Half Multiforce

[PitCarver]

Gotta admit that Adam was on to something with this mod.

I had considered picking up a Gerber Armbar, but after reading all the negative reviews, I decided against it and pulled out my Multiforce, instead.

My original intent was to use the 2 blades but couldn't because of the indent location so I went with the saw blade.
Got a little more work to do on the bit holder to get it into alignment with the handle, but it certainly isn't liable to fold up, like the Armbar.

Also, went without the pocket clip, on this one.  It's about the same size as my large Stockman, so I'll just drop it in.

So, a big thanks to Adam for the inspiration.

[Adam5]

 

This is what I was hoping the Armbar would be.

[PitCarver]

I like the shape of the Gerber blade.  If they ever get it together on the scissors and implement tension, I still may pick one up. 

I've still got some tweaking to do on the MF, but I'm pleased as punch with how it came out.

[Poncho65]

Great job, PC I still haven't taken mine apart but  the Armbar could have been this or more I do love the Armbar blade and the hammer on the end but it just isn't what this mod or my Charge knife mod is

[Adam5]

I used the saw blade to cut in a lot of recessed can lights this week because I like it better than my Klein drywall saw. However, that left the knife full of drywall dust and in a desperate need of cleaning.
Also, the scissors spring has been sifting a bit when using the scissors, causing an annoying click. I think that I left out a washer the last time I reassembled it 
In addition to those things, the straight driver that resides between the scissors and can opener is of very little use. There is a straight driver on the reversible bit in the bit holder. When I first performed the mod I knew the driver was wasting space but I did not have a good idea of what to replace it with.

For all of those reasons, I yet again disassembled the knife. I thoroughly cleaned it and then went to work on replacing the straight driver. There were three tools that came to mind that I could use: a prybar, an awl, and a chisel/gouge/scraper. Given it resides opposite of the bit holder in the handle in the middle slot, its replacement could be no more than 3/4" to 1" longer than the driver. That eliminated the pry bar. So, I chose to install an awl.

I have my old Suspension laying around doing nothing, so I decided to rob something from it to make an awl. Unfortunately, the area around the pivot is too narrow to cut in a notch for the Multiforce tool lock. 

So, I started looking over my other MTs that I am willing to rob from at this time.

Nothing with enough length and rigidity to make a good awl.

Then I spied a poorly formed chisel/reamer on a Husky plumber's MT. On to option #3, the chisel/gouge/scraper.

I sharpened the chisel cut on the end so that it would actually gouge out wood. I sharpened curved part of the tool so that it could actually remove burrs from PVC conduit. And I ground a chisel edge along the other edge of the tool. I forgot to take a close up pic of the tool, but it is visible in the picture above.

In addition, I gave the scales another ferric chloride bath. The previous treatment was holding up well, but since I had it disassembled I figured I might as well do it.

[PitCarver]

More I look at yours, more I like the color.  I just don't have the chemicals and other things to do that.

When I took mine apart, and was putting it back together, I put the flathead in upside down, twice, before finally getting it back right.    Old guy with big hands to start with, along with arthritis and weak eyes can only do so much.

After I got the leftover parts I wondered where all those washers actually came from.  Three different sizes too, kinda like a jigsaw puzzle.

[Adam5]

I am on the verge of not being able to see what I am doing also.

[Poncho65]

More ideas for me to use when I do take mine apart

[PitCarver]

Well folks, since it's almost impossible to find  find another Multiforce, in store, I just ordered another one.  Also picked me up a 12 piece, 3 inch, security bit set, at Tractor Supply, for $13.00.

My Amazon wish list is getting full of different Multitools too.
I keep looking at different tools to change, after my first attempt so I only hope that I hit the bottom of the rabbit hole softly.

[PitCarver]

I am on the verge of not being able to see what I am doing also.

I saw a video on the MF mod which listed a set of tweezers in with the tools for reassembly.  Wish I'd have seen it before I took mine apart because they'd sure have been handy.

[PitCarver]

(Image removed from quote.)

I used the saw blade to cut in a lot of recessed can lights this week because I like it better than my Klein drywall saw. However, that left the knife full of drywall dust and in a desperate need of cleaning.
Also, the scissors spring has been sifting a bit when using the scissors, causing an annoying click. I think that I left out a washer the last time I reassembled it 
In addition to those things, the straight driver that resides between the scissors and can opener is of very little use. There is a straight driver on the reversible bit in the bit holder. When I first performed the mod I knew the driver was wasting space but I did not have a good idea of what to replace it with.

For all of those reasons, I yet again disassembled the knife. I thoroughly cleaned it and then went to work on replacing the straight driver. There were three tools that came to mind that I could use: a prybar, an awl, and a chisel/gouge/scraper. Given it resides opposite of the bit holder in the handle in the middle slot, its replacement could be no more than 3/4" to 1" longer than the driver. That eliminated the pry bar. So, I chose to install an awl.

I have my old Suspension laying around doing nothing, so I decided to rob something from it to make an awl. Unfortunately, the area around the pivot is too narrow to cut in a notch for the Multiforce tool lock. 

So, I started looking over my other MTs that I am willing to rob from at this time.

Nothing with enough length and rigidity to make a good awl.

Then I spied a poorly formed chisel/reamer on a Husky plumber's MT. On to option #3, the chisel/gouge/scraper.

I sharpened the chisel cut on the end so that it would actually gouge out wood. I sharpened curved part of the tool so that it could actually remove burrs from PVC conduit. And I ground a chisel edge along the other edge of the tool. I forgot to take a close up pic of the tool, but it is visible in the picture above.

In addition, I gave the scales another ferric chloride bath. The previous treatment was holding up well, but since I had it disassembled I figured I might as well do it.

I was thinking about mine, last night.  I had wanted to include the serrated blade instead of the saw, but the indent was on the wrong side.  Then I thought that why can't I simply drill through the current indent creating a hole to actually act as an indent.   

Now, I'm almost ready for our vacation to end so I can get back to my tools.

[johnnyvol]

I've taken this apart so many times due to putting something in backwards or leaving an important washer out that I believe I could assemble it blindfolded now.  Zip ties are a great help also.

Anywho, here's my half MF alongside the Gerber Armbar Drive and Slim Drive, a Rebar and an original Wave for size comparisons.

[Poncho65]

I am pretty sure I would like this better than an Armbar Great comparison pic

[PitCarver]

I've taken this apart so many times due to putting something in backwards or leaving an important washer out that I believe I could assemble it blindfolded now.  Zip ties are a great help also.

Anywho, here's my half MF alongside the Gerber Armbar Drive and Slim Drive, a Rebar and an original Wave for size comparisons.

 

[PitCarver]

Ordered me another Multiforce along with a couple other knives while we were on vacation because all the Walmarts were out.  Got home today and found that they beat me here.
I love shipping like that.

Now I've gotta decide if I want to keep it as is or try another mod...

[Poncho65]

 

[Adam5]

While reading some of the modding threads, I saw where J-sews and Evil both created additional bits that could be inserted in the Surge/Wave bit holder. That inspired me to to do something similar.

However, the Multiforce bit holder is for 1/4" bits, not the flattened Leatherman bits. And I happen to have a lot of those type of bits around. Also, I have access to a lot of worn out paddle drill bits that could be repurposed. So, I have made a few accessory tools for my knife in my own manner:



I made a small scraper, a large scraper, a prybar, a punch/marlin spike, and an awl.

In order to use these tools, I flipped ends with the bit holder so that it locks. Fortunately, the can opener and the scissors work just fine with the plier back spring without any modifications. The scraper I made that resides between those two tools is only partially functional now. I will have to rethink what should go there. Perhaps some holder for tweezers 

By the way, I inserted magnets in the Multiforce bit holder and the extension so that regular 1/4" bits will work in them. The Leatherman ratchet still works fine in the bit holder.

[Poncho65]

Just now seeing this that is an awesome idea with all those tools I remember seeing the things that J-sews (Bob) made out of spade drill bits and the tools you have made are equally awesome

[Adam5]

Thanks!

The awl has already been useful. I was helping repair a cabinet and needed to create a couple of pilot holes  in a tight spot. I could not get a drill in there, but the awl fit. I was able create enough of a starter hole for each screw so that I could drive in the screws using the Multiforce knife.

And I used the small scraper today to clear out some foam in a slot that I had to install a wire in.

[Poncho65]

Nice