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The MicraWave, a Wave turned into the perfect Micra companion set.

Offline patrat

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I have been wanting this configuration for some time, and the release of the Rebar gave me readily adapted components, plus the beefy pliers head.

The basis of the project is that I thought there should be a perfect companion tool to the Micra. That means complementing rather than duplicating functions.

The Micra scissors are outstanding, so that is the first to go on the Wave. What in its place? An awl makes perfect sense, I use it all the time with wood and plastic to start screw holes, and occasionally even in soft metal.

The large flat driver and can opener can stay, the Micra has neither of those. I tried grinding the Micra bottle opener into a can opener, it is too small to work well. (It does work, but only barely)

Never really liked the removable bit drivers once I tried them, they seem to round off/ slip easier, and lack the reach of fixed drivers. So, ditch both removable drivers and replace with the fixed phillips and small flat driver of the Rebar.

Everyone seems to love putting Rebar pliers heads into waves and Charges, easy enough to do while I am in there. Maybe I will start using the cutters for more beastly tasks, now that I don't have to worry so much about dulling them. I do think I will miss the rounded grind of the standard plier head, it was nice for bending formable wire in a smooth, variable radius. Easy enough to swap back if I desire.

For flat driver sizes, the Micra carries the extra small and medium. The wave now carries the small and large. No duplication, and every size that was equipped on the original Wave. That selection comes in handy for many things, firearms being a notable example.

Tool modifications were needed in a few spots, beyond dis-assembly and reassembly.

The paired phillips/large flat was slightly to thick and would bind up when closed. I sanded down both sides of the phillips to remove 0.2mm of material, and it works beautifully, no function lost.

The wave has a small "stub" inside each handle for the plier head to rest on. To make space for the longer tools, I had to remove them. Grabbing with needle nose vise grips and rocking back and forth quickly snapped them off, flush enough to work.

The tool would not close completely, so I narrowed the body width and slightly shortened both the small flat driver and the awl. I then restored their tip shape profiles, using a grinder and belt sander. The awl actually performs much better now, as the taper is more gradual and it is sharper. I inadvertently got a convex grind on the awl tip, using the belt sander. Normally you pay extra for that! The tool now closes near enough to make me happy, although there is still a tiny gap. I could probably get it completely flush by swapping in the plier cam springs from the Rebar (and lose the blade locks in the process), but that is more work than I desire.

And for a last bit of advice, the knife blades are easier to install/remove while extended. Put electrical tape over the sharp parts for safety.






us Offline ironraven

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I'm betting the "big news" from Leatherman at SHOT will be a lot like that. :)

Nice job, very nice configuration on and off the blacktop.
"Even if it is only the handful of people I meet on the street, or in my home, I can still protect them with this one sword" Kenshin Himura

Necessity is the mother of invention. If you're not ready, it's "a mother". If you are, it's "mom".

"I love democracy" Sheev Palpatine, upon his election to Chancellor.


hr Offline enki_ck

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Interesting tool combo. :salute: Glad to see some new members getting into modding. :tu:


gb Offline nuphoria

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Great work, and I totally get the pairing of the Micra and lack of redundancy thing :tu:
A dyslexic man walks in to a bra...

All my music for free: http://soundcloud.com/chrissyvandyke


us Offline J-sews

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Great logic behind that mod job patrat :salute:
In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


 

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