Thumb Tabs for Leatherman Multitools
Regular price $16.00 Sale price $8.00Currently Half Price! (Grey only)
Please read the text below after making your selections. It changes!
Design:
The blades on Multitools are sometimes difficult to grip, or even impossible to deploy if your wearing gloves. These sturdy nylon thumb tabs are designed to solve the problem.
The tabs have a lightly textured surface, and provide a good grip.
#ARC
Two tabs for the Saw and File.
Each tab is unique: A symbol is etched on the back of the two smaller tabs to help you determine which one to place on the saw, and which to place on the serrated blade.
The ARC series tabs will also fit the Garage #005
#Regular-FREEP4orP2
Three tabs. Main Blade, Saw and File.
Each tab is unique: A symbol is etched on the back of the two smaller tabs to help you determine which one to place on the saw, and which to place on the serrated blade.
The FREE series tabs will also fit the Mr. Crunch Leatherman Garage tool.
Tritium Vial Design
#TritiumCompatible
Another customer requested product. Tritium vials are a great way to add color, and nighttime visibility to your multitool. These thumb-tabs are designed to hold 2x12mm tritium vials. Note the vials are not included. The tabs can also be filled with glow-in-the-dark resin for a similar look.
Three tabs included. See separating tabs below.
Tritium Vials
#TritiumCompatible
Designed to fit 2x12mm vials. (Not included) Any crystal clear UV adhesive should work. NOA68 is the best adhesive to use as it is designed to bond glass to plastics.
Don't separate the tabs for easier handling. Place a tritium vial into the recess in each tab, it should be a snug fit, but don't ever force the vials into place as they are made from glass.
Flip the assembly over, and apply a small amount of UV adhesive into the opening on the backside of the tab. Just enough to hold the vial in place. Before curing you can check the assembly and clean up any excess adhesive.
Place the assembly under a UV curing lamp with a wavelength appropriate to the UV resin you use. First with the tritium vials facing upwards, then flip it over and finish curing the backside.
Double check that the adhesive is cured by touching the backside with a needle.
Attaching the tabs to the tool:
#TritiumCompatible
The tabs may be held to the tool the same UV curing glue as the tritium vials, or you may use super glue.
To install: Insert the tabs into the blade, ensuring they sit flush with surface of the blade. And that the knurled side faced towards the inside of the tool.
Flip the blade over and apply a drop of glue to the edge between the blade and the tab. The glue will absorb into the plastic, and also into the seam. If any super glue gets onto the blade, wait about twenty seconds, and gently clean using a lint-free cloth with a small mount of Acetone applied to it.
If you used UV glue, place the whole blade under a UV curing lamp as you did with the vials.
Removing glued thumb tabs:
#TritiumCompatible
Click here to watch the video showing how to remove the thumb-tabs.
Acetone can be applied to the back of the tab using a cotton swab soaked in acetone. Allow the acetone to absorb into the nylon, then wait about thirty seconds before pushing the tab out from the back side. Clean up any glue residue using more acetone.
You can also soften the glue by gently heating up the blade to above 120°C. The nylon does not melt until over 200°C. (Do not apply heat directly to the plastic).
Attaching the tabs:
#Regular
Super glue method:
Use super-glue (cyanoacrylate). You will also need Acetone to clean up any overflow of glue. To install: Insert the tabs into the blade, ensuring they sit flush with surface of the blade. Flip the blade over and apply a drop of super glue to the seam between the blade and the tab. The glue will absorb into the plastic, and also into the seam. If any glue gets onto the blade, wait about twenty seconds, and gently clean using a lint-free cloth with a small mount of Acetone applied to it.
Removing super glued thumb tabs: Click here to watch the video showing how to remove the thumb-tabs. Acetone can be applied to the back of the tab using a cotton swab soaked in acetone. Allow the acetone to absorb into the nylon, then wait about thirty seconds before pushing the tab out from the back side. Clean up any glue residue using more acetone. You can also soften the glue by gently heating up the blade to above 120°C. The nylon does not melt until over 200°C. (Do not apply heat directly to the plastic).
#Regular-FREEP4orP2 #Regular-FREET2ORT4 #ARC
Screw method (FREE Series only):
Screws and hex key tool are now included!
The specs on the six set screws are M2x4mm set screws or #1-72 thread, 5/32" long
These can be found at a good hardware shop that carries small screws, as well as eBay and Amazon.com
A 0.035" size hex driver is needed for the above #1-72 screws. McMaster part number: 7122A12 A 0.9mm size hex driver is needed for the above M2 screws. McMaster part number: 7289A32
- The natural color of the Nylon 12 SLS power is gray.
- This material will darken slightly and smooth out with use.
- Dying may be added for an additional cost (Click here).
The nylon material can be dyed or painted.
- Dying:
- Rit Dye or any Nylon fabric dye may be used.
- It is not possible to make the colors brighter with dye.
- Black, Dark green, Dark Red, Dark blue may be achieved
- Painting:
- Any plastic compatible paint may also be used, apply in very thin light coats until completely covered. Heavy application may affect tolerances.
- I have found Ace Hardware Matte Enamel paints to work particularly well.
Natural grey color -vs- black dyed
Most 3D printed parts are printed on demand
The process:
Batches of up to 15 holsters or other similar sized items are printed, taking up to 20 hours per batch. The parts are then cleaned, and made ready for packing.
The material:
Professionally 3D printed SLS Nylon 12 Plastic.
- Solid part, no hollow or plastic toy feel
- Material is flexible and water resistant
- Durable and long lasting
- Temperature and chemical resistant
- Ductile and environmentally stable
- Skin safe
