Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => General Tool Discussion => Topic started by: Sam Lim on July 19, 2019, 05:05:04 PM
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I had wanted to start this thread quite some time ago. Lets give some hope to the "hopeless". I know there is a TLC thread but I think that is more on the maintenance methods. Hopefully, this serves more as a inspirational spark to never give up on neglected tools.
Do share what you have done to give a tool, knife, MT a new lease of life! :cheers:
Got a really beat up PST on Ebay a few weeks back. The listed picture of the tool in the listing was a quite a bit on the horrid, neglected side. Most people will probably not take a second look. But on closer observation, I realize it a very early model. Base on the the PST chronology, It should belong to the early 80s to mid 80s batch. Meaning its at least 34yrs old now. At a buy-now price of $20 shipped, I think I would not be able to sleep at night if I were let this passed. A large part of fun and enjoyment of buying an old tool is cleaning them up which I believe most collectors will agree. So, here you go. The below are original picture from the listing. I lost the photos that I took myself.. :facepalm:
PS. I do not have the rights to these photos obviously so if the original seller sees this and want me to remove them, pls pm me or let a mod know, I will take them down immediately.
(https://i.imgur.com/0rbQr7D.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Fp3JU1p.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4TXuFqh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ucfz47y.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/c8FnQ7W.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RSsDjqY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FUfQ7fm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QX1pB6G.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/y9ebkML.jpg)
After many hours of love, sore finger and elbow grease. I have retained all the tools, only replaced the large flat head as it was broken. Peened the pliers pivot as they are hopelessly loose and aligned the pliers tip. I didn't want to do too much polishing or buffing so as to retain the nostalgic look and feel, so only sand paper were used to sand out most of the nasty scratches.
(https://i.imgur.com/Y5bKtLq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/YIGyKJI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0QRG7SS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lT5m9u2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZVXMEmT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FVdiIs9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3w1rJfG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WEWUr0X.jpg)
:cheers:
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:like:
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Well done.
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Wow ! great job Sam and what a steal at $20 :cheers: :tu:
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That's great job! :cheers:
Two quick questions--did you soak the tool in vinegar to help with the cleaning? And how do you clean out joint if not taken apart? :pok:
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My PST Rehab (https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76337.0.html)
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Well done.
:like:
:salute:
That's great job! :cheers:
Two quick questions--did you soak the tool in vinegar to help with the cleaning? And how do you clean out joint if not taken apart? :pok:
I didnt want to go the chemical way yet.. and I kind of cannot stand the lingering vinegar smell on the tool and my hands... I had the wire brush with my trusty dremel. :cheers: I did unscrew the pivots with the magical Loki's wrench. One strange thing that I found out was that "JAPAN" was stamped on the file...
My PST Rehab (https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76337.0.html)
You know Steve, your post was what stirred me up to clean up this PST. Was almost going to just leave it as it is..
Yay! My first multi quote!
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What did you do with the file? It looks really good.
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Sam and Steve, awesome job on your PST restorations.
JonesE
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Awesome job on that PST, Sam :dd: :drool: :like:
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What did you do with the file? It looks really good.
Running wire wheel over it at low speed. Some oil, wire brush and dish detergent and brush to remove the dirt ay the end. Turn out pretty alright. Lucky there no deep rusting.
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Very nice both of you. :like:
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Well done Sam :tu:
Begs the question though: why is there no Master Restorer badge? :think:
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That looks like a superb resto job!! :hatsoff:
Sam, if you don't mind, how did you peened the pliers without marring the pivot (that I can notice!)? I have a PSTII with the "hopelessly loose" pivot and also in need to align the pliers tip ( although it is just about 1mm, so no rush on this).
Thanks in advance.
Edited to include picture of the subject!
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That looks like a superb resto job!! :hatsoff:
Sam, if you don't mind, how did you peened the pliers without marring the pivot (that I can notice!)? I have a PSTII with the "hopelessly loose" pivot and also in need to align the pliers tip ( although it is just about 1mm, so no rush on this).
Thanks in advance.
I would love to see a video of someone doing that.
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That looks like a superb resto job!! :hatsoff:
Sam, if you don't mind, how did you peened the pliers without marring the pivot (that I can notice!)? I have a PSTII with the "hopelessly loose" pivot and also in need to align the pliers tip ( although it is just about 1mm, so no rush on this).
Thanks in advance.
Edited to include picture of the subject!
You will have to see if the pliers are worth the time to do it. Some pliers are misaligned due to loose pivot. Some are really just bent. Trying to fix or align the 2nd type is a little pointless other then making it aesthetically appealing. But I am an OCD when it comes to pliers tip.. I can't stand the sight of them when they are off so I will attempt to align all of them at some point of time. Why there are no marks? I cheated of course, I use a large sanding disc with a dremel ( about 50cm diameter ) after I am happy with the result. The material to remove is much lesser than you would think. Note that peening does not always solve the issue though. I will this say again, I break more things than I fix... But everytime I break something, I learnt something new. ;)
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Thanks, Sam! I don't care much for the misalignment since it is a user but, the play/ looseness at the pivot ... :facepalm:
Will let you know how it goes; would like to participate in the PST/PSTII Challenge with it! :multi:
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Another project. Bought off ebay at $24. Nothing broken, just pretty messed up with some gums/rust and such. blades and frame full of scratches.. More blunt than a butter knife. Gotta find time.
(https://i.imgur.com/mvHUxq3.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/npURdIT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zjFbUnq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ioy5wE6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/o8s5JdL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JdqLgn2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3KT39O4.jpg)
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Can't wait to see the end result :salute:
:popcorn:
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:popcorn: Good luck with this one.
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Can't wait to see the end result :salute:
:popcorn:
+1
:cheers:
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:popcorn: Good luck with this one.
Yup, looks like he'll need it...
:o :tu:
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Oh I'm loving this!
Great restauration work Sam :like:
May I ask what you use for pushing and buffing metal?
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Oh I'm loving this!
Great restauration work Sam :like:
May I ask what you use for pushing and buffing metal?
My tools are pretty basic.. Most work are done with a dremel... Sanding, shaping and the small wire wheel.. I am pretty good with my dremel nowadays. But I seldom do polishing and buffing though.. Mirror finish is just too much work.. :ahhh
Probably will take some time, part by part. Gotta be fun. :)
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:hatsoff:
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If it's not fun then it's to much like work :D
Good luck :tu:
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Took it to my dremel to have a look. Armed with a wire wheel, he went at it. Pretty surprisingly under the mess, its in pretty good condition. Almost no signs of rust. Most of the stains are dirt, glue, carbon and some silicon. Blades are still messed up though. Hopefully there will be time this weekend to take care of the scratches. Its in much better condition than previously thought..
(https://i.imgur.com/82zMHar.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/K6NPBzR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1o9dSdq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WWCjwGX.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/q6iDbcx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xgMkmO8.jpg)
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Niiiice :tu:
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:like: :tu:
:popcorn:
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Nice job Sam ! :like: :tu:
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:hatsoff:
Taken apart for deep cleaning. Very good progress so far. :)
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Looking good ! :like:
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This was actually more of a clean up than a restore. Mostly surface dirt and stuff, other than the scratches on the blades and handles. Went through it relatively easily. :cheers:
(https://i.imgur.com/hwTfIgH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Xgsinco.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yIPn98p.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bpZR962.jpg)
Scratches removes and while at it, gave it a little re-shaping.
(https://i.imgur.com/LYGvu5a.jpg)
This serration is quite easy to take care of. Just a matter of finding the right tube and sand paper.
(https://i.imgur.com/CDKkv4F.jpg)
All for $24 and a heck of fun time! :cheers:
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Nice job, Sam! And that reprofiling... :like:
:tu:
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This was actually more of a clean up than a restore. Mostly surface dirt and stuff, other than the scratches on the blades and handles. Went through it relatively easily. :cheers:
(https://i.imgur.com/hwTfIgH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Xgsinco.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yIPn98p.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bpZR962.jpg)
Scratches removes and while at it, gave it a little re-shaping.
(https://i.imgur.com/LYGvu5a.jpg)
This serration is quite easy to take care of. Just a matter of finding the right tube and sand paper.
(https://i.imgur.com/CDKkv4F.jpg)
All for $24 and a heck of fun time! :cheers:
amazing restoration,congrats on giving new life to the tool
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Great job Sam ! :like: :tu:
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Excellent results, Sam :drool: :like:
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Thank you guys! :cheers:
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great work and thread idea Sam!!! :like: :like:
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Nice! :like:
I love a good restoration. :dd:
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Bringing this thread back up again.
At a part of the world where warranties are not as straight forward. Plus, I like to tinker with stuffs. Some diy repairs that most people can do at home.
Did some repairs on these.
(https://i.imgur.com/MKDgkBt.jpg)
1) Gerber Centre Drive had a broken liner. The good chaps at Gerbers did sent me a new one when I wanted to send this in. They surprising told me to keep the broken one and sent me another. :salute: Incredible warranty service!!!! Donor parts from a OG wave. This repair was more of a get it working kind of job. Not quite pretty.. but I think it will hold up well.
2) PS4 broken scissors spring.. Typical.. :facepalm: Replaced with a spring from the binder clips. Works very well too. very springy and chance of breakage is very low. Mine is a screwed together construction. So its much easier. I also did another one with rivets. Just a tad more challenging to repeen the rivet.
3) Leatherman Flair. This, is something I wanted to do very long ago. Broken spring bar for the corkscrew. I think this part breaks often too. Not sure if LM still have this part in their stock. So, this is a worthwhile and quite inevitable self repair imo. Super happy to get it working again without the corkscrew flopping around. Cut a notch on the original piece for the spring, added a spring bar. Spring bar comes from a small "L"shaped allen key. I was rather surprise it didn't snap when I tried to shape it. It actually worked very very well.
(https://i.imgur.com/JT6Gppc.jpg)
https://youtu.be/X92bRMQeAKE (https://youtu.be/X92bRMQeAKE)
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Excellent repair jobs Sam :like:
About the Flair, did you find any difficulties putting it back together?
I was cursing a lot putting mine back together, with original spring though :D
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Excellent repair jobs Sam :like:
About the Flair, did you find any difficulties putting it back together?
I was cursing a lot putting mine back together, with original spring though :D
Yeah. I did encounter that problem.. Wasn't expecting that either.. The repaired part uses the same piece. I had to dismantle and put together many times to get the spring bar tension right. Many :rant: too! :cheers:
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... I'm feeling not that stupid anymore now... thanks Sam :cheers:
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Great work as usual Sam ! :hatsoff: