Cool Tool bicycle tool

knucklebuster · **Reply #30 on:** August 30, 2008, 06:41:37 PM

I found this thread through google also. This tool was originaly made by Robert Seals who also designed the retrotech bicycle frame, folding sound stages, solar sound stages and the kleenkanteen.

I lost my cooltool years ago any body have one they want to part with?

J-sews · **Reply #31 on:** August 30, 2008, 07:29:40 PM

Howdy doody knucklebuster.

Thanks for the Robert Seals info. Hope you don't mind if I add that to the Encyclopedia page? link = https://wiki.multitool.org/tiki-index.php?page=Cool+Tool

knucklebuster · **Reply #32 on:** August 30, 2008, 08:41:59 PM

no problem glad to be of some assistance

I the original cool tools had the local number (916) area code on them, I imagine the later Gerber made ones did not.Robert also made/designed numerous metal sculptures I have lots of pictures of his work if there is any interest

knucklebuster · **Reply #33 on:** August 30, 2008, 08:43:16 PM

oops sorry I mant to pest in the cool tool thread

Benner · **Reply #34 on:** August 30, 2008, 08:44:48 PM

Quote from: knucklebuster on August 30, 2008, 08:43:16 PM

oops sorry I mant to pest in the cool tool thread

Already sorted.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #35 on:** August 30, 2008, 09:23:12 PM

Quote

Robert also made/designed numerous metal sculptures I have lots of pictures of his work if there is any interest

Ummmm... Hell Yes? Does that about cover it?

Def

knucklebuster · **Reply #36 on:** August 30, 2008, 10:19:56 PM

here are a few
http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/knucklebuster_album/whareIwork011.jpg
http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/knucklebuster_album/whareIwork005.jpg
http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/knucklebuster_album/whareIwork007.jpg
here is a pic of a building..... those doors are 10' tall steel framed and accordian open to make an open air building
http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/knucklebuster_album/whareIwork006.jpg
this guy is a genius

and yes I have asked him for a cool tool

J-sews · **Reply #37 on:** August 30, 2008, 10:26:50 PM

Awesome! I like the diamond plate dragon the best.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #38 on:** August 30, 2008, 11:32:53 PM

Gorgeous!

Def

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #39 on:** August 31, 2008, 09:30:06 AM

Awesome work

american lockpicker · **Reply #40 on:** September 12, 2008, 11:27:24 PM

Quote from: J-sews on May 25, 2008, 02:44:24 PM

Okay thanks!

Now from what I've been able to piece together, Cool Tools were sold by Gerber (made in Taiwan) starting sometime in the late 1990's. Prior to that they were an independent company. There was even a titanium Cool Tool produced in the US.

(Image removed from quote.)

Do you have that and if you do would you be willing to sell it?

J-sews · **Reply #41 on:** September 13, 2008, 04:59:25 AM

Quote from: american lockpicker on September 12, 2008, 11:27:24 PM

Quote from: J-sews on May 25, 2008, 02:44:24 PM
Okay thanks!

Now from what I've been able to piece together, Cool Tools were sold by Gerber (made in Taiwan) starting sometime in the late 1990's. Prior to that they were an independent company. There was even a titanium Cool Tool produced in the US.

Do you have that and if you do would you be willing to sell it?

Sorry man, that one isn't available for sale. $:-\$

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #42 on:** September 26, 2008, 01:58:40 AM

There seems to be a number of variations in tang stamps on these. Thanks to Kwakster I now have one, and so was re-reading this old thread. In the Chain took (or what I think is a chain tool) it says "PATENT 4967435," then on the "front" side of teh head it says "COOLTOOL" and "GERBER" on the backside.

I'll try to remember to post pictures this weekend.

Def

J-sews · **Reply #43 on:** September 26, 2008, 02:33:12 AM

Quote from: Defender on September 26, 2008, 01:58:40 AM

There seems to be a number of variations in tang stamps on these. Thanks to Kwakster I now have one, and so was re-reading this old thread. In the Chain took (or what I think is a chain tool) it says "PATENT 4967435," then on the "front" side of teh head it says "COOLTOOL" and "GERBER" on the backside.

I'll try to remember to post pictures this weekend.

Def

Gerber logo on yours eh? Neither of mine have that on them. Very interesting

Best make those pictures wiki-worthy so we can add them to the page here: https://wiki.multitool.org/tiki-index.php?page=Cool+Tool

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #44 on:** September 26, 2008, 02:37:51 AM

Will do- it's not quite a logo, more just stamped into it, similar to the Made in USA stamp on your titanium model.

One thing that surprised me about this thing is how slim the head is. I'll take a picture of the profile of it as well, as I don't think I've seen a profile shot of it in the past. I had assumed it was just as thick as a regular adjustable wrench head, like on the SpydeRench.

Def

knucklebuster · **Reply #45 on:** September 27, 2008, 01:49:12 AM

Quote from: Defender on September 26, 2008, 02:37:51 AM

One thing that surprised me about this thing is how slim the head is. Def

the slim profile is so it can be used as a cone wrench for bike axles

my friend dug his up from the depths and it has the 916 area code on it-I'll see if I can remember to take a picture sometime I visit

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #46 on:** October 06, 2008, 05:14:53 PM

Here it is, thanks to a generous Multitool.org member, my Gerber Cool Tool!

As you can see, it has different markings on the head than some of the others posted here:

And, here it is in comparison to the SpydeRench so you can get an idea of how wide the jaws open.

Admittedly, if you take the file out of the jaws on the Spydie it can open more, but then you also run the risk of all the bits falling out. I didn't have my Guppie handy to compare jaws with it, but it looks like the Cool Tool is the best because of the amount of handle for leverage. While the Spydie may be longer when stretched out, it also has a pivot in the middle, and as a result I'd be leery about exerting serious pressure at the opposite end.

It is an interesting tool, although somewhat limited- perhaps if I was a cyclist I might appreciate it more, but I will say that I do like the allen keys and adjustable wrench ideas! Very handy stuff, although I'm not certain how exactly to use the socket that fits in the middle. Perhaps I am missing a piece still?

Def

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #47 on:** October 06, 2008, 07:28:08 PM

Look's a lot cleaner than my poor abused example does

Bloody generous whoever you are

kwakster · **Reply #48 on:** October 06, 2008, 07:40:21 PM

To Def: The socket is held in the jaws,

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #49 on:** October 06, 2008, 07:42:59 PM

That explains the cutouts on the side!

Thanks again!

Def

NutSAK · **Reply #50 on:** October 06, 2008, 09:43:11 PM

Quote from: knucklebuster on September 27, 2008, 01:49:12 AM

Quote from: Defender on September 26, 2008, 02:37:51 AM
One thing that surprised me about this thing is how slim the head is. Def

the slim profile is so it can be used as a cone wrench for bike axles

...and as a pedal wrench.

J-sews · **Reply #51 on:** October 07, 2008, 03:47:13 AM

Quote from: Defender on October 06, 2008, 05:14:53 PM

As you can see, it has different markings on the head than some of the others posted here:

Hmmm, interesting. I also note a small notch in the casting, right beneath the worm drive. The notch isn't on my Cool Tool. (a pre-Gerber version, below at right) I wonder what the notch is for?

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #52 on:** October 07, 2008, 04:31:14 AM

I noticed the notch earlier as well but I didn't notice that yours didn't have it. I have no idea what it might be for... anyone have any idea what it's for?

Def

Ed Borden · **Reply #53 on:** October 28, 2008, 10:43:38 PM

Has ANYONE found where these COOL TOOLS can be CURRENTLY purchased from???

J-sews · **Reply #54 on:** October 29, 2008, 03:00:59 AM

Quote from: Ed Borden on October 28, 2008, 10:43:38 PM

Has ANYONE found where these COOL TOOLS can be CURRENTLY purchased from???

Howdy Ed. I'm afraid surfing eBay is the only suggestion I've got. $:-\$

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #55 on:** October 29, 2008, 02:38:22 PM

Or looking around on a forum/collector's group like this one. You may also be able to find one for sale at sites like Bladeforums.com, Knifeforums.com, EDCForums.com, BritishBlades.com or at various bicycling forums. They've been discontinued for years and as such can be a pain to find, which is why collectors are after them.

Try making a post in the Tools Wanted section near the bottom of the Main Index- you never know, someone may have an extra, and that's the best way to find it.

Def

riparious · **Reply #56 on:** January 21, 2009, 07:59:56 AM

Found this thread while looking for a Cool Tool to replace the one I got in 1994 or so. Thought I would share a few things.

I went to school at CSU, Chico in Northern Californa in the mid '90's. Robert Seals (Bobby Seals as we knew him) had a ranch about 20 miles out of town. While I was an engineerging student there was a large overlap between the Human Powered Vehicle team, and the Collegate Cycling Team. EVERY cycling engineering student had a Cool Tool. I believe it was one of the first bike specific multi-tools.

Bobby sold the rights to Gerber in 1995, which was announced to dealers in December that year.

http://www.bikepro.com/impressions/cooltool.shtml

As far as features: The hex keys can be inserted 180 degrees from their storage position to make the tool longer and provide more leverage, if you are careful the thin jaws of the wrench can be used as a tire iron, and the groove on the back side in line with the axis of the chain tool screw is a spoke wrench (not sure if that feature is on all models). Also, a rubber O ring holds up much better than the OEM rubber band.

I will re-post if I find a reliable source of Cool Tools.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #57 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:25:43 PM

Quote from: riparious on January 21, 2009, 07:59:56 AM

Found this thread while looking for a Cool Tool to replace the one I got in 1994 or so. Thought I would share a few things.

I went to school at CSU, Chico in Northern Californa in the mid '90's. Robert Seals (Bobby Seals as we knew him) had a ranch about 20 miles out of town. While I was an engineerging student there was a large overlap between the Human Powered Vehicle team, and the Collegate Cycling Team. EVERY cycling engineering student had a Cool Tool. I believe it was one of the first bike specific multi-tools.

Bobby sold the rights to Gerber in 1995, which was announced to dealers in December that year.

http://www.bikepro.com/impressions/cooltool.shtml

As far as features: The hex keys can be inserted 180 degrees from their storage position to make the tool longer and provide more leverage, if you are careful the thin jaws of the wrench can be used as a tire iron, and the groove on the back side in line with the axis of the chain tool screw is a spoke wrench (not sure if that feature is on all models). Also, a rubber O ring holds up much better than the OEM rubber band.

I will re-post if I find a reliable source of Cool Tools.

Great post, and welcome to the forum mate

J-sews · **Reply #58 on:** January 21, 2009, 07:37:51 PM

Yes indeed, thanks for the info!!

max6166 · **Reply #59 on:** January 22, 2009, 12:42:09 AM

Ditto! And please let us know if you find a supplier.

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