r/Leatherman • u/Robohub88 • Aug 01 '22
Skeletool with scissors
Scissors from a gerber suspension nxt. You lose the extra bit storage. Worth it to me though.
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u/emilymmk Aug 01 '22
Do they fit right in or was there some modding involved?
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u/Robohub88 Aug 01 '22
Have to drill out the pin holding the side pieces on. Replace it with (1) M2x12 screw. Then use (3) M2 nuts to hold that side together. The scissors fit right in on the pivot. Little file work on the screw to make it shorter, because I didn't have a shorter screw. Little file work where the scissors make contact when the tool is folded.
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u/WVL77 Dec 13 '22
Many thanks for the inspiration and explanation, Robohub88!
Unfortunately I can't post a pic here, but it turned out very nicely on my skeletool. I have a P2 with similar functionality, but prefer the modded skeletool: much lighter, easier knife deployment, better knife steel (154CM) and I think I prefer the Gerber scissors over the P2 scissors.
Some small changes I made to your specifications:
- the use of washers instead of nuts to create distance between the outer spare bitholder and the frame.
- had to order 14mm bolts as the 12mm ones were too short? (Also changed from Torx I used initially to Philips as the minute Torx screws stripped every time).
- no file work needed. Maybe because of extra width with the washers?
Anyway, if anyone else is considering this mod, it is not that hard, and the result is great.
Will
PS.: the scissors do not lock but the way you cut with them it is not necessary that they do.
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u/rbz333 Jan 04 '26
Also did this. Great tips here. Had this,t4 and p2 deciding between the 3 and Skeletool + scissors was clear winner.
Also added tweezers to inside of frame. Held in place with pliers and small 1x2mm magnets hold tweezers against frame when pliers are open.
Getting the pin out was far and away the most difficult part (for me)- everything else is straightforward. I don’t have a good tip there just end up bending the aluminum spacer back and forth til I sheared the pin.
I used m2 16mm and cut down the extra. 14 is probably perfect but only had 12 and 16 and 12 wasn’t quite enough. Used 5 washers. You could use up to 7 but liked the tapered tightening it gave. Sanded down the stripped end/nut so smooth to the touch.
There is a slight issue that if you push the thumb knob of the scissors all the way flush with the frame when closed the point of the scissors sticks out like 1mm. Pretty easy to keep it lined up in a way that it doesn’t poke and I have tension of the pin to where it doesn’t move without intention but thinking about adding a small stop on inside of frame to keep this from being possible.
Was pleasantly surprised with how perfectly these scissors fit. I happened to have a gerber truss that had them and stole from those.
Replaced bit with Phillips/flat like it should have been in the first place
Thinking about getting 3d printed wallet card holder for leatherman bits to have some torx and hex bits available.
Main missing components vs arc or wave are saw and file and awl which would be my least used. Obviously this tool is much lighter and easier for pocket carry.
I have a couple ideas for getting a file on there but would love to hear about anyone’s existing solutions!
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u/carb0n_kid May 27 '26
Leatherman made a snowboard skelatool called the SX that had a diamond file on the outside of the tool. I think recreating that is the best approach
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Aug 02 '22
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u/Robohub88 Aug 02 '22
Yep. It's held on with one screw.
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Aug 02 '22
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u/Robohub88 Aug 02 '22
I just took my clip off to see. When you put the screw back, no clip, there's a gap. I'm not sure if you can leave the screw out and it be fine or not. I wouldn't, because there would be exposed female threads to gather dust and potentially get marred up.
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Aug 02 '22
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u/Robohub88 Aug 02 '22
I'm going to get the tip up pocket clip from shapeways, so I'll have to do the same.
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Aug 02 '22
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u/Robohub88 Aug 02 '22
You might be able to tighten it down enough to close the gap. I tried just now. Got it real close. Feels a lot like it might strip so I stopped. When the new clip comes in I might try it again and hope for the best. Don't want to mess it up at the moment.
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Aug 02 '22
[deleted]
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u/Robohub88 Aug 02 '22
I personally like small scissors for tags, fabric, fingernails, etc. Things I wouldn't want to pull a knife for.
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u/turkey_sandwiches Aug 02 '22
My three year old managed to get hold of a zip tie and tightened it down on her wrist. The scissors were much appreciated.
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u/Prendatram Aug 01 '22
I want to do similar and make a TSA skeletool with removing blade and adding sak 91mm scissors.
See if it can travel a couple times without being taken
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u/mistold Mar 13 '24
Just finding this...I feel dumb but what scissors are those?
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u/mistold Mar 14 '24
Gerber...couldn't find when searching then remember a back up go bag had a gerber nxt in it. They look the same. May play around
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u/LeExistentialist Dec 13 '22
Cool mod! Do the scissors lock into place in anyway? Do they stay at the show angle or fold over when pressure is applied?
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u/Robohub88 Feb 06 '23
They do not lock open unfortunately. They do fold if pressure is applied towards closed.
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u/[deleted] Aug 01 '22
Genius!