#3 "EVR production tool pt.1"
...For me, who spent most of my elementary school years in Nagoya, the heat could be described as scorching (I was born in Hokkaido and have a weak tolerance for heat...), so the old model shop about 30 minutes' walk from my house was a great pleasure, with its blazing air conditioning.
The shop owner had the air of an old lady, and I remember that she was never annoyed by me as I continued to come back to buy a new torque-tuned motor, modifying it and breaking it every time.
One day, I was looking at a tool set made by T Co. (I think it was about 2000 yen, discontinued before 2010) to buy the old lady her first ever Phillips head screwdriver.
"Professionals don't use Phillips head screwdrivers. They only need flat head screwdrivers."
And so, I was told a few words that would later influence much of my outlook on life.
....15 years have passed since then. The things I assemble are no longer Mini 4WDs, but effectors. The assembly place has also changed from Nagoya to various places, but even now, I can't start anything without a flathead screwdriver.
Simply turning a screw. That kind of work makes up less than 10% of my time. I also cut the tape on the cardboard boxes that contain the materials that arrive every day, bend the hard lead parts that are mounted on the circuit board, bend the wiring while holding it down with the tip to make it bend neatly at 90 degrees, and use it to check simple conductivity...
Well, to be honest, you can easily make an effects pedal with just a screwdriver, pliers, and a soldering iron.
I often do prototyping overseas or tinker with effects pedals, so I always carry this flathead screwdriver with me when I travel. (Note that some airlines may ask you a few questions when you check in.)
Now, when I say a flathead screwdriver, this one is the only one that will absolutely not work, but it's hard to tell from the photo because it's been used so much, so I'll give you some details.
The model is PB SWISS TOOLS 120-0-60 0.4×2.5.
Basically there is a standard orange version and a yellow version for ESD (electrostatic discharge).
By the way, this model was discontinued in the 2010s, and its successor is the PB 8128,
The current model is a bit too long at 173mm in length,
The PB 8128 0.25 50 model (the 143mm version mentioned above, which is close to the original 120-0-60) was discontinued in Japan a while ago, but is still in stock and is recommended.
We had bought 120-0-60 by the dozen a few times, so we should have bought 50 or 60 in total, but we had been preaching to other builders (lol), and we forgot them on the plane, so we ended up with only two of these yellow ESD compatible ones (!).
Naturally, it is made in Switzerland, but the smoothness of the end cap (convenience), the chemical resistance of the grip (I've soaked it in acetone over and over, and it still manages to withstand it), and the driver part is made of a special alloy based on ultra-high precision spring steel that retains its shine...it's a national treasure.
By the way, the grandma's comment at the beginning may be misleading. Sure, a pro may have every bit and a toolbox with dozens of screwdrivers to fit every screw.
However, it is true that flathead screwdrivers are far more versatile and have more depth than Phillips screwdrivers.
I usually tell myself to make circuits that are subtractive (-) instead of adding (+). Maybe this is the design philosophy behind it.
Now, the next important thing is the nippers.
Speaking of myself, I have been using the RX8148 from Lindström, Sweden, for many years as my signature guitar, or rather as an extension of my right hand.
As with the PB driver, I haven't had a chance to write about why it turned out this way.
First of all, the role of a nipper in making an effector is almost exclusively to "cut wires and leads." This is completely different from the flathead screwdriver mentioned above. This is a very important point to start with when choosing what to use.
When I was around 19, I started making my own effects pedals using domestically made pliers that cost around 1,000 yen and were sold at hardware stores. However, by the time I was 20, I was no longer satisfied with domestic precision pliers that cost around 3,000-4,000 yen, so I switched to a model called "78 61 125" made by a German manufacturer called KNIPEX.
What I remember from back then is that the main difference between domestically produced nippers and foreign-made nippers was the durability of their sharpness and the ergonomics of the grip (comfort when used for long periods of time).
This "78 61 125" is used by many professionals, and in Germany, it is lined up in large numbers at home improvement stores, and has a long history as a national tool. We at Leqtique EVR have very limited uses for it, but we do occasionally use it to cut relatively large terminals, taking advantage of the strong cutting ability of the Max CU (copper) 1.6mm thickness. It would be unhealthy for Leqtique (EVR) to not have even one of these.
Knipex (Germany) - 78 61 125
Cross-section flatness: 6/10
Cutting capacity: 10/10
Sharpness durability: 7/10 (However, the stability is extremely high even after tens of thousands of uses)
Impact on hands when cutting: 4/10
Grip ergonomics: 5/10
Changes in spring parts over time (ease of wear): 7/10
Precision of the head during board manufacturing: 3/10
Overall score: 6/10 (Of course, this one does everything, but there are many areas that could be improved)
Well, considering that I was already using the Lindstrom RX8148 at Musikmesse (the German version of NAMM) in 2013 (not to mention the flathead screwdriver from Swiss Tools mentioned above. This is how it was actually used), I wonder if I was using the Knipex for just a little over a year. I don't really remember.
In other words, although the Knipex heads are large and designed for precision electronics, they were not very good at pinpointing leads, so I decided to look for a more specialized pair of pliers.
As a result, I found Lindstro(ö)m in Sweden, and I was shocked to learn that at the time, overseas manufacturers had different levels of nippers depending on the flatness of the cut surface, such as "SEMI FLUSH", "FLUSH", "SEMI FULL FLUSH", and "FULL FLUSH" ("PERFECT FULL FLUSH"). (The more you go down the level, the more completely flat the cut surface will be.)
(ref : Ideal-tek SWISS)
It was clear from the start that the RX8148 would be the perfect tool for pedal construction due to its size, head size and the fact that it is FULL FLUSH, among Lindstrom's precision electronics/medical grade nippers.
(ref: Lindstrom tools SWEDEN)
I was also blown away by the mechanism called BIOSPRING, which allows you to adjust the hardness to three levels, for left-handed and right-handed use. Although this has some issues with durability, the idea and practicality of this nipper are the best of all.
Well, the first thing I got was Lindstrom RX8148, Made in Sweden, made in the 2000s. I vaguely remember buying it from a jewelry shop in Turkey. At the time, it wasn't properly distributed outside of Japan, or even parts of the EU, and was only available in geeky shops in various fields. However, it can't be used to cut diamonds, and I wonder what it's used for in jewelry...
The balance of the RX8148 at this time is outstanding, and everything is at a high level. If you switch from a KNIPEX "78 61 125", you will feel the same shock as switching from a bicycle to a Tesla EV. Perfect balance around the pivot point, a grip that does not tire even after 20 hours of continuous use, a head that can capture the tip of the lead with pinpoint accuracy, a perfectly flat cross section...
98% of the production of Leqtique (-2018) was done with these nippers at that time. I probably used 7-8 of them.
Lindstrom (Sweden) - RX8148
Cross-section flatness: 9/10
Cutting capacity: 5/10
Sharpness retention: 8/10
Impact on hands when cutting: 9/10
Grip ergonomics: 10/10
Changes in spring parts over time (ease of wear): 7/10
Precision of the head during board manufacturing: 9/10
Overall score: 9/10 (perfect)
Now, with this level of perfection, it makes you want to go back to the original 1990s model...
This is the RX8148 from the SANDVIK LINDSTRÖM era before it became the Lindstrom brand. This model number is thought to be one of the earliest (Lindstrom itself has been around since 1856 and is one of the oldest tool manufacturers still in existence).
Of course, there is not much difference between this knife and the Swedish-made Lindstrom RX8148, but cosmetically speaking, the pale blue color is a little un-Swedish and very cool, and the durability of its sharpness and the lack of shock to the hand when cutting make it a work of art.
I remember buying this on Ebay about 15 years ago, but it's a family heirloom. I used it to cut some SND # serial numbers and make point-to-point boards. I only have one left, so I'm still looking for a replacement.
SANDVIK LINDSTRÖM (Sweden) - RX8148
Cross-section flatness: 9/10
Cutting capacity: 5/10
Sharpness retention: 10/10 (Even after 30 years, it probably hasn't changed much, which is impossible...)
Impact on hands when cutting: 10/10 (cutting does have a slight impact on hands, but it actually feels good to cut lol)
Grip ergonomics: 10/10
Changes in spring parts over time (ease of wear): 7/10
Precision of the head during board manufacturing: 9/10
Overall score: 10/10 (national treasure, art)
Well, the RX8148 was perfect, but things started to look a little shaky in the 2010s. It seems that the company is aiming for international growth and has multiple manufacturing bases. And the RX8148 is no exception, and is only made in Spain (as of 2025).
The Lindstrom brand has been changed back to Lindström, which gives it a good vibe (lol), but the fact that it is made in Spain has resulted in a huge lack of strength... (To be honest, the other aspects haven't gotten that bad)
I bought 5 or 6 of them in 2017-2018 and tried them out, but the tip of each one broke or chipped within 2 or 3 months, even though I was following the Max CU 1.0mm rule.
By the way, my fellow builder friends say the same thing, so I can confirm this.
For the Lindstrom RX8148, please refer to the photo above when purchasing an older model.
LINDSTRÖM (Sweden/Spain) - RX8148
Cross section flatness: 9/10
Cutting capacity: 5/10
Sharpness durability: 1/10 (will chip or break after several thousand cuts)
Impact on hands when cutting: 8/10
Grip ergonomics: 9/10 (slightly harder than the Swedish version)
Changes in spring parts over time (ease of wear): 7/10
Precision of the head during board manufacturing: 9/10
Overall score: 3/10 (It's fine if you only use it occasionally...)
Well, during the Leqtique era, I was satisfied with the Lindstrom RX8148, thinking it was perfect and the best. Of course, I also looked for other top-of-the-line electronics/medical nippers, so I'd like to introduce them to you.
First up is the 2476TX(-1,-2) from Swiss company Erem.
Like PB Swiss Tools, Erem is a rare manufacturer that is completely based in Switzerland, but it is now under the umbrella of the UK's Weller Tools group. (...so I'm not sure what the future holds...)
The one in the photo is from an earlier period, but in the 2010s the company was the only one making precision nippers using ultra-hard tungsten carbide.
Of particular note are the 2476TX and 576TX, which use such special materials.
It has the small head and flushness that makes it just about comfortable to use in pedal manufacturing. However, precision nippers made of this material, which can also cut piano wire, are still very valuable today, so I tested them over a long period of time.
As a result, it chips like this. I thought it was typical of a super-hard material. What a shame... (By the way, this piece was given to me by my good friend, Hosokawa of CULT.)
However, the mechanism remains outstanding, with no springs visible and no sign of sagging.
EREM (Swiss) - 2476TX
Cross-section flatness: 7/10
Cutting capacity: 10/10
Durability of sharpness: 4/10 (high possibility of breaking after years of long-term use)
Impact on hands when cutting: 6/10 (maybe due to tungsten carbide)
Grip ergonomics: 8/10
Changes in spring parts over time (ease of wear): 10/10
Precision of the head during board manufacturing: 6/10
Overall score: 6/10 (the Swiss flavor is something you can't get anywhere else, but it feels incomplete)
Next, we have the Tronex 5421.
I visited a specialist tool store in northern Norway in 2014, and I was supposed to be trying out an ultrasonic soldering machine (made in Switzerland), but it was sold out, so I asked if they had any good nippers, and they gave me this.
I wasn't really impressed when I heard that it was an American-made tool, but when someone from Scandinavia recommended it to me and said, "This is amazing," I had to buy it.
Actually, I've been using this for more than 10 years for personal prototyping and occasionally, but it's quite unique and very wonderful. (Right now, it's gone somewhere and I can't take a picture of it...lol) First, let me show you the numbers.
Tronex (USA) - 5421
Cross section flatness: 10/10
Cutting capacity: 4/10
Sharpness retention: 8/10
Impact on hands when cutting: 7/10
Grip ergonomics: 9/10
Changes in spring parts over time (ease of wear): 9/10
Precision of the head during board manufacturing: 10/10
What's really different is the flatness of the cross section and the agility on the circuit board that comes from the ultra-small head. I don't think it will be possible to surpass these two points in the future.
I suspect that Excelta's cutting pliers, the most expensive made in the USA, are also OEM products of Tronex.
The grip is surprisingly hot considering its small size, and the balance, which could be described as that of a small-headed tennis racket (85-90sq), may be just right for some people.
Again, the flatness of the cutting surface and the smallness of the head are out of this world. What's more, the cutting power is still there even after 10 years.
Overall score: 8.5/10 (A different line to the RX8148, but a close score! Amazing.)
So, what happened to these stories in 2025 when EVR was introduced?
As expected, the answer was Switzerland.
The rest will be continued tomorrow.
Shun Nokina