[Modding Question] Adding a magnifying glass to a Traveler Lite

[rebo2]

Looking for help to build my "Holy Grail SAK"

Here are the features of the Traveler Lite:

http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Traveller+Lite

I would love to add a magnifying glass, but it always opposes the in-line philips head [ http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Magnifying+Glass ], but I don't want to loose the LED light. By the way, it looks like the later 5x (not 8x) mag versions since 2004 are slimmer according to SAKWiki.

My idea is to replace the cap lifter and can opener with the Yeoman combo tool ( http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Yeoman ) and add the magnifying glass in that layer. That layer is too thin, and would require some kind of modification to get it to fit.

I also wouldn't mind loosing the small blade if that would help, as I know the Yeoman combo tool will fit there opposing the main blade with no issues. That would free up the entire length of the can opener / bottle opener layer.

Thank you for any thoughts on this please. Is there anyone on here still doing this kind of work?

[shibafu]

Interesting idea.

How about, instead of padding out a combo tool to match the width of the mag glass, putting both can opener and cap lifter opposite the mag glass.  Like Syph007's idea of putting both openers opposite the Phillips driver on 93mm.  I think with an old, grey mag glass, it would fit in 91mm.

Edit: might not be possible as the opener layer spring has a back tool, so not enough space above to stow the mag glass.

[JamesJ]

Not exactly the same, I know, but you could lose the corkscrew and put a backside phillips instead and then have mag glass across from LED light.

[sLaughterMed]

What about fitting a Wenger Mag Glass in a Vic frame?

Or a Fresnel Lens in your wallet?

[JamesJ]

I go back and forth about the light and mag glass...since I could imagine needing those to be separate tools, like if I need to shine a light onto a screw I'm tightening with the screwdriver, or if I need to magnify work other than tweezer work, like a small blade "surgery" or something.

But at the same time I like the option of just taking one SAK with everything. It would be cool if the light module was removable.

[jalind]

Looking for help to build my "Holy Grail SAK"

Here are the features of the Traveler Lite:

http://www.sakwiki.com/ti...x.php?page=Traveller+Lite

I would love to add a magnifying glass, but it always opposes the in-line philips head [ http://www.sakwiki.com/ti...php?page=Magnifying+Glass ], but I don't want to loose the LED light. By the way, it looks like the later 5x (not 8x) mag versions since 2004 are slimmer according to SAKWiki.

My idea is to replace the cap lifter and can opener with the Yeoman combo tool ( http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Yeoman ) and add the magnifying glass in that layer. That layer is too thin, and would require some kind of modification to get it to fit.

I also wouldn't mind loosing the small blade if that would help, as I know the Yeoman combo tool will fit there opposing the main blade with no issues. That would free up the entire length of the can opener / bottle opener layer.

Thank you for any thoughts on this please. Is there anyone on here still doing this kind of work?

I have both the first (gray) and third (6x clear) versions of the magnifiers. Just measured them with calipers. They're the same thickness, which makes sense as they're both opposite the in-line Phillips. Note that the Phillips was made shorter starting with the second (5x) version of the magnifier as it's a bigger diameter than the gray one. The shorter Phillips opposite the third one also has the notch on its pivot, same as the current cap lifter, to make it harder to close up when pushing firmly on a screw head. You cannot move the magnifier to directly the opener layer for a couple reasons. It's thicker than the openers and the awl is on the back layer under the cap lifter. Even if the width matched there's not enough depth for it to close completely. There's a fourth pin through the springs under the can opener end which consumes depth there; not enough depth there either. The Traveler Lite is an Explorer with the Phillips flipped around to the other end displacing the magnifier, and a flashlight put in where the Phillips was. The real difference between them tool-wise is in the layer with the flashlight, magnifier and in-line Phillips.
http://www.sakwiki.com/ti...i-index.php?page=Explorer

I suggest sacrificing a Compact for the combo blade versus a Yeoman, and getting a magnifier if needed from an Explorer. It would be a shame to make an organ donor out of a Yeoman as they weren't made in large numbers compared to other models, have been discontinued for some time, are in high demand by collectors, and command a high price, as does a Scientist, if you could even find a Yeoman (or a Scientist). Searches for a "Yeoman" often turn up a BSA "Yeoman" that is actually an Explorer with BSA logo on the scales. The combo is the same among the 91mm Compact, Yeoman and Scientist. Getting one from a 91mm is preferable as the outer pins on which the upper layer tools pivot are 2.5mm. An 84mm Waiter or Cellidor Bantam combo has smaller diameter 2.25mm pins throughout and would require modding its combo to fit a 91mm. An Explorer would be less expensive than trying to get a Yeoman or a Scientist for its magnifier. Trashed Compacts and Explorers can be found on eBay; usually TSA airport confiscations. It's the large and pen blades that are typically damaged, with scales that have taken a beating. Things like the magnifier and combo are usually in excellent condition.

In looking at all the work here, moving a magnifier to the in-line Phillips and replacing the corkscrew with a back layer Phillips might be the better option -- if the flashlight and magnifier can fit lengthwise in the same layer. The corkscrew and back layer Phillips are completely interchangeable among 91mm and 84mm. You could put a combo in place of the pen blade, ditch the awl and replace the opener layer with another 2.5mm layer including backspring for the magnifier, but what then to put opposite it? Another option is buying an Explorer, transplanting the Traveler scales onto it and getting a Maglite Solitaire LED (or similar keychain LED flashlight), and that might be the easiest of all.

John

[AimlessWanderer]

I like the idea of a mag glass on a SAK, but in practice I've been rather disappointed in them. It's the limited field of view that ruins it for me, and I have been happier carrying a fresnel lens in my wallet. For higher magnification, I have also carried a True Utility Eyeglass, and have been very impressed with it despite it's low cost. It is quite a heavy and bulky addition to a keychain though - not huge, but noticable.

[zoidberg]

Welcome to the forum mate.      If you don't mind losing the openers and awl you could replace them with the grey mag and opposite have the combo tool and spacer.

[T14]

Greetings Rebo2.

I too am looking to modify a traveller lite, and am trying to figure out how to go about removing the front scale.
I can sneak a thin blade underneath the outer lip of the scale all around, but the electronics pose a conundrum.

The sensor components poke through the aluminium liner. I am not sure if they are glued to the liner or not, but they sit extremely snug against it. So rather than prying off the liner from the inside, I am inclined to disassemble the knife gently starting from the back layer and moving peacemeal towards the front scale. Rather than drilling out the rivets I will cut them off gently and try my very hardest to avoid getting any saw/filedust into the electronics.

Attached below is an attempt to photograph the electronics poking through aperatures in the front liner.
If any veterans are able to chime in with disassembly advice I would be most grateful. In any event I shall share my experiences as I move forward.

Good luck and do share your own adventures with us.
-Tom

[rebo2]

T14: I've noticed that, and I have been wondering about that. Beyond this issue, what is your current modding plan? I also have the Altimeter knife, and the scales seem basically the same.

[T14]

T14: I've noticed that, and I have been wondering about that. Beyond this issue, what is your current modding plan? I also have the Altimeter knife, and the scales seem basically the same.

Traveller lite front scale - Led & Mag glass layer - cybertol bit driver layer - traveller lite back scale, with the vacant corkscrew slot used to store an extra cybertool bit. A perfect companion to my 84mm alox voyageur

I managed to disassemble the traveller lite successfully by stripping it layer by layer from the back. I ended up with just the front scale with pins attached.  Then I could gently remove the pins one at a time without any harm coming to the bushing wells of the front scale.

And I can confirm: the electronics DO protrude into the cavities of the top liner, so messing about with wedging a knifeblade in for prying won't work. 
-Tom

[rebo2]

Thank you for all of the great suggestions. I've been excited reading these.
First, I want to alleviate any concern that I would destroy a Yeoman to get the combo tool part. I was only using it as an example because everyone is immediately familiar with that tool, just like "the Rambler tool".

With regards to the functionality of the mag glass vs EDC a Fresnel, sometimes it's more about building a really cool knife that packs as many interesting features into a compact space as possible. I think that's why we all love our SAKs so much. I've had a Swiss Champ with a mag glass since 1995 and have used it a lot and love having it.

I wouldn't trade the corkscrew for the mag glass, because I drink wine, love to have an excuse to use my SAK, and think the mini driver in the corkscrew is one of the coolest most innovative uses of space ever.

Stacking the can opener and bottle opener and using a spacer sounds like a great way to fit the mag glass in only growing the thickness of the entire knife slightly. But it seems like that may not be a possibility as Jalind says

Even if the width matched there's not enough depth for it to close completely. There's a fourth pin through the springs under the can opener end which consumes depth there; not enough depth there either.

I think it would be great to replace the small blade with the combo tool, and put the mag glass in that layer where the can opener and bottle opener were... not sure if this would work. It seems like the mag glass should fit on one side or the other. I suppose I would be willing to loose the awl if there's no other way.

[Oxford_Guy]

I like the idea of a mag glass on a SAK, but in practice I've been rather disappointed in them. It's the limited field of view that ruins it for me, and I have been happier carrying a fresnel lens in my wallet. For higher magnification, I have also carried a True Utility Eyeglass, and have been very impressed with it despite it's low cost. It is quite a heavy and bulky addition to a keychain though - not huge, but noticable.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by the version 3 6X magnifying glass, I was expecting it to be rubbish, but found it to actually be pretty good for what it is. The magnification level is about right for the size of lens, with a clear image, and the field of view is large enough for the sort of things I was expecting to use it for - viewing details on a coin or blade tang, reading small print on electrical components or tiny writing on product information sheets etc. I wouldn't want to use it to read a book with, but that's not the main use I was thinking of using it for. I do have better loupes for examining coins etc., but 6X is enough to see most details and I don't want to carry my loupes with me all the time, whereas I'm going to carry a SAK anyway.