Leatherman bit driver extender

P

pablo486

Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
71
I like the idea of having a bit driver on my leatherman because it offers me a wide range of bits and allows me to replace worn bits. The one criticism that I have, and one I have heard others mention here, is that the bit driver is too short to work on recessed screws. I'm not sure how long this extender has been offered, but this is the first that I've noticed it at the leatherman site.

Has anyone purchased this product? Do you think that it's worth the $12?

It seems to me like it would be worth sticking in my Surge sheath, but I was hoping to hear some user feedback.

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Hi,

I was one of the lucky ones to get a prototype of this extended bit driver. I like it not only for the extension, but also for the fact that it will take standard 1/4" bits. Sears, under the Craftsman brand, offers a really neat 30 piece set of 1/4" bits.

Go for it.

Best - Joe
 
So it only takes 1/4'' bits, or it also takes the leatherman bits?

Has this been out a while and I'm just late to the party?
 
Great idea, solves issues raised with introduction of the bit driver, but durability of this lash-up remains to be seen.

After trying out a Charge last year, I gave it up for three reasons:

No awl, could be correctable with an awl-headed insert for the bit holder.

On the very first time I tried to use the medium driver, it couldn't reach a countersunk screw head. This new accessory finesses that.

On the very first time I cut stuff with the PE blade, it folded on me. This was the first time a locking blade folded on me, ever. A week later, it happened again. I sent the Charge to LT for warranty repair, they returned it unfixed (they polished the blade) with a note that everything was in spec.

This was the deal breaker, a pity because otherwise, I really liked the product. But I don't see a workaround for an unreliable lock.
 
znapschatz said:
Great idea, solves issues raised with introduction of the bit driver, but durability of this lash-up remains to be seen.

After trying out a Charge last year, I gave it up for three reasons:

No awl, could be correctable with an awl-headed insert for the bit holder.

On the very first time I tried to use the medium driver, it couldn't reach a countersunk screw head. This new accessory finesses that.

On the very first time I cut stuff with the PE blade, it folded on me. This was the first time a locking blade folded on me, ever. A week later, it happened again. I sent the Charge to LT for warranty repair, they returned it unfixed (they polished the blade) with a note that everything was in spec.

This was the deal breaker, a pity because otherwise, I really liked the product. But I don't see a workaround for an unreliable lock.
Click to expand...


My tool of choice has been a PST, but the lack of scissors was a bit of a drag. I carried a SAK clasic and then a Micra to make up for this, but recently I purchased a Surge.

It's a bit large for some people, but is has great scissors and an awl (a must for me). The blades lock up great. I wish your experience with LM had been as good as mine.
 
pablo486 said:
My tool of choice has been a PST, but the lack of scissors was a bit of a drag. I carried a SAK clasic and then a Micra to make up for this, but recently I purchased a Surge.

It's a bit large for some people, but is has great scissors and an awl (a must for me). The blades lock up great. I wish your experience with LM had been as good as mine.
Click to expand...

Actually, except for the Charge, I have had good experiences with Leatherman. A Super Tool rode with me almost every day for many years, accompanied by a Micra in my jeans watch pocket and I considered myself ready for anything (supplemented by a credit card, of course :D ).

After giving it to a deserving friend, I replaced the Super Tool with an ST 200, and more lately a Core, both of which were upgrades of the original design. It hasn't been worked enough for a long term evaluation, but so far i am really happy with the Core. I still use a Micra for scissors, and the two Leathermen complement each other very well, IMHO.

My first Leatherman was a PST, which I still use sometimes for light weight or traveling to where locking blades are not legal. It packs a lot into a pocketable format, and like you, I find an awl indispensible. My son, a craftsman, loves his PST II, which he abuses something terrible (you always hurt the one you love :D ). A few years ago he sent the sadly bunged up tool to Leatherman for repair. They sent him a new one instead, and quickly.

I have been impressed by both product and service. At this time I own several Leatherman models and would describe myself as a satisfied customer, except for the Charge.
 
Hello Pablo486

From the Leatherman website

"Bit Driver Extender
Extend your reach with the 3.25" Bit Driver Extender. Holds standard Leatherman bits and standard hex bits. For use with any Leatherman tool or knife that features a large bit driver (Charge models, Surge, Wave, e306x/e307x, k502x/k503x, h502/h503)."

Hope this helps - Joe
 
JoeBW said:
Hello Pablo486

From the Leatherman website

"Bit Driver Extender
Extend your reach with the 3.25" Bit Driver Extender. Holds standard Leatherman bits and standard hex bits. For use with any Leatherman tool or knife that features a large bit driver (Charge models, Surge, Wave, e306x/e307x, k502x/k503x, h502/h503)."

Hope this helps - Joe
Click to expand...

Sorry, I'm an ijit. I posted the link and I somehow missed that. Thanks for being gentle. I wish there was a stupid smiley, it would look like me.
 
I tried a Surge for awhile but got rid of it because it was a brick and too overkill for my uses. I also had problems with the stubby bit driver's reach.

I traded it for a Vic Swisstool.
 
This sounds really cool...but I must be blind cause I can't see it on the page that has been linked. The top of the page is the regular bits that can fit in the wave bit driver...no extender information. Am I missing something or was it taken off the site?
 
It must have be taken off the page, because it did see it earlier but don't see it now. Maybe it had limited production.
 
Santa keeps bugging me for an Xmas list and so I'm thinking about asking the fat bastid for a Bit Driver Extender for my Wave. Now that this thread is several months old, any new reviews, guys? Or other thoughts?
 
Hey, I like that! I had seen a few home-made versions of that on the bay, but I didn't know that LM made one now. Definetely gonna get one of those at some point. :)
 
An extension is definitely worth having. It doesn't really take up much room in the sheath. But home-made or Leatherman brand, which one to get?

I like the Leatherman one better, because I use the Leatherman flattened bits. The circlip spring in their extension holds onto the bits well enough.

The home-made extensions are cheaper, but they use a magnet. The magnet doesn't hold onto the double-ended flat bits very well at all. :(

Bob
 
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