Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => The Mod Squad => Topic started by: Booba5 on January 25, 2017, 05:36:00 PM
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Hey everyone, I'm from the USA (MO).
In my new position at work, a multitool would be VERY useful, so I pulled the trigger on a Wave earlier this week, along with a Rebar a day later. My plan is to swap in the Rebar pliers over to my Wave, then put the Wave pliers back on the Rebar and give it to a friend. Also, once I get enough posts, I'll be buying a Charge knife blade here to swap in. That'd give me the Rebar pliers and charge blade on the Wave...which should make me a happy camper. Is there anything else I could\should do to the Wave while I have it apart? Does a standard security Torx bit fit the Wave's screws (Gen 2 Wave)? Thanks everyone, I'm glad to be a part of the site!
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Greetings. The S30V blade should be quite nice in the Wave. I have been seriously been wanting to get rid of the small bit holder on all my Waves. If you are an awl user many have also added the awl to the Wave. Not sure what they removed to add in the awl tho.
Standard security torx will work tho I forget the size. Maybe down the road you can add OHO scissors?
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I don't think I'd use an awl, but who knows lol. Would the OHO scissors clear the Rebar pliers? What are OHO scissors, lol?
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One Hand Opening
Heres a nice modded Wave.
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,70281.msg1413109.html#msg1413109
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That is pretty cool. I think I will look into scissors, I like the OHO idea. I'm also looking into the blade holder from a Surge. I like the whole using jigsaw blades idea. I was looking at the Surge but I decided against it since it was so huge, and I bought the Wave for $45 shipped. I followed a link in that link you posted and there's a Wave with the Surge blade, OHO scissors (not sure which ones), the file, and knife (straight). That setup is what I want, lol. I'd like to keep the serrated blade, but I don't know if it'll fit on the inside to clear the pliers. I don't even have the tool yet (get's here tomorrow\Friday) so this is all in my head at the moment. Rebar gets here Monday, Wave, tomorrow, and I just ordered the Charge's blade today. Whew.
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http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,70393.0.html
Some great Mods.
My Wave mod
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,57640.msg1369317.html#att291229
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,69042.msg1374593.html#att291281
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That's exactly what I want to do with mine, as far as the outer tools. Is the Charge's file better than the Wave's? I work with lathes and mills all day and I end up filing on tool bars and whatnot a lot. You have a very nice Wave, if you don't mind, I'll be asking you for advice when the time comes, lol.
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That's exactly what I want to do with mine, as far as the outer tools. Is the Charge's file better than the Wave's? I work with lathes and mills all day and I end up filing on tool bars and whatnot a lot. You have a very nice Wave, if you don't mind, I'll be asking you for advice when the time comes, lol.
Charge and Wave files are the same.
No problem ask away. I followed Breezy's mod. My outside scissors could be better. They don't lock open but that was my mistake when I made the hole. I have a spare Vic scissors which I will try again soon.
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Here's the modded tool I use the most....
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,67918.0.html
I've also swapped in the S30V blade in mine.
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The Wave came in today, it's very clean, and in very good shape. The bits have the normal wear and tear from being rotated, and the file has a dirty corner, but that's it. Knife is a bit on the dull side, but I have a friend that takes his knife sharpening VERY seriously, and he's going to sharpen up the new blade before it goes on. All of the pivots seem a little on the tight side, but it might just be a Wave thing. This is my first multitool, so I don't have much of a comparison, other than my Buck Vantage, and the Wave is noticeably tighter. I'll clean it up at work, I have access to a lot more oils and cleaners there so it'll be easier on my part...not like it really needs much though. Here's some pics:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01245_zpssrnu0tmq.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01245_zpssrnu0tmq.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01243_zpsm0zwonnj.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01243_zpsm0zwonnj.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01241_zpszqg0i4bd.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01241_zpszqg0i4bd.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01236_zpscwjktq4p.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01236_zpscwjktq4p.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01235_zps9zalcycx.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01235_zps9zalcycx.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01234_zps2sk91h4d.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01234_zps2sk91h4d.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01231_zpsb6nxi1fb.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01231_zpsb6nxi1fb.jpg.html)
Rebar comes in tomorrow, I'm hoping before I goto work (noon) so I can crack it open there (again, access to more tools and other guys who love to tear things apart). If it does, then I should have the Rebar pliers on by the end of the day tomorrow. Of course, if the Rebar gets here after I goto work I could always have my wife bring them to me on my break...haha
I have a few things to look up, like the 91mm Vic scissors, where to buy them, and all that jazz. Also need to look up if the Rebar awl is a direct swap, and if there is any serrated blade that could fit on the inside (doubtful, now that I have seen the Wave in person). I sense a new hobby in the making...
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The awl is a direct swap.
It is virtually impossible to get a full length tool on the inside of the Wave's handles. If you want a serrated blade there, the only thing I can think of (short of making one yourself) would be the serrated blade from a Sidekick.
Just let us know if you have any questions!
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That Wave looks pretty clean for $45. What is the advantage of the rebar pliers?
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They have replaceable cutters, and are bigger\stronger. Not my pic, but you can see here:
(http://toolguyd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Leatherman-Pliers-Rebar-vs-Wave-and-SuperTool-300.jpg)
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Rebar came in today, and roughly an hour after that I had the pliers swapped out. Everything was pretty clean when I took it apart, but I had cleaned it at work the day before (without disassembly) so I wasn't all that surprised. I was also able to get some more washers from work, so I'll be taking everything apart...again. Then today in my spare time at work I ground down the scissors, and cleaned the Rebar.
I decided to go ahead and leave the awl in the Rebar, and trim the scissors down. I didn't really want to have to do anything to the Rebar other than swap the pliers, and since it's a gift I frankly don't want to give myself the chance to screw it up. Sure, the Wave is turning out pretty good, but who knows how the Rebar would. Anyways, everything came out pretty good, the Rebar didn't get 100% clean on the file, but that's about it. It'll go to it's new home on Monday.
Here's some pics:
Obligatory side by side comparison of the plier's:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01246_zpsobyptzlz.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01246_zpsobyptzlz.jpg.html)
About 45 seconds before I realized that the body was on backwards and I had to take everything apart again:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01250_zpsfmkubze6.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01250_zpsfmkubze6.jpg.html)
Obligatory side by side shot of the Rebar and Wave with the swap:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01252_zpsbddvfk8c.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01252_zpsbddvfk8c.jpg.html)
Insert my "work" day here, can't take pics there, but this was what everything looked like when I came home:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01254_zpskfaaan1c.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01254_zpskfaaan1c.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01258_zpsfgoiyngo.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01258_zpsfgoiyngo.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01260_zpsl7cbtnch.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01260_zpsl7cbtnch.jpg.html)
And, closed:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01263_zpshyopukdz.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01263_zpshyopukdz.jpg.html)
Now that I have basically finished the scissors I'm going to begin researching their replacements, lol. These scissors were just to "get the hang" of this type of work, so if I screwed up, oh well. I just so happened to not screw up...this time. Thoughts?
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Thoughts?
Nice job!
The last guy I met who did this mod, couldn't fully close his Wave...
And was completely ok with that :facepalm:
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Thoughts?
Nice job!
The last guy I met who did this mod, couldn't fully close his Wave...
And was completely ok with that :facepalm:
Thanks!
Yea, it drove me nuts for the 5 hours it was unfinished. Come to find out, I had a very old SAK that hasn't been used in decades, so I robbed the scissors from it, and spent the last 2 hours drilling out the hole for the Wave. That is some HARD metal and I have some DULL drill bits. Oh wells, it's done. The walls of the pivot hole were a little too thin for my liking, so I figured I'd build them up a bit with some JB weld, and it's setting up now. PIcs of everything here in a bit!
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PIcs of everything here in a bit!
You should be chased by an angry mob if you didn't :D
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Looking good. The SAK metal is really hard. I used diamond Dremil bits but it went slow regardless.
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Well the scissors are on, but I'm not sure for how long, everything is nice and strong, but the JB weld got rubbed by the lock a bit so I'll have to sand it again. Overall I'm happy with it, best part is it was free, too. This was basically a test fit that turned out pretty nice so I'm leaving it. I have plenty of polishing and what not to do, but I want to try it out for a week or so to make sure I don't want to do anything else with it before I shine it up. Here's some pics!
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01272_zpsnvobjsns.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01272_zpsnvobjsns.jpg.html)
Hard to get a pic, but you can see the washers, and the JB weld. The light grey is where the rubbed happened. I think it's done rubbing, but that's another reason I'm waiting a week or so before polishing.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01274_zpscyrws7uj.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01274_zpscyrws7uj.jpg.html)
Closed up:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01275_zps4ublk2kq.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01275_zps4ublk2kq.jpg.html)
Opens up nicely, along with everything else. I'm very satisfied with...well, everything. It all moves very easily, I'm a happy camper for sure. Now if I could figure out if I should really go the whole Surge's jigsaw type route. Not sure if I really even would use it that much to justify the change. Also interested in that sliding hacksaw blade mod, can't find much information on that stuff, just a few pictures but nothing with the blade removed.
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Looking good. I find having the scissors on the outside really is useful and convenient.
The Blade Exchanger for me was just because I had a Old Style Surge that was being unused. Having the hack saw blades for me is very handy. In my everyday usage I'd say more so that the wood saw. I also like that I can add the Surge file with diamond in as well.
Run it as you said and evaluate. I'm going to do a Change mod soon and for the time being I'm really thinking about what to add and subtract.
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I have the go ahead for the surge BE, but I'm not sure if I'm up to the challenge and also not sure if I'd even use it much. I file on toolbars in lathes and whatnot at work, so I'llbe leaving the normal Wave file. Seems to work pretty good. WAY better than the Rebar file.
This is the hacksaw setup I was talking about.
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,64437.0.html
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I remember that mod. Its pretty awesome but I think more than I'm ready to tackle as well. Time to give your Wave a high polish 8)
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That looks awesome! I thought about it, but there's no way it'd stay a mirror finish for long, with much it's getting used at work and what not. I polished up the pivots and those were scratched up in 5 minutes, lol. That looks like the SAK I got the scissors from, but mine was black.
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I decided to go with an idea just to see how it'd work and put 2 little dabs of JB weld in (thankfully) uniform spacing to help with opening. So far, it seems like it came out pretty good! I originally had my doubts, but I actually like it a lot.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01278_zpsv9zcyixx.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01278_zpsv9zcyixx.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01279_zpshoqpnnpu.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01279_zpshoqpnnpu.jpg.html)
I figure if the initial coolness wears off I can just flick them off and sand off the remainder...it's not like I don't have to polish it anyways.
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Well, that last long. Yesterday I went to use the scissors and they were extremely dull, so today I had a buddy sharpen them. After that I realized that the pivot was just loose (on the scissors) so I tightened it up a bit so all was well....for about 7 hours until the spring broke. SO at this point I'm going to replace the scissors with something else.
I guess the question I have is Wingman scissors or SAK scissors? I'm thinking SAK, but which model do I look for? I obviously want the biggest scissors I can get away with (for the least amount of $ of course), and from the looks of these scissors, I can get a larger pair. Thanks in advance.
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Well, that last long. Yesterday I went to use the scissors and they were extremely dull, so today I had a buddy sharpen them. After that I realized that the pivot was just loose (on the scissors) so I tightened it up a bit so all was well....for about 7 hours until the spring broke. SO at this point I'm going to replace the scissors with something else.
I guess the question I have is Wingman scissors or SAK scissors? I'm thinking SAK, but which model do I look for? I obviously want the biggest scissors I can get away with (for the least amount of $ of course), and from the looks of these scissors, I can get a larger pair. Thanks in advance.
You should probably be fine with any 91mm Victorinox scissors so a second hand Climber is probably the cheapest way to go. The ones from Wenger (now also Victorinox) use another spring-solution that would mean a lot more work. From the design of the scissors you used they seem to be of Chinese or possibly German origin and you should find that the Swiss-made ones are much better.
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Thanks for the info! I've found an old climber for ~$12 so that's not bad at all. I take it you think the Vic scissors are better than the Wingman scissors?
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Thanks for the info! I've found an old climber for ~$12 so that's not bad at all. I take it you think the Vic scissors are better than the Wingman scissors?
I would say so yes, Vic scissors open wider while at the same time being more precise and having better ergonomics. On the other hand the spring is much less robust but can be replaced instead.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/nleaqr0y5gmqn0w/20170201_125400-1161x2064.jpg?raw=1)
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Had a pretty productive weekend, I received the SAK in the mail on Saturday, and swapped the scissors over after work. Definitely a harder metal than the old scissors, it killed every drill bit I had, and then some. I went ahead and put the JB weld dots on them, along with some on the knife. I'm wearing gloves at work 80% of the time so it makes opening and closing a lot easier. The S30v blade gets here tomorrow, and my friend will be sharpening it the day after that, so I have a few days to figure out if I like the dots on the blade or not.
Oh and I went ahead and did some polishing...came out pretty good, IMO. Eventually I'll polish up the plier heads as well. Here's some pics!
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/519/31908881454_870d45b4b1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QBFmLw)DSC01302 (https://flic.kr/p/QBFmLw) by Scooby Walker (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148022552@N05/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/468/31908880844_fe6dd5cdf4_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QBFmA1)DSC01300 (https://flic.kr/p/QBFmA1) by Scooby Walker (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148022552@N05/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/309/31908879644_b5309dc940_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QBFmej)DSC01293 (https://flic.kr/p/QBFmej) by Scooby Walker (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148022552@N05/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5725/31908880334_972af3f124_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QBFmrd)DSC01298 (https://flic.kr/p/QBFmrd) by Scooby Walker (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148022552@N05/), on Flickr
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Shiny!
I like the JB Weld dots. very creative way of creating more purchase on the tools.
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Looks great :like:
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Thanks guys, I think it turned out great! I went ahead and polished up the plier heads, There were a few dings that didn't come out, but nothing too major. I know it'll end up rubbing when I close, but that'll clean up easily and eventually it'll stop rubbing. This stuff is really addicting, I'll tell ya.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/453/31911528374_f43c0d1b3d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QBUVB5)DSC01307 (https://flic.kr/p/QBUVB5) by Scooby Walker (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148022552@N05/), on Flickr
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Great job ! :salute:
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Wow :tu: Nice job on that Wave :o :like: :like:
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Looks good! :tu: I bought me a Wave, Rebar, and Wingman off of eBay as well, just haven't had time to do the mod yet. The more I have used my Surge with the replaceable wire cutters, the more I miss having the original head. The wire cutters just don't cut stranded wire that well and I save nail head and screw cutting for my linemans or a sawzaw. Think the original Wave head may stay. I plan on the wingman Scissors, 3D screwdriver from the Rebar and I think I will ditch the eyeglass screwdriver for a larger one. Scissors may go in the Rebar or possibly my Crunch! I got a pocket clip too. I hope to carry it when I'm not at work.
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Sounds like a plan! I have yet to cut any wiring with my Wave, but the chain link fencing I was cutting through was no problem at all. I ended up pulling the pliers out again and polishing them once more, I wasn't satisfied with the sides at all. Ironically, the sides took longer than everything else I have done...combined.
Anyways, S30v came in today, my buddy won't be able to get to sharpening it until the weekend, so I just went ahead and installed it now. I also had my wife line the inside of my sheath with microfiber, so that's pretty cool. Here's a pic of the new blade. I'll do the JB weld dots after sharpening. Since I was done with the 420HC blade I went ahead and popped the JB weld dots off of it to see how hard removal was...and it was cake. Good news to me since I might get sick of them on the S30v blade and it'll be nice to just pop them off. Ok, enough rambling...pic:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/531/32733965316_73baaf39cf_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RSA8sm)DSC01321 (https://flic.kr/p/RSA8sm) by Scooby Walker (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148022552@N05/), on Flickr
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Here's the sheath itself, seems to polish up the handles every time I pull it out of the sheath!
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/508/32734139696_4f1e1f3933_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RSB2hU)DSC01327 (https://flic.kr/p/RSB2hU) by Scooby Walker (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148022552@N05/), on Flickr
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That's a nice mod you have there... how did you achieve the polished mirror finish?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Thank you. I started by stripping down the Wave, to avoid getting grit into the joints, and to avoid polishing something I didn't want to polish. I started with 400 grit (dry) going against the "grain," so lengthwise from end to end. After I could see the majority of the original lines were gone, I moved to wet sanding 400 grit, using a new sheet. Everything was wet sanding from here. I stayed with 400 grit until the original lines were totally gone, and the only lines you can see were from my sanding (lengthwise). I moved onto 800 grit, then 1000, 1500, 2000, and finally 2500. I'd be sure to sand each level at least 3 times, cleaning more frequently with higher grits. Once my wife and I had agreed it was time to move onto a fine grit, I'd do another round of sanding just to make double sure it was time to move to something finer.
Once I was done with 2500 grit I was honestly happy with the results, but I went ahead and moved onto the Dremel. I used the polishing compound they provided, but I was disappointed with it scratched up the surface and I had to sand from 1000 grit again. I tried the polishing bit "520" as they call it, which is a polishing bit with compound and lubrication "impregnated" into it. This worked great. The sharper edges of the plier heads chewed up the Dremel bit a little so I just used some polishing compound and polished it by hand.
Time and patience is key.
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Thank you. I started by stripping down the Wave, to avoid getting grit into the joints, and to avoid polishing something I didn't want to polish. I started with 400 grit (dry) going against the "grain," so lengthwise from end to end. After I could see the majority of the original lines were gone, I moved to wet sanding 400 grit, using a new sheet. Everything was wet sanding from here. I stayed with 400 grit until the original lines were totally gone, and the only lines you can see were from my sanding (lengthwise). I moved onto 800 grit, then 1000, 1500, 2000, and finally 2500. I'd be sure to sand each level at least 3 times, cleaning more frequently with higher grits. Once my wife and I had agreed it was time to move onto a fine grit, I'd do another round of sanding just to make double sure it was time to move to something finer.
Once I was done with 2500 grit I was honestly happy with the results, but I went ahead and moved onto the Dremel. I used the polishing compound they provided, but I was disappointed with it scratched up the surface and I had to sand from 1000 grit again. I tried the polishing bit "520" as they call it, which is a polishing bit with compound and lubrication "impregnated" into it. This worked great. The sharper edges of the plier heads chewed up the Dremel bit a little so I just used some polishing compound and polished it by hand.
Time and patience is key.
Thanks for the helpful tip :cheers:
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I've been using it for a week and a half and I love it! My friend finished sharpening the knife to a mirror finish as well, so it all matches, lol. I have taken on the task (and gotten a little carried away) of grinding down the inside a bit so the plier heads don't rub, and will stay polished. This is fun. Just kidding, it's not. I finally was able to track down a 3 inch sanding pad for a die grinder at work so that moved things along a bit. I'm just about done with that task, maybe a little more grinding to do, once it doesn't rub anymore, I'm going to strip the tool down and polish up the insides to 1,000 grit. Confused? Here's some pics.
Knife edge:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01375_zpsgk88n7v8.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01375_zpsgk88n7v8.jpg.html)
This morning I gave the pliers a quick 1,000 grit sanding to clean up the old rubbings, so I can look for new ones. Eventually it'll be polsihed up to 2,500 and polishing compound thereafter:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01363_zpsfdgwf025.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01363_zpsfdgwf025.jpg.html)
Here's the insides, like I said, I'll polish it up a bit when I'm done.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01368_zpso97dfqke.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01368_zpso97dfqke.jpg.html)
In this pic you can see where it's still rubbing a bit, the darker part above the medium screw driver:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01367_zpsrnk8hf8o.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01367_zpsrnk8hf8o.jpg.html)
As far as how I like the heads (basically) not rubbing anymore? It's awesome. The handles still move nice and tight, but the tool itself opens so much easier, and smoother. So far, it's probably the best thing I've done to my Wave.
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While the tool will sustain some scratching with use I have found its not terrible. Sure looks awesome all shined up right? I personally didnt find it to be unwieldy in hand due to being polished either. I think polished the tool just looks more badda$$.
Great job on the Mods.
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Agreed. It just seems like a different class of tool, lol. I think the Rebar heads are a bit thicker than the normal Wave heads, so that' probably why they were rubbing so bad. I'm 99% sure I have it ground down enough now, I have the heads painted and I'll be closing them repeatedly to see if anything is rubbing. I know there might be 2 VERY small spots. Serious about the easy of opening though. It just opens so much more fluid than before. A buddy at work (who turned me onto the Wave) has a "stock" Wave and I asked him to see it today. Talk about a difference. The Rebar, S30v, and SAK scissors aside, that thing was just a PITA to open and use, lol.
I might have more pics tomorrow, but I will for sure have some more this weekend, when I strip it completely down for a (hopefully) final cleaning and polishing.
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Whew, what a weekend. So, I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and when I showed an engineer my Wave at work and he instantly showed me the play in the center pin (that I had never noticed, magically)...and it through me for a loop. I tried fixing it and they may or may not be locked up now. I mean I can move them, but not very easily. Long story short, I decided to go ahead and buy a Rebar and basically use it for parts if needed (and that's how it turned out). I picked it up for $40 from Walmart (friend works there, and it was a display), and tore it limb from limb.
Anyways, this meant starting from scratch on the polishing, and I had plenty of tools that I can swap around. One in particular caught my eye. The 3D screw driver. I was able to make it fit with the can opener, and moved both bit drivers to the same side. I know it's not very much as far as how many tools it has now, but it's the tools I'd use at work the most. For the record, a little side project at work is milling a 1\4 allen wrench down to fit in the bit holder. On both of the handles I was able to put a washer in between every tool, even against the body so everything moves very nicely. The polish on the pliers came out great, IMO. Better than the old set, and these are MUCH tighter. The handles got a little cleaning with some 2500 grit, but they can stand to get a little more attention. I discovered a bench grinder at work with a polishing wheel in it, so I'm going to take that thing for a spin (pun) and see what it can do with these handles before I start from 1,000 grit again.
All in all, I spent a fair percentage of the last 2 days sanding, and the end result is a multi tool that not only meets my needs, but looks AND performs like new, or even better. Here's some pics!
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01401_zpsj1wwjgbi.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01401_zpsj1wwjgbi.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01403_zpsks9fuezz.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01403_zpsks9fuezz.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01405_zpsis2sspws.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01405_zpsis2sspws.jpg.html)
Closed:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01408_zpsjmphf1jb.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01408_zpsjmphf1jb.jpg.html)
And the shine:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01398_zps62g7lhxl.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01398_zps62g7lhxl.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01395_zpsfhagq4be.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01395_zpsfhagq4be.jpg.html)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01393_zpsdueewrs0.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01393_zpsdueewrs0.jpg.html)
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Really glad to see another polished Wave. We have several members now who have done it and after I first saw one here on MTO I knew I had to. I've now polished 2 new Waves and 1 old plus and Old style Surge that I gave away. It really does "dress" up the tool. With all the mods you did it really makes the Wave very personal.
Great job :tu:.
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Great polishing work!
Have you noticed any "slipperiness" when using the tools or pliers due to the smooth, polished finish?
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Nope, not yet, at least. The side that are polished aren't really a gripping surface, so I don't think it'll be a problem. I have been paying pretty close attention to it, but I haven't really noticed anything yet.
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I've been giving thoughts to jeweling the handles of my Reaver. Will have to see what I come up with.
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That'd be interesting to see, for sure! How would you go about attaching them?
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That plier head looks amazing :like: :tu:
I like how you have rounded the wedges and smoothed the lines :like: :cheers: :tu:
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Very nice and very shiny :o :dd:
Good job on that Wave :like: :like:
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Thanks guys, I used the bench grinder (with a polishing pad) at work and it helped the heads shine a bit more, but there's still a hair line on the edge where they rub. I'll probably grind inside the body (again) some day when I'm bored at work. The handles, need to be repolished. The bench polisher helped, but it's still not as nice as the heads. This was my first time polishing metal and all, and these handles were literally the first thing I polished. I've gotten better, so I'll go ahead and repolish them, probably starting with 1,000 grit or so. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll have a bunch of pictures basically showing the same thing, but with different legos, lol.
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That'd be interesting to see, for sure! How would you go about attaching them?
I was meaning jeweling like this.... http://www.3me.us/jewelling.htm
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Haha, that's a relief. I was thinking, "like what, bedazzled? Whatever floats your boat." LOL. That does look awesome though, I'll have to look into it whenever I get bored with the polish.
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My dad used to jewel bolt action rifle bolts as part of his gunsmith business. That's how I know of it.
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I finally was able to dedicate some time to polishing, Since the initial polishing I was able to pick up a small vice, so this was quite a bit easier. I also took the chance to fill in the lettering on the ruler and the "LEATHERMAN WAVE" on each handle. I used brake caliper paint, and baked the handles in the oven at 400*f for an hour to help it withstand chemicals. I can say it withstands fingernail polish remover, I haven't tested anything else, yet. I think it came out pretty good, Here's some pics.
The LEATHERMAN isn't really all that noticeable, but the Wave is:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01456_zpsee3dblpo.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01456_zpsee3dblpo.jpg.html)
The numbers on the ruler came out great, though.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01464_zps6km3w8oy.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01464_zps6km3w8oy.jpg.html)
And just because I've always wondering was a wood grain Wave would look like:
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01467_zpsjrv6ksma.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01467_zpsjrv6ksma.jpg.html)
Since I had everything torn down I sanded all of the pivots up to 2500 grit, so they were basically a mirror finish as well. This thing is smoooooth.
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That's amazing! :o
How long did the process take?
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Well with this go around, I just "touched up" the Rebar heads, they still rub just a little and over the last month they accumulated some marks from it. I just started at 1500 grit and worked my way up on that while the paint was drying\baking. As for the handles? Including the drying and baking time, the entire project took me about 8-9 hours start to finish. 3.5 hours of that is painting, drying time, and baking time. I wasn't really in much of a hurry to get it done so I took my time, having a 3rd party (Wife) check my progress along the way.
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That thing is sweet :o :like: Any chance we can see the tools fanned out and blades open as well :dd: :D I love how shiny it is :tu: Reminds me of an old school LM :drool: :like: :like:
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That plier head looks amazing :like: :tu:
I like how you have rounded the wedges and smoothed the lines :like: :cheers: :tu:
I noticed this too. Impressive. I like the replaceable hard wire cutters and I like knowing that if I damage them they are replaceable. But I prefer the rounded plier heads ala the supertool and wave.
But you have made the best of both worlds imo. Bravo :salute:
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Here yea go. I've been tossing around the idea of polishing the knife blade, but I like the S30V on it, so I might just leave it. I dunno. I have the bug to do more with it, but I've basically ran out of things to do, lol. Might be time to pick up a Surge...lol.
I couldn't really get a good pic, except for this one. Maybe when the sun is up tomorrow I can get a better pic.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Booba85/DSC01470_zps6qgps9qg.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Booba85/media/DSC01470_zps6qgps9qg.jpg.html)
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Thanks :tu: Love that pic :dd: :like: :like:
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Lovely work B :salute:
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Hi there! What happened to the other parts? Nice mod by the way cool finish!
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Awesome job there booba5. You've really inspired me to have a go at a couple mods on the new wave I just bought the other week. Just hard to get spare parts or donor mt's for a reasonable price in Australia. But I'll keep a keen eye out.
Love your work dude!
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