One blade down

[Codger_64]

Week before last, I tried out my new ST6 Tough Tool and gave a brief report:

I closed, winterized and covered three pools today, and kept the tool in my back pocket. Some of the things I do, the tool came in handy for, but mainly I used the pliar portion. I don't drink bottles of beer or open cans of beans at work, so obviously I didn't need those blades. The Phillips is an oddball size that might prove useful at some point, but it really did not fit the size screws I use on pools, and a wrong size bit is terrible on stainless screws. The flat screwdriver blade worked ok on the hose clamps I had to remove, though the rounded corners made the blade want to torque out of the slots, it still worked fine with more pressure, and kept me from having to go back to the toolbox for a screwdriver after using the pliers to unscrew the pump drain plugs. The filter drain was too large to use the needlenose on, so that required a trip to fetch the channel lock pliers. Of course the unions on the plumbing were larger (4"), so channellocks again. The pool inlet fittings unscrew with a flat wrench plate (inserted into internal slots) with no grip, so locking the pliars helped here, and gave me enough leverage to unscrew them, and not drop the wrench plate in the pool when the fittings were loose. Now we'll see how salt water submersion affects the tool. I think the Vise-Grip part is just chromed, not stainless. I can see where the sawblade (agressive toothed sucker!) will come in handy removing stubborn 1 1/2" flex hose, but that wasn't needed today, and there were no bags or boxes to open, so the knife blade wasn't used. All in all, it performed OK today. But to be honest, so would have just the standard needlenose Vise-Grips without the attachments.

I will be digging a new 20' x 40' pool Monday, and the real test will start. Nearly all of the components come in boxes, some with plastic strapping, and in plastic bags. Nylon mason line is used throughout the construction to keep things straight and level, and I am constantly cutting it. Then installing over 400' of 1 1/2" PVC Sch 40 plumbing, deburring each cut, and on and on. I dig the second 20' x 40' pool the following week, so if the tool lasts the two jobs, I will have a good idea of it's usefulness.

Codger

The first pool start was delayed til Wednesday because of rain, but I did get it dug in four hours, took lunch and assembled the wall sections. I kept the tool in my back pocket, but had little use for it. My 897UH, from long habit, came first to hand when cutting the layout mason lines. Thursday, I alligned the wall panels and installed the acrylic 8' stairs. Friday, I leveled and braced the walls, added the top coping. I used the tool a time or two, but not much. I mostly noticed it prodding my derier every time I bent over. Sucker needs a sheath! Saturday, I trimmed the pool bottom of excess dirt (clay), began the plumbing, and poured the eight yards of concrete bond beam. Today, I worked more on the plumbing, and assembled the equipment. Not until I started doing the electrical bonding did I really use the tool. The Phillips blade snapped right away when I used it to tighten an ADR2 ground lug. The bit tip broke, and it is now as useful as a nail nick on a fixed blade. The flat blade performed well however, tightening the set screws on all 28 lugs without camming out od the slot. The opened handle approximated a "T" grip which allowed good torquing of the screws, but beware that this Vise-Grip has the failing of many other early models, the lock lever arem tends to pop out of the slot when not under tension. I tried to use the pliers to crimp the #8 copper bond wire, but the jaws wouldn't open wide enough and there wasn't enough leverage to properly cruch the wire double to fit through the lugs. I had to use my channel lock pliers. I tried to use the pliers to bend the wire to 90 degrees, but the jaws twisted out of allignment. I tried the saw blade on a piece of PVC pipe, but quickly gave it up. It would have taken forever to cut that 1 1/2" pipe.

I think I'll retire what is left of this tool to the knife box and move on.

Codger

 

[textoothpk]

Sometimes we just have to admit: Our favorite knife brand did not always hit one right out of the park with their products. Good review, Mike!
Phil

 

[orvet]

Great review Mike :thumbup:
I am sorry it didn't work out for you. I afraid Phil is right, even Schrade didn't make every product perfectly.
I haven't worked mine as hard and have had no problems. My Dad saw mine and wanted one for use on the farm. So I got another one for him for Christmas. I think he will like it. I gave him a knife I made for his birthday and he loved it.
I also picked up the other Vise Grip/Schrade tool with the different type jaws-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4417420235&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1
I think it was marketed by Vise Grip and the Tough Grip was marketed by Schrade. The Vise Grip Toolbox has a better screwdriver arrangement. It has a double ended bit (#2 Phillips & slotted) in a socket that could take other bits as well. It is nice to be able to replace them or change them when needed. The Vise Grip Toolbox has fewer tools on it, (a bit driver, knife blade and a wire stripper & scraper blade) which is probably better.

 

[Codger_64]

Well, it just so happens that I took the name "TOUGH TOOL" literally, and tried to use the tool beyond it's design limits. It apparently was never meant for industrial use, and would be a fine addition to a glove box, tackle box, or kitchen tool drawer. The problems I noted with the plier unit would be the same with the regular vise-grip needlenose pliers.

Overall, it is a light duty tool and should be treated as such. You must know the limitations of your tools. With the ADR lugs, if the inspector grabs one and twists, and it rotates, I fail my inspection. I have been bonding pools since 1976 and have never failed an inspection. Torque of the mounting screw is important. Schrade could have differentially heat and cryo-treated the bits, but chose not to.

"Chippie" is on it's way!

Codger

 

[TedGamble]

I've been lusting after a Leatherman Wave. Codger, why don't you get one of those and "field test" it for me before I make the plunge. Thanks for the great review of the ST6.