Taking apart a Surge

[prime77]

I found some security Torx bits today and took apart my Surge to see how much different it would be from taking apart a SOG. The only difference between the Surge and the PowerLock is that the Surge has more stuff that comes off. The end of the handles come off and there are small washers that prevent the tools from "clumping". Other than that there nothing else.  The bottom picture is of a SOG file I had laying around to show the different cut out patterens between the tools. From what I can tell SOG and LM use the same size screw but different cut out where the tools lock so I dont think a implement from one tool can used with a another tool.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Cool!  I love "tool autopsie" pics!

Now for teh ten thousand dollar question- how well did it go back together?

Def

[prime77]

Putting it back together is alittle more tricky than putting a PowerLock back together.  Those little washers make things difficult.

[damota]

Those little washers make things difficult.

I found the SAK tweezers from the Cybertool helped when reassembling the Gerber with it's washers. Just placed them on as I pushed the axle into place.

Dave

[prime77]

I used the removable eyeglass screwdriver to push the washers in pace, then pushed the axle through

[bobofish]

My next question is, is there any reason why a person couldn't machine an extra lock slot into one of the bit holders for 90* torqueing? Looking at my surge without having taken it apart it seems like it, and looking at your dissassembled surge looks like it too.

I mean ok, you can just bend the handles into an L to torque stuff, but it would be so much cooler if you could kind of lock the handles and the bit holder at the same time.

[J-sews]

What are the little notches in the little washers for?

[prime77]

What are the little notches in the little washers for?

I have no idea.  Those are the ones that came between the the small driver and the other two tools.

[J-sews]

Hmmm. Too bad a person can't order optional replacement blades for Leatherman tools, like you can for SOG's.

Actually, now that I think of it, this seems like it would be a ripe niche market for a small enterprising knife-making company. Make specialty blades and tools for Leatherman multi-tools, package them individually along with security Torx bits and a set of instructions, and sell them by the millions!

.....hmmmm.....

[Grant Lamontagne]

J-sews Inc?

Def

[parnass]

What are the little notches in the little washers for?

Just a guess:  The notches prevent the washers from moving when an adjacent tool moves.  If the washers were free to move, they would transmit motion from one tool to another and cause "clumping" of tools.

[J-sews]

Just a guess:  The notches prevent the washers from moving when an adjacent tool moves.  If the washers were free to move, they would transmit motion from one tool to another and cause "clumping" of tools.

I wondered about that, but I didn't see what the little notches would engage to keep from rotating. 

[prime77]

I think it's time to contact LM and ask, just don't tell them I'm the one who took the tool apart

[prime77]

Just a side note. When I put the tools back I left the slideout laynard hole attachment out.  I personally have no use for it on a tool the size and weight of the Surge. and the thing always got in way of the file and saw when closing them.

[J-sews]

My next question is, is there any reason why a person couldn't machine an extra lock slot into one of the bit holders for 90* torqueing? Looking at my surge without having taken it apart it seems like it, and looking at your dissassembled surge looks like it too.

I mean ok, you can just bend the handles into an L to torque stuff, but it would be so much cooler if you could kind of lock the handles and the bit holder at the same time.

I think that would work okay......with the bit driver locked at 90 degrees, you wouldn't be able to fold the pliers up, but that shouldn't be a problem.