working comfort. This is a thoughtful small-tool kit for the right routine, with a version check that should come before checkout.