A different [FAILED] approach to Knurled Knob Tools for Leatherman Multitools

[detron]

I loved the custom sockets That MultiMat made

and once I get a good vise, I will probably try to make a set of those.

I also ordered 2 of These Pliers

just my luck, it might take a month to arrive!      so this got me thinking of other ways I could try to make a set of tools.

I am not sure how well this will hold up, but I was rather proud of my idea (once if fails I am sure my ego will deflate at explosive speed)

but if this does hold up, this will be a super simple solution.


So what was my idea?  SteelStik Putty by J-B WELD.

it is like putty that sets super hard.  900 PSI!



So I went to the hardware store to buy some of this putty.  I was also deciding what size sockets to buy to sacrifice to this cause when I found a perfect holder for this project.

so for $2 they had a perfect item!  I bought 2!



a triangular 3 sized nut driver.  How perfect is this?  there are 3 sizes of Leatherman Knurled Knobs (That I am aware of) so buy using these, I have 2 tools that can operated both sides of any knurled knob.

here are the sizes on the Nut Driver




so here are the three sizes that I know of,  the Rebar has two, and the Micra has the other.



to ensure I did not ruin my tools, I needed one more item found in just about every home



I started with the Micra, loosely wrapped it in plastic.



next I cut off a piece of the SteelStik,



kneeded it to mix the two parts and then stuffed it into the smallest nut driver end, making sure it is packed tight and extending past the edge just a little



then I pressed the nut drive with the putty over the knurled knob ensuring I press hard.



then I slowly removed the driver off of the plastic wrap, and I carefully removed the excess that had been displaced around the edge of the nut driver,
here is what is left.  I was not quite as centered as I would have liked



then I repeated those steps using the next size driver to accommodate the next size knurled knob, and the largest for the largest knob.

the package says this stuff cures in an hour, but I am going to give it 24 hours to be safe, then I will update this thread with my findings.

THINGS I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY


first change I would make would be to NOT use the Rebar as a template since the handles kind of sweep up near the smaller knobs.

second, I would leave the plastic on the driver (stuck to the plastic) and not peel it off until the SteelStik sets.


more to follow, and please let me know what you think.

[kirk13]

 

[neillcurrie]

Funny, I was thinking yesterday that a similar approach (but with regular JB Weld adhesive/epoxy), would probably work OK. Excited to see if it actually does the trick, bet it will. Actually the medium you are using is probably better, and certainly less messy, than using JB Weld adhesive/epoxy.

Doesn't the Mini Tool have a somewhat weird sized couple of fasteners on it too??

[detron]

Funny, I was thinking yesterday that a similar approach (but with regular JB Weld adhesive/epoxy), would probably work OK. Excited to see if it actually does the trick, bet it will. Actually the medium you are using is probably better, and certainly less messy, than using JB Weld adhesive/epoxy.

Doesn't the Mini Tool have a somewhat weird sized couple of fasteners on it too??

hmm,  if this works, AND your Mini Tool question is true,  I might make that too, however, I doubt I will ever mod a Mini.  however, if I ever find one in bad shape, I would like the ability to take it apart.

[RimfireNZ]

That's an excellent idea. I wonder if you'd have a cleaner pattern if you did this without the plastic, but instead used a liberal coating of WD40 so they didn't stick?

[detron]

That's an excellent idea. I wonder if you'd have a cleaner pattern if you did this without the plastic, but instead used a liberal coating of WD40 so they didn't stick?

good idea,  I will see what I have here and if I have to try again, then that is a good idea to try.

I did get the cheapest (thinnest) plastic I could find..  SUPER thin

[detron]

Vaseline would also be an option

[trouthunter]

The WD40 and Vaseline will affect how the JB Weld cures.  You can set the JB Weld right on the screw and wipe it off if there is any residue.  If there is just let it sit for a few minute, it should be easy to wipe off with a little WD40, GOO Gone or paint thinner.

[detron]

well, the  SteelStik is rock hard, but I think is shrunk some while curring.  it is NOT effective at turning the screws.

oh well, pliers are on the way.

maybe someone else will be able to make good on my failure.  anyway, it was something fun to do in the garage today.

[zoidberg]

well, the  SteelStik is rock hard, but I think is shrunk some while curring.  it is NOT effective at turning the screws.

oh well, pliers are on the way.

maybe someone else will be able to make good on my failure.  anyway, it was something fun to do in the garage today.

If it shrunk just do it again and maybe leave the wrap with it. 

[JAfromMn]

I like this idea I've used this putty.

my 2 cents

I don't know if you should use any plastic wrap at all. Also I'm thinking if you left it on the fastener for a 15 min / half hour it shouldn't shrink alot after it cures.

[neillcurrie]

All the leathermen I own seem to have slightly different diameter fasteners:

Mini           8.07mm and around 6.46mm
ST300        7.1mm at pliar end, around 6.5mm otherwise
SToriginal   7.24mm at pliar end, 6.5mm to 6.6mm otherwise.

All measured with a digital caliper that is accurate to 0.01mm.

[detron]

All the leathermen I own seem to have slightly different diameter fasteners:

Mini           8.07mm and around 6.46mm
ST300        7.1mm at pliar end, around 6.5mm otherwise
SToriginal   7.24mm at pliar end, 6.5mm to 6.6mm otherwise.

All measured with a digital caliper that is accurate to 0.01mm.

well, that just proves I did the right thing and ordered some of these

[enki_ck]

Vladimir got a pair of those not too long ago. Maybe he could let us know how they work until you get yours.

[detron]

Vladimir got a pair of those not too long ago. Maybe he could let us know how they work until you get yours.

Breezy has two of them too, He said they work great.

I ordered them from amazon, but the estimated delivery was a month out,  even though the seller in in the US?   

[Aloha]

Vladimir got a pair of those not too long ago. Maybe he could let us know how they work until you get yours.

Breezy has two of them too, He said they work great.

I ordered them from amazon, but the estimated delivery was a month out,  even though the seller in in the US?   

You may be surprised, I ordered my Ganzo and they said the same thing but I got it in a week. 

[detron]

Vladimir got a pair of those not too long ago. Maybe he could let us know how they work until you get yours.

Breezy has two of them too, He said they work great.

I ordered them from amazon, but the estimated delivery was a month out,  even though the seller in in the US?   

You may be surprised, I ordered my Ganzo and they said the same thing but I got it in a week.

From Amazon or ebay?

also, did the Ganzo come from China?


here is what Amazon still shows

Shipping estimate: Monday, July 28, 2014 - Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Delivery estimate: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - Thursday, September 4, 2014 by 8:00pm

and when I hit "track package" it says this


We’ve started preparing your shipment. This process can take some time but does not change the delivery date. We'll send you an e-mail when your order has shipped. You can still request cancellation if you’ve changed your mind.

[trouthunter]

All the leathermen I own seem to have slightly different diameter fasteners:

Mini           8.07mm and around 6.46mm
ST300        7.1mm at pliar end, around 6.5mm otherwise
SToriginal   7.24mm at pliar end, 6.5mm to 6.6mm otherwise.

All measured with a digital caliper that is accurate to 0.01mm.

In searching for a pair of these pliers I found covers for them.
(Image removed from quote.)
well, that just proves I did the right thing and ordered some of these

(Image removed from quote.)

[Breezy12]

Vladimir got a pair of those not too long ago. Maybe he could let us know how they work until you get yours.

Breezy has two of them too, He said they work great.

they are fantastic! my only regret is not buying them sooner.

they not only make it easier to undo the knurled screws, but they also get the job done cleaner. if you're careful, you can get a tool disassembled without marring the knurled screws at all, and even if you're not careful, the damage will be minimal... MUCH less damage than you get from a Crunch/Vise Grip combo (my previous method).