Bit holder modification on Powerlock

[resaw]

Hey all,

I've been wanting to do this modification for a while, and now that I have a new PL after losing my old one I decided to give it a shot.  Now I have bits to match most jobs, and a socket with bit inserted ready to go in the handle, still allowing the pliers to close.  If SOG makes one of these, I'll buy it, as mine is a little rough looking and the paint is already scraping off. 

To make it I cut the magnetic socket off a driver, notched the base and shaved the sides, and cut down a SOG 1/4" socket adapter to accept the new socket.  JB Weld to fasten.  It takes up a lot of space, but saves a lot as well.  No more stock PH or Rob drivers in my SOG, and I can bring along whatever bits I usually need.  For now an innertube strap holds 4 on my sheath, not the best of setups, but works until I find the right sheath. 

It sits nicely (although like I said, the paint is coming off, may have to grind a bit more) between a SOG blade and a custom hacksaw blade I made, which is just a notched and trimmed conventional hacksaw blade.  It would take up more space if ground narrower, but then strength is compromised.  LM Wave units are sweet and narrow, but don't accept conventional bits. 

Also you may notice the externaly mounted V-cut...why don't I see that more often?

Maybe one day we'll be lucky enough for SOG to come out with a slick version, for now I'm happy with this.  Stength tests in a few days, as it's still curing. 

[CENTURION]

Nice mod, I've actually been thinking about modifying a LM flat bit driver to fit a SOG, because I don't really want to carry around the bulk of the full-size bits. If that works for you though, then great!

The external v-cutter is intriguing, does it open and close smoothly? I assume it doesn't lock though, which would detract somewhat from the usefulness

[sawman]

That does look cool and I'm a huge fan of bits ... the advantage of yours of course being you can use security bits etc.  Great job 

[resaw]

Thanks guys.

The LM setup is the best I've seen in a multi, although I did end up losing the removable bit on my old Wave.  It is a disadvantage that only LM bits are usable.  I like to know that I can buy cheap bits as replacements, and can carry whatever bit I need, not just LM issued ones. 

The V-cut works fine without locking.  I've never been in a situation (nor can I think of one) where I need it solidly locked.  When cutting cord or opening boxes, or most other cutting, the user is pulling on the tool, thereby the force is applied lengthwise along the tool and the V-cut.  No lock required.  It opens nice, although the tool needs to be opened a little to clear the lock rivets on the opposite leg.  Not open as much as you would need to open an inside tool, and can easily be done one handed.  It pretty useful having that tool accessable.  If it could actually cut a seatbelt, it would be even cooler!  The only thing to be careful of is when assembling you need to let the loctite cure before you play with the tool, because it will loosen (more so then the normal setup).  Once it's cured, no loosening.  I carried my old PL with external V-cut for over a year with no problems.  I love that my 4 y/o daughter can ask for the SOG to cut some string or tags on stuffies (an obsession of hers), and I know it's safe for her.  She knows not to try and access inside components!

I just finished grinding the socket down a little more, and repainting, so there should be no more scraping now.  I did some testing before removal, and it didn't break, not surprising, but I had some small doubts about the JB Weld.  Should be good. 

[J-sews]

Interesting mod there resaw!

A question about the JB Weld; is it subject to any torque, or is it just to keep the socket from falling off the modified SOG bit driver?

[resaw]

Thanks J-sews.  I designed it with a notch cut into the bottom of the socket that slips over the driver.  I made it a tight notch, then pressed the socket on using a vice.  I did some tests in the shop like that, but after several hard turns it went a little jiggly, but stayed on and was still usable. I then pressed it with the JB Weld and let it cure, and no problems yet after testing, although I didn't use it like a pry bar, just several screws buried in a 2x4.  The torque is all handled by the notch, however I wonder if a lot of torque/hard use would crack the putty so it would become jiggly again.  All I can do is use it and find out I suppose. 
It seems legit at this point though.   

[J-sews]

I agree, that sounds like it should work

[ecfiffer]

nice mod!  now i kinda want to do that to my pt540! 

[thebullfrog]

Awesome, awesome work  . The bit driver is fantastic, but I actually use the socket driver for sockets and just use a bit adapter I have that fits the socket driver when I need it. I do agree that SOG really does need to make one of these however as most people would find it much more useful.

I'm almost more interested in the external V-cutter. My V-cutter doesn't actually fit with all the other tools so it's crammed in there so tight I need to keep the screw pretty loose to get the tools to open. This would solve the problem and free up space to put the blade back in or something (not that I really need a 6th blade in my EDC) . Not to mention making it easier to replace after it goes uselessly dull after 3 uses  I think I may just have to give that one a try.

[darkhawk]

Nice mod, good idea!
I have mixed my tool load a few times think i got it all set now
but I like this idea I was just using the one started 1/4 inch drive with a second pouch that held bits and addapter.

[resaw]

Well, after shaving my bit adapter even more the allow another tool next to it, a crack has developed.  It runs down the socket, but still holds.  I'm still using it, but it will break eventually.  Interestingly the notch and JB weld are holding up great, it is the purchased socket that is failing. 

With some trepidation I took apart my old LM Wave to see if the LM bit holder fits, and Holy Crap, it works!  Locks and everything!  Just a shame it's not black!  So, let it be known, if it wasn't already:

WAVE tools fit POWERLOCKS!

I was pretty excited when I found this out.  However, I've long since lost the LM bit, so I'll be ordering a set from LM, and creating a hybrid of sorts, which some SOG or LM purists will find disgusting, but I"m doing what works. 

Cheers.

[CENTURION]

Wait really? 
I thought the locking bars were completely different sizes, and the closed detents let the tool wiggle when closed...

Picsoritdidnthappen.

[resaw]

Centurion, it does wiggle, but so do the rest of the SOG PL tools, although a little less than this mash up.  I can deal with it as it's still an improvement over the chunky SOG one and my custom.  I think I can rectify the wiggle by adding a little material (good ol' JBweld) on the LM unit and then filing it just right, but I don't think that's even neccesary.  Other than the wiggle it works great, and I wasn't even expecting the holes to match up.  That was the most surprising part.  Looks like the axle inserts could be swapped around too, although the LM may be shorter.

The second pic shows that it doesn't interfere with other tools locking. 

[CENTURION]

Intriguing, I really thought that it wouldn't work...

Does it really lock up well? I tried transplanting a Kick phillips driver into my PL, and it had a crazy amount of play when "locked". Perhaps I was wrong in thinking that LM uses the same tool designs in all their tools. 

[resaw]

Depends on what a "crazy" ammount of play is!  It has about twice as much play as a regular SOG tool.  There is a 1mm gap at the lock tab, which translates to a little less than 2mm play at the very end of the driver.  I don't have a bit for it so I don't know if it would make a difference when screwing, I'll find out when my bits come.  If it is a problem, I will narrow the gap.  I wonder as well if all LM tools are the same.  This Wave is quite old, so maybe even Waves are different now. 

[prime77]

If you want a really strong 1/4 driver for your Powerlock see if you can find a Outdoor Trek Edge tool. There really dirt cheap but the driver is a big chunk of metal and fit's the SOG perfect. The downside is it takes up a whole handle's worth of tools.

[CENTURION]

Yeah that's about what I had found with my experimenting. I don't know if it will really impact your screw-driving ability, but it's one of those things that irritates me 

Filling the gap with JB Weld is a good idea, I may have to try that, but I really would prefer a more solid solution.

I've thought about machining one, but it would be pretty costly, and I don't know if it would have the strength of the cast ones.

Prime77: Thats a pretty beefy driver! Personally I want to use the LM driver, but that is still really cool.

[markn951]

Um, guys, maybe I'm missing something...

http://sogknives.com/store/HXB-01.html

Wouldn't that work?

[ari6126]

The SOG official way to do it requires that you carry the 1/4" socket. These mods eliminate that need.

[CENTURION]

Indeed, Having to carry around the extra socket adapter would be a pain.

Personally I would love to have the LM driver because in addition to not having to carry the socket, the bits are tiny!

Prime77, How many tool slots does that driver take up on the SOG?

[J-sews]

Yeah, too bad the Leatherman bit driver isn't available seperately.