Piano Locks Question

[Blackbeard]

I got a new S-63 from recent sale on Woot. Had a coupon so it was $35 shipped, which I thought was a pretty good price.

I notice that on the side with the V-cutter and nylon spacer, the locks dont engage or retract automatically on vcutter and main blade(which are on the outer edge of handle), but  I have to manually push them. Is this normal? The other implements of the other handle lock automatically, and piano locks spring more freely.

Just wondering if this is normal or do they need some breaking in or maybe hex nuts are too tight?

[sawman]

I have a few Powerlocks with the pianolock and only on one does the lock not engage when the scissors open.  It requires a manual push of the lock into place.  This appears to be because of the piano lever itself being a little too thick for the tool slot - but I can't say for sure.  You could always send it into SOG I suppose.

[Blackbeard]

It doesnt really bother me, on a safety note, it makes you more aware of the main blades situation b4 using it. I dont think the slot thickness you mention factors in on my specific case, because when u push piano lock to put implement away it stays open, and doesnt spring into normal position  wihtout some manual help.

[sawman]

Never seemed to have this issue with the old locking system, and I've heard some folks on here say they prefer the old way.

[Blackbeard]

Never seemed to have this issue with the old locking system, and I've heard some folks on here say they prefer the old way.

I do like how they cut down on the clumping, and gear guards are also a plus. One thing I dont like on either model is I guess a catch-22 of the gear system: To get jaws to open wide it becomes impossible to use with one hand, making other MT's w/out the compound leverage more usefull for larger diameter tasks.

[sawman]

I still like and use my SOG multitools, but after having a plier snap in half and fly across the room, I have concluded that the compound leverage combined with their die-cast plier heads, are the equivallent of putting a V8 engine on a lawnmower.

[Freudian Frog]

I still like and use my SOG multitools, but after having a plier snap in half and fly across the room, I have concluded that the compound leverage combined with their die-cast plier heads, are the equivallent of putting a V8 engine on a lawnmower.

So what you're saying is... good times?

I have the same model and don't have this problem at all. Locks engage on all tools.

[Blackbeard]

I just hit it with a nice squirt of WD-40, but problem is still there may be the alignment of piano locks, or the rivet that passes through the locks was hammered too much possibly.. Anyone else experience this and fix it? Theres a nice audible click on the knife lock when you push it as if theres some resistance

[thebullfrog]

Mine has this same issue, I found putting an extra thin spacer in the handle helped. On mine it was a matter of the handle being just a hair too narrow and putting friction on the lock bar.

[Blackbeard]

Mine has this same issue, I found putting an extra thin spacer in the handle helped. On mine it was a matter of the handle being just a hair too narrow and putting friction on the lock bar.

Thanks, is it possible to remove the nylon spacer and put an extra tool in its place or does that have to stay there?

[thebullfrog]

I did some really weird crap with my loadout, and at this point I don't remember what fit where lol. The problem is that the tools don't fit together so hot in certain configurations. I found theres a bit more freedom in there than SOG says there is, if you're willing to make some sacrifices in terms of accessing some of the stuff. I'd say to just experiment and see what you can make work. The biggest limitation is what will clear the plier head when the tool is closed, and some tools are thick enough to need two lock bars (actually some are more like 1.5 bars and the spacer takes up the extra half). I can't even figure out how my Powerlock is actually SUPPOSED to go together any more.

[Freudian Frog]

Indeed, since the V-Cutter isn't actually a standard width like so many of the other bits it will sneak into most places. Experiment a little, that's what I had to do. Pin them in but don't tighten the bolt so you can check plier clearance. You can take the nylon spacers out and replace them with any single-width tool. There's a bit of clearance to put in the washers if you want to reduce clumping, also. Take note of the two types of parts (slotted or with nick) since the nicked tools put the tool into the back of the handle where the slotted ones are in front.

Fiddle with it!

[Blackbeard]

Cool, thinking of buying the scissors(does SOG supply the washers?), and moving 1/4" drive into the middle, not sure if it will work, but will make it much more usefull if it does.

[Freudian Frog]

Cool, thinking of buying the scissors(does SOG supply the washers?), and moving 1/4" drive into the middle, not sure if it will work, but will make it much more usefull if it does.

I haven't tried it but it looks like the 1/4" drive will fit under the plier heads. I don't have scissors to confirm this but I'm not so sure you can stack two long tools on one side of a handle at all, looks like there may not be enough clearance.

EDIT: It looks like one side has slightly more clearance. With the V-Cutter's smaller width it might be possible with some fiddling... maybe. At worse you'd just get rid of the V-Cutter. XD

EDIT2: I need scissors! =3

[Blackbeard]

Yeah I was looking at the clearance after I posted, and scissors might get hit by pliers as you mentioned, so need to put some thought into a good arrangement or dump v cutter. Don't see many accessories on SOG site that interest me.

[Freudian Frog]

Yeah I was looking at the clearance after I posted, and scissors might get hit by pliers as you mentioned, so need to put some thought into a good arrangement or dump v cutter. Don't see many accessories on SOG site that interest me.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,23083.0.html

Looks like it might work with the V-cutter on the other side with the knife?

Many users have modded parts from elsewhere to fit in.
There's also some Harley Davidson multitools with compatible parts, and the Paladin electronics-centric tools.

[Blackbeard]

Hmmmm, looks like he had to dump the 1/4" drive and also has older lever lock. I'd like to shove in as many tools in as possible if I'm gonna mod it, thanks for the research Frog.

[Blackbeard]

A quick measurement of handles shows me the side I'm having problems with is 1/32" smaller than the properly functioning side(the width of thechannel the tools rest in more specifically.)

Eventually I'll be able to adjust this I think, but the SOG QC really is shoddy, I guess once a tool is completed they dont bother to test it, or are instructed to ship them that way instead of taking the time to adjust them. Another lousy time/money saving corporate practice that is really annoying, and the end user gets inferior products that they have to fix themselves or be hassled with returns.

It does'nt matter that I got the tool for a good price, to me it becomes just another reason to think Victorinox is the top Dog.

[thebullfrog]

Like I said, mine was the same way, an extra thin spacer solved the problem. Annoying? Sure, but not that big a deal considering the degree of flexibility/customization the tool has compared to any other tool out there. I have more sever fit and finish problems on most of the Leathermans I've owned, including the really excessive and irritating blade play on my skeletool. Manufacturing variances happen, even at Victorinox. Case in point: My Swisstool had a couple implements that were really really overtightened, to the point where the handle on one side dragged a bit on the blade. Easy fix by slipping a driver in there and "stretching" that handle side a bit. Any mass produced item will have tolerance variances like that, and IMO Leatherman is the worst for it. Doesn't mean LM has bad products, just a lot more small annoying fit and finish/detail issues.