Grfxman - Yet another customized WAVE, for the graphic designer

[Metropolicity]

Down to the last couple of components, The Grfxman is coming to a close very soon.

After zipping back from camping, I held up in the garage and pumped out a locking, OHO, Olfa Blade holder for the specially ordered SK-7 blades.

I tried to made it out of the butter knife handle but it was fruitless, mostly because I drilled the pivot hole a tiny bit too big. So I took some 3/4" stainless stock and started milling. Apologies for no process photos of the milling of the actual holder, but I did manage to document the fitting and finishing portions.

This photo shows the very crudely cut hole in the sidewall of the Wave, it'll get cleaned up very soon. Next to it is the aformentioned blade holder, full of machining marks and not yet polished.



Cleaning up the blade retaining screw cut out. I used a dremel for this, I never used the extension/precision attachment, I can't believe I hadn't before.



Roughing in the holder, also note the thumb stud made from a lathed Robertson screw. (I returned to the bone folder and made a new thumb screw with the same style).



...and the blade in place.



...and closed.



Taking it apart again for some final finishing and polishing.



A close up of the holder, it's been fitted and the locking flat dialed in.



Adding some jimping for some grip.



After some 220, 400 and toothpaste wet polishing, assembly goes smoothly.







Deployed:





Back side. You'll notice the other thumb stud for the bone folder on the right (mentioned above)



The jimping is very effective.



and one final image of the one hand opening action.



To Remove:
1. Serrated Knife
2. Saw
3. Small Bit Driver (going to keep this)
4. Flat Bit Driver (keep this as well, mostly used for tightening Chicago Screws)

To Mod:
1. Bottle Opener into an awl (next up on the block)

To Add/Mod:
1. Xacto blade holder
2. Medium size breakable blade
3. Precision Ruler sandwiched (may not happen) next to a Bone Folder

To Keep:
1. OHO Blade
2. File
3. Scissors






 

[Metropolicity]

That was easy.

3 mins on my sander and we have an awl made from the bottle opener, retaining the wire-stripper.

[Metropolicity]

Well, it took a little while, held up by postage, cutting fingers, wasting materials but the Grfxman is complete.

It features:

Outside,
-OHO, replaceable Olfa SK-7 utility knife (cutting foamcore, poster board and matboard)
-OHO, stainless bone folder (for scoring paper, spreading butter, sure why not.)
 
Inside,
-Precision Xacto blade (made from a spacer and the larger bit holder).
-An awl (starting holes in leather or leather like goods, ground down from the bottle opener)

Unaltered,
-OHO blade
-small bit holder
-scissors
-flat bit driver
-file

I am really happy how this came out, especially how the OHO Olfa blade.

For comparison, the final project vs the initial project rendering.





Some of the parts didn't make it (namely the ruler and the retractable blade) but the parts that did get made, are made with intention and love.

[Ombudsman]

Congrats Metro !    great mod ! 

[J-sews]

Congrats on a successful conclusion to an ambitious project sir! That looks like it turned out very nice!

A couple of thoughts pop to mind regarding the Olfa blade holder: the back wall is of necessity quite thin, looks like you will have to be very careful when changing blades, so as to not strip the screw threads? Also, if you were making it again from the start, could the blade holder screw double as the thumbstud, or is it best to have both screws?

Bob

[Metropolicity]

bob,

I had thought of that too, the blade holding screw DOES work as a thumb stud, however, one would need monkey length fingers to comfortably use it. The one I added is purely for ease and speed.

Regarding the shallow screw, there are about 2.5 threads on the screw and it's pretty beefy considering it's size (8-32). I do worry about stripping the threads, but both components being steel, I worry much less than if it was aluminum.

Time to go to work and use this badboy!

[J-sews]

bob,
I had thought of that too, the blade holding screw DOES work as a thumb stud, however, one would need monkey length fingers to comfortably use it. The one I added is purely for ease and speed.

As a guy with stubby sausage fingers myself, I can appreciate that logic!

Regarding the shallow screw, there are about 2.5 threads on the screw and it's pretty beefy considering it's size (8-32). I do worry about stripping the threads, but both components being steel, I worry much less than if it was aluminum.

Time to go to work and use this badboy!

Very good then, 2.5 threads in steel should be adequate

Have fun at work with it!

[Metropolicity]

Apparently replacing the file on my server didn't prove to be fruitful so I'll post a new photo i took today of the final Grfxman.



Hack on my friends, hack on.

[J-sews]

Apparently replacing the file on my server didn't prove to be fruitful so I'll post a new photo i took today of the final Grfxman.

(Image removed from quote.)

Hack on my friends, hack on.

Fixed!!

[Metropolicity]

You know, that's so funny.

I was thinking of grinding off the leatherman logo on that side and engraving Grfxman on it.

I was looking at the flat bit driver and ground a little notch in the middle. I remember seeing someone doing that for a mini pry bar in addition to being a bit driver.

[Sazabi]

That's wickedly strange... but on some level, I think it's neat as hell.

[Sparky415]

I am amazed by the amount of work that you have put in to this project   

Is been great watching this thread 

[Metropolicity]

well...

that's ironic. I got canned yesterday. Just when I finish the ultimate tool for work, the company decides that they can't afford me anymore.

Time to find a job that is suitable for both me and Grfxman.

In the mean time, I will continue to make awesome mods and custom Leathermans

[Threeme2189]

well...

that's ironic. I got canned yesterday. Just when I finish the ultimate tool for work, the company decides that they can't afford me anymore.

Time to find a job that is suitable for both me and Grfxman.

In the mean time, I will continue to make awesome mods and custom Leathermans

That sucks man...
Good luck with finding a new job for you and the mighty Grfxman

[Neil]

That's a great tool you've made    I look forward to your future exploits.

Sorry to hear about your present lack of employment

[MultiMat]

Looking forward to seeing more of your mods mate  .

Bummer about your job mate  , I hope a even better job turns up quick for you mate.

[Metropolicity]

I was trying to figure out a way to add a pencil to the Mjolnirman and then I had a great idea for the GRFXman. If I added a pencil, in this case a 2mm drafting lead, I could use the point of the modded awl as a pivot and I would have a compass! I've adjusted the tension on the pivots so that its comfortably snug and doesn't interfere with the other functions.

I made a piece that fits into the pocket clip slot, and can be removed.











Here is the awl and the pencil combo. In case you forgot, the awl is made from the bottle opener, just ground down.



And here's a pretty circle!



NOW.

I am pretty sure the GRFXman is done.

[Smitty44]

Pretty cool mods,thanks for sharing.

[MultiMat]

Now that Leatherman compass is a lot cooler than the one I used at school 

[J-sews]

Wow, I've never seen a multi that could do THAT before!

[colinoutdoors]

Wow, very cool mods. The Grfxman Wave is awesome.

[AHB]

Amazing modding skills MPC.. 

[Metropolicity]

I wanted to properly document my projects so I broke out the studio again and shot the well used GRFXman in floating glory.

[J-sews]

Wow, great photo!!

[Metropolicity]

Bob, did you see the Mjnolnirman one?

[J-sews]

I did! I've been away, and just now got myself caught up on that thread! Very nice work, congrats!