The Black Tide (Ultimate BO Wave)

[Metropolicity]

Ever since the Rebar was announced, my immediate thought was...wow...those plier heads and replaceable cutters would be amazing on a smaller Wave sized tool.

So like the rest of you...waited and waited...and waited for the Rebar to released. Now that they are out in the wild and thanks to J-Sew's side by side comparisons of the Rebar and Fuse's pivot points, I am certain they will fit.  If it means taking out the knife retention springs similar to the ST300/Surge head swap, so be it.

Bob's Rebar Modding Thread: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,37322.msg599755.html#msg599755







After buying my first BO Wave a year ago, I have been using it about 3/4 of time I use a MT. The other 1/4 being heavier tasks which calls for my BO-rrage (BO Surge with ST300 Head) http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,31736.msg525756.html#msg525756

More recently I have been carrying it with out a pocket clip in one of my prototype Skinth VS's. Now it's easily my go to tool for majority of my tasks as it's usually clipped to my belt or pants, rear right back quarter.



This is the thread to document the adventure for the pursuit of the ultimate BO Wave. I am a bit fan of the Wave, and it's more expensive cousin, the Charge. I keep on going BACK to the Wave for its slimmer profile, easily sharpening blades, and its 'bring it on smurfs' steel chassis. I am even more drawn to the BO Wave which has all of the appeal of the Wave but with a ninja factor and cap crimper.

I am eagerly awaiting for my 2 BO Rebars to come in the mail so I can take one apart to swap heads into the already awesome BO Wave, which will be named....The Black Tide

I am starting this mod with some upgraded edges (stage 1), a defunct Charge ALX graciously donated it's 154cm PE blade and it's 420HC gut hoot SE blade to The Black Tide.



Stage 2 of The Black Tide project will the be upgrading of the Rebar plier head (BO of course) and IF possible transplant the awl from the Rebar. If not, than take the flat head driver from the Rebar and reprofile it into an awl and replace the small bit driver (which too me is useless despite wearing glasses).

I don't know what else is in store for The Black Tide, but if something comes up, this will be the place to find it.
 

[tattoosteve99]

That sounds like the perfect tool! As soon as they get there and you assemble it please pm me so I will get to work in mine!

[Metropolicity]

That sounds like the perfect tool! As soon as they get there and you assemble it please pm me so I will get to work in mine!

Will do Steve-o. It's either going to be a drop in fit or it's going to be pin breaking time.

I was looking more closely at how the Rebar keeps the plier head open and there is a split tensioner to engage the plier head pivot 'ramps' so that maybe a good sign that they will fit into the Wave, and even possibly engage the knife safety pins.

I am hoping Monday will be the day that The Black Tide will be born.

[Metropolicity]

THEY'RE HERE!!!

I woke up this morning and looked in the mailbox. The day had come, my BO Rebars have landed.

Literally tearing open the package like it was Christmas, I extracted the fresh tool from it's MOLLE case. Looked at it for a second, made a cup of coffee and got aquatinted with my 'soon-to-be-under-the-MT-knife' newness. Warranty be damned.

Having learned many lessons before tearing apart broken Leathermans (Current and vintage) I knew what to do right off the bat. I took my mini butane torch and heated up the plier pivots on the screw size. 15 seconds made the factory red Loctite melt like butter. Gripping one side with the actually Black Tide itself (with the cap crimpers) and using my remaining tool, my BO Spirit to slowly undo the knurled screws.



I made short work of them, I was sorta careful but I never had intentions to keep this Rebar, I'll likely cobble them back up again when I have time.

A trick I learned while taking apart old PST's was to identify which side of the knurled screw was the post and which was the screw. The POST has a thinner profile on the head while the SCREW has a thicker one. At a glance they look the same, but if you look carefully, it's noticeably different.



As I gazed upon the wonderous Rebar plier head, I crossed my fingers that it would be drop in. Soon after, I whipped out my trusty MT Operating Table (http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,31484.msg522432.html#msg522432) and soon had the plier head off the Black Tide.



My fears were semi confirmed. While the pivots lined up and everything seem to close without much interference, the scissors mod woes of the Rebar owners club reared its ugly head. The Rebar plier head engaged the tension springs perfect (thanks to it's ramps) and engaged the blade safety locks. The scissors prevented the head from closing completely. Having examined Bob's photos and analysis of the scissors, the thumb pad would have to be altered and the scissors themselves reprofiled. 


 
When the scissors are out of the way, the plier head closes completely and is a good sign for those who want drop the Rebar head into say...a Charge ALX or even make a double bit driver mod. The other handle has no clearance issues whatsoever.



Here you can see the gap on the right handle side thanks to the scissor/head jam,



When the scissors are out of the way...the Black Tide closes up like it was factory.



As noted before, the blade locks engage and the head locks in place like it was meant to be there. I can see why the LM engineers decided not to put scissors...the adventure is just beginning from here.



My plan to drop in the Rebar's awl failed to take into account that the inside of the Rebar is completely smooth and free of mechanisms, where as the Wave has a plier head rest and blade lock springs, so the awl didn't want to close properly, despite locking up like a champ. Plan B engaged!





Plan B relied on the Rebar's tool layout using simliar parts to the Wave. Having seen pictures, I was certain the Wave and Rebar shared flat bit drivers. I was correct. My plan was to drop one of the flat bits in between the flat bit and the scissors, grind away material so it would nest behind the plier head rest and then give it a sharp tip...essetentially...DIY AWL.



Take it over to my disc sander, and 5 minutes later, plenty of cooling water dunks and some polishing later, the Black Tide awl was finished. Next up...the Scissor Saga.





See how it nests being the plier pivot.



The scissors were a bit more effort. Using masking tape and marking fluid, I found out where the scissor thumb pad was hitting the plier head. With this, I slowly..SLOWLY ground down the pad so it cleared the plier head. BUT when grinding down the thumb pad, about 1/8" of the scissor tip was also ground away. So the second task was to deploy the scissors and grind away the mating blade to make it look and perform like factory. Since these are such short scissors anyways, the 1/8 missing from the tip isn't crucial.



I wanted to leave as much thumb pad as possible. At least there IS some thumb pad, unlike VIC scissors.



Compared to some stock scissors. Of course, if you didn't want scissors, dropping in another bit driver would make this mod a 15 min mod and not a 1.5 hour one.



So that ends the adventure of modding my Black Tide...FOR NOW...Here are some Hero Shots for everyone's amusement.







A couple of shots of The Black Tide closed





and one open:



and some pics of it with the rest of the stuff I have been carrying as of late...most for moving, packing, fixing things around the rental house before we move.

The Black Tide, prototype Skinth VS, Black Space Pen, and The PMP (Pimped Mini Prybar, http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,37819.0.html)





Future plans are:

Finding a pair of BO Outside Opening scissors (Maybe from BO Gerber tool or making my own) to replace the saw (never really used IMO), replacing the inside scissors and flat bit with a second BO bit driver (to use Robertson bits as wells as Phillps)

The Black Tide LIVES!

PS. the funny thing is the my second BO Rebar is still its case, hasn't even been touched!

[enki_ck]

All I can say is

[Metropolicity]

Hmmmm.

I dug up my Flik and saw that the scissors are indeed a worthy candidate for the Black Tide.

Ill have to wait to tear apart my BO Flik to do so. But for now, the Black Tide works smashingly.

[SAKplumber]

Nicely done, Sir! 

[MultiMat]

VERY cool mate  .

I wonder how LM solves the same puzzle when they get around to fitting the new pliers too the Wave/Charge  range 

[Metropolicity]

I think they are going to have to redesign the scissors, if I wanted to drop in 2 bit drivers and a flat bit/awl, it would be a simple drop and swap.

At least I know I can refit this too with what I need instead of waiting for Leatherman to make it.

[turnsouth]

I wonder how LM solves the same puzzle when they get around to fitting the new pliers too the Wave/Charge  range

Something tells me that they were waiting to see how Eric overcame the issues before they formulated any permanent plans

[Beerplumber]

These Rebar plier heads will look great in a TTi now. Love the Black Tide, the blade upgrades are just gravy now!


Stay multi my friends

[tattoosteve99]

I guess now the rebar tools will be out of stock in places since we are all getting them to do mods .

[AHB]

That's just awesome Eric.. 

Do you have my adress, so you know where to send it? 

[David]

Great mod!

[Metropolicity]

Thanks everyone! Hahah

Maybe the LM engs keep an eye on us more than we think.

I am still trying to decide what to do.

Make a giant awl from the saw, grind off the thumb pad and move it to the otherside of the hand so to put in a second bit drivers and call it quits.

Like my tsunami project :





OR carry a pair of BO slip-n-Snips to replace the scissors, keep the awl, add a second driver and keep the saw.



OR

Lose the can/bottle opener, move the awl in its place, keep the modded scissors and add another bit driver.

I don't saw awl that much nor do I open bottles.

[Lynn LeFey]

OR

Lose the can/bottle opener, move the awl in its place, keep the modded scissors and add another bit driver.

This would be the option I'd choose.

[Metropolicity]

Alright, I've settled on this Black Tide load out for now. I am constantly switching back and forth between a Robbie bit, Phillips and a flat bit. So I installed a second BO driver, and took another stab at installing the awl from the Rebar.

I know, you are thinking...'Where are those scissors?'. As much as I like to have scissors on the Black Tide, it was more of a proof of concept and in conjunction with the final grinding off of the thumb pad, it became much more difficult to use them. So, like the settling of the dual ALX style bit driver, I am carrying a sweet set of BO Slip-and-Snips. Been looking for an excuse to carry them anyways.





Here you can see the dual bit drivers...



The second bit driver would be a breeze to install if I kept the flat head or the DIY awl that I made...but no...it had to be difficult. The awl from the Rebar is JUST so slightly thicker than the flat bit driver AND the sharpened end was a bit too thick and would interfere with the spring locks, so a little grinding of the sharpened end exposed some metal but maintained its awl-some awl-ness.



With the awl squared away, the bit driver was jamming with the awl's increased thickness. So a little grinding the mating surface to expose some steel, polish to 600 grit and it fits. I used two washers between the bit driver and the awl to increase the distance they are touching each other. They now slide out like factory.

The other handle's tools remained. Until I figure out what I want to replace the can opener with, i'll keep it there. I may sharpen it to open packages.



I had made an extra Skinth VS so I decided to tool up during the last weeks of the move since I'll be taking apart and fixing things around this damn place.



The ancillary Skinth VS is on the left. It has all the other stuff that I wouldn't need on a regular basis, just around the house these days. So I still grab my main Skinth VS with the Black Tide, Space Pen and my PMP pry bar to leave the house. Both have identical clips, but I added a H&K clip to the front of my main Skinth VS because sometimes I clip my keys to it.







And a pic of the load out...you can see I have an affinity for black oxide.



So for now, the Black Tide configuration will have to do. Now that I have an awl in place,  I'll see how much I use the saw in the coming weeks or else it'll get the axe in favor of OOOHO BO scissor.

[Outback in Idaho]

Congratulations on doing what Leatherman hasn't done, yet... if ever. Well, you have proven it can be done, now it is a waiting game to see how many years later that it catches Leatherman's interest.


Personally. can live without the scissors, though they do come in handy. The small bit driver is rarely every used. That flathead is a waste, have an ST300 awl in there for the past year; Why carry two tools when one will suffice?

If money wasn't an option, and had more time/room & tools (jig), would experiment with another version. Perhaps making scissors that fit the large bit driver, and doing the over and under idea Tracy Ramsey suggested - just pull the small bit driver out when not needed.
An awl is a near dire need for me. One that can sew even more valuable that a pair of scissors or small bit driver.

Think Leatherman tries to put too much stuff on-board to make it easy for most anyone to access (without needing to think). MTO is definitely not part of the herd, which is why I like it here!



Per the flathead: If Leatherman wants a prybar and scraper they could make a complimentary tool for that. But there there's that lifetime warranty issue and that other companies are making them - so they won't.

[Metropolicity]

Congratulations on doing what Leatherman hasn't done, yet... if ever. Well, you have proven it can be done, now it is a waiting game to see how many years later that it catches Leatherman's interest.

If money wasn't an option, and had more time/room & tools (jig), would experiment with another version. Perhaps making scissors that fit the large bit driver, and doing the over and under idea Tracy Ramsey suggested - just pull the small bit driver out when not needed.

An awl is a near dire need for me. One that can sew even more valuable that a pair of scissors or small bit driver.

I'll see if I can stand using a LM Style, the mini scissors are nice to have but not necessary.

I posted this thread on the LM Facebook page, so I am sure they heard/saw, and so did you!

I just used the newly minted Robbie bit to take out some screws in the wall and tighten up a drawer set before wrapping it up.

I've often thought about making an awl from one of the spare bits from my MUT but having to replace the bit and everything would slow me down frankly.

I am sure leatherman will be releasing some kind of Charge ALX type tool with the bit drivers, flat bit and can opener, those tools seem to drop in with no problem whatsoever.

[Gnarly]

Nice...very nice!

~Gnarly

[Metropolicity]

Had a bit of time today...procrastinating.

I took an older style small bit driver from a broken TTi and saw the potential. The newer versions don't have enough material to support this.



A little grinding, shaping and down to a 600 wet sand, we have the little driver driver.

Fits inside the bit adaptor..and the storage up top for the bit works like intended.



Slips inside the bit driver on the Black Tide nicely.



It even folds ups and nests, and closes up too!





As a bonus...the extender makes it a nice little precision one for ACTUALLY fixing glasses:

[MedusaOblongata]

When is Leatherman going to hire you?

[AHB]

When is Leatherman going to hire you?

They don't need to.. I'm sure they'll get the exact same ideas all by themself at some point..

[Metropolicity]

But we all saw it here first. Pretty sure I am the first to combine the rebar head onto a wave.

My next grail will be a modded Ti with rebar head etc etc

[MultiMat]

Another sweet mod Metroman 

[Muslickz]

Very nice adaptation, I love that it folds and closes as well..

-Mus

[tattoosteve99]

I am going to build one myself a little different. Thanks for the tutorial

[Metropolicity]

I am going to build one myself a little different. Thanks for the tutorial

Someone had to do it!

I am very very happy with mine, the dual bit drivers have already come into use with this stupid rental house, the renovator was an idiot. Wood screws everywhere...drywall screws in wrong places...yikes!

[tattoosteve99]

Well mine will have an awl instead of a can opener. May replace the scissors I don't use them much anyway.

[Metropolicity]

Well mine will have an awl instead of a can opener. May replace the scissors I don't use them much anyway.

You didn't look carefully . There IS an awl. You'll have to grind away some of the cutting edge of the awl to fit. It's thicker than the flat bit driver. The second bit driver had to be shaved down a bit too.