Guild Wars 2

Just curious, how well would engineer work utilizing the tool kit and the bomb kit to play in a melee / close range style?

You would think with all the short ranged and melee ranged skills we have, the engi would be in heavy armor.

I think a few people have tried going melee, but I never hear back from them. (they died!)

Iv never tried it, but if you are, may I recommend taking a flame turret? Its overcharge creates a smoke combo field that will keep you safe for a time.
The rifle as your weapon might be better than the pistol/shield, simple for the blunderbuss as a strong melee hit (closer than melee if you want to get technical), jump shot to close ground and charged shot to make some room if you have to get away. The nets great too.

I think it works great Tomkatt. I use those two together a lot. I run a heavy toughness build, and stack condition damage. I love Pry bar + concussion grenade + M/H pistols static shock in succession. Nothing is better then watching an enemy do massive damage to itself every time it attempt to do anything at all.