Does anyone use Charge tiny screwdriver?

Z

znapschatz

Joined
Jan 24, 2005
Messages
2,792
While getting acquainted with a new Leatherman Charge Ti, I observed that the wee screwdriver is too small to fit any screw head I encounter, including in my glasses frame.

Q: Do any Charge owners here have a use for these bits, and for what?
 
LongDistance said:
yes, once to open up my camera
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After reading this, I retrieved my Nikon FM2 and tried the little driver on a base plate screw. The tool was too small even for that and when I tried to turn it, the shaft twisted, so I stopped before it broke. After trying to fit the driver, flat and cross, to a number of eyeglass frames, I could still find none that matched. Since I have never visited the innards of a computer, I don't know how useful this tool could be in that invironment, but even there, it seems obvious that the sheer bulk of the Charge would not be ideal for tiny parts.

This seems a piece with Leatherman insisting on supplying screwdrivers too small to be appropriate for its larger products. Although I am extremely fond of my well used 8 year old Supertool, the one component never deployed is the smallest driver. It, too, fits few things, and those it does I would hesitate to work becaust the tool's mass make it a dicy proposition.

I think the customer would be better served with, for example, an awl, and intend to so advise Leatherman. Does anyone agree? If so, perhaps several messages might do the trick. Maybe even they will retrofit.

BTW, I like the Charge.
 
It seems to me that LM could have found a way to incorporte the tiny drivers without using up so much valuable space. A disporportionate amount of space is being uccuppied by something that is relativly limited in its uses.

Will
 
I have a Sony Cybershot digital camera and my Charge's little philips screwdriver opens my digital camera just fine. I also remember another time where I had to tighten my eye glasses with the Charge's little screwdriver. I find it kind of odd that everyone praises Victorinox's eyepiece screwdriver but everyone(most anyways) bashes Leatherman's little screwdriver. Maybe it is the fact that Victorinox's little screwdriver doesn't take up any extra space since it is fitted inside the corkscrew.
 
I just used the flat blade on my glasses last week. As for the little phillips head, well, I dunno, someday maybe something will come along? :confused:
 
LongDistance said:
I find it kind of odd that everyone praises Victorinox's eyepiece screwdriver but everyone(most anyways) bashes Leatherman's little screwdriver. Maybe it is the fact that Victorinox's little screwdriver doesn't take up any extra space since it is fitted inside the corkscrew.
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Bingo!

Will
 
LongDistance said:
I have a Sony Cybershot digital camera and my Charge's little philips screwdriver opens my digital camera just fine. I also remember another time where I had to tighten my eye glasses with the Charge's little screwdriver. I find it kind of odd that everyone praises Victorinox's eyepiece screwdriver but everyone(most anyways) bashes Leatherman's little screwdriver. Maybe it is the fact that Victorinox's little screwdriver doesn't take up any extra space since it is fitted inside the corkscrew.
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Not so much that as the Vic driver fits more eyeglass screws than the Charge, at least, in my experience.
 
znapschatz said:
I think the customer would be better served with, for example, an awl, and intend to so advise Leatherman. Does anyone agree? If so, perhaps several messages might do the trick. Maybe even they will retrofit.

BTW, I like the Charge.
Click to expand...


I made a similar post here.....

Greetings ( Multi-page thread 1 2 )
LeathermanRep

it's on page 1
 
I would have to agree that the small Leatherman screwdriver is a waste as far as the amount of room it takes up on the tool. I too would prefer an awl, small chisel, or something else. I did use the small flat blade screwdriver to clean muck out of some tight fitting machine parts, but I don't know how often I may run into a similar situation. ;)
 
4 out of 5 of us wear glasses with flat and phillips screws. The small Charge bits have worked well for me. I have used them on fishing reels also. The flat blade also works to clean your fingernails.
 
I actually use the tiny bits as a make-shift awl/scribe etc .....

However would love to see LM put a couple of other tools in its place .....

Maybe a "shock and awe" barage of emails to Leatherman HQ would do the trick ?
 
When I first bought my Charge Ti I wondered if that little tool would be worth it, but I have used it a number of times in the short time I've had it. I wear glasses, so I like having it around for that. Yesterday I repaired a guys glasses after the lens popped out and wouldn't pop back in. I also used the phillips tip to get into a stopwatch when the battery was loose, so I've ended up liking the LM's choice, since I would have been out of luck a number of times without it.
 
Well, the flathead tiny screwdriver on my New Wave does fit some screws on my clarinet, but the screwdriver itself doesn't fit tight enough in it's socket! If I turn, the whole thing gets akward and I'm afraid to break it. Haven't tried it on glasses, because I don't have those (except sunglasses).
But it seems LM's machining and finishing isn't accurate enough to always make it a reliable tool.
I should do some testing with it, see if it can stand up to the force I need to apply on screws of my clarinet. I've got a spare one from the bit kit anyway...
 
I've used the very small drivers to service small electronic parts in computers, as well as use the philips head as an awl (screw starter). =)
 
I hate that little driver on my charge. It twists and doesn't seem to fit anything well. On top of that, it has a whole bit slot dedicated to it.

I say, dump the little driver and give us an awl or another permanent screwdriver blade. If LM *has* to have a little driver like SAK, then mount it like they do and don't make it a blade.

personally, I like the charge, but the little driver is a P.O.S.

J.
 
I hate the damn tiny bit driver like most of you. The only thing it was designed for, my glasses, it doenst even work for! I emailed them not too long ago and got a nice reply sayingi that it would be forwarded to LM design department. If you guys have not done so already email them!
 
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