My LM Wave broke in an unusual way... :cry:

[josekym]

 Hello guys,

Just wanted to vent out my stress here...

Yesterday afternoon, I was asked to adjust/shorten a metal watch bracelet for my mom.  'No problem', I said, since I had my trusty MTs with me (LM Wave 0608 and Vic ST).  I proceeded to carefully disassemble the metal watch bracelet, removing the metal pins that held the links in place.  First I used the Vic awl to push the pins from the opposite side, and then use the LM needlenose to pull them just enough to disengage the bracelet link.

I needed to remove at least 2 such bracelet links.  The first link came off with no issues, but when I was removing the pin on the 2nd one, my Wave suddenly gave a popping sound, but I could not determine where it originated.  I thought the plier tips may have slipped, but they didn't.  I didn't mind at first, but when I was done with the watch and proceeded to put away my Wave, I noticed that one of its "legs" seemed a bit "limp" now.  I am very accustomed to the tensions on my tools, and immediately noticed that the usual tension on one of the legs of the Wave was gone!

Hence, I did a closer inspection of the tool (with a flashlight and magnifier) and found the problem.  The folded metal that is covering the interlocks had a small fissure/crack on one corner.   

I attached a picture to show the damaged area.  The picture is not of my own tool (I don't have a macro camera), but a pic from equipped.org where I highlighted with red color the cracked portion on my tool.

I'm off to my local distributor again to have the tool sent back to LM for repair.  I hope it won't take a year (again) for it to come back in perfect shape... 

[duckman1975]

Ouch, hope you have better luck on warranty repair this time.
Another option is to repair it yourself, just have to find a donor part.
Best of luck.

[Vadim]

Yeah,its bad,but its a typical for LM Surge,Wave and Charge because of design.I was sent about 2  3 Surge's with same problem.Just send it to LM they replace it.
The broken handles is a weak point on Surge,Charge and Wave.
I think the ST300 frame/handles is better here (simple and better design)
 



   P.S.   You never find it on Swisstool or Swisstool Spirit multitools.

[J-sews]

So it was actually part of the handle metal itself that broke?

[josekym]

Ouch, hope you have better luck on warranty repair this time.
Another option is to repair it yourself, just have to find a donor part.
Best of luck.

Thanks, Donald.

Nope, I can't repair it myself as I do not have the skills, spare parts or tools to do so.

I'll just have to rely on prayers, follow-ups and LM to pull through...

I still can't believe the tool broke the way it did.  I worked slowly and wasn't even bearing down on the handles since I did not want to scratch the polished metal on the watch bracelet, but no, Mr. Murphy had to go add me to his accomplishment quota for the day...

[josekym]

Yeah,its bad,but its a typical for all LM Surge,Wave and Charge because of bad design.I was sent about 2  3 Surge's with same problem.Just send it to LM they replace it.
The broken handles is a weak point on Surge,Charge and Wave.
I think the ST300 frame/handles is better here (simple and better design)
 



   P.S.   You never find it on Swisstool or Swisstool Spirit multitools.

Yes, my only option now is warranty repair.

I also have a Charge Ti (0305) which has seen more action than my Wave, but is still rock solid.

[Vadim]

Yeah,its bad,but its a typical for all LM Surge,Wave and Charge because of bad design.I was sent about 2  3 Surge's with same problem.Just send it to LM they replace it.
The broken handles is a weak point on Surge,Charge and Wave.
I think the ST300 frame/handles is better here (simple and better design)
 



   P.S.   You never find it on Swisstool or Swisstool Spirit multitools.

Yes, my only option now is warranty repair.

I also have a Charge Ti (0305) which has seen more action than my Wave, but is still rock solid.

Yes,a warranty repair.Just send it and after 7-8 days you received your new and shiny Wave!

[josekym]

So it was actually part of the handle metal itself that broke?

Yes, it is the folded metal which forms the chassis, immediately after the cut-outs of the linerlock.  Now that I look at it, it's only about 3-4mm of folded metal due to the cutout.  CumminsDiesel may be correct, in that the design has inherent weakness about it...

[J-sews]

Hmmmm, I've never had that happen on any of mine.


Are you still in the Phillipines Josekym? Warranty replacement will probably take longer than a week.

[josekym]

Yeah,its bad,but its a typical for all LM Surge,Wave and Charge because of bad design.I was sent about 2  3 Surge's with same problem.Just send it to LM they replace it.
The broken handles is a weak point on Surge,Charge and Wave.
I think the ST300 frame/handles is better here (simple and better design)
 



   P.S.   You never find it on Swisstool or Swisstool Spirit multitools.

Yes, my only option now is warranty repair.

I also have a Charge Ti (0305) which has seen more action than my Wave, but is still rock solid.

Yes,a warranty repair.Just send it and after 7-8 days you received your new and shiny Wave!

I really hope it is that quick! (But am not holding my breath...) Heheh.

I am in the Philippines, and the last time I sent a tool to LM for repair, it took more than 12 months turn-around time...

But, I am a patient man, and I will wait....

[Vadim]

O yeah,sorry,its about a week here,in US

[Vadim]

"more than 12 months " !?

[duckman1975]

So hard to get warranty repair here, to save on grief its easier to buy a knew one but a lot more expensive though.

[Mercury]

ouch.  That sucks big time.  Kinda shocking about the turn around time though.  good luck with everything, I hope you get it back soon!

[josekym]

Went to turn-in my tool for warranty, only to find out that the LM authorized distributor for our country has closed its only branch store/outlet here in my city (just last week).   

That means I have to personally travel to Manila just to submit my tool and fill-up the necessary paperwork for warranty claim...

Ah, such is life...   

[edap617]

Nice you are back in the the forum Kym. I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your Wave.

You mean the branch of Hahn in your place closed down shop already? The last time I was there I was able to buy a CRT knife.  It makes me sad when a store selling multitools and SAKs close down.

Eddie

[Zed]

Thats a shame and a shocking turn around time on warranty  i think mine was about 1 week, but i gues you have to send yours to the states ?

paul

[josekym]

Nice you are back in the the forum Kym. I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your Wave.

You mean the branch of Hahn in your place closed down shop already? The last time I was there I was able to buy a CRT knife.  It makes me sad when a store selling multitools and SAKs close down.

Eddie

Hello Eddie,

Yup, long time no post... Heheh.  Busy as usual... 

Correct, the Hahn store at SM Baguio is not there anymore as of July.  I thought they only re-located somewhere, but when I asked people in the know, I was told that they indeed closed shop.  I also did not get any replies/advise from their Manila people yet.

I was thinking maybe send it direct to LM USA via DHL?  I'll try figuring out the costs involved in doing that, as opposed to shuttling back and forth to Manila...

[josekym]

Thats a shame and a shocking turn around time on warranty  i think mine was about 1 week, but i gues you have to send yours to the states ?

paul

Yes, Paul.  You're correct.  The country distributor does not repair the tools, so they get sent back to LM USA, afaik.

[Zed]

Thats a shame and a shocking turn around time on warranty  i think mine was about 1 week, but i gues you have to send yours to the states ?

paul

Yes, Paul.  You're correct.  The country distributor does not repair the tools, so they get sent back to LM USA, afaik.

be quicker sending it to the uk 

[Dunc]

Thats a shame and a shocking turn around time on warranty  i think mine was about 1 week, but i gues you have to send yours to the states ?

paul

Yes, Paul.  You're correct.  The country distributor does not repair the tools, so they get sent back to LM USA, afaik.

be quicker sending it to the uk 

Whitby would never honour the repair for a tool with an address outside the UK .


josekym  do you feel that you could have done all the work with just the Vic ST ?

[AHB]

I am in the Philippines, and the last time I sent a tool to LM for repair, it took more than 12 months turn-around time...

I really think you should try sending a mail to LM headquarters explaining what you told us.. 12 months is unacceptable no matter where you are in the world.. 

[ACHË]

What!

A YEAR 

****breathe***

**calm down**

Ok

I'd say to write down about your previous wait on the warranty form... I love LM but that is unacceptable from any company.



Come on...It would take less time to have an employee walk to the shores of California and swim it to you!


Best of luck to you...I hope LM comes through.

[DaveK]

I am in the Philippines, and the last time I sent a tool to LM for repair, it took more than 12 months turn-around time...

I really think you should try sending a mail to LM headquarters explaining what you told us.. 12 months is unacceptable no matter where you are in the world.. 

Completely agree. It should take a few days longer in each direction than a tool posted within the US. My guess is that your local LM retailer sat on that for 11 months!

[josekym]

Whitby would never honour the repair for a tool with an address outside the UK .

josekym  do you feel that you could have done all the work with just the Vic ST ?

I am still working on contacting our country's authorized LM distributor, but have had no e-mails or calls returned yet.  I am also looking at sending it in directly to LM via DHL or something... Hope to have feedback in a couple of days or so...

I suppose I could have done all the work with just my ST, but I preferred to use the LM needlenose pliers since they are more nimble for the purpose.  That, and I wanted a "team effort" result.

[josekym]

Completely agree. It should take a few days longer in each direction than a tool posted within the US. My guess is that your local LM retailer sat on that for 11 months!

Yeah, that could be the case, since at one time I was following-up my claim, I had the impression that those guys have lost my tool. 

Anyway, I'll see about the costs involved in sending it direct to Portland.  If it is not reasonable from where I am, then I'll just pony up for a new tool from an "unauthorized" seller in my city. 

Still using My LM Wave as of yesterday, though...  Apart from the "limp" leg, it was fine for my work needs at the time.

[josekym]

Whitby would never honour the repair for a tool with an address outside the UK .

josekym  do you feel that you could have done all the work with just the Vic ST ?

I am still working on contacting our country's authorized LM distributor, but have had no e-mails or calls returned yet.  I am also looking at sending it in directly to LM via DHL or something... Hope to have feedback in a couple of days or so...

I suppose I could have done all the work with just my ST, but I preferred to use the LM needlenose pliers since they are more nimble for the purpose.  That, and I wanted a "team effort" result.

Sigh...

Looks like I'm screwed for the meantime.   

I haven't heard from the LM distributor in the PH, and they are not returning my calls or e-mails (yet), after I have informed them that I no longer have the sales invoice for my tool.  However, I have the complete packaging (LM box, including their marked and barcoded price tag) which I think would be enough proof of purchase.  I've since contacted LM and got no reply e-mail either, but reading from their website, I really have to deal with no one else but my country distributor (with regards to warranty repair).

I also got a rough quote from DHL for US$29.23 + taxes + insurance if I send it direct to LM in Portland, Oregon.  I may consider going that route when I have the spare cash soon.

Since I've just started on my new job, I'd be busy most days of the week too, so I figured I'd just leave it as is at the moment and just continue to use my Wave in its current state (as backup to my primary tool).

[Gareth]

That really sucks mate.   One plan might be to see if one of our friendly American members would be willing to send it in for you.  So you send it to them and they send it into Leatherman.  Just an idea.

[josekym]

Sounds like a good idea, Gareth, but I assume it would cost me about the same if I were to ship it direct to Portland...   

I also wouldn't want to be a burden to any of you nice gents here, just because... 

[Mercury]

Sounds like a good idea, Gareth, but I assume it would cost me about the same if I were to ship it direct to Portland...   

I also wouldn't want to be a burden to any of you nice gents here, just because... 

To be honest, I wouldn't mind at all.  I would even cover shipping from my house to portland just to help out(I get a deal on shipping, no worries ).