90 Degree Bit Driver.....

[evil510]

Hey gang. Evil here again. Nothing overly spectacular this time around, just a tiny, but effective mod that I have already done to both my Wave and my Surge but have not gotten around to taking them apart for a pic. I recently received a bit driver from across the pond, so I figured it was as good a time as any to do the mod for a current project I have going and take a pic for you all as well. Anyway, it is a simple additional notch to lock the bit driver in the 90 degree position. I have found it very useful when working in closed quarters.....

~ evil ~

[Silentsniper441]

so the tool has to be open to use the 90 degree setting? that seems both bad and good, it migh be a bit akward, but it would increase the torque.

[evil510]

Yes, you're right, it has both good and bad points. The tool does have to be open. I open the handles with the plier head tucked away in one handle, so effectively you have a 8 inch or so handle. It has saved me from making a trip for a stubby screwdriver on more than one occasion. I can tell you that I would rather it lock in the 90 degree position than to merely put it into that position and have it fold up on me. Also, as you mentioned, you can apply more torque.....

[jim guy]

looks like a good idea to me

[Sparky415]

looks like a good idea to me

+1 

[Shorty66]

Thats a really great mod.
I love the simplicity and it should work well.

I never understood why leatherman used a swivel bitholder on their tools as the swivel-mechanism only adds bulk. But now we have a reason for that!

I will just start and try to copy it.. hope thats okay with you.

[SlackOne]

Nice idea, looks handy.  Using the tool open wouldn't bother me any...I already use it open when I'm using the bit driver anyway.  I hate trying to drive a screw with it closed, since everything is off center so far.

[evil510]

looks like a good idea to me

Thanks Jim!

Thats a really great mod.
I love the simplicity and it should work well.

I never understood why leatherman used a swivel bitholder on their tools as the swivel-mechanism only adds bulk. But now we have a reason for that!

I will just start and try to copy it.. hope thats okay with you.

It is simple but useful for the times it comes in handy. It's been about half a year since I did this to my Wave and liked it so much I did it to my Surge as well. Since ridding both tools of the small bit driver and can opener, I have added dedicated drivers and am in the process of notching those as well. The bit driver typically gets used for sockets and misc. bits I have made. Even playing around with a multi-angle mod at the moment to add another position. No worries if you do the mod as well.....

Nice idea, looks handy.  Using the tool open wouldn't bother me any...I already use it open when I'm using the bit driver anyway.  I hate trying to drive a screw with it closed, since everything is off center so far.

It doesn't bother me at all either and is also the way I use mine .....

[Charger]

so does it automtically lock at 90 and then you have to unlock it again to straighten it?  And did you just file it in or what?

[redawg]

Great mod!  I've used my Wave driver @ that angle in a pinch, low torque situations.  I may have to try this one myself.  You can bear down on it more and it sure beats having the driver fold in on you fingers.

[evil510]

so does it automtically lock at 90 and then you have to unlock it again to straighten it?  And did you just file it in or what?

Hey Charger. Yes, it is automatic. If you open it as normal, the 90 degree notch will catch first and lock into position. If you want to bypass it and open it fully, just depress the tab lock until you pass the notch, then release and continue to completely unfold. It becomes second nature. I used diamond and carbide bits but don't see any reason why you couldn't just use files, it'd just take quite a bit longer.....

Great mod!  I've used my Wave driver @ that angle in a pinch, low torque situations.  I may have to try this one myself.  You can bear down on it more and it sure beats having the driver fold in on you fingers.

Thanks Redawg. I see you know exactly what I am talking about. It only took folding up on me once to try and figure something out.....

initial inspiration, one of my old favorite screwdrivers. Handle locks into different positions.....

[NeitherExtreme]

Nice mod. I've used the screwdriver in "90 degree" position a few times, and it would've been a lot easier if it locked like yours.

[evil510]

Just a little update. Additional notch cut for 135 degree position in addition to the 90 degree position.....

~ evil ~

[Outback in Idaho]

 

[Poncho65]

  You have to be more subtle like this



 

[tattoosteve99]

Arise from the deep forgotten necro threads of the undermto!

[evil510]

An old thread indeed. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of what I have or have not posted on. My absence from the forum for a couple of years didn't help much either. I should make a master list one day, perhaps. Not only for the forum, but for myself to have some sort of chronology of the things that I've done.....

[tattoosteve99]

An old thread indeed. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of what I have or have not posted on. My absence from the forum for a couple of years didn't help much either. I should make a master list one day, perhaps. Not only for the forum, but for myself to have some sort of chronology of the things that I've done.....

Just make sure you post it here with links so we can all find it!

[sLaughterMed]

An old thread indeed. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of what I have or have not posted on. My absence from the forum for a couple of years didn't help much either. I should make a master list one day, perhaps. Not only for the forum, but for myself to have some sort of chronology of the things that I've done.....

Whoa whoa whoa... wheres your iconic italics evil?

[evil510]

An old thread indeed. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of what I have or have not posted on. My absence from the forum for a couple of years didn't help much either. I should make a master list one day, perhaps. Not only for the forum, but for myself to have some sort of chronology of the things that I've done.....

Just make sure you post it here with links so we can all find it!

Sometimes I have to do a search of myself to find things that I have posted. While the majority of my posts are here in the mod squad and I don't venture too far from here, I still find misc. posts that I have made in the Leatherman forum or general tool discussion, etc. A master list would benefit my sanity.....

Whoa whoa whoa... wheres your iconic italics evil?

Sometimes I get lazy, or tired... or I am logged on with my phone via crapatalk..... italicized just for you, lol

[tattoosteve99]

I search for myself sometimes too. Remember making threads and posting but can't find the darn things.

[evil510]

I search for myself sometimes too. Remember making threads and posting but can't find the darn things.

At least you remember making and posting them. I stumble upon posts that I have no recollection of making, lol.....

[tattoosteve99]

I search for myself sometimes too. Remember making threads and posting but can't find the darn things.

At least you remember making and posting them. I stumble upon posts that I have no recollection of making, lol.....

Message me. I can send one on crapatalk

[jjj106]

Im getting the dremel out as Im typing to notch my ReCharge bit driver

[evil510]

Im getting the dremel out as Im typing to notch my ReCharge bit driver

It is an easy straightforward modification. Let us know of your progress, jjj....

[Milan Vandenbilcke]

Handy mod! Will probably try this! 

[Aberdrew13]

I'm doing this when I get the Wave that I will be modding....I like this idea.

[evil510]

Handy mod! Will probably try this! 

Thank you, Milan..... 

I'm doing this when I get the Wave that I will be modding....I like this idea.

It is a simple modification that will be easy to do.....