New leatherman supertool, grinding?

D

DrRi

Joined
Oct 28, 2010
Messages
32
So my dad just bought me a LM supertool 300 (my first multitool ever) for my birthday. I've been using it for a bit and it's been fine, smooth yet stiff as would be expected. However just today I noticed that when opening the tool one of the hinges where the pliers are attached has kind of a grinding feel to it. Any thoughts on why this would happen and what I can do to fix it?

Thanks!
 
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Spray some lube in there and work it around. Sand or something probably got in there. I've had it happen before. Just try not to open and close it too much it may scratch the metal and that will take even longer to smooth out! Happened to one of my swiss army knives (how it happened with those tight tolerances i don't know) and to this day it's still smoothing out.
 
I have had the same issue, I have (3) ST 300's and The issue is common on mine. Lube and work it. The tools is a good one and yes you will get a scratch or two on it anyway if you really use it for what it is intended for.
 
DrRi said:
Any suggestion on lube or would just any oil/lubricant suffice?
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Leatherman recommends WD-40 on its website. I like 3-in-1 as well, and really just about any similar lube would do the trick.

I spray WD-40 on just about anything that I can catch.

Like Rick, I have 3x ST 300s as well. Mine are more stiff than grindy.
 
Well, with any multitool you like, you need a back up and then a back up to your back up :D That being said, I only have one ST300 at the moment. I had a Trekker that had a stiff/gritty feeling main blade, so I sprayed the pivot with ballistol and put the blade in a padded vice so I could work the handle up and down for about 2 minutes like crazy and it really smoothed it up. Whenever i get a SAK or multi that is clean but has a gritty and/or stiff deploying component, I just put it in the vise and then work the handle up and down like crazy, being careful not to get it to the point where the tool locks. That'll do the trick most times.
 
Well I hit the joint with some wd40 (couldn't find any 3-in-one), worked it for a few minutes, and it's 99% cleared up. Thanks guys!
 
znapschatz said:
why do you guys have so many ST 300s?
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The release of endorphins one gets from placing the order, staring at the mailbox for 3 days, and then seeing your letter carrier chick walk up the driveway with a priority mail box in her hand.

:thumbup:
 
znapschatz said:
Please excuse if this is nosy, but may I ask... why do you guys have so many ST 300s? :confused:
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Well I have two polished and one Black, The black one I got for duty, I am in the Army. One polished rides in my 4X4 and the other I keep in the house. So I have one where ever I am. Also I like the ST 300!!!
 
Pssh, you people and your fancy new ST300. I've still got the ST200...

Anyway, a friend gave me the ST200 for sharpening his knives, and I warrantied it since his was beat to hell and back. The new one Leatherman sent me also had that "grinding" feeling. I just put a bunch of BM BlueLube in the joints and it broke-in after a day or two. Nice and smooth now.
 
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