Can you live without this gadget? Of course.
Will it make straightening IC pins easier? Absolutely!
Is it fun to use? Most definitely!
This tool is real time saver. It does a great job forming IC pins so they're perfectly straight and ready to pop into a socket or PCB.
One side of the tool handles narrow IC's and the other side deal with wider IC's. Just drop the IC onto the correct side of the tool, squeeze the sides together a couple of times, and Bob's Your Uncle!
It works perfect! A real time saver for building my miniFloppyBot and BillyBot robot kits part of the "RoboGuts™ S.T.E.A.M. Education Program" found on R2Pv1 website.
This tools lines up IC pins perfectly with sockets, even machined sockets. It does not, however, straighten badly bent pins. The tool saves time and aggravation, avoiding pins bending as the chip is pressed into position.