Issues removing the Wingman blade?

Lynn LeFey · **on:** January 21, 2013, 01:55:58 AM

Okay... so I'm looking at a way to get a kid (10-years-old) a more 'real' multitool, after seeing he's pretty responsible with one. The problem is, he's the oldest of 3 kids in the house, and while I might trust him with a blade I don't trust that his siblings might get a hold of the tool.

So, if you were simply to remove the blade on the Wingman, and the copper washer and replace the screw, would this cause any problems with the tool? Like putting extra strain on the frame next to the plier head since the blade isn't there to support it? Not sure if that makes sense, but that's the only potential problem I can think of...

Also, what's the size of the Torx screw on the Wingman?

baja820 · **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:05:08 AM

I would check the local hardware store for a washer to take the place of the blade....

Or perhaps dull the blade so its more like a butter knife...... scratch that probably still too dangerous with little ones...

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:07:49 AM

Yeah, the washer idea had occurred to me. I thought I could just give their dad the blade for safe keeping until the kids got a little older, or the eldest got his own room.

Nhoj · **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:12:24 AM

The piece of metal over the blade is pretty thin

and without the blade there it will only be supported on the side that faces inward. The screw will help hold it too but it will not be actually attached to it. Worst case scenario I see is the tool landing just right and that thin piece of metal bending into the gap left by the blade. I would recommend putting a washer the same thickness of the blade in that spot or another tool where the blade was (a saw from the sidekick if that will fit?) I hope this was helpful and if I'm wrong feel free to correct me guys!

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:16:25 AM

The only thing I might comment on is a saw is not loads better in the hands of a tempermental 4 year old than a blade, so I can't put a saw in there. I think a file would be okay, if I could find one that'd slot in with little/no mod.

Nhoj · **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:23:24 AM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on January 21, 2013, 02:16:25 AM

The only thing I might comment on is a saw is not loads better in the hands of a tempermental 4 year old than a blade, so I can't put a saw in there. I think a file would be okay, if I could find one that'd slot in with little/no mod.

Just remember there is a (useless) file already in there. I don't know much else that can go in there Wenger magnifying glass?

How about a fish scaler?

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:27:36 AM

Quote from: Nhoj on January 21, 2013, 02:23:24 AM

How about a fish scaler?

Oh man... Yeah, with all my cheapo tools I own, I certainly have plenty of those to spare.

redbaron · **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:35:00 AM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on January 21, 2013, 01:55:58 AM

Okay... so I'm looking at a way to get a kid (10-years-old) a more 'real' multitool, after seeing he's pretty responsible with one. The problem is, he's the oldest of 3 kids in the house, and while I might trust him with a blade I don't trust that his siblings might get a hold of the tool.

So, if you were simply to remove the blade on the Wingman, and the copper washer and replace the screw, would this cause any problems with the tool? Like putting extra strain on the frame next to the plier head since the blade isn't there to support it? Not sure if that makes sense, but that's the only potential problem I can think of...

Also, what's the size of the Torx screw on the Wingman?

I've seen Vic scissors in a wave, so it would stand to reason a Vic file may do the trick.
Also seen a widgy prybar in a sidekick, but that would take some work, the same guy put a charge blade in his sidekick, so agian, it would stand to reason a wave file would fit.
The torx is a T10

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:35:16 AM

Get a heavy fiberglass cut-off wheel to remove the blade entirely, then file the edges off. Or put a spork in there!

Nhoj · **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:39:43 AM

Quote from: Xelkos on January 21, 2013, 02:35:16 AM

Get a heavy fiberglass cut-off wheel to remove the blade entirely, then file the edges off. Or put a spork in there!

Yes a spork!

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:44:16 AM

Quote from: Xelkos on January 21, 2013, 02:35:16 AM

Get a heavy fiberglass cut-off wheel to remove the blade entirely, then file the edges off.

I think just replacing the blade with a washer would be a lot less effort. But more importantly, it ALSO allows the blade to be put back in when all the kids are able to be reasonably trusted with a blade in the house, or the oldest son has his own room, and can keep his younger siblings from messing with his MT.

Nhoj · **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:53:54 AM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on January 21, 2013, 02:44:16 AM

Quote from: Xelkos on January 21, 2013, 02:35:16 AM
Get a heavy fiberglass cut-off wheel to remove the blade entirely, then file the edges off.

I think just replacing the blade with a washer would be a lot less effort. But more importantly, it ALSO allows the blade to be put back in when all the kids are able to be reasonably trusted with a blade in the house, or the oldest son has his own room, and can keep his younger siblings from messing with his MT.

Stop using so much logic! Just put on a finger print scanner that only lets him open the blade!

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2013, 03:07:27 AM

Quote from: Nhoj on January 21, 2013, 02:53:54 AM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on January 21, 2013, 02:44:16 AM
Quote from: Xelkos on January 21, 2013, 02:35:16 AM
Get a heavy fiberglass cut-off wheel to remove the blade entirely, then file the edges off.

I think just replacing the blade with a washer would be a lot less effort. But more importantly, it ALSO allows the blade to be put back in when all the kids are able to be reasonably trusted with a blade in the house, or the oldest son has his own room, and can keep his younger siblings from messing with his MT.
Stop using so much logic! Just put on a finger print scanner that only lets him open the blade!

Get one of them Break Only In Case Of Emergency containers (with acrylic plastic to drive them more nuts) and put the blade and torx bit in there.

Landrew · **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2013, 03:50:30 AM

I'd just dull it out, and when he gets older, I'd sharpen it.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2013, 05:27:30 AM

I'd have to completely 'My First Victorinox' the tip, and I don't want to mess it up that bad, for when it would eventually be returned to the tool. I think I'll either go with a washer, or a file I pulled out of a cheapo MT. It seems to be the same thickness as the blade on the Wingman.

Nhoj · **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2013, 05:28:48 AM

I agree washer or file. (Still up for fish scaler though!)

tosh · **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2013, 06:50:40 AM

Personally I would just totally dull the blade, square the end off (grind/cut) make it super super smooth and turn it into somekind of spatula??

For a kid - that's got to have a 1001 uses.

If it survives into his early teens then I'm pretty certain boys being boys, he'll soon "modify it"!

BTW - Is this young man the reason for the "Knifeless Fuse" in the wanted section??

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:47:56 AM

Quote from: tosh on January 21, 2013, 06:50:40 AM

BTW - Is this young man the reason for the "Knifeless Fuse" in the wanted section??

Yep, and the knifeless Fuse request is likely to get overwhelmed by events tomorrow when I get torx bits to take the blade out of the Wingman. Also... this Wingman (and a Style CS) cost me $15. WAY easier on the pocketbook than getting another tool specifically with no blade.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2013, 06:00:46 PM

Here's the take away from this thread, the kid-friendly 'Short Round' mod to the Wingman.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,42389.0.html

I ended up replacing the blade with the file from a cheapo tool.

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Issues removing the Wingman blade?

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