The Splash - LM Squirt Mod

[Metropolicity]

Let's take a minute to honor those micro MTs that were sacrificed for the Greater cause known as the Splash.

The mighty P4, a micro tool beyond its years.

The irreverent E4, heroically making connections and bridging circuit gaps.

The legendary S4, successor to the Micra throne.

And finally the youngest, the PS4, who tried to do everything at once with such vigor.





Open bar for the gentlemen and open casket for the ladies (Stinson quote).



--

Here's a colour photo for the rags.

[stealth007s]

[bmot]

Washers to washers, rust to rust...

[Grumpy]

Brilliant pocket MT :tu:It's just my opinion but isn't it time that you design your own MT from scratch and show the industry how it should be done, the thought and effort that you put into your designs show that the MT community is missing out, i'm not kissing a** but i would buy one of your MT's, i'm not knocking leatherman (i have a few of their tools) or any of the other manufacturers, but it's got to the point that they dictate what we buy, with very little choice, you've shown by listening to other members that you can build what is wanted within the community, keep up the good work.

[Metropolicity]

Brilliant pocket MT :tu:It's just my opinion but isn't it time that you design your own MT from scratch and show the industry how it should be done, the thought and effort that you put into your designs show that the MT community is missing out, i'm not kissing a** but i would buy one of your MT's, i'm not knocking leatherman (i have a few of their tools) or any of the other manufacturers, but it's got to the point that they dictate what we buy, with very little choice, you've shown by listening to other members that you can build what is wanted within the community, keep up the good work.

Yah, the amount of R&D that goes into a new brand new tool without directly lifting ideas, patents and techniques is very high.

My work is primarily a hobby and to let my brain stretch in different areas. I love working with my hands, make details that would otherwise be overlooked and see where things could be improved.

Thank you for your vote of confidence!

[Metropolicity]

...behold! COMBO TOOL!

Before I put and edge on it and final polish. It's a small warney/picker/xacto style chisel blade. Cutting surface only about .75" long.



Some file work to indicate it's use. Three small jimps and a point for a blade. Better pic later.



Three different sizes of wire strippers, don't know what actual gauge but you get the idea.



Here it is installed and with and edge and polish. Used my Lansky with diamond hones and a ultra fine stone for the final run at 30 degrees.





And some pics of the file work on the spine. I have the nail file file work a bit of a polish too. The serpentine pattern is a lot more visible.



And the otherside. Notice the serrated blade file work (nothing too exciting, just a row of indents)



Edit: here's some better pics in better light.





Mmm shiny!





I took a couple of assembly photos but I'll make that a separate post so it's easier to see.

[Metropolicity]

Here are some assembly pics and tricks if you ever decide to assemble a Squirt.

Have all your assemblies near by, thread the outside tools into place and get the plier head/spring cam ready.



Now, pay attention to which way the back spring frame goes. The back spring rest should be farther away from the plier pivot.

Here's the biggest tip, align and thread the PLIER and CAM FIRST before you install the back springs. With any tension from the springs, it's much easier.



Now slide the back springs into place, you will need to back off the pin so you can slide both springs in at once. One they are lined up, use a pair of pliers to squeeze the back spring up towards the spine, while at the same time tap the whole assembly so that the pin can slide into the hook of the spring. One at a time or both.
Best to have a block of wood or something hard and non marring to tap the pin in while holding the pliers.



All the way through



Continue sandwiching the parts. If you are building a standard squirt, this should be your outside layer.



That's pretty much it!

[Metropolicity]

Yoooowsa!

Just counted the "functions" and it came out to 21and if the new scales work, it'll be 22.

Let's see, I'll list them out

1. Awl
2. 2D Philips
3. 3D Phillips
4. Flat driver
5. Bottle opener
6. PE blade
7. SE blade
8. Scissors
9. Med gauge wire stripper
10. Small gauge wire stripper
11. Micro gauge wire stripper
12. Warney/Xacto blade
13. Nail file
14. Cuticle pusher/nail gunk remover
15. Eye glass driver
16. Tweezers
17. Bolt pliers
18. Needle nose pliers
19. Soft wire cutters
20. Metric ruler
21. Imperial ruler

 Potential

22. Hex bit driver (scales TBA) 

--

Time for a new splay photo.

[nuphoria]

Both ridiculous and awesome!

[Metropolicity]

Both ridiculous and awesome!

I could dare take apart a near mint S4 Chrissy! The nail file eludes you again!

[stealth007s]

That thing is looking great Eric I was still kind of hoping for the ruler scales but oh well.

[Metropolicity]

That thing is looking great Eric I was still kind of hoping for the ruler scales but oh well.

I'll save it for another mod, when the length is more useful

[Metropolicity]

I am saving this pair of pliers for when the scales come in. I'll need to tear the whole thing down anyways. Pocket jewel!

A little bit of a different pattern of serpentine that will also double as a thumb grip (I noticed I put my thumb on the plier head when I was torquing down on something, sorta like Vic pliers)

[redbaron]

That thing is looking great Eric I was still kind of hoping for the ruler scales but oh well.

I'll save it for another mod, when the length is more useful

i'm thinking about welding a good ruler to my wave, would the thickness of the wave's chassis be a problem, and how thick would the ruler need to be?

[Metropolicity]

That thing is looking great Eric I was still kind of hoping for the ruler scales but oh well.

I'll save it for another mod, when the length is more useful

i'm thinking about welding a good ruler to my wave, would the thickness of the wave's chassis be a problem, and how thick would the ruler need to be?

I would sooner shape the ruler to the shape of the handle, then ruff up the mating sides and jb weld it on. Welding may ruin the precision markings.

[Metropolicity]

Use my new picker blade to cut out a Jabba pattern in my birthday present: Star Wars Origami.

[enki_ck]

Uuuu, I like the new modifications a LOT.

[powernoodle]

Best mod ever.      If only Leatherman would make one like this.

[Metropolicity]

Best mod ever.      If only Leatherman would make one like this.

If only. That file is useless. The picker blade/wirestripper is the boss! It's works so well at precision paper cutting.

One more "mod".

Aha! Mzil's pin storage activated!! In the picker blade slot.

[Corso]

(Image removed from quote.)

BO Splash or trick of the light?

  

[Metropolicity]

(Image removed from quote.)

BO Splash or trick of the light?

  

Trick. While I would love to BO this, the tools are too much at risk of being broken so would rather have them "user" (me) replaceable. I purposely order bright red for the scale set so it would be easier to find. The Splash is tiny!

[Metropolicity]

More mods/reconfigure/usage report.

After using the Splash last night and this morning to cut down boxes and other things, I got to thinking what do to for an hour before I had to go pick up the Mrs.

EYEGLASS DRIVER NAIL NOTCH

I actually had to tighten the screw on my nose pad oddly enough and had trouble deploying the eyeglass driver. Bingo, nail notch.







NEW PIN STORAGE

I added a pin to the Splash morning but I didn't like how it could fall out, I tried with ALL of the slots and crevices but still didn't have the right I kind of hold I wanted. I took a look at the tweezers layer insert. There is JUST enough room for a pin slot to be added...a REALLY light touch with a diamond disc (thinnest one), the insert taped to a table and a channel was opened! I cleaned it up with a small rail tail file. The tension is better than the one on a SAK plus scale.









Oh yah, the layer had to be moved so that the pin and tweezers pulled away from the pliers. Found that out when I had it opening where the Plier heads open and this happened to a pin. Candy cane anyone?





REARRANGING PARTS.

The other load out was more of a...can I do it? Kind of assembly. After using it in the "field" of everyday life, I found that there could be some improvement to the use and ergonomics, not to mention the logistics of where the tools were.



The 1/2 deployment of the handles makes for a very nice handle for a full grip on the detail picker blade (also works for the PE, I may switch the SE and PE positions).







I am going to keep on using this little guy and see what else irks me. Change it and make it truly the ultimate Squirt.

[redbaron]

That thing is looking great Eric I was still kind of hoping for the ruler scales but oh well.

I'll save it for another mod, when the length is more useful

i'm thinking about welding a good ruler to my wave, would the thickness of the wave's chassis be a problem, and how thick would the ruler need to be?

I would sooner shape the ruler to the shape of the handle, then ruff up the mating sides and jb weld it on. Welding may ruin the precision markings.

I haven't known jb weld to be very strong, though it may work in this case... hmmm... i need a ruler

[Metropolicity]

I am going to be making another one of these little guys (maybe not as many details) to give away for my one year of Skinth, IF the new 3d printed scales work out.

Stay tuned!!

[scorpion008]

Dibs!

[clickstop]

Could we have this stickied? Plenty of inspring mods for keychain tools, this thread is awesome!

[nuphoria]

I am going to be making another one of these little guys (maybe not as many details) to give away for my one year of Skinth, IF the new 3d printed scales work out.

Stay tuned!!

You're supposed to let me buy it you scoundrel!

[Metropolicity]

Could we have this stickied? Plenty of inspring mods for keychain tools, this thread is awesome!

That's up to a mod...

You're supposed to let me buy it you scoundrel!

speaking of mod......

[nuphoria]

Could we have this stickied? Plenty of inspring mods for keychain tools, this thread is awesome!

That's up to a mod...

You're supposed to let me buy it you scoundrel!

speaking of mod......

I'll take a quick vote in the back room and get back to ya

[Metropolicity]

Sticky or not. It'll still be here