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Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker

us Offline AndrewBird

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Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
on: April 20, 2015, 06:21:42 AM
Hey, my name is Andrew and I just signed up. I work for Leatherman as a machinist where I setup, run and adjust many of their CNC's that create multiple different parts for many different tools. Lately I've been working on some new robotically loaded cells that machine jaw halves.

Anyways, just wanted to say hi! Feel free to ask me any questions about how Leatherman products are made. I certainly don't know everything and can't tell you everything, but I'll try my best. Alternatively, you can take the factory tour if you are ever in Portland. There is some very cool stuff to see.
-Andrew Bird


hr Online styx

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #1 on: April 20, 2015, 07:52:53 AM
Welcome Andrew. Enjoy the show
Solving problems you didn't know you had in the most obscure way possible

"And now, it's time to hand this over to our tame race axe driver. Some say, he can live in the forest for six months at a time without food, and he knows of a secret tribe of only women where he is their God. All we know is, he's call the Styx!" - TazzieRob


us Offline captain spaulding

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #2 on: April 20, 2015, 07:57:42 AM
Welcome aboard. Pretty sweet having a job at Leatherman! Glad to have you on the forum. 
I'm the milk man!


us Offline NKlamerus

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #3 on: April 20, 2015, 08:22:47 AM
Welcome bud!

Pretty awesome job IMO.

Question, are yall making the Tread in house? I would assume so?


gb Offline Zed

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #4 on: April 20, 2015, 08:57:00 AM
Welcome   :cheers:


us Offline NKlamerus

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #5 on: April 20, 2015, 09:22:56 AM
Here is a loaded question, what do you carry?


00 Offline kirk13

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #6 on: April 20, 2015, 09:36:46 AM
Hi and welcome. Good to have you join us :salute:

I think you already know there's an awful lot of love here for Leatherman. Occasionally that love boils over into concern,but take it with a pinch of salt ;)
There is no beginning,or ending,and for this we are thankful,cos now is hard enough to understand!


us Offline David

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #7 on: April 20, 2015, 09:40:03 AM
Howdy Andrew and welcome!
What? Enablers! Are you serrrrious? Where? I dont see any.
Hold Fast


au Offline gregozedobe

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #8 on: April 20, 2015, 11:05:34 AM
Welcome aboard.  :cheers:  Good to have a "man on the inside".
babola: "Enjoy your tools and don't be afraid to air your opinion and feelings here, but do it in courteous and respectable way toward others, of course."


au Offline DazMechanical

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #9 on: April 20, 2015, 11:17:59 AM
Hi Andrew :salute: Welcome from Australia :cheers: Be sure to check out our 'Mod Squad Forum' would sure love for Leatherman to know what were up to! :tu:
darren


us Offline AndrewBird

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #10 on: April 20, 2015, 02:36:07 PM
Thanks everyone!

Welcome bud!

Pretty awesome job IMO.

Question, are yall making the Tread in house? I would assume so?
Yes, the Tread is being made in house. I've been working on some of the links recently actually.
-Andrew Bird


wales Offline Smashie

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #11 on: April 20, 2015, 02:40:52 PM
Welcome and as the others have said awesome job  :salute:
“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” - Socrates
"I'm not feeling very talky today, off you smurf". - Smashie
Complaining is mental preparation for failure.
Si vis pacem, para bellum


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #12 on: April 20, 2015, 02:55:44 PM
Howdy and welcome!! :alute:
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #13 on: April 20, 2015, 03:20:44 PM
Welcome aboard  :tu:


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #14 on: April 20, 2015, 04:31:06 PM
Greetings and Welcome,  ever meet Tim?  It is a cool job and the love does boil over but its still love non the less.  I wondered if LM gives their employees a MT upon being hired?  I know I would make sure all my employees carried a LM while at work.   

Esse Quam Videri


ca Offline derekmac

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #15 on: April 20, 2015, 05:12:53 PM
Here is a loaded question, what do you carry?
Well duh, a SwissTool.   :P

Just kidding Andrew. :cheers:  Welcome aboard!!!  You will find many LM nuts here, and some very good mods done to some of the MTs as well.


us Offline AndrewBird

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #16 on: April 20, 2015, 05:45:38 PM
My EDC is a Skeletool CX along with a Kershaw Leek.

I have met Tim, but only briefly. I see him walking around the production floor occasionally, some times giving private tours.

When you are hired at Leatherman, there is a two day long orientation where they also give you multiple tools that you may do what you want with. This is the best company I've worked for, and not just because they give us free tools. Lol
« Last Edit: April 20, 2015, 05:47:47 PM by AndrewBird »
-Andrew Bird


um Offline Mr. Whippy

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #17 on: April 20, 2015, 07:14:14 PM
Welcome to MTO!  :MTO:

You really should take a look at the threads regarding modified Leathermans there are some fantastic ideas in there.  I don't know how practical they are mass production wise, but beautiful designs there.  :)

Oh, and get to work on a general use tool with the MUT hammer!  :ahhh


us Offline AndrewBird

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #18 on: April 20, 2015, 07:49:27 PM
Take a look at the Signal. It's kind of like a Wave crossed with a MUT.
-Andrew Bird


us Offline NKlamerus

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #19 on: April 20, 2015, 07:51:54 PM
We have, there us a thread here all about it but I can't post a link.

I'm not sure how happy you'll be with our opinions....

I'm excited for it. It will be easily modded lol


um Offline Mr. Whippy

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #20 on: April 20, 2015, 08:14:13 PM
I like the basic framework for the Signal.  For me (working on my farm) I don't need a whistle.  More on board bit storage (or second bit driver) and full sized diamond coat file (like the Wave/Charge) and I'd be happy. 

For me, a Charge ALX without the small driver or can opener (swapping in scissors and large flat driver, for example) and adding replaceable cutters AND Hammer and you have a perfect tool.

Can the detachable sharpener be used as a file? 



us Offline captain spaulding

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #21 on: April 20, 2015, 09:05:43 PM
Take a look at the Signal. It's kind of like a Wave crossed with a MUT.


We have, there us a thread here all about it but I can't post a link.

I'm not sure how happy you'll be with our opinions....

I'm excited for it. It will be easily modded lol


   Weeellll..... I for one will say I think the Signal is a waste of time the way it sits. It has so much potential, but is ruined by all the plastic crap, sharpener, and fire starter. All I can say for the Signal is at least its not the Tread. Now that is just a joke. I'm not trying to be a Leatherman hater, but it's kind of hard not to with their decisions in the recent years. Dont forget the Skeletool SX, Juice SX, all the action sports crap, and most recently the Rev. A whole lot of crap being produced. :facepalm:
   Sorry for the negativity, but its just my opinion. I really do wish Leatherman the best and will carry their tools no matter what, but the terrible production decisions mixed with their increased prices and dropping quality control makes me think.
   This is no way reflects you or anything like that and I do not want you to think we just go around bashing Leatherman every chance we get. This is a very friendly forum and we keep everything respectable.  :tu:
« Last Edit: April 20, 2015, 09:11:34 PM by captain spaulding »
I'm the milk man!


us Offline Demel

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #22 on: April 20, 2015, 09:14:13 PM


When you are hired at Leatherman, there is a two day long orientation where they also give you multiple tools that you may do what you want with. This is the best company I've worked for, and not just because they give us free tools. Lol
Welcome to the forum. Alot of great people here. :salute:
What do you mean "do what you want with?"

"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." -John Wooden


us Offline AndrewBird

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #23 on: April 20, 2015, 09:44:50 PM
I'm a little confused by all the Signal hatred. I personally love the look of it and plan on getting one to replace my Skeletool. The whistle/fire starter and sharpener are all removable, so if you don't like them, then just take them off. That eliminates all the plastic.

As far as the Tread goes, let me just say wait until you have seen one in person to pass judgement. It is very cool and as long as you aren't trying to compare it to a "normal" multitool, it is very capable. Lots of cool stuff that isn't really distinguishable just from pictures.

And I meant do what we want with them in that they are our tools, not just loaners or something.
-Andrew Bird


us Offline tommywp

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #24 on: April 20, 2015, 09:49:44 PM


   Weeellll..... I for one will say I think the Signal is a waste of time the way it sits. It has so much potential, but is ruined by all the plastic crap, sharpener, and fire starter. All I can say for the Signal is at least its not the Tread. Now that is just a joke. I'm not trying to be a Leatherman hater, but it's kind of hard not to with their decisions in the recent years. Dont forget the Skeletool SX, Juice SX, all the action sports crap, and most recently the Rev. A whole lot of crap being produced. :facepalm:
   Sorry for the negativity, but its just my opinion. I really do wish Leatherman the best and will carry their tools no matter what, but the terrible production decisions mixed with their increased prices and dropping quality control makes me think.
   This is no way reflects you or anything like that and I do not want you to think we just go around bashing Leatherman every chance we get. This is a very friendly forum and we keep everything respectable.  :tu:

Dam Captain....hitting the guy with both barrels right out of the gate!  :D

Welcome, Andrew!  Whip up some MUT scrapers in a harder metal and you'll be my hero!
« Last Edit: April 20, 2015, 09:56:56 PM by tommywp »


ca Offline derekmac

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #25 on: April 20, 2015, 09:51:45 PM
I just want to say Andrew, I hope you don't get turned off by any comments made here.  We're passionate about our tools, and through daily use, know what we want, and what we like/dislike.


us Offline captain spaulding

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #26 on: April 20, 2015, 10:02:23 PM
I just want to say Andrew, I hope you don't get turned off by any comments made here. We're passionate about our tools, and through daily use, know what we want, and what we like/dislike.

Agreed. I do not wan't you to think I personally or we as a whole are sitting around bashing multitool companies all day.  :salute:
I'm the milk man!


us Offline Demel

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #27 on: April 20, 2015, 10:04:10 PM
I'm a little confused by all the Signal hatred. I personally love the look of it and plan on getting one to replace my Skeletool. The whistle/fire starter and sharpener are all removable, so if you don't like them, then just take them off. That eliminates all the plastic.

As far as the Tread goes, let me just say wait until you have seen one in person to pass judgement. It is very cool and as long as you aren't trying to compare it to a "normal" multitool, it is very capable. Lots of cool stuff that isn't really distinguishable just from pictures.

And I meant do what we want with them in that they are our tools, not just loaners or something.
The signal is a specialized tool. If someone lives in the city (myself for example) the signal has no appeal. I don't need a saw or firestarter. Replace the saw with scissors, no removable parts, a few different selections for internal tools and the signal has more appeal for an urban edc. I like the signal and it's design But would not buy it (like the mut) because of the specialized set up.
"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." -John Wooden


us Offline NKlamerus

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #28 on: April 20, 2015, 10:46:45 PM
Again, even though it's been mentioned, we love all Leatherman.

Don't mean to turn your intro into a debate, but it was bound to happen...

I still think working there would be freaking awesome. I have never done the tour but if I'm ever close enough you can bet I will definetly have a day or 3 just for the store lol


us Offline AndrewBird

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Re: Hello! - Official Leatherman Toolmaker
Reply #29 on: April 21, 2015, 12:25:09 AM
No worries guys, this isn't the first internet forum I've been on. lol Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if they are wrong.  ;)
-Andrew Bird


 

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