Question / problem with a used AutoTool

[mikekoz]

   I got a used AutoTool for a good price but it has a problem. The locking mechanism switch is missing from it. Here is a few photos:

 



  I have emailed the seller and Victorinox, but I am betting I am out of luck either way. The seller says he thought it was OK when he shipped it, and this tool has not been made in about 13 years. I know a lot of you mod and repair these items. Do any of you experts out there know how to fix this???   Also, the flashlight sucks! It is an incan not an LED. Does anybody know a way of upgrading it? It almost looks like one of the old Maglite LED upgrade bulbs would fit in it. Any help would be appreciated!! 

[mikekoz]

I guess I own the only one in existence!  This thing must be worth big bucks!! Nobody has any ideas how to fix this??? 

[magentus]

The only thing I can suggest is to see about sending it back to Victorinox under warranty.

Best of luck whatever you choose to do. 

[captain spaulding]

As far as upgrading the flashlight. Just type "LED bulb upgrade" into amazon and you should find something that will work. It might help to pull the bulb out and find out what bulb is already in there.

[Chako]

I would make an inquiry with Victorinox. I would wager they may not be able to help you, but one never knows. It has been out of production fore quite some time as you have stated.

As for the Bulb, no clue. I have 3 Autotools, and as a collector, I would never dream of modifying any of them.

[mikekoz]

Thanks everybody. I wrote them, and as I thought, they do not have parts for it. Nothing on Amazon also. It is possible that the tool was made that way. The original seller told me that the blade never locked, and somebody is selling one on Ebay right now that has the same piece missing, or just not there. Maybe the early models of this tool did not lock? I am going to keep it the way it is as it does not seem to be a good user. It has a feel of a cheap Chinese multitool, unlike all the other quality tools that I own from Victorinox. I can see why this model failed.

[GigaHz]

My old one seems the same.

[Chako]

As far as I know, they all came with the locking mechanism.

[mikekoz]

My old one seems the same.

    Interesting. Along with mine, that is the third one I have seen with the missing lock mechanism.  I have also noticed, on mine at least, that the mechanism appears to have never been there. Mine was bought used, and there should be some sort of marks present on the side, and under the tool where the lock mechanism slides back and forth, from usage. My Autotool is also made of polished steel, where all others I have seen, like yours, are more of a matte finish. Maybe there was some quality control issue on this tool when it was made.

[GigaHz]

To me if it was broke off, you could never close the tool. I think the early ones were made like knives, with no locks. Mine just opened and didn't lock.

[Aloha]

Mine had the locks. 

[marduk]

Mike, i suspect that the AutoTool you have is not broken. At one time years ago I was in contact w/an employee of the firm in New England that produced the scales of the AutoTool for Victorinox. He told me that his company prepared several prototypes of highly polished stainless steel scales like those on the SwissTool, but Vic rejected them as too costly.

You probably have one of those prototypes.

PS: The same US company also produced the red scales for the SportRatchet.

[mikekoz]

Mike, i suspect that the AutoTool you have is not broken. At one time years ago I was in contact w/an employee of the firm in New England that produced the scales of the AutoTool for Victorinox. He told me that his company prepared several prototypes of highly polished stainless steel scales like those on the SwissTool, but Vic rejected them as too costly.

You probably have one of those prototypes.

PS: The same US company also produced the red scales for the SportRatchet.

   Thanks Marduk! Looks like I may have a true collectors item!