Design:
The blades on Mulitools 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. The nylon material has a porous surface, and will darken if exposed to grime. Select a black color if you believe this will be an issue for you.
#Regular-FREEP4orP2orARC
Three tabs, connected on a sprue. See separating tabs below.
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, Garage #005, and the Leatherman ARC
Tritium Vial Design
#TritiumCompatible
Three tabs, connected on a sprue. See separating tabs below.
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.
Select from nine available colors. Order more than one set to choose from multiple colors. I have created a video that allows you to visualize the plastic color combined with the tritium vial colors so you can choose the combination you want before ordering. Note: Some tritium colors are dimmer than others.
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-FREEP4orP2orARC #Regular-FREET2ORT4
Screw method (FREE Series only):
Due to the way Shapeways works I cannot include the screws with your order. You will need to source your own screws.
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
Splitting up the tabs:
#All
The tabs may arrive joined together on a set of sprues. They can be separated using flush cutters, or by simply snapping the sprue with your tool. Then file any remaining sprue material flat. The sprues are strategically located to be hidden after installation.
