Suspension Mod?

[ringzero]

Has anyone taken apart a Gerber Suspension?

I just got one and am kind of hesitant to try taking it apart without knowing someone else has done it (and also sucessfully put it back together.)

My goal would be to remove two blades:  the lanyard blade and can-bottle opener blade.  This would free up two spaces which should be enough to install a bigger Phillips driver - assuming I can find one from another Gerber that would fit.

I'll never use the lanyard or can-bottle opener, but a second, bigger Phillips driver would get lots of use.

Also, replacing the saw blade with a file might be nice.

Comments on feasability would be appreciated.

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[Fred]

come on if these guys can do it
then so can you

[Grant Lamontagne]

 

Def

[ringzero]

come on if these guys can do it
 then so can you

Thanks for the encouragement, Fred. ;>

"What man has achieved, man can aspire to."

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[J-sews]

I haven't messed with my Suspension, but it looks to be no problem to disassemble. Those torx screws should make it easy. The real question will be whether replacement blades and drivers from other Gerber tools will fit and lock up okay.

[ringzero]

The real question will be whether replacement blades and drivers from other Gerber tools will fit and lock up okay.

That's exactly what I was hoping to learn here.

There's usually a fair selection of used Gerbers available cheap in the local pawnshops.

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[Grant Lamontagne]

I think I need to hang out at your place more often!

I could use a few good used Gerbers!

Def

[665ae]

I still haven't made it to any of my local pawn shops to see if there are any used tools...

How "cheap" are they usually?

[Grant Lamontagne]

The main reason I haven't grabbed it is Canadian Tire has it listed for $60...

Def

[665ae]

That's what?  $25 US? 

[Grant Lamontagne]

You must be hiding under a rock nowadays... the Canadian dollar is increasing in value and the US dollar is falling at an astounding rate.  We are pretty well at par now.

When I left for my vacation our dollar was worth $.88 US.  By the time I got back it was $.95US.  Heck, by now, you may even owe me for asking a question like that!

Def

[665ae]

Doh... that's pretty sad.  I remember the days when that joke used to be right   (and I'm not that old)

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yup... a year ago I think we were running about $.65US... I'm certain there's a political debate in there somewhere, but that's probably best saved for another forum!

Frankly it's a bit of a pain in the @$$ to me since much of my business is in the US.  When I started SOSAKOnline, $50 was like $80 to me.  Now $50 is worth about $52 to me and dropping.    And, since the USPS rates have doubled in the last few months I am not paying even more to order things from the US.

It's an international plot to take me out, I am sure of it!

Def

[ringzero]

I still haven't made it to any of my local pawn shops to see if there are any used tools...How "cheap" are they usually?

Depends on the shop and condition of the tool.

If it's only slightly used, the proprietor will usually try to get as close to retail as possible, and the price tags will reflect that.  Some people will walk into a pawn shop and happily buy an item for the price listed on the tag.

Most pawn shop owners expect to haggle, and will often lower the price substantially from their price tag.  Typically the pawn shop owner paid the original owner a pittance for the item, so he'll still make a decent profit selling the item at half the price tag he put on it.

The cheap tools are usually well-used tools.  The best deals to be found are for tools with cosmetic damage (handle rust, pitting, scratches, etc.) that doesn't affect their function as tools.  Often can be had for 5 bucks.

Tools with functional damage, say bent or broken blades, can sometimes be had for 1 buck.

To get the best deals it helps if you drop by the pawn shop on a regular basis.  Let the owner know exactly what stuff you're interested in buying.  Some owners will give you a call or set aside an item for you if you come in on a regular basis.
   

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[ringzero]

I think I need to hang out at your place more often!

I could use a few good used Gerbers!

Def

I said cheap used Gerbers, not good used Gerbers.

Gerbers I'm interested in will be cheap because they'll be pretty beaten up.

Good used Gerbers cost somewhat more, unless you get lucky.

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[Grant Lamontagne]

Luck isn't something that is used to describe me, that's for sure!  However a name brand multi that's also inexpensive is a good thing in my books!

Def