Mangled Tool is broken (or rather the remedy is), I think that's known. There's an outfitter comp that uses the Rigging Tool for the remedy that also doesn't react - I guess we'll see a fix for that sooner or later. They're a pain in the backside in the meantime, I agree.
Robeph, what you describe is the experience I had with my blacksmith in Leth Nurae. Now I don't know if it's outfitters getting the shaft or Ca'ial being poor on rewards... or just plain bad luck. I'll do a few more and we'll see.
In any case I vented, I feel better now!