Random rather uninformed ramblings on the PT-540

Nikos · **on:** July 18, 2010, 08:45:08 PM

So... Just got my hands on a PT-540, courtesy of our own Neil (of the NBF). First impression was something like "Wowzers! This thing is HUGE"... and that was even before taking it out of its sheath...

It turned out the sheath had an extra compartment under the tool, to hold the hex bit adapter; imagine a sheath for a full-sized tool the kind of a PowerLock, now add another inch or so...

Surely not a sheath carry tool for me... $:-\$

Well, when I took the tool off the sheath, things seemed so much better (at least, closer to normal). The PT-540 looks indeed like a workhorse and then some. Biggest plier head I've seen on a multi... by far. The implements are rather datacomm-specific but that wasn't a surprise. What was, though, was the clamping. :-( I just can't stand clamping in a tool and I'm afraid this one didn't fair well in this department, although it had piano locks and all. That and the handle covers just drove me crazy. See, when I use a MT I routinely switch between the blade, a screwdriver, and the pliers, and that's one of the tests I run new tool through. Opening and closing the tool covers was a real hassle and operating the handles without them did dig a bit into my palms.

Overall, this is in no way a bad tool, just not my cup of tea.

There...

J-sews · **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2010, 12:44:49 AM

Sounds like that pretty well sums up the PT-540 Nikos: Big, heavy, and flappy!

Let me know when you want to be rid of it

Neil · **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2010, 01:01:19 AM

I quite liked its size. Remember, never mind the quality, feel the girth

markn951 · **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2010, 01:35:10 AM

Quote from: Neil on July 19, 2010, 01:01:19 AM

I quite liked its size. Remember, never mind the quality, feel the girth

that's what she said.

Nice one Nikos. I've been thinking about getting one of those since I do quite a lot of datacomm stuff and I plan on making that my profession one day... *shrug* We'll see how I like Teofilo's PowerLock when it gets here!

ecfiffer · **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2010, 02:18:11 PM

being in IT and having a need for one of these, its nice. i agree with everything you have said. i love mine but 99% of the time while at work i use my skeletool...

RTAdams89 · **Reply #5 on:** July 27, 2010, 07:48:26 AM

I too just got a PT-540 (was tempted since I love my SOG PowerAssist so much). Anyhow, I was looking at the paper that came with it showing all the tools, and the point of the pliers is marked as a "hole punch". I looked at my PT-540, and the tip is not very pointed. Looking on-line at the Paladin site, the PDF marketing literature, and the papers that came with the tool, they all seem to have much pointier points than my tool. In the attached picture you can see the PT-540, the diagram included with the PT-540, and a SOG PowerAssist. Clearly, both the SOG and the diagram of the PT-540 are much pointier than the tool really is. What gives?

jzmtl · **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2010, 11:12:14 AM

It's for punching holes on dry wall, no need to be sharp.

RTAdams89 · **Reply #7 on:** July 27, 2010, 03:57:51 PM

True. I've seen plenty of very unsharp fists make holes in drywall, but usually not very tactfully. Just seems odd that all the images of the PT-540 (attacehd is one from Paladin's site) show the pliers as being much pointier than the tool actually is. Why do you suppose the design changed?

jzmtl · **Reply #8 on:** July 27, 2010, 06:44:18 PM

Probably to make it stronger in hands of "hard users", I always thought it's funny how the plier head is one of the biggest, yet the tip is one of the thinnest, even more so than keychain sized pliers.

RTAdams89 · **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2010, 03:59:42 PM

I emailed Paladin and included the same picture I put up here. This is the response I got:

Quote

Hello Ryan,

The tool should not look as squared off as yours does. It should have a slightly flattened part at the top but not as noticeable as it is on your tool. I can create a return material authorization for it and have it replaced as soon as possible. I will need your shipping address.

Thank you,

I have another Paladin PT-540, and it looks exactly the same way, so I find it hard to believe this was a one-time manufacturing mistake...

Chako · **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2010, 04:54:28 PM

Mine has a pointy tip.

Good catch on the flat tip. Could be a batch issue, or they simply changed the plier design.

ecfiffer · **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2010, 02:59:27 AM

you know come to think of it (as i force my self to use it more every day) i miss having one hand opening knifes, and the scissors on it are nice and big but holy crap they cant cut anything... when i look at the profile of the blades. its like they are bowed out in the middle and dont give a clean cut to very fine wire. most cat5 cable i've used has a small line in it that just needs snipped off but shiz i cant even do that.... BUT having a punch on the tool is damn nice. i have used the punch every time i've carried it.