question about mp400

jcs0001 · **on:** March 13, 2019, 08:52:16 PM

I currently have three gerber multitools:

I believe they are (top to bottom) - MP600, Multiplier and MP400.

The loadout of the MP400 is as follows:

The MP400 when closed allows a thin piece of paper between the tools (inside the handle). Even the Multiplier shows 3 or so mm between the tools when fully closed. Is this correct or is there something wrong with the MP400?

MP400 fully closed:

It is in very good condition other than the above - none of the tools are worn or in bad shape the the pliers are also very good.

Thanks in advance for any information.

John.

Sam Lim · **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2019, 01:07:48 AM

Do u mean to say there is a gap right in the centre where the opposite tools meet each other when it's closed? All multipliers have that. They need a looser fit for the pliers to flik out. All multipliers rattles also.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2019, 01:18:45 AM

EDIT: disregard. I misunderstood the question

gerleatherberman · **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2019, 01:50:14 AM

jcs,

Can you push the tools down(into handles) a bit? None of my 400s have 'backsides of tools' that come that close together(a.k.a sitting too 'proud'). The 400 should have a notable space between the back-sides of the tools to reduce the chance of getting pinched badly.

One of my 400s with the pliers deployed and handles pulled together.

jcs0001 · **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2019, 04:41:08 AM

Gerleatherberman - your photo answers my question. The tools in the handle are pushed in as far as they will go in my photos. With the pliers deployed and closed I can slip a very thin piece of paper from between the inside of the handles. I don't know why this is the case as (without dissembling the tool) I can see very little sign of wear. Unless some gorilla squeezed them shut and bent the pliers or handles or both.

Sam - I believe the multiplier is ok - my question was concerning the MP400. It certainly looks more like Mr. Pinchy than the multiplier

Thanks,

John.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2019, 04:44:29 AM

Since Gerber still makes the 400, I'd send it in for replacement. It won't be exactly the same, but it'll have proper splay. The new 400 knife blade is a wharncliffe blade and the handles are stamped differently. Otherwise it is the same.

Sam Lim · **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2019, 05:01:20 AM

Quote from: jcs0001 on March 14, 2019, 04:41:08 AM

Gerleatherberman - your photo answers my question. The tools in the handle are pushed in as far as they will go in my photos. With the pliers deployed and closed I can slip a very thin piece of paper from between the inside of the handles. I don't know why this is the case as (without dissembling the tool) I can see very little sign of wear. Unless some gorilla squeezed them shut and bent the pliers or handles or both.

Sam - I believe the multiplier is ok - my question was concerning the MP400. It certainly looks more like Mr. Pinchy than the multiplier

Thanks,

John.

They are all multipliers.

Sam Lim · **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2019, 05:31:23 AM

I had a look through mine as well.. Most have some gap, distance varies. Only one of them touches. The newer ones as GLBM mentioned, have a wider splay.

Syncop8r · **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2019, 10:50:24 AM

The gap might also be determined by how the pliers meet when they are out

if you know what I mean

.

jcs0001 · **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2019, 04:38:06 PM

GLBM, Sam and Syncop8r:

Thanks for the reply's and info. I got these a couple of years ago used (the multiplier and MP400). Didn't pay much for them so I am reluctant to send the MP400 back to Gerber. I suspect also that I would have to mail them to the US and the cost would likely be more than I paid. I will keep an eye open for another pair locally or just use them as is. I have quite a few other multitools so these can be shelf queens without hurting my feelings. They still work properly just great for raising blisters I suspect.

Thanks again,

John.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2019, 06:00:31 PM

John, Next week I'll see if putting some small washers between the lower plier studs and inside of the handles would be a good solution to the problem. Just send me a reminder if I don't post about it by Monday.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2019, 07:21:56 PM

Sorry John, couldn't get the damn camera to focus

, but...

With the pliers retracted, if you put a straight edge across the wider part of the handle, just below the engagement notch (pic 1) does it appear to sit flat, or is it the part where the cutout is noticeably higher? (pic 2)

Also, does it stay flat if you slide that straight edge further forward?

Syncop8r · **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2019, 08:14:25 PM

Al..... they must be the worst photos on the entire forum!

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2019, 08:59:02 PM

Probably...

And they were the best ones

Syncop8r · **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2019, 09:15:27 PM

Sorry!

gerleatherberman · **Reply #15 on:** March 14, 2019, 11:05:07 PM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on March 14, 2019, 07:21:56 PM

Sorry John, couldn't get the damn camera to focus , but...

With the pliers retracted, if you put a straight edge across the wider part of the handle, just below the engagement notch (pic 1) does it appear to sit flat, or is it the part where the cutout is noticeably higher? (pic 2)

Also, does it stay flat if you slide that straight edge further forward?

Is this to check if the handles are bent from a gorilla grip?
I thought those were photos of deep sea fish.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #16 on:** March 14, 2019, 11:14:40 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on March 14, 2019, 11:05:07 PM

Is this to check if the handles are bent from a gorilla grip?
I thought those were photos of deep sea fish.

... or not tightly coined on the press. Makes more sense (to me) that the handles are the more likely issue rather than the plier casting. Is so, a tap with a slapping bat might fix it... ...

... and no, it was just a complete whelk holding the camera...

gerleatherberman · **Reply #17 on:** March 14, 2019, 11:30:42 PM

Good thought. That would be a better fix than my small washers.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2019, 02:38:23 AM

Here is what Aimless was trying to capture in his photo.

If the engagement point is bulged outwards, it would cause the handles to be directed further inwards at the lock end. I am pretty sure that is what Aimless meant.

AW, please correct me if I am mistaken.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2019, 03:26:38 AM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on March 15, 2019, 02:38:23 AM

Here is what Aimless was trying to capture in his photo.

(Image removed from quote.)

If the engagement point is bulged outwards, it would cause the handles to be directed further inwards at the lock end. I am pretty sure that is what Aimless meant.

AW, please correct me if I am mistaken.

Yeah, pretty much. Thanks GBLM

If the steel either side of the slot isn't flat, but is angled up towards the opening, the handles will close more than they should. A bit of percussive maintenance should sort that out. Ideally it wants checking along the full length of the slot on both handles, it should be quite apparent if it hasn't been properly coined to 90^o

If it does look flat, there is another check we can do too. We can pop off the spring clips of both John's and my MP400, and drop the plier heads out. In theory, they should both be the same width across the flat sections that slide against the inside of the handles.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #20 on:** March 15, 2019, 03:47:34 AM

Y'all let me know if any measurements are needed. I've got some 400s and calipers on hand to help.

Syncop8r · **Reply #21 on:** March 15, 2019, 06:11:15 AM

I generally have about 2-3mm between the tools except for the odd nail nick bump here and there. No distortion on the handles such as Aimless ~~Photographer~~Wanderer is checking for.

Sam Lim · **Reply #22 on:** March 15, 2019, 07:33:39 AM

Quote from: Syncop8r on March 15, 2019, 06:11:15 AM

I generally have about 2-3mm between the tools except for the odd nail nick bump here and there. No distortion on the handles such as Aimless ~~Photographer~~Wanderer is checking for.

jcs0001 · **Reply #23 on:** March 15, 2019, 03:50:58 PM

Aimless - Thank you very much for the followup (despite the fish photos)

My MP400 has no bulges or distortions on the handles around the slot in which the pliers fit.

I've taken it apart - forgot the springs and had a search to find one.

The photo shows the pliers fully closed. Not sure if this helps but let me know if you need any other photos or measurements. Much appreciate the help.

John.

jcs0001 · **Reply #24 on:** March 15, 2019, 04:17:56 PM

gerleatherberman - you have an overabundance of mp400's

I will try to put a spacer in between the handles and back of the jaws before putting them back together. It will be later today as I have a few things on the go this morning. Will report back.

John.