Post by: comis on August 16, 2019, 11:41:19 AM
Victorinox 91mm mod "Mountain Yeoman" with Transparent GID scale
(https://i.imgur.com/dzJFeiB.jpg)
Backside Phillips vs Inline Phillips?
Combo Tool vs Can/Bottle Openers?
These are some of the most heated debates amongst SAK users.
(https://i.imgur.com/hm5EuCu.jpg)
As some of you might know, Victorinox 91mm Mountaineer has been one of my most favorite SAKs for many years. Yeoman and Explorer are close seconds, which both featured the well-loved inline phillips. After the Mountain Tinker mod (https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,82166.msg1969411.html#msg1969411), I can't help but to wonder what if I add a metal file from the Mountaineer to the Yeoman? And that's where this mod originated.
Executive Summary: Replacing the small blade and hook of the 91mm Explorer with a Combo tool and hook from a 91mm Compact respectively, while adding a layer of 91mm Mountaineer's metal file to the Explorer's chassis. For the scale, strip off the original paint from the 91mm Silvertech scales, then filled in with GID expoxy.(please see other thread for details)
(https://i.imgur.com/iKzS3Hh.jpg)
Three
Following Jaya advise, I tried submerging the SAK in 65C hot water for 3 min to descale, and it turns out really well.
For the Explorer, I would recommend leaving the magnifying lens out of the hot water when de-scaling the SAK. I don't know that plastic property of that mag glass housing, and for sure don't want to mess with it.
(https://i.imgur.com/EkeXNRz.jpg)
If you are using hand drill, or even drill press, "center punching" the rivets are of upmost importance. Any run out will potentially damage your bushings, and if you are only doing one mod, those 6 bushings are the only chances you got.
(https://i.imgur.com/mhb72jz.jpg)
Wearing eye protection around power tools, mods can wait, eyesight can't.
(https://i.imgur.com/fTX9HPg.jpg)
Most majority of time, I could thin out the rivets almost perfectly, with the combination of drill press and dremel...
(https://i.imgur.com/iflOPUU.jpg)
But I would be lying to you if I can drill out every rivets perfectly everytime, for those times that I don't, careful dremeling will rescue the day. :facepalm:
(https://i.imgur.com/hiPMqwH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/x23lcrR.jpg)
The beauty of using a jig is you could safely capture the bushing at the bottom, while hammering the pin out layer by layer.
(https://i.imgur.com/HeROGkz.jpg)
As you drill/dremel to thin out the rivets inside the bushings, it will eventually get so thin that you could 'wiggle' the bushing out of the pins with a pair of cutter. After that, It is important to file/chamffer the pin before punching/pulling them out thru the layers. Without doing so, you probably could still hammering those pins out, but the layers could be warpped with pin holes enlarged. :o
(https://i.imgur.com/9PV7Yhh.jpg)
I always recommend to take photo before and after punching out the pins, while dissembling the SAK layer by layer.
(https://i.imgur.com/rC7SX13.jpg)
Polishing the backspring and every single parts for the mods, it is all the attention to details that counts.
Layering out different SAK and be sure to make records of them dissembled:
(https://i.imgur.com/smcThBo.jpg)
91mm Victorinox Explorer Dissembled
(https://i.imgur.com/EdY2UfT.jpg)
91mm Victorinox Compact Dissembled
(https://i.imgur.com/DFrEs1u.jpg)
91mm Victorinox Mountaineer Dissembled
(https://i.imgur.com/6KftZPl.jpg)
If you do own those SAKs that are similar to what you are making, like Yeoman and Explorer, now is probably a good time to pull them out for reference when setting out.
(https://i.imgur.com/siA9MP6.jpg)
Setting out your final configuration is important, especially if you are combining different layers from different chassis. This does help visualize what may went wrong. For example, in this mod, where to put the metal file layer vs magnifier layer and what liner to use are important to protect the lens.
(https://i.imgur.com/TqCy8gE.jpg)
I love this hook tool I got, it helps to pull the spring back when I try to fit the tool onto the chassis :tu:
(https://i.imgur.com/2vdUBJQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rLoKSGd.jpg)
The order of the liner and tools are important, in my case here, this liner is instrumental for protecting the Mag glass getting scratched from the metal file
(https://i.imgur.com/E1Ah6lh.jpg)
The rest of the procedure is pretty standard after assembling the SAK, put on different bushing(remember, the center ones are the smaller ones), measure/snap/grind/file the pin flat to around 0.5-0.7mm excess of the bushing, then start hammering.
(https://i.imgur.com/5ZMu2Oq.jpg)
Alternating very frequently and hammering squre on the pins, you should be able to get a flush finnishing rivet, just even with the top of the bushing.
For this mod, I took time to make a set of transparent glow-in-the-dark 91mm scale from the Silvertech scales. Since there are a fair amount of details involved with that process, I gonna start another thread in Mod squard for discussion purpose. Following are a few snapshots of the process:
(https://i.imgur.com/hwoFvkg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/z3y746l.jpg)
Transparent 91mm scale overlaying on our Mountain Yeoman, aftering stripping clean of paint.
(https://i.imgur.com/efmfGKH.jpg)
After the epoxy resin dried, I dremeled out two divots for hosting the backsping tool pin rivets
(https://i.imgur.com/wrIZCLb.jpg)
Completed! I was a little worried at the beginning that it's gonna look like funny during the day time, but turns out it is a pleasant light jade green. :whistle:
(https://i.imgur.com/AG8PN8Y.jpg)
These GID scales really stands out at night, exactly how it looked when you charged it up with semi-dark adjusted eyes. :D
Thank you for reading! And hoped you'd enjoy it! :hatsoff:
Post by: comis on August 16, 2019, 11:49:25 AM
Post by: Sos24 on August 16, 2019, 12:08:31 PM
Post by: kottskrapa on August 16, 2019, 12:35:13 PM
[It's not failure if you learn something from it]
Post by: Barry Rowland on August 16, 2019, 02:10:41 PM
Post by: McStitchy on August 16, 2019, 02:35:24 PM
* emoji for illustration purposes only
I need to get hold of some Silvertech scales :ahhh
Post by: comis on August 16, 2019, 03:02:49 PM
Matt, if you gonna try the silvertech mod, please do stay tuned for the next write-up for making the GITD scales. :D
Post by: Aloha on August 16, 2019, 03:11:06 PM
Post by: Gareth on August 16, 2019, 05:05:16 PM
Post by: Gareth on August 16, 2019, 05:06:58 PM
Post by: Rapidray on August 16, 2019, 05:21:43 PM
That GID is the cat’s meow. I don’t think I have seen a nicer or purer glow! :cheers:
Post by: comis on August 16, 2019, 06:02:01 PM
Awesome :like:
:cheers:
BTW this definitely needs to be added to the list of "how too" guides.Such kind thing to say! Thank you!
That sir, is one very nice and useful mod knife! :like:If you like the glow mod, please do stay tuned. I'm in process writing up about the details of the scale mod. :D
That GID is the cat’s meow. I don’t think I have seen a nicer or purer glow! :cheers:
I remembered being impressed by the GITD powder when I was making GITD mod for my flashlight a decade ago, yet glow powder nowadays are even better than what I used back then.
I literally could turn off the lights in room, and the scale would give off a soft glow without charging by a flashlight. :o
Post by: McStitchy on August 16, 2019, 07:15:26 PM
Sos24, kottskrapa, Barry and McStitchy, thank you for the support! :cheers:
Matt, if you gonna try the silvertech mod, please do stay tuned for the next write-up for making the GITD scales. :D
:salute:
Post by: jph_777 on August 16, 2019, 11:08:59 PM
Your tutorials are exquisitely done! Great photos, layout and explanations. Thanks for sharing! :like:
Post by: Barry Rowland on August 16, 2019, 11:49:58 PM
Post by: Rapidray on August 17, 2019, 02:59:29 AM
I don’t know how to do it so maybe someone who know could do it?? or someone can tell me how to do it. Thanks
Figured it out...thanks
Post by: comis on August 17, 2019, 06:21:23 AM
Comis,
Your tutorials are exquisitely done! Great photos, layout and explanations. Thanks for sharing! :like:
:iagree:
Thank you! Just sharing what little I know, if I can do it, so can everyone. :pok: :D
That GID photo with you holding it needs to be in the Calendar thread and voted on.Thank you for the nomination! :hatsoff: I was trying to take some night photo with the GID scales, and it was glowing inside my hand and there I thought, 'doesn't that look straight out of LOTR?'
I don’t know how to do it so maybe someone who know could do it?? or someone can tell me how to do it. Thanks
Figured it out...thanks
Post by: ReamerPunch on August 17, 2019, 10:20:32 AM
Fantastic work, photos and write-up. Thanks so much! :like:
Post by: ReamerPunch on August 17, 2019, 10:21:22 AM
That GID photo with you holding it needs to be in the Calendar thread and voted on.
That's the first thing that I thought of when I saw that beautiful picture. :dd:
Post by: comis on August 17, 2019, 11:38:57 AM
Absolutely wonderful! :drool: :ahhh :cheers:
Fantastic work, photos and write-up. Thanks so much! :like:
That's the first thing that I thought of when I saw that beautiful picture. :dd:
Thank you for support! :hatsoff: :cheers:
Post by: magentus on August 17, 2019, 09:27:23 PM
Post by: Barry Rowland on August 17, 2019, 10:35:00 PM
Post by: Huntsman on August 18, 2019, 01:57:57 AM
- Great pictures
- Very clear, detailed and useful guide and comments
- Even before you get to the brilliant transparent scales
And now my dumb question - Please tell me what GID is? :think:
BTW this definitely needs to be added to the list of "how too" guides.
Agreed - It's there (in your thread!!) :pok: : ;)
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,43303.msg695993.html#msg695993
Post by: comis on August 18, 2019, 06:17:42 AM
Fantastic mod, great write up and beautiful scales! :like:Thanks, Mag! :cheers: Hope the youngster are doing well in your training program! Like Barry, we all miss you!
Post by: comis on August 18, 2019, 06:19:49 AM
Outstanding thread Comis - Thank you for taking the time.
- Great pictures
- Very clear, detailed and useful guide and comments
- Even before you get to the brilliant transparent scales
And now my dumb question - Please tell me what GID is? :think:
Agreed - It's there (in your thread!!) :pok: : ;)
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,43303.msg695993.html#msg695993 (https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,43303.msg695993.html#msg695993)
Thank you for the inclusion, it's a real pleasure! :cheers: :hatsoff:
GID stands for Glow-in-dark, some prefer to use GITD (glow-in-the-dark), I used it interchangeably in this thread, so folks could have an easier time to find the thread. :D
Post by: magentus on August 18, 2019, 01:08:18 PM
Thanks, Mag! :cheers: Hope the youngster are doing well in your training program! Like Barry, we all miss you!Cheers fella's :cheers: Life is happening big time I'm afraid, so I don't have as much time to devote to the forum - you are all constantly in my thoughts though and I miss you too :salute:
Hopefully things will settle soon.
Post by: Nix on August 18, 2019, 02:21:05 PM
Post by: Max Stone on August 19, 2019, 04:50:56 PM
Did you post the way you removed the Silvertech coating? :dunno:
Post by: comis on August 19, 2019, 05:53:07 PM
Cheers fella's :cheers: Life is happening big time I'm afraid, so I don't have as much time to devote to the forum - you are all constantly in my thoughts though and I miss you too :salute:
Hopefully things will settle soon.
:cheers:
Post by: comis on August 19, 2019, 05:54:29 PM
Sweet mod, comis! And a great write-up! That was a fantastic post. You sure do some nice work!
Thank you for the kind words! :hatsoff: :D
Post by: comis on August 19, 2019, 05:57:42 PM
Great mod comis, very professional work and excellent write-up. :like:
Did you post the way you removed the Silvertech coating? :dunno:
Thank you!
Not yet, I had it written up, but I wasn't exactly happy with the lack of process pictures, so I will be updating that draft with another GITD scale mod photo. Something very similar but different, hopefully it will be out within a week. :cheers:
Post by: kottskrapa on August 19, 2019, 07:37:10 PM
[It's not failure if you learn something from it]
Post by: Kev D on August 19, 2019, 09:05:34 PM
Post by: Hevy (CT-782) on August 20, 2019, 12:07:54 AM
Well done comis!
Enviado de meu moto g(6) usando o Tapatalk
Post by: comis on August 20, 2019, 02:31:33 AM
Looking forward to it! I have a couple of scales I've been saving for something like this
[It's not failure if you learn something from it]
:cheers: Will let everyone knows once it is up. :D
Post by: comis on August 20, 2019, 02:31:59 AM
Great work, badge awarded, congrats :tu:
Thank you, do appreciate it! :hatsoff: :cheers:
Post by: comis on August 20, 2019, 02:32:24 AM
Outstanding!Thank you for the kind words! :D
Well done comis!
Enviado de meu moto g(6) usando o Tapatalk
Post by: chip on August 20, 2019, 02:47:53 AM
Post by: comis on August 20, 2019, 06:04:50 AM
That is a good job well done :salute:Thank you Chip! :salute: :D
Post by: Reinier on August 20, 2019, 07:16:16 AM
Post by: comis on August 20, 2019, 11:44:08 AM
Nicely done comis! The end result looks really good!Thank you, shameless to say, I do like it myself too. :D
Post by: comis on September 03, 2019, 06:33:59 AM
Looking forward to it! I have a couple of scales I've been saving for something like this
[It's not failure if you learn something from it]
Folks, just a quick update, I am still in process of finishing up the second set of scales in a different GITD color, but am trying my best to achieve a better transparency on the slivertech scale before I complete the GITD. I know some folks might be waiting on this, so a quick apology and hopefully it could be done soon.
Post by: kottskrapa on September 03, 2019, 07:08:16 AM
[It's not failure if you learn something from it]
Post by: McStitchy on September 03, 2019, 05:03:17 PM
Folks, just a quick update, I am still in process of finishing up the second set of scales in a different GITD color, but am trying my best to achieve a better transparency on the slivertech scale before I complete the GITD. I know some folks might be waiting on this, so a quick apology and hopefully it could be done soon.
Looking forward to it Comis :tu:
(https://media2.giphy.com/media/xT8qB1ceV60ddKYrgk/giphy.gif?cid=19f5b51ab216891eb8941b21709d761021a26f462b58d86a&rid=giphy.gif)
Post by: comis on September 17, 2019, 04:04:00 PM
DIY Glow in the dark and Semi-transparent 91mm scales
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,82762.new.html#new (https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,82762.new.html#new)
And the youtube video to go along with it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2FMClMqc4U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2FMClMqc4U)
Post by: Rapidray on September 18, 2019, 02:46:43 AM
Oh and congratulations on your badge! :2tu:
Post by: comis on September 18, 2019, 03:16:00 AM
Excellent post and great YouTube video!
Oh and congratulations on your badge! :2tu:
Thanks buddy! :cheers:
Post by: Rapidray on September 18, 2019, 03:59:25 AM
Post by: Woodwrecker on October 17, 2019, 05:34:15 PM
:climber:
Post by: magentus on October 18, 2019, 09:02:56 PM
Post by: Will Bateman on October 19, 2019, 10:22:39 PM
Post by: comis on October 20, 2019, 09:54:48 AM
Very nice, great mod description.
:climber:
Great video Comis! :like:
Thank you guys! Appreciate it!
Post by: comis on October 20, 2019, 09:56:25 AM
This is modeler that i want to make a “mountainer yeoman”. What is strange about this knife is the metal saw/file has woodsaw teeth
Hey, Will.
I am not the SAK identifying expert, so best to post this in the SAK subforum to identify. But judging from its appearance and comparing it to SAKwiki, it appears what you have is likely to be a discontiuned 91mm Woodsman, which should be pretty rare to find on the market.
Personally, I'd suggest to keep it instead of modding it, since it is a pretty cool piece for collection.
Post by: solideuce on September 23, 2020, 07:31:11 PM
This is an outstanding idea. Will this same principle work (using resin/epoxy/GID powder) on other transparent scales? I’d like to try this on sapphire blue translucent scales with white GID powder but wasn’t sure if it’s even possible.
Post by: kamakiri on September 23, 2020, 11:57:54 PM
Resurrecting an old thread...
This is an outstanding idea. Will this same principle work (using resin/epoxy/GID powder) on other transparent scales? I’d like to try this on sapphire blue translucent scales with white GID powder but wasn’t sure if it’s even possible.
It should work. Probably best on the older lighter sapphire fir anything in the blue range, but the newer, darker blues should still let enough of the right light wavelengths in to charge it. I’ve only thought about it because I’d like to do the same.
...
I saw this thread way after it was originally posted, but it’s one of my favorite mod threads comis! Well done and great explanations, pics and video. :tu:
Post by: comis on September 24, 2020, 12:47:30 AM
It should work. Probably best on the older lighter sapphire fir anything in the blue range, but the newer, darker blues should still let enough of the right light wavelengths in to charge it. I’ve only thought about it because I’d like to do the same.
...
I saw this thread way after it was originally posted, but it’s one of my favorite mod threads comis! Well done and great explanations, pics and video. :tu:
:iagree: I think it should work, and IIRC, one of the fellow members did give it a try and proven it did work. One very friendly suggestion before you epoxy it in--is to apply a layer of loose powder into the scale compartments, then use a flashlight to charge the scale from underneath, to see whether the effect is something you like before you epoxy it in.
Good luck! :cheers:
Post by: pfrsantos on September 24, 2020, 12:12:39 PM
:iagree: I think it should work, and IIRC, one of the fellow members did give it a try and proven it did work. One very friendly suggestion before you epoxy it in--is to apply a layer of loose powder into the scale compartments, then use a flashlight to charge the scale from underneath, to see whether the effect is something you like before you epoxy it in.
Good luck! :cheers:
Great idea! You can test like this the SilverTech scales, too. Maybe it works fine and you don't need awl the work to clear them up before turn them into GID.
:tu: :tu:
Post by: comis on September 24, 2020, 05:58:53 PM
Great idea! You can test like this the SilverTech scales, too. Maybe it works fine and you don't need awl the work to clear them up before turn them into GID.Interesting concept, but the Slivertech scales do have a coat of pretty thick silver grey paint underneath the transparent scale(that's why it took weeks/months to uncoat it), so not sure how well it would turnout, but it may worth a try? :think:
:tu: :tu:
Post by: solideuce on September 24, 2020, 10:52:53 PM
I found the epoxy/resin and a good GID powder....reviews said the white coloring was brighter than the rest. So instead of removing the covering on the silver tech, and since blue is my favorite color, I thought why not try blue scales and white light so a blue hue shines through. Saves me 2 months of soaking in IPA.
It really is a nest mod. I like the stayglow scales but wish they had more color options.
Post by: pfrsantos on September 25, 2020, 01:49:23 PM
Thanks for the replies. I figured it was possible but wanted to ask the pros first.
I found the epoxy/resin and a good GID powder....reviews said the white coloring was brighter than the rest. So instead of removing the covering on the silver tech, and since blue is my favorite color, I thought why not try blue scales and white light so a blue hue shines through. Saves me 2 months of soaking in IPA.
It really is a nest mod. I like the stayglow scales but wish they had more color options.
Just remember:
:worthless: