Multi-tool Keys - Mod / Hack

Multi-tool Keys - Mod / Hack
Modify your keys to fit in a leatherman. This is a real clever way to pack some spare keys around. You can fit up to six keys in one mini multi-tool.
http://mathewmullen.com
 
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Step 1Materials

Materials
NOTE: Let me first state that I stumbled on this Idea browsing through the edcforums. There was a post a while back where user, shadeone had posted some pictures and a short tutorial on building one of these sweet little babies. Check out the original forums thread started by shadeone here. I take no credit for originating this idea, I've just documented my own experience building one. This is a modification to his original half micra design which allows me to keep the pliers and a few tools.
Also Stop by http://mathewmullen.com for more cool projects.

Materials
Leatherman Micra - ( I used a cheapo Husky clone that I got at home depot for $2)
Keys - (be sure to make copies of them first)
Drill
Something to cut the keys with - (I used a Dremel with a cutoff wheel.
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153 comments
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Feb 6, 2012. 8:46 AMiminthebathroom says:
Nice, love this idea. I did a variation where I turned the entire leatherman into a key chain, but this by far cooler - Tips the virtual hat
Jan 1, 2010. 9:03 PMstation420 says:
I'm always breaking keys in my pocket, this is a great idea!
Feb 26, 2010. 1:57 PMmagiccowy says:
how do you manage to break keys? That seems really difficult especially without trying
Feb 26, 2010. 3:20 PMstation420 says:
Breaking keys can happen quite easily, falling off your bike or skateboard, slipping on a banana peel and landing on an edge, getting hit by a bus can do some damage to your keys.  Typically these activities will only result in the breaking of one key.  It is possible to break all keys, crashing in an airplane will do it (especially if the keys burn in jet fuel for 1-2 hours).  Being a martyr for and Islamic extremist group can tend to destroy keys in your pocket among other things!  Well the list goes on and on, I hope this gives you an idea of how really easy it is to break keys in your pocket!
Feb 2, 2012. 8:37 AMdtittle says:
That's the best rely EVER!
Feb 27, 2010. 7:19 PMmagiccowy says:
what if your bomb needed that key and you broke it? bet you'de be in trouble then! Who do Martyrs/Islamic extremists get in trouble from anyway? I cant imagine a small terrorist child being given 300 lines of "I must check the polarity of the detonator" by his teacher

jk for all those who are a "bit" touchy
Jul 3, 2011. 1:55 PMfirefletcher says:
I just laughed so hard at these comments..
Feb 27, 2010. 8:08 PMstation420 says:
LOL!!!!
Feb 28, 2010. 3:25 AMmagiccowy says:
Wish they would stop acting like children and destroy something worth destroying...... like spammers........ or most of youtube.
Jul 3, 2011. 6:45 AMBadetise says:
lol i love instructables
Dec 8, 2010. 9:02 PMvienershnitzel says:
agreed... some of the stupidest comments i've ever heard/seen...
Feb 2, 2012. 6:38 AMMicioGatta says:
This is brilliant! You could use colored keys like these http://origin-images.ttnet.net/pi/eto/10/04/04/12/10040412-10.jpg :)
Jul 28, 2011. 11:37 AMCatTrampoline says:
This is great! While not suitable for newer (chipped) car keys, I have a bunch of door & padlock keys that I carry around. When kept on a ring they wear holes in my pocket & gouge my leg, and those little leather key wallets keep breaking.
Feb 1, 2012. 5:04 PMWard_Nox says:
if you nee a chipped key just get a Keyport similar deal but they have the chips that can be programmed 2
Jul 9, 2011. 12:30 PMfreakyqwerty says:
Now you just need to add a couple of Lockpicks and a torsion wrench on the other side!
Dec 23, 2009. 3:39 AMSirBrittanicvs says:
Very cool idea. Though you do lose a few tools by doing so the whole thing is pretty clever. Perhaps you could sacrifice just one tool and replace it with a bump key.
May 19, 2011. 7:48 PMmusick_08 says:
maybe make handles for the other tools?
Feb 3, 2011. 7:58 AMBroberg says:
This is a great idea! I have a couple of those cheap buggers around right now! I usually get them as a free gift for signing up for stuff or as promotional items. I really don't think it will be something that I could use on a day-to-day basis as some of the keys I carry can not be copied (Federal law) but for the house and car, this will be great to have that spare set in case of loss. Woulderful Instructible!
Dec 22, 2010. 2:08 PMBiggsy says:
That's a great idea! Welldone!
Nov 15, 2010. 4:21 AMjiajunwang says:
NIce, but you surely can't carry that with you on a plane, with all the blades
Dec 19, 2009. 10:31 PMShiftlock says:
I would never be able to operate this when drunk, and I would end up sleeping on my porch.  I have a hard enough time with a normal key sometimes.
Nov 6, 2010. 9:37 PMalivia says:
Maybe that would be better than a dui or killing someone (including yourself)? You could market them as a test for seeing if you are too drunk to drive.
May 4, 2010. 11:46 AMTecknojock says:
I think Im gonna fill one of these up with assorted bump keys for common locks.
Sep 14, 2010. 10:24 AMBOOM5601 says:
You do that, and while you're at it, get caught trying to break in to someones house.
Jul 22, 2008. 12:17 PMdestrolennox says:
I REALLY like the idea of this mod, and I started thinking about what I would need to buy to make one myself... but toekneebullard's makes a really valid point. With all of the blades removed, technically you shouldn't have any problems with airport security, but this is reality and I can almost guarantee that you will at LEAST have to do a lot of explaining before they allowed you to take it on the plane. More likely though I believe they wouldn't even let you board with it. :( sad clown.
May 27, 2010. 1:35 PMkyledcline says:
 Put it in your luggage. Problem solved.
Jul 24, 2008. 6:56 AMincorrigible packrat says:
Neat use for a cheapie Leatherman knock-off! Considering making one myself, but I'd probably need a 37 blade tool, for all the stupid keys I use. For the car key, I'd suggest leaving a little nub on one of the modified keys, that you could drill an extra hole through. Attach a chain to this, and stick the car key on the end. Maybe even a hook in the middle of the chain, to hang the whole works on the shift stalk (or wiper control stalk, if'n you don't have column shift), while driving, to limit stress on the ignition switch. Funny thing that so many have mentioned airport security. I've attained the ripe old age of almost 35, and have not yet had the need to travel by airplane. I was just wondering, do most people use air travel so often, that there would be a huge problem with Leathermanning their keys?
Jul 24, 2008. 10:54 AMjakezcop says:
im only 13 and i travel by airplane a lot and yeh it probably would cause a problem... i had an electrical box circley thing stuck in my sock and i didnt know, i no seems imposible but i did, and it took them like 10 minuts in security and they had to get like 20 people to come and help and if i was older i prabably woulda goten arested lol.
Jul 28, 2008. 6:20 AMincorrigible packrat says:
I just gotta know why you'd have an electrical box knockout in your sock. Jimmy-ing vending machines perhaps? I could make a joke here about what most 13 year olds have stuck in their socks, but decorum prevails...
Jan 4, 2010. 7:49 AMAnomic06 says:
When I was 13, it was my smokes lmao
Mar 19, 2009. 1:12 PMjakezcop says:
i just put em in those candy machines for free candy, most of the time it works, and i had dropped one earlier in the day and i guess it fell in my shoe lol, i really dont know, one of those freak accidents.
Mar 18, 2009. 5:49 PMThelonelysandwitch says:
dude, you can jimmy old vending machines with saltwater. yes it is possible
Mar 19, 2009. 1:12 PMjakezcop says:
I WANNA NO HOW!!!!
Mar 19, 2009. 1:17 PMThelonelysandwitch says:
ok, it has to be a very old vending machine. Then all you have to do is pour saltwater into the coin slot. (Coin on a string also works)
Mar 22, 2009. 5:23 PMjakezcop says:
lol yeah i fugured that out after i asked that, i dont wanna get finned so ill stick to the not so destructive methods heh
Dec 21, 2009. 1:06 PMandrinma says:
I like the idea a lot!  As far as a next attempt alan-style wrench goes, you might be interested in http://www.instructables.com/id/Friendly_Folding_Keychain/

That instructable might be exactly what you are thinking to create.
Jul 24, 2008. 9:42 PMspeckone says:
This thing is gonna get me killed by a highway patrolman someday.
PICT0049a.jpg
Dec 20, 2009. 8:55 PMbucko92 says:
Lol, that image has made my day
Cops: have you stolen this car and rammed a mulitool into the ingnition switch?
me: *removes key* No officer, *procedes to open multitool to show off the other keys*
Cops: *pulls hand gun* Put down the weapon, exit the vehicle and put your hands on our back!

lol again.
Sep 19, 2009. 7:43 AMbobert610 says:
hahahahahahahhAHA lol man good 1
Mar 18, 2009. 5:46 PMThelonelysandwitch says:
dude, my mom, and dads car uses the chip in the key, I wanted to give them one for Christmas.
1-40 of 153next »

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