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Babola's Acid Wave project

babola · 51 · 8303

nz Offline babola

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Babola's Acid Wave project
on: December 20, 2014, 01:31:31 AM
I've been planning this mod for a while but was just waiting for an affordable Wave donor to arrive.

I am a big fan of acid treated stainless and high-carbon steel and I'm not stranger to ferric chloride I used in the past for many little mods on my EDC gear, bits and pieces.

Acid treated steel is only a half-baked solution, where this really starts to become interesting is after it's been stonewashed or tumbled. The resulting finish and texture is sometimes nothing short of spectacular.

This thread will go for few days at least as I will try to take it slow and easy for two reasons.
First, it's busy time of the year for most of us and just like you I have to prioritize things to organize around family and Christmas, first.
Secondly, after I posted my Oxy-ReCharge mod over at EDCF couple of members over there asked me if I could post my next mod in steps, kind of tutorial style. I don't really have much time for tutorials at the moment but I will post major steps this mod takes here, trying to explain what and how it took place.

Anyway, off to a first step - my spare Wave donor parts pre-acid wash, shown below.
As you can see I will try pushing the envelope a little further and won't be just acid treating the handles/scales, but the handle stops, pivots and screws. I won't touch the tools, though.

Pre-Acid (ferric chloride) treatment:


Babola's flat button head screws:


Next step to be shown soon. Stay tuned  :salute:
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #1 on: December 20, 2014, 04:59:56 AM
Stage 1, acid wash completed.  :)

What you see below is the raw surface finish as a result of ferric chloride etching into the surface of stainless steel. I'm glad there weren't any hiccups along the way and only a 15 min dip in an etchant was required.

This will now be cleaned and put in the tumbler for stone-washed effect. If I have time to do this tonight I will, if not then tomorrow morning.



I really like how the screw heads turned out.  :)


Next step - stone tumbler.
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


au Offline pietervn

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #2 on: December 20, 2014, 09:50:38 AM
That looks really nice. Is it as black as the photo's show?

Pete


be Offline Top-Gear-24

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #3 on: December 20, 2014, 10:27:33 AM
 Can't wait to see the next step mate :o.

:popcorn:


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #4 on: December 20, 2014, 10:41:00 AM
That looks really nice. Is it as black as the photo's show?

Pete

Hi Pete, nah it's actually more gray than anthracite as in my photos. Must be the combination of low exposure and wrong white balance. I'll try posting more correctly exposed photos next time.  :P

Can't wait to see the next step mate :o.

:popcorn:

Sure, I'm just thinking I could do the next step now, but tumbling is noisy (I do part by hand part in a dryer) and it's almost 11PM here now :(
The sheer excitement may get the best of me, though  :P
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


us Offline neillcurrie

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #5 on: December 20, 2014, 01:02:54 PM
I'd realized this before, but seeing the Wave disassembled just drives home how complex and difficult to manufacture the handles of the Wave are. Just imagining the accuracy required in the machining and bending/forming processes makes my head hurt. Kudos to Leatherman.


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #6 on: December 20, 2014, 01:44:32 PM
I'd realized this before, but seeing the Wave disassembled just drives home how complex and difficult to manufacture the handles of the Wave are. Just imagining the accuracy required in the machining and bending/forming processes makes my head hurt. Kudos to Leatherman.

Agree. I actually saw them being made in one of the older videos. The press cuts out a pre-formed single piece of die from the metal sheet, punches the holes and bends the blade locks, then another press presses the die into a "M" (or "W") shape while the bottom tools lock is inserted in it place. Simple as that. The whole process takes under 5 seconds.  :o

However, getting the punches and presses to do what they're supposed to do to produce a finished Wave handle is another matter altogether  ;)
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


us Offline NKlamerus

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #7 on: December 20, 2014, 03:37:46 PM
This is gonna be awesome! Any reason you use a dryer instead of a smaller tumbler? Do you just not have one or does it have a different result?


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #8 on: December 20, 2014, 07:09:48 PM
This is gonna be awesome! Any reason you use a dryer instead of a smaller tumbler? Do you just not have one or does it have a different result?

Standard method for someone who doesn't own dedicated tumbler. The canister goes into the dryer, works a charm  ;) 

More details below.
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nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #9 on: December 20, 2014, 07:18:16 PM
Stage 2, stone-wash done.

I did this in 3 turns, separating  the small parts from the handles. First it was all the fasteners and handle stops. Secondly, it was one handle, than another.

My method involves a medium sized plastic container filled with small-to-medium sized pebbles. I first tumble the content by hand for first 5 minutes then check if this will produce a desired result. Then it goes for 20 minutes into the clothes dryer, wrapped into a large spare towel. Then last touch is applied by hand again for about 5 minutes.

The result is shown below, and I'm really stoked how well it came out.  :)
Post tumbling color shown here is a tad darker than in real life.





I will try putting it all together either later today or tomorrow.
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #10 on: December 20, 2014, 07:22:36 PM
That turned out awesome. :drool:
It wouldn't be the internet without people complaining.


us Offline HarleyXJGuy

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #11 on: December 20, 2014, 07:48:32 PM
 :drool:

So I just send you my Wave? Or is there some other method?

I am guessing this is for someone else since all you own are Surge's?  :pok:

Good looking job by the way.


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #12 on: December 20, 2014, 08:25:23 PM
:drool:

So I just send you my Wave? Or is there some other method?

I am guessing this is for someone else since all you own are Surge's?  :pok:

Good looking job by the way.

Haha, thanks. I do own number of modded Waves too, not just Surges  ;)
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #13 on: December 20, 2014, 08:28:19 PM
Here's all the bits lined up together, awaiting assembly.

Well, all except the scissors, they are shown by mistake as I will be swapping them with an awl.



Although it doesn't show well on the photo I polished a living daylight out of those spacers and washers, they're very smooth now.
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


us Offline HarleyXJGuy

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #14 on: December 20, 2014, 08:34:14 PM
 :popcorn:

You could switch out the small driver for the awl also right?

I see you got the Rebar head too.  :drool:



nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #15 on: December 20, 2014, 08:36:19 PM
:popcorn:

You could switch out the small driver for the awl also right?

I see you got the Rebar head too.  :drool:

Sure you can, they're the same size. However I find myself using small 2-way driver more often than scissors.  8)
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


us Offline HarleyXJGuy

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #16 on: December 20, 2014, 08:38:42 PM
:popcorn:

You could switch out the small driver for the awl also right?

I see you got the Rebar head too.  :drool:

Sure you can, they're the same size. However I find myself using small 2-way driver more often than scissors.  8)

Right.

I was just wondering because I am planning my Wave mods.

You ever do work for other people?


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #17 on: December 20, 2014, 09:03:22 PM
:popcorn:

You could switch out the small driver for the awl also right?

I see you got the Rebar head too.  :drool:

Sure you can, they're the same size. However I find myself using small 2-way driver more often than scissors.  8)

Right.

I was just wondering because I am planning my Wave mods.

You ever do work for other people?

Unless you're Downunder the whole excersize becomes cost prohibitive. Ancient NZ postal practices (read: exorbitant eye gouging on registered/courier International shipping cost) kill all the fun.  :(
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


se Offline Mr Biriyani

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #18 on: December 20, 2014, 11:14:59 PM
looks awesome so far. :drool:


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #19 on: December 21, 2014, 01:13:53 AM
Finished product!  :ahhh

Please meet 'Acid Wave'  :drool:





« Last Edit: December 21, 2014, 01:22:25 AM by babola »
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us Online SteveC

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #20 on: December 21, 2014, 01:23:11 AM
Nice job !


us Offline Kampfer

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #21 on: December 21, 2014, 05:53:21 AM
I like the look! :tu:
EDC: Black Talon, Black Cat, Spirit, LD02


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #22 on: December 21, 2014, 07:22:05 PM
Thanks guys!

Included few more photos below.

Re-profiled Rebar awl:



The finish is sort of subdued gray, the stonewash texture is visible under angle. There is also a little bit of surface 'sparkle'.


Pliers and awl borrowed from Rebar, Wave scissors removed and used for another project.
All fits well after awl re-profiling.


   
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


us Offline HarleyXJGuy

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #23 on: December 22, 2014, 03:24:22 AM

All fits well after awl re-profiling.
(Image removed from quote.)


The awl has to be messed with for it to fit on a Wave?


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #24 on: December 22, 2014, 03:48:59 AM
The awl has to be messed with for it to fit on a Wave?

Yes, by about 1mm that needs to be 'shaved' off the top arch. Otherwise the pliers head interferes with it on closing the handles leaving an unsightly gap between the handles.

Strangely enough, I prefer this thin-profile awl look to the original one.  ::)
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


us Offline HarleyXJGuy

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #25 on: December 22, 2014, 04:57:08 AM
The awl has to be messed with for it to fit on a Wave?

Yes, by about 1mm that needs to be 'shaved' off the top arch. Otherwise the pliers head interferes with it on closing the handles leaving an unsightly gap between the handles.

Strangely enough, I prefer this thin-profile awl look to the original one.  ::)

So you do not need to mess with the sharp part, you can shave it off the back?


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #26 on: December 22, 2014, 05:37:54 AM
The awl has to be messed with for it to fit on a Wave?

Yes, by about 1mm that needs to be 'shaved' off the top arch. Otherwise the pliers head interferes with it on closing the handles leaving an unsightly gap between the handles.

Strangely enough, I prefer this thin-profile awl look to the original one.  ::)

So you do not need to mess with the sharp part, you can shave it off the back?

Correct. The total awl's length is unchanged.
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


us Offline HarleyXJGuy

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #27 on: December 22, 2014, 08:30:21 AM
The awl has to be messed with for it to fit on a Wave?

Yes, by about 1mm that needs to be 'shaved' off the top arch. Otherwise the pliers head interferes with it on closing the handles leaving an unsightly gap between the handles.

Strangely enough, I prefer this thin-profile awl look to the original one.  ::)

So you do not need to mess with the sharp part, you can shave it off the back?

Correct. The total awl's length is unchanged.

Thanks.


us Offline Breezy12

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #28 on: December 23, 2014, 12:55:01 AM
The awl has to be messed with for it to fit on a Wave?

Yes, by about 1mm that needs to be 'shaved' off the top arch. Otherwise the pliers head interferes with it on closing the handles leaving an unsightly gap between the handles.

Strangely enough, I prefer this thin-profile awl look to the original one.  ::)

I like the slimmer version of the awl too! :D and there's certainly some satisfaction to be had when you do another test fit and the handles close nicely without that gap. ;)

really nice work on this mod... I love the way it turned out! :tu:

just out of curiosity -- do the handles have a different texture to them now? I had the handles cerakoted for one of my Wave mods, and I really liked the feel of the handles after cerakoting.


nz Offline babola

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Re: Babola's Acid Wave project
Reply #29 on: December 23, 2014, 01:37:48 AM
The awl has to be messed with for it to fit on a Wave?

Yes, by about 1mm that needs to be 'shaved' off the top arch. Otherwise the pliers head interferes with it on closing the handles leaving an unsightly gap between the handles.

Strangely enough, I prefer this thin-profile awl look to the original one.  ::)

I like the slimmer version of the awl too! :D and there's certainly some satisfaction to be had when you do another test fit and the handles close nicely without that gap. ;)

really nice work on this mod... I love the way it turned out! :tu:

just out of curiosity -- do the handles have a different texture to them now? I had the handles cerakoted for one of my Wave mods, and I really liked the feel of the handles after cerakoting.

Thanks M  :tu:

The awl now reminds me of the SAK awl a little bit, not that I was going for that look but it turned out that way in the end.

The texture is now actually very smooth, silky even. After the initial acid treatment the feel is rough, almost sandpaper 1000 grit like. However, stone washing process de-burrs the edges a little and smooths out the surface, so it's almost slippery on touch now   :)
EDC and OCD. A wicked mix.


 

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