Tactical Multitool

When camping, I often wish I had brought a tool along; a hammer, a hatchet, a shovel, etc. Especially on backpacking trips, however, the weight and hassle of carrying 3 or 4 tools is over the top and not worth it in the long run. The Tactical Multitool is the perfect solution. It combines the versatility of a tool shop with the simplicity of any other camping gadget. It especially stands out in its ability to mismatch a number of "heads" in many combinations. The ability to detach, reattach, and swap "heads" makes this a truly unique tool.

Whether you're camping in the wilderness or fixing something around the house, there's always the right tool for the job. So, while you read the process I took to make this Tactical Multitool, let your creativity run free and help me think of more ideas to add to this "one-tool toolbox". The possibilities are endless! 

Step 1: Materials

Materials:

1/8" Cold Rolled Steel
1/8" ABS Sheet
5/16" Steel Rod
Steel Wire (16-14) Gauge
Epoxy or Super Glue
Black Paint

Tools:

Welder
Bandsaw (or some other saw capable of cutting 1/8" steel)
Drill Press
Milling Machine
Angle Grinder
Clamps
Pliers

Comments

[black hole]

Excellent work, 5* and favorited, but I'd ditch the back spike. I've never, and will never, understand the reasoning behind a back spike on a tomahawk. Why in the name of all that is holy would you want a sharpened piece of metal pointing right at your face? If you're chopping would and it rebounds, BAM! Left eye gone. If you're using it in a combat situation, and you lose control for a nanosecond, BAM! Nice new hole in your chest.

Sigh. Humans. Sometimes I doubt we are truly the smartest things on the planet.

[pj63]

I would have turned the bottom edge (From the Middle to the Head) into a SAW EDGE so you can control the cut and it should be lighter work because of the weight of the 'Multi-tool'

[thegoom]

You could attach an anchor point at the base of the handle and a new attachment for the head and run a chainsaw chain in between them.

[Conqured]

Very well done, indeed. Keep it up.

[mech.asn]

Great Job! I would recommend making the angles in the Tee section curved, because of stress concentration. This should help reduce the risk of cracking.

and just FYI tools (such as hammers) are made from tough material, so they wont chip (i.e., dangerous flying pieces of metal) and are surface hardened to reduce wear. Also, I don't know how the material will behave after welding too.

[flamesami]

very well executed, but I just can't understand what you need a backspike for? at least, not for practical usage (unless you hunt bears with it) ;) Overall, it sems to be a very sturdy multitool-thingy

[burnerjack01]

For your average innovative type, this is REALLY good! For a highschool student? (*&&^)(*P Brilliant!!! Outstanding job! with a little refinement this could be a marketable product. Really outstanding. Hope to see more from you.

[Grimmy Grim]

Outstanding, thank you very much! A lot of us think about this and even attempt it, you did well!

[{Havoc}.Goliath]

I love it, I think I will try making one too. Just for something to go by, what are the approximate measurements for the handle and head attachment area?

[Druin]

As long as you have such a flat handle, why not make it a flat bar for pulling nails and prying? Also suggest a saw attachment head.

[yoyology]

Tool addition: spade head that attaches to both attachment points at once.

Also, make sure the hole at the bottom is sized right for pulling tent stakes. That's the only thing that crappy plastic stake mallets are good for.

[ineverfinishanyth]

just added a shovel attachment!

[yoyology]

Very nice!

[shveet]

great ible, inspired to make me make one before the summer occours haha i have an idea, using the same method you made the shovel, well instead of a shovel, a hand saw could work.
thanks again for the post, ill try and make one the first chance i get :D

[ineverfinishanyth]

Thank you! I'd love to see pictures once you're done!

[Basement_Craftsman]

Wow. I can't wait to see the other attachments.

[ineverfinishanyth]

just added pictures of the hammer!

[ineverfinishanyth]

....and the shovel!

[acoleman3]

you need to turn the amperage up mate. not enough penetration is your problem. if you're running 1/8 in 7018, use around 95 to 100 amps and keep the arc length short. nice ible btw.

[Edwin Da Freak]

Hi there....Nice concept and 'Ible.
Welding comes with practice. Get some scrap and start burning some rod.
I would like to make a suggestion: Maybe thread the posts of the "Attachment Mechanism" instead of welding. This way you could have a roll up tool bag of all the diffrent "Heads" for whatever situation may come up. Slotted pry bar, wrenches, spanners, ice pic, or whatever gets thrown at you. Maybe inspiration from a Leather Man with all it's diffrent things.
A lanyard of braided paracord, with a caribiner, and the allen wrench attached to change heads.
This would also give you a shot at the following contests: Paracord, tools, multi use, make it real, even possibly extreme. WIN all around.
Keep up the great work.

[EngineerJakit]

As another thought, why not have the "Heads" be one piece instead of two? That way there can be one attachment mechanism inserted perpendicular to the handle. (lining it up with the top of the T and not in line with the handle.)

[ineverfinishanyth]

I considered this initially, but I decided to use two attachment mechanisms so that I could make different combinations of the "heads". (hammer w/ hatchet, hatchet with backspike, hammer with backspike, etc.)

[srilyk]

Hammer with hammer ;)

[EngineerJakit]

Seeing as how my dad knows a few things about sporting goods, tools, and weapons, I PM'd you something.

[Tray]

Maybe some hex-shaped holes near the bottom (heel?) of the handle that correspond to bolt head sizes 5/16" and larger. A standard plier based multitool becomes less-effective at loosening bolts/nuts once the size nears the limit of the plier's spread. Some holes in the handle would fill the gap awhile offering additioanl leverage to the user. Maybe a "gas-valve" slot and a "water-valve" slot also. Would make a great SHTF "all-in-wonder" response tool. Nice Job!

[EmcySquare]

As for the handle with the ABS insert you might consider using PINS like those used to attach handles scales to full tang knifes: I'd use a 1/4 inch steel rod, make the hole and solder it. Stronger I'd guess. I would not trust glue as it might fail for different heat, humidity, weadher in general

Excellent job and idea. I'll try to make my own once I get a welder and learn to use it. ;-)

More ideas here: http://www.crovelfoldingshovel.com/

[desertsniper]

now i have to ask, did you harden that axe head? if not you might want to get a peice of hi carbon steal and make a propper axe head. it will last longer and stay sharper. great project! really well thought out and exellent finish!

[rachel]

Excellent idea and implementation! Do you think it would be a strong enough handle if you used only one length of plate? i.e. extend the spacer out into a handle, and just have the head section be triple layered. If I ever went camping I'd make one of these... I might anyway because it looks really fun.

[salomon1996]

Thats soo cool! Great job! :D

[chuck mandana]

You mentioned this for backpacking. What is the weight of the handle and two heads?

[ineverfinishanyth]

It all comes in at under 2 pounds, which may seem a little heavy for backpacking. Keep in mind, however, that this tool takes the place of a hammer, shovel, hatchet, etc. These can easily push 5 pounds if carried as separate tools.

[EngineerJakit]

What kind of materials do you think the handle could be made of other than steel? I bet a hardy, yet workable oak or some other age-resilient wood would be good for a handle.

[One.]

Cool! This is an amazing idea. There are so many countless attachments possible for this tool. Good job.

[rimar2000]

Clever design, neatly done!

On the welds, don't worry about aesthetics, the important is to be strong. You can always arrange it with a little grinder.

[Digital Wizard]

Nice idea, well excecuted. Practice your welding and it'll be perfect. ;)