Rainbow Anodize a Leatherman?

[detron]

Anyone know if it is possible to do this to a Leatherman?  I have seen it called Rainbow Anodized but I have mainly seen it on knives.  If someone knows how and is willing to share the "how" great! 

I am also not above paying to have it done, as long as it is not too expensive.   

I did find this info, but I am not comfortable jumping in yet
http://forum.caswellplating.com/anodizing-questions/5638-how-rainbow-anodize-stainless-steel.html

[Metropolicity]

I did it to my TTi scales, a stack full of 9v batteries and some baking soda in water.



I believe the coating you are looking at is a titanium nitride coating that's been subject to variable voltage coloring. Correct me if I am wrong.

[detron]

I did it to my TTi scales, a stack full of 9v batteries and some baking soda in water.

(Image removed from quote.)

I believe the coating you are looking at is a titanium nitride coating that's been subject to variable voltage coloring. Correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks for the quick reply with a picture!  I am looking to do it to a wingman and micra to start, I know they do not have any Titanium, (which seems to be the main recipient of this treatment) but I was just curious if the standard leatherman stailess could be manipulated like this.

Mainly I am looking for a cheap fairly simple appearance mod.  and if I could do it without taking it apart, that is even better.

[Metropolicity]

Thanks for the quick reply with a picture!  I am looking to do it to a wingman and micra to start, I know they do not have any Titanium, (which seems to be the main recipient of this treatment) but I was just curious if the standard leatherman stailess could be manipulated like this.

Mainly I am looking for a cheap fairly simple appearance mod.  and if I could do it without taking it apart, that is even better.

Your results will always be better if you take it apart. Also cleaning it so its free of oils is necessary for any chemical coatings, disassembly will aid this  

[detron]

Thanks for the quick reply with a picture!  I am looking to do it to a wingman and micra to start, I know they do not have any Titanium, (which seems to be the main recipient of this treatment) but I was just curious if the standard leatherman stailess could be manipulated like this.

Mainly I am looking for a cheap fairly simple appearance mod.  and if I could do it without taking it apart, that is even better.

Your results will always be better if you take it apart. Also cleaning it so its free of oils is necessary for any chemical coatings, disassembly will aid this

CRAP!    oh well, I guess I will just enjoy them the way they are.  I know my luck, I will lose or break something.  maybe after I have had them a while i will feel free to play. 

Metro, I have noticed several of your mods, and they are awesome, let me know if you ever are interested in doing mods for money.

[Metropolicity]

Possibly. It's always a battle for time.

[detron]

Possibly. It's always a battle for time.

totally understand, one day I will feel comfortable playing with mods.  I have modded computers, cell phones, game systems, but a Leatherman,  has me scared.

just taking one apart scares me, like how to get those crazy 80 teeth fasteners on the micra and others.

[Metropolicity]

Possibly. It's always a battle for time.

totally understand, one day I will feel comfortable playing with mods.  I have modded computers, cell phones, game systems, but a Leatherman,  has me scared.

just taking one apart scares me, like how to get those crazy 80 teeth fasteners on the micra and others.

I have lots of time to give advice, the knurled bolts aren't scary. The key is to heat up the loctite and use a light grip with some pliers on either side (best if the plier teeth match the bolt heads) and twist away.

10-15 seconds with a mini butane torch will loosen them right up.

Starting with cheaper tools like micras, sidekicks and used psts will get you in your way.

[detron]

Possibly. It's always a battle for time.

totally understand, one day I will feel comfortable playing with mods.  I have modded computers, cell phones, game systems, but a Leatherman,  has me scared.

just taking one apart scares me, like how to get those crazy 80 teeth fasteners on the micra and others.

I have lots of time to give advice, the knurled bolts aren't scary. The key is to heat up the loctite and use a light grip with some pliers on either side (best if the plier teeth match the bolt heads) and twist away.

10-15 seconds with a mini butane torch will loosen them right up.

Starting with cheaper tools like micras, sidekicks and used psts will get you in your way.

You sir demonstrate the qualities of this forum.  Thank you for your help!  I am also afraid that once I start, I will not be able to stop.  thank you for warning me about the loctite, that would have never occurred to me, I would have just kept applying force.

[Metropolicity]

I actually once broke off the head off one of those bolts because I hadn't heated up the loctite, good thing it was a cruddy PST

[baja820]

Detron, what mods are you looking to have done?

[detron]

Detron, what mods are you looking to have done?

Basically aesthetic changes, like the titanium nitride color change, or powder coating, duracoating, anything that would make it different, without changing the toolset.

I have nothing specific in mind, just want to do something, and the  Rainbow Anodize looked nice, so I thought I would ask about that one first.

Baja,  feel free to give ideas, and/or prices and I might be interested.

[Metropolicity]

You can always get stuff cerakoted. But again, will require disassembly.

Contact my buddy Jeff Forbush, he'll take care of you.