3/4 Wave anybody?

[wvucyclist]

Hey all,
I'm pretty new to the forum, and modding, though I've been taking apart my leatherman's for years.  I really like my wave, but don't like that it doesn't have locking tools, it's heavy, and I can't put a clip on.  I also really like the fuse that I recently lost (anybody find one? it had a kick clip on it), but I like OHO on an external blade and I could use a file.  I've been dreaming of LM making a wave like tool, but with only two external tools instead of 4.  I don't really need two blades, and definitely don't need a 3" saw. 
So my plan is:  buy a newer used wave and fuse on ebay, chop off 1/4 of it (not sure what side yet, but plan on losing the serrated blade and saw), cut off and grind down the unused side, then swap in phillips and small screwdriver out of the fuse, and put the bit holders into the fuse.  I might end up putting one of the SOG files into the fuse and keeping it one of my toolboxes.  A quick search revealed that it doesn't look like anybody here has tried a mod like that on a wave.  Obviously, I'm not too worried about warranty, so I might drill it out to lighten it some more.  I'll post some pics of my dream tool, or an epic failure in 2-3 weeks.

The current mod is my S2, I can't really get into how the two sides are a different width.  Sure, I like a bottle opener, but a little skill and most any other tool on the S2 will open a bottle.  I don't really open cans often, and I can strip wires with a knife or scissors.  So, I drilled out the rivets, went to ace, found out that the holes are a tad smaller than 9/64th that the closest bolts are, so I drilled out everything to accept #6 (I think) bolts.  After I do all of that, I search the forum here and see the knife supply that would have something much better.  I'm going to get some (only did one side for now) and see if the drilled out side is too big, of if the tolerance will be acceptable.  I'll have to do the other side to get rid of the aluminum cover, in due time.

My background: (Maybe not the correct location, but here it is) I'm a mechanical engineer by education, currently serving in the US Air Force... in a cube farm!  But, at least I'm doing real engineering work, though it's not really hands on.  I keep searching for design engineer jobs at LM, but I have a while left before I want to get out.

Ride on,
Gef

[Gareth]

Sounds like you're going to fit right in here Gef, welcome to the forum.

[DaveK]

Yup - definitely some like-minded souls on here Gef. Welcome to multitool.org 

[Charger]

Ah ha! The Ripple again takes a step towards existence.  
Good luck with that and be sure to post many many pictures.

Welcome here!

[AHB]

Welcome to MT.O Gef. 
Sound like a very interesting Mod, so we're expecting lots of pics.. 

[Zed]

Welcome to MT.O Gef. 
Sound like a very interesting Mod, so we're expecting lots of pics.. 

   sounds great and as said pics      and welcome 

[nuphoria]

Hurrah, another tool butcherer 

Welcome

[J-sews]

Interesting couple of mods there wvu

[wvucyclist]

Ok, I've been waiting for the 5 point torx to get here, and it finally arrived today!  So, I got to work and took it apart.  The wave I bought needed rebuilt anyways, it was in rough shape, but for $33 what can I expect.  I did the slice and dice, initial impression is that the edge is sharp, so more work with a file is required.  I left my kick at work for whatever reason, and I'm planning on robbing it of some tools, so I'm not completely done, but in the mean time, some pics.

[wvucyclist]

Done!  For now.  I think I'm going to need to make some scales for the side I chopped off, for one, it's ugly, for two, it kinda hurts my hands to use the pliers.  It weighs in at 198 grams, so I dropped over 40 grams, while getting rid of two outside tools and replacing the bit tools with non-removable ones.

[Charger]

BEAUTIFUL!!

If i had the parts and skill I would mod my charge's components to the phillips and large flathead on one side, scissors and large bit driver on the other.  This is inspiring.

That is a great mod, be sure to do a few more

Got any plans for the spare parts?

[jim guy]

did you have to remove the little peg that sticks up in the middle of the handle? I guess its a stop for the pliers? I tried to put the long phillips from a blast in my wave and it hit it.

[J-sews]

 

[Raukodur]

I think I'm going to need to make some scales for the side I chopped off, for one, it's ugly, for two, it kinda hurts my hands to use the pliers

wouldnt solve the ugly issue, but if you filed and rounded the edges, wouldnt that make it comfortable to use?

[wvucyclist]

Yikes!  I did file and round the edges.  Maybe when my hand can feel the one side and the other both at once it makes it feel worse.

I did remove the little peg, it's amazingly weak.  One little twist with a pair of pliers and it popped right out.  I'm thinking it's a part for the manufacturing process?  Maybe so they can accurately place the spring before riveting it down.  There was an indent on the side also which doesn't appear to affect the phillips, as I switched it from what the picture shows already.  I found that the can opener was tapered the wrong way, and the nail nick wasn't accessible, so I swapped it.  The way it's pictured the can opener doesn't interfere with the indent, but I thought the phillips would, apparently it doesn't, as it closes just fine.