Over at Thingiverse, and discovered by 3Ders, Fernando Sosa has recreated the soon-to-be-released Leatherman Tread multi-tool bracelet out of plastic.
The Leatherman Tread will have an MSRP of $150 for the stainless steel version, and hopefully it’ll have a lower street price. Sosa’s creation sells for $50 on his Etsy page, or you can make your own using the free digital plans – if you have your own 3D printer.
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The 3D printed tool wristband can hold 2 1″ screwdriver insert bits per link. 6 links means you can carry around 12 screwdriver bits on your wrist.
To me, the 3D printed version looks unfinished, and I would have concerns of long-term bit retention strength. Bits sliding around on my wrist? That would bug me. The printed multi-tool bracelet might also be less flexible than the Leatherman Tread, which has thinner and curved links designed to hug your wrist.
And yes, the 3D printed screwdriver bracelet is functional. You can take the bracelet off and position any of the bits for use. You probably wouldn’t want to use this tool for high torque applications, but the same could be said about the Leatherman Tread. But, as with the Tread, sections of the 3D printed version, as well as the individual bits, can be replaced if or when needed.
Here’s a quick video of the Tool Wristband’s latching mechanism:
No, it’s not as elegant as the Tread, and it’s still a little pricey if you choose to buy one rather than print it yourself.
While I am very much looking forward to the Leatherman’s release, I admire Sosa’s ability to recreate the Tread’s basic design and functionality. He could cut down on the bracelet’s thickness by designing it around Leatherman’s half-sized and double-sided screwdriver bits, which aren’t very pricey.
As it is, the tool wristband is not very aesthetically pleasing. Even so, getting it functional was probably the hard part. Polishing up the printed multi-tool’s look and feel might only take a couple of trial and error iterations at best, or elbow grease and finishing techniques at worst. It might be possible to achieve a clean and smooth near-injection-molded look.
Tyler says
Thanks for the tip! I’m not sure it would get a lot of use, but I think I’ll print one just for something fun to print.
Tyler says
The more I think about it, this would make for a fun project to try out wood, copper, bronze or stainless infused printing filament that can be finished and polished fairly nicely.
Nathan says
not sure how well that plastic would take it – but a good bead or media blasting would clean it up nicely and a bit of paint/sealant would finish the deal.
DStaal says
The usual clean-up technique for 3D printed plastic is a quick dip in acetone (nail polish remover). It melts the top layer a bit, smoothing things out. Blasting it is likely to going to split the printed plastic layers apart.
dar says
thumbs up for the Sosa tread, with it’s rough hewn,’i’m-a -guy -no-buffing-required’ look…sparkles are for sissies…matte=manly,eh?
Michael says
Still looks like a white elephant to me
BikerDad says
Here’s to wondering if Sosa hacked the 3D prototype files from Leatherman. Okay, so that’s highly unlikely, and recreating the functionality is a heckuva accomplishment. Yet, Leatherman quite likely did exactly the same thing. 3D printed their prototypes for testing functionality. I know I would have a 3D printer (or a few) for my R&D/Marketing guys to whip up prototypes, explore different process sequences, etc.
Brian says
looks VERY chunky. way beyond a daily wear option. I dont really see the point of the leatherman version either though. If the TSA is stealing your leatherman multitools, why not just make a tool without a knife?
Jerry says
I like that it uses insert bits, I would actually give the Tread more consideration if it were that way. Instead of buying another $20 or whatever link, just click in a different bit from your $15 multi bit set, which is I believe about the rough street price of the Leatherman flat bits. Heck, it wouldn’t take much for Leatherman to take their current flat bits, cut them in. Half, and incorporate them into a bracelet. It wouldn’t be quite as WOW to look at, but it would be far cheaper to make (all links could be identical except for the clasp) as well as more easily customizable (snap in whatever bits you want. If you only needed a couple, you could leave the other links empty, for a more ‘clean’ look.
I think this is a really neat first attempt, and I will be curious what improved ones will look like in the future.
Brian says
the leatherman links are probably about the thickness of the insert bits, expanding them to have sufficient strength would be an issue.
Looking at the 3d print, the thing looks to be atleast half an inch thick… maybe you can go a bit thinner with metal, but still beyond feasible.
Jerry says
I was meaning to use the flat Bits like Leatherman already makes, just cut the two sided bits in half to shorten them. I checked one of my bits, and they are only 1/8 inch thick. If metal, they should be able to makeit he links 1/4 inch thick or less, and still be plenty strong.
SteveR says
These comments are directed to the Leatherman Company:
I got to looking and noticed that the Tread has 18 screws per side that hold it together (36 total). At some point you’ll need a separate screwdriver (i.e., carry a second Leatherman tool) to retighten these screws to keep it together. And how do you do that so that it’s not too tight to wear comfortably, but not too loose to look like an oversized Goodfella’s watch?
My wrist is not large and round (it’s small, oval-shaped and bony), so I don’t see a good fit. How do you keep the screwdriver and hex bits from digging into your skin? It looks like it weighs about a pound; that much weight revolving on my wrist would likely rub the skin raw.
No offense intended, but I think I’ll pass.
Jerry says
I’m sure the screws tighten against a shoulder, with the hole in the link large enough to fit around the shoulder. The shoulder should be wide enough so that the screws can be as tight as you want, and not bind the links. As to the weight and comfort, I have my concerns, but you never know until you try it.
SteveR says
I suppose. I have a feeling, though, that the concerns I raised would be a problem for some of us. I wouldn’t buy one, however; I’m opposed to spending that much money on something that I may never have a use for. I carry a few tools with me in my car for such emergencies, or would just pay someone the few dollars to repair something if needed.
JoeM says
I’m still not entirely convinced on the “Tools-As-Jewellery” thing. Leatherman or 3D Printed, it still seems extremely silly to me. Doubly so when you add the Watch to it.
Brian says
I agree, the design itself lacks any torque, and I cant fathom any application that I would actually find myself needing a torx driver out in the wild, where this little bracelet would be sufficient…
Im handyer than most, and I can count the occasions that I needed a screwdriver and didnt have one without taking my shoes off. I wouldnt want to do much more than unscrew an outlet cover with one of those bracelet links.
Nathan says
I think both are still a neat idea, doesn’t exactly make them fully functional tools – note how the leatherman tread will also be a wrench – not just a screw driver.
if you bike or hike a good bit – I could see the tread being somewhat useful to you.
but it’s not going to help you replace the broken belt on your 68 camaro.
kudo’s to a guy that took a neat idea and tried to improve on it and make is more accessable via 3d printing.
Yadda says
As a bit carrier, it works. As jewelry and multitool it’s a bit lacking.