I'm doing Comp Eng right, and just like the notion that CompE is programming all day, that's just a limited scope, I mean if you're thinking that all they do is programming then you've got Comp Sci and Comp Eng mixed up.
Alot of Comp Eng work also deals with designing circuitry, microprocessors etc... but like it's been mentioned it's a lot of design work rather than hands on work. If you're looking for something extremely hands on, but I've got to say Engineering isn't your best choice. A lot of engineering is theoretical work, which you then apply in designs. I mean sure ther are hands-on aspects, but I don't think you'll find as much as your looking for (by the way you make it sound).
Again it also depends on the institution, up here at Waterloo, Elec and Comp engineering are identical with only a 4 core course difference, but other than that are identical.
--Mark