Leatherman Wave...tool?

Leatherman has decided to use screws which only they have the driver for. The screws are proprietary. You can't buy, as far as I know, a driver for these odd screws.

It's to protect you from yourself, and to protect Leatherman from you. At least that's Leatherman's take on it. It's bullcrap, but it's the truth.
 
Originally posted by crazy nicky
So I can't get that tool???
Click to expand...

If you find a place that sells it, let all of us know. I haven't looked for about a year, but I couldn't find one then.
 
There is a UK company that may have them. You would have to buy a whole set of bits for £10.

If somebody can describe the screw exactly I will contact them to verify whether they will fit. If they do I'll post the details.

I don't actually own a Wave but the screws look like Torx with a post in the middle. So if you can tell me what size the equivalent Torx screw would be I'll call the company to find out if the set includes that size.
 
McMaster-Carr, www.McMasterCarr.com, has what's called Tamper-Resistant Torx L-Keys and Drivers (6 lobe with security post in the center) that they will sell. Unfortunately, what Leatherman is using is a 5 lobe that's called Tamper-resistant TORX Plus. You can visit http://www.camcar.textron.com/torxplus/variations.html to see some info on it, as well as a note that they sell only to OEM's and authorized service centers.

Unfortunately, I don't think anyone except Textron is making the drivers nor the screws. They don't have any patent info posted though so who knows if another company could legally make the drivers.

I'd thought of using my Dremel to remove the center post a year or so back, until I noticed that the darn things are not the typical 6 lobe TORX.

Sigh...
 
PPS. I've just had a look at the ETS review and it looks like the screws have a 5 lobe head, unlike Torx's 6 lobe. So they may be proprietary :footinmou ! And I'm having a conversation with myself!
 
Textron Inc. holds Patent US 5378101 - TAMPER-PROOF DRIVE SYSTEM BASED UPON MULTI-LOBULAR CONFIGURATION issued January 3, 1995.
--source - US-PAT-ALL database on Westlaw
 
I found a very simple way to adjust or even take the Wave apart...

Just use two small to medium sized locking pliers, adjust them so they "just" get a bite(using the tips) and also be sure there only on the screw head and not touching the handle so you wont leave any marks or scratches on the handle.

The grip the pliers need to turn the screws leaves next to no marks left behind on the screws themselves.

:D
 
I did see a set with about 5 sizes at sears($10) . I can't guarantee that they'll fit, but it looked like it would.

I've always called them tamperproof screws, but there are many names for them.
 
Almost any autoparts shop will have a set of the tamper-resitant torx bit drivers. Also check out places like Wal-Mart or Northern Tool. I can't find the pic, but Northern is where I got mine.
 
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