Leatherman(New Wave) adapted to regular 1/4" hex bits.

Ice Tigre · **on:** February 01, 2007, 10:26:36 PM

G'day all,

Posted this over on knifeforums, thought there might be some that would like to see it, that don't read over there.

I got to looking at the profile of the flat leatherman driver bits. They match regular 1/4" hex bits in width, and the angle to the corners. So, if you grind down two oposing flats on a hex drive bit, you can match the flat bits.

I picked up a 3"(2.75" gain) hex drive extention, figured since I was getting one for this, I'd get the one with the (ball detent type)lock on it to hold the bits.

Its just deep enough to hold and grip the flat bits too, not the lock, but the magnet holds them in. Would work for an extended reach with the flat bits.

5 minuites with the grinder, and I can now use any regular hex bit with my wave.

Just wish I'd thought of it before I got the flat bit kit. Its OK in a way, the flat bits are more compact to carry in their holders than the same variety/amount of drivers in 1/4" hex.

G.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2007, 10:36:03 PM

Nice work!

The flat bits are neat for what they are, but I prefer the standard bits simply because you can get them anywhere. It's easier to get and carry exactly what you are likely to need, versus a cross section of the most common types. I imagine that rig would help out folks who deal with Torx or Robertson bits often.

Def

dental4usa · **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2007, 01:26:52 AM

That's pretty cool - nice work!

I'm looking for a bit kit right now, as a matter of fact.

J-sews · **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2007, 02:23:01 AM

Good job Ice Tigre.

I've got one of the driver extensions Leatherman was giving out. (They talk of offering them as an accessory soon.) However, it uses a spring clip to retain the hex bit, not a magnet like yours. I'm not sure which style would be better. Both have their pros and cons.

Ice Tigre · **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2007, 04:50:48 PM

Thanks All,

I'm actualy not sure why the magnet is there, 'cause the slide released ball-detent lock holds the bit in. For the regular bits, I would prefer to not have the magnet, so when the lock releases, they would fall free. But it is nice to have it for the flat bits, since the lock won't grip them.

I'm going to be trying to find an extention, with a (as compact as possible) ratchet on it, to convert the same way. Seems to be the next logical progression.

G.

J-sews · **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2007, 04:09:48 AM

Yah, we've been talking about multitool ratchet-drivers. That would be cool!

Tom Munch · **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2008, 05:47:34 PM

Tigre,

Did you ever find an extension with a ratchet built in. I've been looking for one & haven't found any - yet. Would be a great addition to the kit.

Tom

Ice Tigre · **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2008, 06:50:11 PM

Nope never did... I quite looking when i lost my wave mid summer, and since i replaced it with a spirit... Come to think of it I have since lost track of that modded driver..

G.

mpi · **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2008, 06:58:17 PM

I didn't kknow that leatherman was giving out an accessory like that.

Tom Munch · **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2008, 07:09:34 PM

They aren't giving them away anymore, they are for sale.

http://www.leatherman.com/shop/shop.aspx?category=37

hawkchucker · **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2008, 07:53:58 PM

That my friend is a slick little unit ya got there. Looks very well made and very good in the fit dept.

toytoy · **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2008, 08:08:51 PM

How do you like a separate rachet tool? Otherwise, you may want to modify a racheting screwdriver (BIG PROJECT!).

Sea Monster · **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2008, 08:12:05 PM

I recently acquired a "L" (or "7" depending on which way you hold it) shaped hex bit driver to carry, It even has a pocket clip!

Anyway, I wonder how great bit adapters on multi tools are.
In many way they make sense, but there is still something odd.

and having to add (and carry) an extra whatzit just adds more doubt.

Anyway, it seems nice what you have done, let us know how it stands up to some use.

hawkchucker · **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2008, 08:12:50 PM

Yah i can see a ton of wasted ratchets on my workbench now. And most likely a ton of band aids also.

Tom Munch · **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2008, 08:17:45 PM

I really think the idea of a ratchet implemented into an extension bit is a great idea. It would allow any bit driver to have a ratchet.

toytoy · **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2008, 09:58:06 PM

There are three possible ways to do it:

* Turning the handle (Red): You can use the screwdriver mechanism.
* Use the handle as a lever (Green and blue): You can shorten the handle of an L-shaped tool and weld an adapter to it.

ToolManTim · **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2008, 05:02:56 AM

Hi, guys, I've been reading here a few weeks and appreciate a lot of the stuff I've learned from y'all (thanks), but hadn't had a need to post anything until now. Just thought I'd pass on something I'd found regarding a "ratcheting" device for 1/4" bits that can be used with a Leatherman. A few weeks ago I had seen a bit holder ground down so it would fit the LM bit driver and decided to make one for myself as well. I did and it works great. Now I carry it along with several 1/4" bits so I can turn just about any screw or bolt/nut (up to 7/16") I come across.

Several months back I had purchased a Bit Dr. from Loggerhead Tools http://loggerheadtools.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=6&chapter=1. While I've not been impressed with the bits that were provided themselves (I've broken three already, with not a great deal of torque - although Loggerhead did send a free replacement set when I emailed them), it did also come with a so-called free-wheeling/ratcheting mechanism that I like very much. It takes a little getting used to, but once you do, it becomes very handy. The Bit Dr. also includes an extension that I carry along with the ratcheting mechanism. Both ratchet and extension have 1/4" male and female ends. These two pieces are all that I carry of the Bit Dr. now, but I find them very useful. It might be a little steep for just these two parts, but if you're really interested in a simple, small, effective ratcheting mechanism for driving 1/4" bits, it might be something worth considering.

Tim

Tom Munch · **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2008, 05:10:30 AM

That free-wheeling/ratcheting mechanism doohicky looks pretty clever. I've read the description a couple times, but I still don't quite understand how it works. Can you describe it a little better or post a couple pictures?

J-sews · **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2008, 12:37:51 PM

Yes, I'd like to know more about it as well!

Is the ratchet gizmo this little thing here? So it can be coupled into any standard 1/4" drive, converting it to ratchet action?

flapjackboy · **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2008, 01:06:12 PM

Well, after reading this thread, I decided to have a crack at this myself with a spare extension. Not having a grinder though, I had to hold the extension in the jaws of my Fuse whilst attacking it with the file on my ~~Surge~~ SURGE!!.

Needless to say, it took a fair bit longer and I picked up a few war wounds along the way due to slippage of the file, but the end result was roughly the same.

Benner · **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2008, 06:32:42 PM

Quote from: flapjackboy on January 30, 2008, 01:06:12 PM

Well, after reading this thread, I decided to have a crack at this myself with a spare extension. Not having a grinder though, I had to hold the extension in the jaws of my Fuse whilst attacking it with the file on my ~~Surge~~ SURGE!!.

We can tell you have been paying attention.

Big welcome to the new guys!!

flapjackboy · **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2008, 06:41:28 PM

Thanks Benner. My collection isn't much compared to some of you lot, in fact I've just recently gone down from a Fuse, Charge Ti and a SURGE!! to just the Fuse and the SURGE!!. Don't worry though, the Charge did at least go to a good home. I sent it to my mum for her birthday as she's travelling out to South Africa next month to do some voluntary work and I figured she'd find it useful.

Benner · **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2008, 06:46:57 PM

Quote from: flapjackboy on January 30, 2008, 06:41:28 PM

Thanks Benner. My collection isn't much compared to some of you lot, in fact I've just recently gone down from a Fuse, Charge Ti and a SURGE!! to just the Fuse and the SURGE!!. Don't worry though, the Charge did at least go to a good home. I sent it to my mum for her birthday as she's travelling out to South Africa next month to do some voluntary work and I figured she'd find it useful.

Handy gift that mate! So is it just Leatherman so far or do you own any other brands? I like Leathermans and own quite a few of the retired models now.

flapjackboy · **Reply #23 on:** January 30, 2008, 07:00:57 PM

At the moment, it's just Leathermans. There's a great shop here in Norwich that sells LM, Gerber and SOG MTs and will gladly get them out for you to compare them. I tried some of the Gerbers, Vics and SOGs, but always ended up coming back to Leathermans because for me, they just as if they were of a much higher quality.

That's not to say that Gerbers, Vics or SOGs are of a lesser quality as I know there's lots of people here who prefer those brands.

Benner · **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2008, 07:03:43 PM

So you live near our Dunc then.

I have never seen a shop like that before. Can't think of any like that around here. I live in Kent.

flapjackboy · **Reply #25 on:** January 30, 2008, 07:09:24 PM

It's this place. Very much a place for the chattering classes and farmers to go to buy their clothes from.

Benner · **Reply #26 on:** January 30, 2008, 07:13:52 PM

Quote from: flapjackboy on January 30, 2008, 07:09:24 PM

It's this place. Very much a place for the chattering classes and farmers to go to buy their clothes from.

I am sure Dunc has mentioned that shop actually.

The closest think I have to that round here is Millets and they had 1 Leatherman and a SAK and they were displayed in a locked glass cabinet near the tills. I got the impression that touching wasn't allowed.

flapjackboy · **Reply #27 on:** January 30, 2008, 07:18:59 PM

Yeah, they're a friendly bunch in Gallyons and really good customer service too. They'll happily let you compare as many tools and knives as you want and they'll even handle sending your broken one off for repair too.

Benner · **Reply #28 on:** January 30, 2008, 07:20:26 PM

Quote from: flapjackboy on January 30, 2008, 07:18:59 PM

Yeah, they're a friendly bunch in Gallyons and really good customer service too. They'll happily let you compare as many tools and knives as you want and they'll even handle sending your broken one off for repair too.

Are the prices stupidly high "UK" prices though?

flapjackboy · **Reply #29 on:** January 30, 2008, 07:52:17 PM

Quote from: Benner on January 30, 2008, 07:20:26 PM

Are the prices stupidly high "UK" prices though?

Unfortunately yes. However, I got my SURGE!! of eBay, picking it up from a US supplier for half what it would have cost here.

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Leatherman(New Wave) adapted to regular 1/4" hex bits.

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