Can't take credit...found on another forum:
Posted 04 May 2011 16:36
Like many members of this community, I am a student and practitioner of practical preparedness. As such, a good multi-tool is an essential part of my every day carry equipment.
I recently learned of a simple modification that can be made to nearly any brand of quality multi-tool, which will increase its practical usefulness. Specifically, it allows one to replace the least useful tool with an automotive ignition key.
First of all, this is not my original idea.
The idea was submitted by Jeff Nowak, of Vienna, MI, and published in the May / June 2011 edition of Backwoddsman Magazine the only magazine that I regularly read, other than S.W.A.T. Magazine.
I was able to complete this modification in less than an hour, and the only tools required were: an electric drill, a bench grinder, a set of Torx wrenches (with security bits, in my case), and a fine tip Sharpie marker.
I first had some spare keys ground at a local store.
I had three made, just in case I made any mistakes during the process. I chose keys that were made in USA, and I made certain that they had sufficient metal to allow for the pivot hole to be drilled into the key. I also made certain that the keys were long enough to function in my trucks ignition switch without obstructing normal operation of the vehicle.
Next, I had to choose my least used tool for deletion.
I have had my Leatherman Charge Ti for about seven years, and I use it numerous times each day. In all of that time, however, I cannot remember EVER having used the serrated blade with the gut hook on it.
Using two security bit Torx wreches, I carefully removed the screw and pin that retain the serrated tool.
Once the blade was removed, I overlaid it on top of my key, and then traced the outline of the serrated blade with permanent ink. Then, I simply ground out my shape with the grinding wheel, and then smoothed out any rough areas with the brush wheel. I used a bench grinder, but a Dremmel-type tool would also be very handy for this task.
After grinding, I re-assembled the Leatherman with the key in place of the serrated blade, and then tested for function.
On my first go-around, I had two only small areas of concern. The key was slightly thinker than the blade, so I had to thin down the key in the pivot area. Also, grinding the back of the key to the proper angle, so that it would correctly interface with the liner lock, was a bit tricky with the bench grinder. Next time, I will use a hand file to more easily make this edge.
After the key was completely installed and the multi-tool functioning properly, I filed a hooked notch to assist in opening the key.
Then I tested it in my vehicle's door lock
and also in the ignition switch...
...all systems were GO!
Now I have an amazing new gadget on my multi-tool that will allow me to avoid the financial cost and emotional embarrassment of having locked my keys inside of my personal vehicle. Also, in an emergency situation, it also has the potentially be a life saver.
This post had some nice pics to go with it but I sure you get the general idea.
Posted 04 May 2011 16:36
Like many members of this community, I am a student and practitioner of practical preparedness. As such, a good multi-tool is an essential part of my every day carry equipment.
I recently learned of a simple modification that can be made to nearly any brand of quality multi-tool, which will increase its practical usefulness. Specifically, it allows one to replace the least useful tool with an automotive ignition key.
First of all, this is not my original idea.
The idea was submitted by Jeff Nowak, of Vienna, MI, and published in the May / June 2011 edition of Backwoddsman Magazine the only magazine that I regularly read, other than S.W.A.T. Magazine.
I was able to complete this modification in less than an hour, and the only tools required were: an electric drill, a bench grinder, a set of Torx wrenches (with security bits, in my case), and a fine tip Sharpie marker.
I first had some spare keys ground at a local store.
I had three made, just in case I made any mistakes during the process. I chose keys that were made in USA, and I made certain that they had sufficient metal to allow for the pivot hole to be drilled into the key. I also made certain that the keys were long enough to function in my trucks ignition switch without obstructing normal operation of the vehicle.
Next, I had to choose my least used tool for deletion.
I have had my Leatherman Charge Ti for about seven years, and I use it numerous times each day. In all of that time, however, I cannot remember EVER having used the serrated blade with the gut hook on it.
Using two security bit Torx wreches, I carefully removed the screw and pin that retain the serrated tool.
Once the blade was removed, I overlaid it on top of my key, and then traced the outline of the serrated blade with permanent ink. Then, I simply ground out my shape with the grinding wheel, and then smoothed out any rough areas with the brush wheel. I used a bench grinder, but a Dremmel-type tool would also be very handy for this task.
After grinding, I re-assembled the Leatherman with the key in place of the serrated blade, and then tested for function.
On my first go-around, I had two only small areas of concern. The key was slightly thinker than the blade, so I had to thin down the key in the pivot area. Also, grinding the back of the key to the proper angle, so that it would correctly interface with the liner lock, was a bit tricky with the bench grinder. Next time, I will use a hand file to more easily make this edge.
After the key was completely installed and the multi-tool functioning properly, I filed a hooked notch to assist in opening the key.
Then I tested it in my vehicle's door lock
and also in the ignition switch...
...all systems were GO!
Now I have an amazing new gadget on my multi-tool that will allow me to avoid the financial cost and emotional embarrassment of having locked my keys inside of my personal vehicle. Also, in an emergency situation, it also has the potentially be a life saver.
This post had some nice pics to go with it but I sure you get the general idea.
