Skeletool Bit adapter "mod"

MTguy · **on:** February 01, 2010, 06:55:00 AM

Hello, I know this has probably been done enough, but i havnt seen it done so the driver stays out when it's folded up.

I was just planning on making a normal bit adapter for my wave & skeletool, and then after i was done i noticed that i could fold up the skeletool with the bit driver still accesible. I've heard lots of people complaining because they have to open up the plires to use the screwdriver function.

So basically heres the adapter with the spots filed out for the lock:

Here it is in the skele with it folded up:

The bit driver is angled so it makes it look kind of odd...but its actually pretty comfortable using it closed like this.

Thanks

donvito · **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2010, 07:31:50 AM

Nice mod and welcome to the forum

Leatherman sells an extension adapter that fits the Skele/Wave/Charge bit driver, but it's longer than yours and it wobbles with plenty of play. Is your fit solid?

MTguy · **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2010, 07:42:25 AM

Thanks for the welcome! Yeah i've seen the adapter before...I actually ordered the universal adapter for my wave, the one that fits between the handles...but i don't think that'll work on the skeletool, i ordered that one since it looks like it can take a lot more abuse than the other one.

I found 4 of these adapters laying around so i thought i'd make one for the fun of it. There is a tiny bit of play since the spot i filed for the lock is a little wide, it seems to have less play on the skeletool than on the wave which could be due to the skeletool having a different lock for it, im not sure.

These are my first 2 real leathermans, and i've bought them both in the last month so i don't know everything about them but so far i love both tools.

donvito · **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2010, 07:45:37 AM

You got a good start with those tools, I edc my Skeletool for over a year.

evil510 · **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2010, 12:09:43 PM

I modified my own bit extension as well and use it all the time with the skeletool closed. I had extra adapter laying around so decided why not? The one issue that I found is that with all of the standard 1/4 hex adapters (the magnetic ones anyway) is that they all work perfect for standard hex bits... but when trying to use them with the flat skeletool type bits they barely sat inside the adapter deep enough to handle any real torque and were easy to pull out because the magnet only touched the tip of the double sided bit. (SEE FIRST PIC, unmodified magnetic adapter with a skeletool bit)

So basically I modified it to be a deeper than normal adapter and I swapped out the magnet for a super strong rare earth magnet. The results...the adapter now holds the skeletool bits a good 3/4 of the way now and takes some force to pull it from the magnet (SEE SECOND PIC, modified adapter)

I contemplated buying the one leatherman already makes. With this adapter I made, I wanted it to be as long as possible without protruding any more than my skeletool if I put it in a sheath. I made it exactly the same length as my skeletool, which by the way is even longer than the one leatherman sells. (SEE PIC THREE)

It works beautifully. As for the fit... I used a micrometer to get the tolerances super tight. It feels solid with no play and feels like part of the tool when inserted.(SEE PIC FOUR)

It was quite a bit of work for such a simple item that could have easily of been bought but it suits my needs perfectly and I love to mod things. If I bought the leatherman one, I probably would have wanted to mod it in some way anyhow, especially if it wobbles as much as I have heard.

I am in the process of making another adapter as well for miniature driver bits which will also be as long as the skeletool. If you have the bit kit for the skeletool, the miniature bits fit nicely in the empty spots of the unused bits of the case (have empty spots because there are bits I will probably never use)

Happy modding.....

Neil · **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2010, 03:05:35 PM

Nice work

MTguy · **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2010, 06:22:31 PM

Thanks, and yeah i know exactly what you mean, my leatherman bits dont go in the adapter very deep. This is good enough for me though ill probably only end up using the normal 1/4" bits since i have a million of them. I will keep your mod in mind if i want to use the LM bits with it. Thanks for sharing!