Multitool: redone

[J.Warsoff]

Originally Posted by Karibou

I've had a Blast for about 3 years, and I love it. It's been fantastic for most on-the-fly work, mostly mechanical. I've used it to put on masterlinks and cut zip ties, and many things in betwen. Keep in mind that a multitool will never do as good of a job as the real tools.

I don't do much electrical work at all, but it does an adequate job of cutting and stripping small wires (but you REALLY want to use proper tools for that unless you're desperate). Is there any specific electrical things that you think you would use it for?

With the topic of knives in schools...I can't exactly encourage you to break whatever rule your school has in place (assuming you're using it there, or that your team is based out of a school, or that this is even relevant), but that's your decision to make based on whether or not you want to break rules and how much the school enforces the policy.

Well actually, since robotics takes place afterschool, and the fact that we work in an autoshop, the knife rule does not totally apply. A bunch of my friends on the team have multitools and use it during robotics.

[J.Warsoff]

About the school rules everyone, basically, kids on the robotics teams are allowed to have multitools and such during robotics sessions afterschool. We may work in a school, but it's an autoshop, which is basically filled with knives and dangerous tools.

All I'm saying is that I'm not worried about having the multitool during robotics, because the knife rules don't apply afterschool during robotics for our team.

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by Aerosound

Well actually, since robotics takes place afterschool, and the fact that we work in an autoshop, the knife rule does not totally apply. A bunch of my friends on the team have multitools and use it during robotics.

If you have no need to worry about rules, then get the one with the knife. It's useful, since the scissors aren't always the greatest.

That being said, remember not to bring the tool to school during school hours

[J.Warsoff]

Originally Posted by Karibou

If you have no need to worry about rules, then get the one with the knife. It's useful, since the scissors aren't always the greatest.

That being said, remember not to bring the tool to school during school hours

gotcha. Im still deciding whether i should go with the fuse or the blast. i geuss it will be also which one my folks let me get (my mom is a stereotypical worrywart. she gets scared if i pick up a screwdriver . thank god my dad is a handyman)

[GCentola]

Originally Posted by Aerosound

gotcha. Im still deciding whether i should go with the fuse or the blast.)

Not only did this thread get me thinking on buying my own, I'm also down to the fuse or blast. I think I might go with the blast, because it isn't much more expensive, at least on Amazon. The fuse is 33 and the blast is 36, and both are eligible for free shipping

[J.Warsoff]

Originally Posted by GCentola

Not only did this thread get me thinking on buying my own, I'm also down to the fuse or blast. I think I might go with the blast, because it isn't much more expensive, at least on Amazon. The fuse is 33 and the blast is 36, and both are eligible for free shipping

yea. the versions im looking at are a little more, cause i might go with the black oxide version with the cap crimpers. only about 10 dollars more

[GCentola]

I dont do much electrical work, so the cap crimpers would be unnecessary to me. As for the black oxide, it does look very nice! I have heard some stories where the black oxide coating rubs off and turns your hands black though. From searching around, it looks like Amazon has the cheapest prices. I also found this video, if it helps (and you haven't already seen it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6IfJyIomyA)

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by GCentola

Not only did this thread get me thinking on buying my own, I'm also down to the fuse or blast. I think I might go with the blast, because it isn't much more expensive, at least on Amazon. The fuse is 33 and the blast is 36, and both are eligible for free shipping

For the extra 3 dollars, you basically get the file (which I've only used a few times: the handle makes it awkward unless you're desperate), the tiny screwdriver (SO USEFUL), and the saw (never used). I'm slightly biased, but 3 tools for 3 dollars seems like a good deal

[GCentola]

Originally Posted by Karibou

I'm slightly biased, but 3 tools for 3 dollars seems like a good deal

Those were my thoughts exactly! I'm not sure about the saw or file, but its the tiny screwdriver that is winning me over. There are so many times that that would be useful.

[JamesCH95]

Get this Swiss Tool. Probably can be found for cheaper elsewhere. I know its more expensive, but its worth every penny.

Reasons:

-All tools are accessible from the outside. Seems trivial, but makes life WAY easier and way faster in the pit when 30s matters.
-100% stainless steel, won't ever rust, corrode, or bind up.
-Has two wire-stripping elements and work very well. I've done up to 4awg with it.
-The back of the pliers is notched to crimp wires, and it also works very well. Be sure to make the pirate noise when crimping because no multi-tool can beat a real wire crimper.
-Has a wood saw, that works well, I've built a bed frame with mine.
-It has a metal saw that works well as well as a fine and coarse file. Great for filing down those sharp edges and zip-tie tails and cutting off long bolts at inspection.
-A somewhat real Phillips screw driver tip that works perfectly for Victors and Jags.
-Incredibly solid locking mechanism makes it very safe to use, and is the easiest safety to release that I've ever used.

I have had mine for over 10 years, including the original leather case. It has built 6 robots (4 as a student and 2 as a coach) and 3 FSAE cars when I was in college. It has been a loyal pit tool for all of these machines. Before I had it, it was my Dad's. He used it on arctic and antarctic field expeditions. It has been frozen, doused in salt water, dropped, repeatedly hit with a hammer (yes, I've used the chisel tool, more that once), been used as a hammer, covered in sand, dirt, metal shavings, heated up (rubber band around handle = instant soldering stand or welding jig), thoroughly used and completely abused. Other students and coaches on my team love using it. The knife blades are still sharp. All of the joints are still snug, they haven't gotten loose and sloppy like so many Leathermans have.

Put simply: I've owned 4 leathermans, a SOG, and a number of other multi-tools and this is the one that I still have.

[J.Warsoff]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

Get this Swiss Tool. Probably can be found for cheaper elsewhere. I know its more expensive, but its worth every penny.

Reasons:

-All tools are accessible from the outside. Seems trivial, but makes life WAY easier and way faster in the pit when 30s matters.
-100% stainless steel, won't ever rust, corrode, or bind up.
-Has two wire-stripping elements and work very well. I've done up to 4awg with it.
-The back of the pliers is notched to crimp wires, and it also works very well. Be sure to make the pirate noise when crimping because no multi-tool can beat a real wire crimper.
-Has a wood saw, that works well, I've built a bed frame with mine.
-It has a metal saw that works well as well as a fine and coarse file. Great for filing down those sharp edges and zip-tie tails and cutting off long bolts at inspection.
-A somewhat real Phillips screw driver tip that works perfectly for Victors and Jags.
-Incredibly solid locking mechanism makes it very safe to use, and is the easiest safety to release that I've ever used.

I have had mine for over 10 years, including the original leather case. It has built 6 robots (4 as a student and 2 as a coach) and 3 FSAE cars when I was in college. It has been a loyal pit tool for all of these machines. Before I had it, it was my Dad's. He used it on arctic and antarctic field expeditions. It has been frozen, doused in salt water, dropped, repeatedly hit with a hammer (yes, I've used the chisel tool, more that once), been used as a hammer, covered in sand, dirt, metal shavings, heated up (rubber band around handle = instant soldering stand or welding jig), thoroughly used and completely abused. Other students and coaches on my team love using it. The knife blades are still sharp. All of the joints are still snug, they haven't gotten loose and sloppy like so many Leathermans have.

Put simply: I've owned 4 leathermans, a SOG, and a number of other multi-tools and this is the one that I still have.

That is really nice, and I will definitely keep it in mind. The only problem is, it's over my strict 50 dollar price range. I can try to convince my folks though.

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by Aerosound

That is really nice, and I will definitely keep it in mind. The only problem is, it's over my strict 50 dollar price range. I can try to convince my folks though.

This is one of those tools where you'll really hate getting a cheaper one, i.e. penny wise, pound foolish. It will be with you for 20+ years. Good luck with the parents

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

This is one of those tools where you'll really hate getting a cheaper one, i.e. penny wise, pound foolish. It will be with you for 20+ years. Good luck with the parents

Another apropos saying would be "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth". I don't think there's a problem with a high school student getting a slightly cheaper, but still good quality tool at this point in his life, especially considering its a gift. In a few years, he'll have several years experience with a multitool and will be better able to decide what he really needs, and can make the best decision then. Hopefully, he'll also have a well paying job.

[J.Warsoff]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

Hopefully, he'll also have a well paying job.

Yes, hopefully...

[GCentola]

Originally Posted by Aerosound

Yes, hopefully...

I hear there is this amazing program called FIRST that prepares people for jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, some of which are high paying.