I disassembled my Wingman and cannot put it back together!!!

[AldoLacavalla]

What the title says, i put it apart to clean it and now i cannot put it back again. Especially the pliers, the holes from the pliers and the frame don't align!

Could someone please help me, i'm at a dead end here...

[Chako]

I wish I could help you, but I am certain someone here will be able to.

[Lynn LeFey]

There is a spring in the handle of the tool creating tension that causes the head to 'snap' into place when open. The force of that spring is what's causing the plier head to not align. You'll need to push the plier head against the spring until the holes align before reinserting the screw.

I hope that explains it without pictures. Let me know if better illustration is required.

If the other inside tools also don't align. It's a similar problem with the spring which creates the force that holds the tool open.

I've removed the blade on mine, and since the outboard tools are held shut by a little detent and hole in the blade, and open by a liner lock, they shouldn't present the same problems.

[AldoLacavalla]

First: thanks a lot for the answer!

Second: i don't see any spring, what i do see is a piece of metal that is extremely hard to budge, is that what you are refering it to? If yes, do you have any suggestions in exactly how to make it move, consider that i don't have many tools at my disposal, actually the best tool i had was the Wingman, that now lies in pieces...

[gregozedobe]

First: thanks a lot for the answer!

Second: i don't see any spring, what i do see is a piece of metal that is extremely hard to budge, is that what you are refering it to? If yes, do you have any suggestions in exactly how to make it move, consider that i don't have many tools at my disposal, actually the best tool i had was the Wingman, that now lies in pieces...

I'm sorry, and I shouldn't be this mean to a newbie, but I simply cannot resist:

You obviously need more multi tools (and this is just the site to rectify that omission) 

And a second apology, I don't have a Wingman so I don't know what the problem is exactly to be sure I can offer helpful advice. 

However, if you have a rod that is slightly smaller than the hole in the pliers (or something cylindrical or shallow cone shaped) then you might be able to use it to lever the holes into alignment, then slip the screw in from the other side as you slowly withdraw the rod.  Would that work for you ? (until you can get some more MTs   )


BTW Welcome to MTo, lots of helpful people here and much useful info (sometimes)   

[AldoLacavalla]

Thanks for the reply! I know i should probably have a lot more tools around the house but my toolbox is in a pretty bad shape and i'm trying to fix the Wingman because is my EDC at work and i feel naked without it.

I know it might sound stupid because it's a cheap tool, but i live in Argentina and imported tools are NOT cheap by any stretch of the imagination so i was hoping there was a solution that doesn't involve spending a lot of my hard earned cash.

[Cupboard]

I had a similar problem with my Rebar, eventually I rigged up something to apply pressure in the right way using some locking pliers.

You might try putting the tool as close to its fully closed position as possible (pliers inside handles like you store it) then squeeze it all together. If I've understood the problem correctly that should help.

[Lynn LeFey]

I had a similar problem with my Rebar, eventually I rigged up something to apply pressure in the right way using some locking pliers.

You might try putting the tool as close to its fully closed position as possible (pliers inside handles like you store it) then squeeze it all together. If I've understood the problem correctly that should help.

I think this might work. Unfortunately, I've never disassembled one, so can only make some guesses.

[AldoLacavalla]

It worked, here's a picture of it fully ensembled. Thanks to everyone!!!

[gregozedobe]

It worked, here's a picture of it fully ensembled. Thanks to everyone!!!

Good to hear 

[Lynn LeFey]

Happy to be of what limited assistance I could be.

Care to share how you compressed the springs, for future readers?

[Metropolicity]

Phew! I was worried until I saw your pic of your final assembly!


You can always use some tape to slow compress the whole thing together. The BEST way is to use those one handed hand clamps that you pull a trigger to compress, they are slow and safe.

[Lynn LeFey]

The BEST way is to use those one handed hand clamps that you pull a trigger to compress, they are slow and safe.

This is good to know. Thanks!

Would you care maybe posting that in Mr. Whippy's 'pro-tips' thread?

http://forum.multitool.org/general-tool-discussion/pro-tips/msg820179/#msg820179

[Metropolicity]

The BEST way is to use those one handed hand clamps that you pull a trigger to compress, they are slow and safe.

This is good to know. Thanks!

Would you care maybe posting that in Mr. Whippy's 'pro-tips' thread?

http://forum.multitool.org/general-tool-discussion/pro-tips/msg820179/#msg820179

Posted but it was more a question since this is more of a modding answer pro tip than a general use pro tip

[PTRSAK]

okay, now that all is well and the tool is reassembled and with the warning that the following is a slightly cruel joke at a new member's expense...

My first reaction to reading the thread was to want to post something like...

Best thing that could happen to a Wingman. 

There I said it.. apologies to the OP for making fun. But it is just in fun, and we do tend to do that a bit here, but it's between friends and no one is nasty or takes things too personally.

And to several other long term members here I have to say... YOU WERE THINKING IT TOO.

Welcome to the forum AldoLacavalla and may many multitools make their way into your possession.

[Cupboard]

Actually, I was just thinking how much of a hassle I had putting my Rebar back together again. The Wave is much easier.

[kirk13]

It worked, here's a picture of it fully ensembled. Thanks to everyone!!!

Glad to see you got it back together 

Hope you'll be sticking around,and join in the fun

[narcoleptico]

Hola Aldo! Soy Juan de rosario Argentina. Soy también fanatico de leatherman. Por favor contáctame

Saludos

[David Bowen]

All I can tell you is good luck, on 3 separate occasions I tried to put my wingman back together and the problem I had was the one your having. I only managed to get it back together when I used a channel lock plier to press the plier head and handle together and compress it enough to insert the pin. I would not take it apart against because I almost gave up and threw the tool away.