An update to my first mod on MTO.....

[evil510]

Hey gang. Evil here again. This is an update to the first mod I ever posted here on MTO when I joined earlier this year. I never expected to get into modding multitools as much as I have. Honestly, I have lost count of the number of mods I have done since then. It all kind of snowballed from that point on. With all of the buzz about the bits being loose and wobbly in the Leatherman bit driver, I opted to make my own instead. If I bought the real deal, the loose bits would have bugged the hell out of me and I would have modded it anyway. This is a revisit and an update of that mod that started it all for me.....

~ evil ~

What happens when you try to use a standard magnetic bit driver with Leatherman bits. They do not sit in very deep and pull out easily because of small contact area with magnet.....


My modified, extra deep bit driver with super strong 3 lb. pull neodymium magnet. Holds Leatherman bits extra deep, magnet strong enough to hold up whole tool in air just from the bit.....


Full view. Even longer than the Leatherman bit extender.....


Ok, now for the update. Since fabricating this bit extender, I have made many various bits. There have been times when I have used the bit extender alone as a makeshift screwdriver handle, especially when using the precision screwdriver bits. I set out to make a handle that would make it easier, not to mention more comfortable, to use the bit extender as a handle that didn't take up much more real estate than the bit extender itself. I have been meaning to make this long ago but only just now got around to it.....

New rubberized plastic handle I made for the bit extender to use as a proper screwdriver. Inner metal sleeve runs full length of handle. Neodymium magnet in tail cap holds bit extender firmly in place.....


Installed onto the bit extender. Slips right on and snaps into place.....


Yet another view. Here you can see the rounded aluminum end cap.....


Leaving it on the bit extender for storage it only adds 1/8" in length and barely over 1/16" in width... mission accomplished. A stubby handle to use Leatherman bits in the works.....

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Excellent work there mate

[donvito]

Excellent craftsmanship Evil

[nuphoria]

That looks fabulous dahlink!

You are great at attention to detail - should be offering up your services to obsessed MT owners 

[sawman]

I can see how that would be useful.  Good creative work there Evil 

[SlackOne]

That's pretty close to something I was thinking about once.  Makes a lot of sense if you're already carrying an extender.  Your extender already kicked the LM one all over the place, this just makes it even cooler.

The only difference was that my idea had another hole where you have the rounded cap, so that you could pull the extender out of the handle, and snap it into the "back" of the handle making a much longer driver as well.

[evil510]

Thanks for the comments Mike, Donvito, Nuphoria and Sawman  

That's a great idea, SlackOne. I have my magnet mounted in the tailcap. If moved inwards towards the middle and the end opened it would be easy enough to accomplish. I went with a magnet system as opposed to a spring clip since my newfound fondness for the super strong neodymium magnets. No joke, I can hold up my Surge in the air by nothing more than the bit and magnet.  If you ever make your version, I'd love to see it. The handle really does come in handy when working with the smaller bits or when snugging down many larger screws/bolts or quickly removing them after having broken them loose. Despite having all of these custom bits, extenders and adapters I have made, the standard Leatherman bits have one inherent flaw and that is the ability to reach into recessed areas if the hole is narrow. You can only go as deep as the tip of the extender or bit driver, which isn't very deep at all. I know some are looking forward to getting the upcoming MUT extended driver bits. While they will have more reach, they too suffer from being able to reach into narrow holes. They are limited by the width of the bit itself. Fortunately, Evil has already found a solution for that as well.....