Parts advice please Leatherman Bit Kit

[MatMan]

Hi Guys

Firstly, apologies if this is posted in the wrong section, but I am unable to post anything in the "R&D Section".

I have developed a new multitool, and we are in the final prototype stage.  We only have room for 1 regular double sided hex bit.  Much preferably; if I could find a manufacturer that could do a small run of flat bits similar to the Leatherman bit kit, then we could fit in 2 double sided bits (4 tools) instead. 

https://www.leatherman.com/bit-kit-127.html

Already done dozens hours of search engine searches, as well as Alibaba etc.  As far as my research has gone, the Leatherman bits cannot be patented, so there can be generic versions of the bits around.

Any positive recommendations, company names, or bit manufacturers would really be appreciated.

Many thanks

Matt

[Grant Lamontagne]

If you purchase an R&D Membership you can post in the R&D section.  Simply go to Profile at the top, then select Actions and Paid Membership.  Scroll down until you find the appropriate option and follow the instructions.

Def

[Poncho65]

Might have been best to start out with an introduction telling us who you are instead of just trying to advertise a product

[MatMan]

Might have been best to start out with an introduction telling us who you are instead of just trying to advertise a product

"Advertise a product"    

Not advertising anything.  Trying to get some help, or is there something wrong with that in your opinion?

[MatMan]

If you purchase an R&D Membership you can post in the R&D section.  Simply go to Profile at the top, then select Actions and Paid Membership.  Scroll down until you find the appropriate option and follow the instructions.

Def

Hi Grant

Thanks for explaining and not immediately taking down the post.  To be honest yesterday was the first time visiting the site, and will have to spend a few hours browsing it to get a feel of it before spending $15.  Right now the forum is just too unfamiliar to me.

Kind regards

Matt

[Old Boy]

I'm not an expert man but McMaster is the go to catalogue for my old company. You can try there. But if the LM bits are patented and you are just starting out it may not be worth the hassle.

One thing you can do is just equip it with the regular bit but market it as it can accommodate 2 LM bits of the customers choice. Again maybe check with a patent lawyer.

But based on my own biased net surfing there are strong feelings that the LM bits are too unique.  People prefer the generic bits as easier and cheaper to replace.

[Etherealicer]

But based on my own biased net surfing there are strong feelings that the LM bits are too unique.  People prefer the generic bits as easier and cheaper to replace.

I second that.
I also have never seem "LM style bits" from a company other than LM. To my experience, I would say that bits from off-brands are often garbage, so I would not even bother.

Addendum: Depending on the weight class your tool is going to be punching in, you could also consider precision bits (4mm bits, e.g. from Wiha), they are a good deal smaller and certainly not patented.

[Poncho65]

Might have been best to start out with an introduction telling us who you are instead of just trying to advertise a product

"Advertise a product"    

Not advertising anything.  Trying to get some help, or is there something wrong with that in your opinion?

No not at all but it is just the way you started out with your first post This forum is different than others and we have a community going here It would have been better to have started out by telling us more about yourself and why you wanted to design a MT in the first place We get spammers here who only want to promote a product and they always start out similar to the way you did except they put a link to there product and that is frowned upon at MTO unless you have paid to advertise Apolgies it I came off rough

[zoidberg]

Welcome to the boards MatMan.