Leatherman screwdriver adapter question please

[Yukon_Jack]

Folks,

I have the leatherman screwdriver adapter attachment. Nicely designed adapter and seems well made; however, I simply hate the spring wire clip retainer it uses rather than a magnet. After some use, it simply does not hold the bits securely. Does anyone have a fix for this? I was considering putting a small earth magnet down inside, but this will mean I don't have the depth for secure bit holding. Does leatherman make an adapter with a magnet?

I also have considered, quite seriously, JB welding a magnetic extension to the existing tool so I will have the magnet feature; however, the down side is that I will loose the ability to get into short cramped spaces since it will be longer now. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[i7r7]

I'm usually never the first person to post a reply on CPF.

Anyway, I agree with you that the metal ring retainer on the tool adapter is a bit of an ordinary design. Leatherman designed their own standard when it comes to hex bit retaining. All the original Leatherman hex bits have small slits cut into them in the middle of the bit. The standard hex bits have them a little towards the top of the bit. So, my various security and screwdriver bits don't quite fit tightly in the tool adapter, as the ring isn't positioned correctly.

I've thought about jamming one of my many neodymium rare earth magnets into the tool adapter but as mentioned, it would not provide enough depth to hold the bit in place. Also have thought about using a magnetic hex extension but mine doesn't quite sit in the tool adapter securely either. I don't want the extender permanently attached to the tool adapter as it won't fit into the little case anymore.

I can't think of an easy solution... anyone else wanto to have a go? I don't want to give this too much thought, besides, I don't use my tool adapter that often.

Jeff

 

[Yukon_Jack]

I contacted Leatherman and asked if they had the adapter with magnet instead of wire ring. I also asked if they could send me a wire ring via a normal letter with me paying the cost of course. (weighs nothing). I questioned if they had received other complains about the system and if they had considered a magnet type bit retainer.

The e-mail I got back simply said that the leatherman is guaranteed and that if my was broken I could mail it back and get it fixed. They completely ingnored my questions.

Anyway, I do not blame them for not addressing the specifics. I'm sure they get a million suggestions everyday and the person responding to e-mails is probably paid to put out stock answers.

Ok well, I'll figure something out. At this time, I'm so dissatified with the bit retainer that I am seriously considering drilling out some of the material at the bottom of the retainer and inserting a small earth magnet. If I screw it up, I'll simply just JB weld the shortest magnetic extension I can find.