Comments on: Leatherman Bit Adapter http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/08/leatherman-bit-adapter/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:30:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Prasinos http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/08/leatherman-bit-adapter/#comment-283759 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:59:31 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/08/leatherman-bit-adapter/#comment-283759 The Leatherman bit system is proprietary, but it is a very good solution for the problem it addresses. With the flat Leatherman bit system, you can carry 20 bits in a little plastic thing that is less than 4mm thick! You just can't do that with standard hex bits. (Look at tools that take standard bits: they are just too big). I got the extra bit kit from Leatherman, so I have always with me 40 different bits without taking much space (and the bits are high quality). For the rare occasion that you need a bit not available by Leatherman, just grind one or carry a small wrench (about 5$) like it is done in the Swisstool. My only complaint is that Leatherman bits are too thick for screws that are recessed. The Leatherman bit system is proprietary, but it is a very good solution for the problem it addresses. With the flat Leatherman bit system, you can carry 20 bits in a little plastic thing that is less than 4mm thick! You just can’t do that with standard hex bits. (Look at tools that take standard bits: they are just too big). I got the extra bit kit from Leatherman, so I have always with me 40 different bits without taking much space (and the bits are high quality).
For the rare occasion that you need a bit not available by Leatherman, just grind one or carry a small wrench (about 5$) like it is done in the Swisstool.
My only complaint is that Leatherman bits are too thick for screws that are recessed.

]]> by: Ryan http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/08/leatherman-bit-adapter/#comment-243523 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 03:10:55 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/08/leatherman-bit-adapter/#comment-243523 the bit system is great and yes it's proprietary, but it's part of a multi-tool they have to cut a few corners to make everything work and small. the bit system is great and yes it’s proprietary, but it’s part of a multi-tool they have to cut a few corners to make everything work and small.

]]> by: Trevor http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/08/leatherman-bit-adapter/#comment-232460 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:11:57 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/08/leatherman-bit-adapter/#comment-232460 The current bit system in my Charge XTi is OK, I guess, but I *really* miss the 2"-shank philips-head screwdriver in my old Super Tool. A lot of Leatherman use involves pieces of high-tech equipment (consumer and otherwise) which tend to have screws recessed in injection-molded plastic. The flat/wide interchangeable bits just don't reach into even a shallow hole. The current bit system in my Charge XTi is OK, I guess, but I *really* miss the 2″-shank philips-head screwdriver in my old Super Tool. A lot of Leatherman use involves pieces of high-tech equipment (consumer and otherwise) which tend to have screws recessed in injection-molded plastic. The flat/wide interchangeable bits just don’t reach into even a shallow hole.

]]> by: dave http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/08/leatherman-bit-adapter/#comment-229591 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:08:03 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/08/leatherman-bit-adapter/#comment-229591 I hate any bit system (or any tool system in general) that uses a proprietary design when there are standard tools available that would work just as well. In bits the two standard types are insert and power bits, and tool companies should stick to one or the other of them unless they have a very good reason to do otherwise. The problem is that a proprietary tool restricts you to using that tool's accessories unless some special adapter is offered. Lose or break a bit or accessory, and you have to go and find another one if you can, and probably at higher cost than a standard replacement would be. I hate any bit system (or any tool system in general) that uses a proprietary design when there are standard tools available that would work just as well. In bits the two standard types are insert and power bits, and tool companies should stick to one or the other of them unless they have a very good reason to do otherwise.

The problem is that a proprietary tool restricts you to using that tool’s accessories unless some special adapter is offered. Lose or break a bit or accessory, and you have to go and find another one if you can, and probably at higher cost than a standard replacement would be.

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