The Black Tide (Ultimate BO Wave)

[bushidomosquito]

Wow! Lots of coolness going on in this thread. That mini driver adaptation is genius and your reports read like a romance novel for MT modders.

[J-sews]

Sorry I'm a little late to this party Eric, but kudos to you for some fine mod work! And while I enjoyed the Black Tide tutorial immensely, I thought this was pure genius:

Had a bit of time today...procrastinating.

I took an older style small bit driver from a broken TTi and saw the potential. The newer versions don't have enough material to support this.

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A little grinding, shaping and down to a 600 wet sand, we have the little driver driver.

Fits inside the bit adaptor..and the storage up top for the bit works like intended.

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Slips inside the bit driver on the Black Tide nicely.

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It even folds ups and nests, and closes up too!

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As a bonus...the extender makes it a nice little precision one for ACTUALLY fixing glasses:

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[Metropolicity]

Sorry I'm a little late to this party Eric, but kudos to you for some fine mod work! And while I enjoyed the Black Tide tutorial immensely, I thought this was pure genius:

Thanks Bob, as always, nice to get a professionals approval

I have been putting the Black Tide through it's paces in the last week, fixing up things in this 100 year old rental we are leaving in a few weeks time. Can't wait to get out of this crap for bricks house.

[bushidomosquito]

Those mini bit drivers look like the ones you sent me 3 of along with the large one. I like using the bit for SAK corkscrew drivers but I have no use for the holder if you'd like them back since you've figured out an awesome mod for them. Otherwise I'll just sell them to someone else that wants to try it or they'll rust away in my parts bin.

[tattoosteve99]

Those mini bit drivers look like the ones you sent me 3 of along with the large one. I like using the bit for SAK corkscrew drivers but I have no use for the holder if you'd like them back since you've figured out an awesome mod for them. Otherwise I'll just sell them to someone else that wants to try it or they'll rust away in my parts bin.

I'll take those if Metro don't.

[Metropolicity]

Those mini bit drivers look like the ones you sent me 3 of along with the large one. I like using the bit for SAK corkscrew drivers but I have no use for the holder if you'd like them back since you've figured out an awesome mod for them. Otherwise I'll just sell them to someone else that wants to try it or they'll rust away in my parts bin.

emailed! I want those back if you don't want em..I'll make more bit drivers and pawn them off on MTO members

[Metropolicity]

The Black Tide muscled its way through a ton of tasks today!

Used The Black Tide's Robertson, Phillips and flat head bits to install a new light, remove screws from the wall, reinstall a cleaned heating vent, tightening up the storm door hinges and tighten up the BBQ's loose screw. I also used the saw to cut down a zip tied hardware piece we used to hang up a pendant light, the SE blade to cut down some rope we had up and the PE blade to cut open a bun for BBQ burgers.

The new 154cm wirecutters drew their first blood by cutting the support wire for the pendant lamp.

[Outback in Idaho]

Did the Rebar pliers just drop in, or did you have to make some adjustments?

And of course the awl. I had to fit one from an ST300 in there with a Dremel but I think took off more than what was needed. As I tried to explain to someone at Leatherman, why carry two tools when one would suffice?

Am assuming the Charge is perty much like the Wave spec wise. Already voided the warranty on my Charge TTi, what's another tool? The replaceable wire cutters would save from having wire cutting issues that the Charge/Wave have as stock now.



Besides, I take good care of my tools. 
Want them to be ready when I need them, not having to go running back to the house or the car. That's the whole reason of carrying a multitool isn't it, having what you need with you at all times?

[Metropolicity]

The heads just dropped in! So bizarre.

However; scissors are a no go. Anything shorter than a bit driver will fit when closed

I should say that having both Robbie and Philips bits have been invaluable in the last two weeks.

[Outback in Idaho]

These new pliers practically eliminate that one sore problem of the wire cutters locking the pliers up.

Where was that ReCharge thread...



Wished I had a small shop, the tools, and the funds to redo mine. Getting the tools lined up without munging a washer is my biggest worry. Hmm... wonder if a Surge blade exchanger could replace the file/saw, and add the scissors on the outside of a TTi. Would make more sense.

Surge is nice, just too heavy for EDC. Leatherman made a smaller version of the Super Tool 300, surely they could do the same with the Surge ..... unless a modder does it first.

[Metropolicity]

Hmm... wonder if a Surge blade exchanger could replace the file/saw, and add the scissors on the outside of a TTi. Would make more sense.

Surge is nice, just too heavy for EDC. Leatherman made a smaller version of the Super Tool 300, surely they could do the same with the Surge ..... unless a modder does it first.

Nope. Not yet.

I fiddled with a blade exchanger but it's huge for the slot and to have the saw/file inside the tool would render them about 2" long. Not too useful. I am going to see about milling my own. But not till my new shop is up and running.

I have a candidate for scissors to replace the saw, BO ones from a Gerber Flik. The pivot is the same already and all it needs is a pin to hold the back spring in place.

Failing that, I have some Cerakoted Vic Scissors on the way that I know will drop in with a pivot expansion.

[tattoosteve99]

Now I wonder where you are getting those from ?   

[tattoosteve99]

Also do you think the fit problems from the rebar/scissors is due to the fact that the rebar plier head is not rounded like that from a wave?

[Metropolicity]

Now I wonder where you are getting those from ?   

You know where good ole buddy

Yes, extra bulge from the plier head support material interferes with it. The surge is .5" longer so there is much more space for stuff to go inside. The Wave is much smaller beast...I have been satisfied without scissors. Having 2 drivers have been very useful so far.

If things don't end up going where they should go, I'll make those scissors into a separate entity, like a one layer SAK type thing.

[Outback in Idaho]

Now I wonder where you are getting those from ?   

Yes, extra bulge from the plier head support material interferes with it.

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Hmm, did not notice that at first. Wonder if Leatherman skipped the rounded facing of the pliers for strength, or just to skip a step in processing just to get them out the door in time for sales?

Skipping that step I could see from a company like Gerber, but not a Leatherman. Hope their quality doesn't start going down the drain. Quality > Quantity.

[Metropolicity]

Now I wonder where you are getting those from ?   

Yes, extra bulge from the plier head support material interferes with it.

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Hmm, did not notice that at first. Wonder if Leatherman skipped the rounded facing of the pliers for strength, or just to skip a step in processing just to get them out the door in time for sales?

The extra material removed for the 154cm cutters need to be bolstered by support material, otherwise...snapperroo!

They aren't cast poorly so there is a level of finishing because there is a flashing line along the sides as well as a sprue that has been ground off. The Rebar plier head has been ground flush after they've pressed together like the other LM plier heads, but only the two faces have been ground.

If you are looking for sharp and nicely cast plier heads for future mods, I would invest in a few pairs of Rebars now. I've seen some really poor casting on those TTi scales as of late, so I suspect that Leatherman is fond of using their casting dies past their prime.

That being said...these have been engineered with a LOT of lessons learned from the ST300 plier heads and take direct design cues from it.

[Metropolicity]

I was scraping and picking at the drain yesterday with a dental pick and I thought...oooooo finally a worthy substitution for the silly can opener I never use.

I took the original small bit driver and fitted it next to the big bit driver. Taking the small bit itself and heated it up to cherry red with my butane torch, bent it a bit, then reheat, then bend some more and repeat once more to get a 90 degree bend. Tempering the bit left if brittle so I heated it again till cherry red on most of it (while holding it with vice grips) and dropped it into some oil to quench it and return it to it's flexible hardness (scale or hardness is unknown).

Cutting the bit down to fit inside the handle while close, I sharpened it to a point.

A couple of drops of super glue made this a permanent installation. 

So much more useful than the can opener!

[tattoosteve99]

I was scraping and picking at the drain yesterday with a dental pick and I thought...oooooo finally a worthy substitution for the silly can opener I never use.

I took the original small bit driver and fitted it next to the big bit driver. Taking the small bit itself and heated it up to cherry red with my butane torch, bent it a bit, then reheat, then bend some more and repeat once more to get a 90 degree bend. Tempering the bit left if brittle so I heated it again till cherry red on most of it (while holding it with vice grips) and dropped it into some oil to quench it and return it to it's flexible hardness (scale or hardness is unknown).

Cutting the bit down to fit inside the handle while close, I sharpened it to a point.

A couple of drops of super glue made this a permanent installation. 

So much more useful than the can opener!

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Now put it in the oven at 500f for one hour and that will draw it back to the appropriate temper.

[Metropolicity]

Not really a mod but definitely a hidden storage spot!

I was thinking..there much be some room for a pair of tweezers some where on this giant tool. I mean if they found a place for it on a tiny Vic Compact.

Sure enough, yes there was. I tried with a Vic Compact tweezer, while it fit, the plastic head peeked out too much, plus it wasn't black

SOOOO that brings me to my never used BO Gerber Dime, with it's BO Tweezers.



The thing about the Gerber tweezers is that they slanted on the top, perfect I thought.



Sliding them into the pocket clip slot on the end of the Black Tide on the Saw side (the Saw is thinner, more room). Upside down so the slant follows the curve of the handle.



You can JUST make it out...black on black doesn't show up well but they are nested inside the radius of the bent sheet metal.



And push em all the way in! They are next to invisible!



They are JUST shallow enough not to interfere with the bit driver opening.



One more to drive the concept home ...the useless Dime is now tossed aside till I figure out what to do with it. It's done it's job for now.

[tattoosteve99]

Another great idea metro. Now that gives me one.

[Metropolicity]

Another great idea metro. Now that gives me one.

I was actually going to PM you about it but I figure you'd see it anyways

I think if we milled out a thin notch on the steel butt end a Vic one could fit..however...unsure.

[Gryffin]

Damn, man, you're quite the mad scientist. Well done!

I'd be afraid that they're resting against the end of the saw blade, and that when the saw is opened, they'd spring out into the space the saw occupied. Have you tested to make are they don't interfere with closing the saw?

[Metropolicity]

Damn, man, you're quite the mad scientist. Well done!

I'd be afraid that they're resting against the end of the saw blade, and that when the saw is opened, they'd spring out into the space the saw occupied. Have you tested to make are they don't interfere with closing the saw?

They don't interfere with the saw, however, they do interfere with the file (much thicker than the saw).

I had to swap the saw and file placements so I can use the clip the way I want (with the PE blade on the same side as the clip). It's reverse than most standard load outs but it works great. PE/Saw on the same handle and the the Hook SE/File on the other.

[redbaron]

Do you think some tweezers from a LM style would work? Those are sold separately

[Metropolicity]

Do you think some tweezers from a LM style would work? Those are sold separately

I tried, the head on them is flat and you need a slanted head to make it flush with the handles.

Good news is that most Gerber Dime's are $15-18

[enki_ck]

Wenger tweezeers are slanted too.

[Metropolicity]

Wenger tweezeers are slanted too.

Don't they have a plastic head tho? Thy would stick out.

[redbaron]

Do you think some tweezers from a LM style would work? Those are sold separately

I tried, the head on them is flat and you need a slanted head to make it flush with the handles.

Good news is that most Gerber Dime's are $15-18

the tweezers on the style(not PS or CS) have a slanted head and cost 2$ http://www.leatherman.com/accessories/product/Replacement_Tweezers_for_Style

[Metropolicity]

Do you think some tweezers from a LM style would work? Those are sold separately

I tried, the head on them is flat and you need a slanted head to make it flush with the handles.

Good news is that most Gerber Dime's are $15-18

the tweezers on the style(not PS or CS) have a slanted head and cost 2$ http://www.leatherman.com/accessories/product/Replacement_Tweezers_for_Style

OOOO! I was mistaken! I was looking at my PS and you are right!

Do it my friends...you'll pulling out splinters out like a pro!

[enki_ck]

Wenger tweezeers are slanted too.

Don't they have a plastic head tho? Thy would stick out.

Noup, flush metal.

Victorinox large, Wenger large and Style CS tweezers.