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Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)

00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
on: September 03, 2017, 05:40:02 PM
Hi all,

Here is Part I of my writeup on the modifications I'm in the process of applying to my Leatherman Supertool 300. Some background is in this topic.

Dismantling of the tools in the handles is covered in full in this part. As far as assembly goes his part only covers half of the modification. For the half in the other handle I'm awaiting a few tools which will allow me to make a bushing to properly journal the  Surge saw/file blade holder.

Here we go...

These are the things I'd like to fit (both handles): small and large bit holder and saw/file blade holder (all from a Surge), scissors (from a Wave) and saw blade holder from a ST300EOD. Note: I am not sacrificing any existing multitools in the process, these are all spare parts. The saw/file blade holder is the older model for earlier Surges, i.e. without the anti-blade-wobble spring added to later models. This happens to be a good thing as the old model is slimmer at 3.1 mm instead of 3.7.




The Supertool about to be dismantled using the two wrenches:




Note the screw holding the pin in the handle is on the right side of the handle when holding the pliers up and you're looking down into the handle (upwards in the picture immediately below). This seems to be the standard layout. The pin is extracted on the left (downwards in the picture immediately below).






The original tool complement on the serrated-knife handle:




Loosening the pin on the other handle, the one with the straight edge knife blade:




Note the straight-edge blade sits closest to the inches ruler:




The original tool complement on the straight-edge blade handle:




Starting to reassemble the straight-edge blade tools by putting in the spring clamp first and then slowly driving the pin in, then the straight-edge blade and driving the pin again, and so on. Visible too are the tools to be put in on that handle. Note the lanyard ring - this was later omitted for lack of space. I need to check whether I can make it fit on the other handle,




Handle reassembled! Note the nearly arranged tools:






Even the Wave scissors work well and lock in place as intended by their maker. This was a concern for some, but seems to work out fine.




To be followed with the assembly steps for the other handle as well as what I had to do to make the saw/file blade holder fit. At that stage I'll also apply a drop of Loctite on each pin screw. Watch this space.

« Last Edit: September 03, 2017, 06:06:03 PM by Dutch_Tooler »
Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


us Offline Gadsden

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #1 on: September 03, 2017, 06:30:35 PM
 :like:


00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #2 on: September 03, 2017, 07:15:21 PM
Thanks Gadsden :tu:

By the way, if you or other readers are wondering what VX means, I just thought it sounded cool. Also, Versatility eXpansion is the intended meaning.

Sent on my SM-G930F with Tapatalk

Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #3 on: September 04, 2017, 04:03:15 AM
Great bit of modding DT :like: :like: If you request the badge you will surely get it with such a great explanation and use of very clear pics as this :tu: :cheers: :like: :like:


00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #4 on: September 04, 2017, 08:00:59 AM
I did forget to add a word of caution. As already said by many a LM modder, please note that the pins are not cylindrical over their entire outer circumference, but have two opposed flat keying surfaces; the smaller washers have matching inner holes. So be careful when reassembling, both of the pins into the handles and of the small washers on the pins.

And a trick: parts can be temporarily held together by applying a drop of light machine oil. This will help especially with the washers.

Sent on my SM-G930F with Tapatalk

Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #5 on: September 05, 2017, 02:14:03 PM
Nice mod DT   :like: :tu:


00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #6 on: September 12, 2017, 09:56:45 PM
Thanks to all! :hatsoff:

I'm becoming a little bit undecided. Shall I leave the awl in and the small screwdriver bit holder out, or not? :think: :shrug:

Now if there were a way to construct an adapter to fit the small screwdriver bit into the large bit holder... Anyone ever try that?

Sent on my SM-G930F with Tapatalk
« Last Edit: September 12, 2017, 09:58:12 PM by Dutch_Tooler »
Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #7 on: September 12, 2017, 11:04:28 PM
Leave the awl  :pok:


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #8 on: September 12, 2017, 11:28:45 PM
Leave the awl  :pok:

Steve is right  :tu: (Though I would suggest putting a slower taper on it. I don't like the profile of the LM awls

Someone did a mod for putting the small bit driver in the large bit adaptor .... but I can't remember who  :think:
« Last Edit: September 12, 2017, 11:29:49 PM by 50ft-trad »


The cantankerous but occasionally useful member, formally known as 50ft-trad


nz Offline Syncop8r

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #9 on: September 13, 2017, 01:22:29 AM
A few people here have come up with ways to mount the small screwdriver bit into the large bit adapter.... I think Evil was one of them.


nz Online zoidberg

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #10 on: September 13, 2017, 09:40:10 AM
A few people here have come up with ways to mount the small screwdriver bit into the large bit adapter.... I think Evil was one of them.

I think loki was the most recent, check his threads over in the trade section...


nz Offline Syncop8r

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #11 on: September 13, 2017, 11:32:44 AM
Yeah Evil's photo links are broken (Photobucket).


00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #12 on: September 13, 2017, 01:38:42 PM
Yeah Evil's photo links are broken (Photobucket).
Thanks both! So they are... pity, the texts are impressively promising (wish I'd joined earlier). I'll lool up Loki's. I have a vague idea on converting one of the larger bits to mate with the small bit holder...
Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


nz Offline Syncop8r

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #13 on: September 13, 2017, 02:23:58 PM
Someone made bits from scratch - perhaps that was Evil.
Someone else (Loki?) drilled a hole through a bit and glued a small screwdriver into it.


00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #14 on: September 13, 2017, 02:28:06 PM
Someone made bits from scratch - perhaps that was Evil.
Thanks! I doubt I could do that neatly enough... but:
Someone else (Loki?) drilled a hole through a bit and glued a small screwdriver into it.
... this is giving me ideas.  :think: Thanks again!  :salute:
Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time



00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #16 on: September 13, 2017, 04:55:42 PM
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,59112.msg1080147.html#msg1080147  :salute:
Thanks - you really went above and beyond for this :2tu: :hatsoff:

Looks like an idea I might pinch adapt...

Edit: more than one idea there that I like, none of which need the small bit holder to be located in the ST300 (VX). That's decided then, I'm putting the awl back in. Thanks to all those thinking along with me :hatsoff:
« Last Edit: September 13, 2017, 05:02:12 PM by Dutch_Tooler »
Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #17 on: September 16, 2017, 06:47:34 PM
Here then is Part II of the writeup, featuring the making of The Ring and adaptations of a few other items, followed by reassembly of the tools into the serrated-blade side handle. Also, I'm taking the opportunity to reorder the tools in the straight-edge knife handle and to replace the small bit holder with the awl as well as a spacer washer with the previously omitted lanyard ring. Reordering had become necessary following the discovery that the plier head was just rubbing against the can opener - we can't have that, can we?

Here goes!


We start by making The Ring, actually a sleeve which fills the space between the (Surge) saw/file blade exchanger pivot hole and the Supertool's pivot. A copper tube of 6mm outside and 4mm inside diameter is drilled and then turned and parted to make it 5.5 mm outside and 4.8 mm inside as well as 3.0 mm long. While turning and parting I keep a 4.7 mm drill bit reversed in the drilled hole as a support, with some oil to reduce friction. The result is shown on the original pivot.
 






Then I use the sleeve to align the lengths of the saw/file blade exchanger exactly with the original Supertool saw, and clamp the lot with a small vice grip (sweet little thing, that). I do this to get the position exactly right in order to be able to adapt the exchanger's outer profile to that of the original saw. I use a variety of tools to pull this off, as shown below as well: small bench grinder, Dremel with cutting disc or with a barrel grinder, various files and a vice.









The result is shown below. We want the exchanger lo lock as the old saw did.



Some of the files used, plus tweezer and needle:



The exchanger parts look like this (bottom pic compares the profile with the saw and shows the pivot and ring again):





Meanwhile I took the opportunity to make some slight adjustments to the awl (thinned it a bit) and the large screwdriver (made a small pry bar out of it):



This is the assembly order for the serrated-blade handle (oops, the positions of the exchanger and washer in the picture should be reversed, please note):



As already announced, I also reordered the tools in the other handle, as follows:



This is the assembled straight-blade handle (with an oil pen I used and the tweezers):



This the assembled serrated-blade handle with modified Surge blade exchanger fitted:



It turned out that the scissors and awl were in collision. I ground off a bit from the scissors handle tab: problem sorted!



Here the SuperTool 300 VX in its full glory! All tools work, extend, retract and lock as intended.




This concludes the writeup. Many thanks to other forum members from whom I have unashamedly stolen parts of my mod, to wit at least Zoidberg, Toolslinger and Obi1shinobee :hatsoff: :hatsoff:  :hatsoff: as well as all those who gave tips regarding the awl. I have plans for the small screwdriver bit holder, but those are not necessarily part of this mod and will be reported in a new thread whenever ready.

Good luck to those that wish to repeat these exploits!

Oh yes - can I have my badge now please? :angel: :hatsoff:
« Last Edit: September 16, 2017, 07:15:09 PM by Dutch_Tooler »
Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


nz Online zoidberg

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #18 on: September 16, 2017, 09:39:00 PM
Oh yes - can I have my badge now please? :angel: :hatsoff:

Yeah sure, can you submit the request via your profile please...


00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #19 on: September 16, 2017, 10:27:00 PM
Yeah sure, can you submit the request via your profile please...
Done, thanks in advance  :D :salute:
Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #20 on: September 16, 2017, 10:52:09 PM
Nicely done DT !  :like: :cheers: :tu:


nz Online zoidberg

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #21 on: September 17, 2017, 12:08:36 AM
Awarded.   :tu:


us Offline MusicMen

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #22 on: September 17, 2017, 02:07:40 AM
Congratulations   :cheers:
BUCK: X-Tract, 360
GERBER: Clutch, Shortcut, Dime*, DimE*, Octane & Crucial FAST
MP600 NN, CentreDrive, Grappler
Diesel*, Nickle*, Bullrush, MP600 BN, Flik & MP600DET* all in BO
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Crunch, MTO Style CS, Sideclip, BO Kick*
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*=mod


nz Offline Syncop8r

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #23 on: September 17, 2017, 02:14:06 AM
Sweet!


us Offline pa_strunk

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #24 on: September 17, 2017, 04:18:35 AM
Nice job  :tu:
"Every generation has the obligation to free men's minds for a look at new worlds, to look out from a higher plateau than the last generation." Ellison Onizuka


00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #25 on: September 17, 2017, 10:21:27 AM
Thanks to all! :hatsoff:  :cheers:

Special points go to whoever guesses which picture contains a small mistake I have not yet announced - or perhaps rather two.  :oops:
Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


us Offline Obi1shinobee

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #26 on: September 17, 2017, 01:24:25 PM
 :ahhh :ahhh :ahhh :ahhh :ahhh :ahhh :ahhh :ahhh


00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #27 on: September 17, 2017, 06:03:05 PM
Hmmm.... about the small screwdriver, pity that the PST-inspired solution in the pic does not really work, as there is no positive lock at the level of the plier pivots when you clamp the tool shut, like there is on the original:


Sent on my SM-G930F with Tapatalk

Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #28 on: September 17, 2017, 06:39:12 PM
The small bit can be wedged under the lock on the ST300. I just thought of this and tried it out, works pretty good    :tu:








us Offline SteveC

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Re: Supertool 300 VX upgrade (Mod badge request too)
Reply #29 on: September 17, 2017, 06:40:32 PM
Just tried it on my Rebar and it also works   :tu: :tu:


 

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