Changing Parts on a SOG PowerLock

B

Brian6244

Joined
Aug 25, 2004
Messages
537
I love this tool. I believe it is the best available but with only one drawback which I am hoping can be fixed with a simple modification. I dont like the 1/4" driver. It is basically pointless on a tool like this (for me anyway). I would like to replace it with something else. Can this be done and if so, what are my options? To tell you the truth... while I'm building the utlimate tool here in my mind... I would love to add a non-serrated blade to this tool also. Or the best scenario would be (ya I know I'm really dreamin now) to remove the 50/50 smooth/serrated blade and the 1/4" driver that come standard with the tool and then add 1 completely smooth blade and one completey serrated blade, kind like the blades on my Paratool. I am willing to rearrange the remaining tools in any way necessary to make this possible. Can all or part of this be done? Let me know and I'll be on the phone tomorrow ordering parts. :) Heck I would even be willing to send the knife back to SOG to have it done if that is what would be required.
 
Hi Brian,



As long as the replacement parts have "locking notches" cut in them (SOG was doing a great job at making sure the old style blades were either separated from the others for dropped from retail sales...I can't speak on what their are doing now), what you're wanting to do is not a problem at all.

All you need to do is call SOG's customer service and they'll answer any of these questions for you. Their number is 888.SOG.BEST.

BTW...welcome to BladeForums.com!!! :)
 
I emailed CS and received a very fast reply from Laura who I then called and spoke with. You're absolutely right. She was very helpful. I have a 3" smooth and a 3" serrated blade (w/ installation instructions) on order which they even shipped the same day that I spoke to her. If only more companies had this excellent level of customer service. I own (and have owned in the past) many SOGs and after this pleasant experience I imagine I will own even more in the future! :D
 
I ran that department at SOG for many years and found it enjoyable dealing with customers like yourself. Let everyone here in the SOG Forum know how everything turns out when you get the parts installed and after you use your tool for awhile.
 
I received my parts but am having some trouble choosing an order/arrangement that will fit them all in and still allow the tool to completely close properly. Laura told me this would work so I imagine that either I have not found the proper arrangement yet or I did not explain my intentions clearly to begin with. I haven't spent a lot of time on it so far so I intend to continue trying different arragements today to see if I can make it work. I know there are a lot of PowerLock owners on this board so if anyone has any suggestions I would certainly appreciate the input.
 
Well it took a while but I got it done. The fit and smoothness of the opening and closing of the tool is not quite 100% (like it was with the 1/4" socket driver) but I'd say it's still 90% to 95% after my modifications. Well worth it to me. Not to mention that it will probably get even better once I fine-tune the tension and get a little penetrating oil on it. I haven't put any lock-tight on the screws yet because I want to get the tension exactly where I want it before I do, and that will take some experimentation. For anyone that is curious, I removed the 1/4" socket driver and the 50/50 smooth/serrated blade and replaced them with a completely smooth blade and a completely serrated blade. I also had to put some additiional spacers in there to make it all fit just right. There is actually room for one more "small" tool in place of my custom spacers but I can't imagine what I would add. I think it's perfect with the tools that are on it now. Kudos to SOG. I didn't expect it to be easy to modify. I'm just glad it could be done. I'm very pleased and I would recommend the PowerLock to anyone as the ultimate multi-tool.
 
Brian6244 said:
Well it took a while but I got it done. The fit and smoothness of the opening and closing of the tool is not quite 100% (like it was with the 1/4" socket driver) but I'd say it's still 90% to 95% after my modifications. Well worth it to me. Not to mention that it will probably get even better once I fine-tune the tension and get a little penetrating oil on it. I haven't put any lock-tight on the screws yet because I want to get the tension exactly where I want it before I do, and that will take some experimentation. For anyone that is curious, I removed the 1/4" socket driver and the 50/50 smooth/serrated blade and replaced them with a completely smooth blade and a completely serrated blade. I also had to put some additiional spacers in there to make it all fit just right. There is actually room for one more "small" tool in place of my custom spacers but I can't imagine what I would add. I think it's perfect with the tools that are on it now. Kudos to SOG. I didn't expect it to be easy to modify. I'm just glad it could be done. I'm very pleased and I would recommend the PowerLock to anyone as the ultimate multi-tool.
Click to expand...


I'm planning on doing something similar, what do you use as spacers? Is it a standard size washer or did you drill/grind it?? Do you know the ID and OD?

Also, what arrangement did you end up with that made the two long blades fit without getting in the way of the pliers?
For example, with the pliers facing up, and the 'SOG powerlock' label to the right, the original arrangement is:

Left Side:
Saw
can opener
phillips
Large Flathead
reamer
file

Right Side:
1/2 serr blade
bottle opener/md flathead
1/4" driver
scissors

Seems to me that replacing the 1/4 driver with a longer implement would keep the pliers from getting into the handle properly?
Can you share the arrangement you came up with in a similar format?

Thanks,

P.S. Anyone else can answer too if you have modded your powerlock ;)
 
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