Channellock recomends Plasti-Dip for rehandling

[geologist]

So a couple of days ago, I sent Channellock the following message via the contact form on their website:

Hello, I own several pair of Channellock / Champion DeArment tools that have been passed down through my family for decades. Thank you for building such a wonderful tool, right here in America. With that said, I was wondering if I could send my old tools in to have the handles re-dipped. I realize some of these tools never had dipped plastic handles, but I would like to bring them forward so that the last a few more generations.

A couple of days later (after the weekend had passed) I received the following response:

Mr. Biars:

I am sorry but Channellock does not have a service that enables us to re-grip tools for individual consumers. Our tools go through a very elaborate process that cleans, coats, and grips the tools in large quantities, making it impossible to grip just a few tools at a time.

There is a product found in most hardware stores that allows you to re-grip a tool yourself. I have even seen this in a color very similar to the Channellock blue. Please check with your local Lowes or Home Depot to see if they can help you with this product.

Thanks for contacting Channellock
Dee-Dee
Channellock Customer Service

So there you have it... Blue Plasti-Dip is the choice of Channellock for re-gripping old tools.

 

[browntown]

I've seen the "how its made" for channelock and all they do is dip a rack of 100 in a big pool of plasti-dip. Unfortunately I haven't got the knack of good plasti-dipping. I've tried a few times and made a mess of things.

 

[Davefr]

I've seen the "how its made" for channelock and all they do is dip a rack of 100 in a big pool of plasti-dip. Unfortunately I haven't got the knack of good plasti-dipping. I've tried a few times and made a mess of things.

Channellock may dip the handles in something but I can guarantee you it's not plasti-dip (ie thick paint). Their handle coating is at least 100X more durable.

I have some old channelock pliers from decades ago and the handle coatings are like new. I have some plasti dip handles and they've disintegrated in less then 1 year.

 

[Jim85IROC]

I suspect it's some sort of rubberized 2-part epoxy based product.

I wonder how some of these RTV Liquid Urethane epoxies would work:
http://www.uscomposites.com/moldmaking.html

 

[kythri]

That's not really a recommendation or endorsement by Channellock.

Plasti-dip ***** for anything more than show.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

bargain brand tools ..what about the rust ?

 

[HandyManny]

bargain brand tools ..what about the rust ?

Far from it. I put Channellock in category of a maker who still produces a very high quality hand tool right here in this country by Americans, and is still able to do so at a fair price while making it's products readily available to virtually anyone. What other domestic hand tool maker is still doing all of that?

 

[HandyManny]

Channellock may dip the handles in something but I can guarantee you it's not plasti-dip (ie thick paint). Their handle coating is at least 100X more durable.

I have some old channelock pliers from decades ago and the handle coatings are like new. I have some plasti dip handles and they've disintegrated in less then 1 year.

I don't think anyone was saying that Channellock uses Plasti-dip. They just recommended that for after market re-gripping.

I think the stuff Channellock uses in it manufacturing is a type of vinyl.

 

[HandyManny]

I suspect it's some sort of rubberized 2-part epoxy based product.

I wonder how some of these RTV Liquid Urethane epoxies would work:
http://www.uscomposites.com/moldmaking.html

I think the compound they use is some type of vinyl. I'm sure it's a proprietary material, but likely a vinyl blended with something.

 

[browntown]

I don't think anyone was saying that Channellock uses Plasti-dip.

I think I suggested it. I didn't mean the same product though, just the same type of process. I'm glad to know that other people haven't had plasti-dip success either. I thought I was just doing it wrong.

Channellock is my favorite plier manufacturer. For the cost, they're the best made in the usa you can find. Rust is rarely an issue where I live, but I do hose down new channellock products in wd-40 and give them a wipe before putting away after reuse. One of my toungue and grooves did rust pretty bad once and needed the wire-wheel.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Does make you think... what is Channellock using to coat their tool handles? The coating is very durable. We may have to do some experimenting!

Plasti-Dip makes an industrial version of their coating product... I wonder if its better than the regular version you pick up at a local hardware store.
http://www.plastidip.com/industrial_solutions/Plasti_Dip

 

[HandyManny]

I think I suggested it. I didn't mean the same product though, just the same type of process. I'm glad to know that other people haven't had plasti-dip success either. I thought I was just doing it wrong.

Channellock is my favorite plier manufacturer. For the cost, they're the best made in the usa you can find. Rust is rarely an issue where I live, but I do hose down new channellock products in wd-40 and give them a wipe before putting away after reuse. One of my toungue and grooves did rust pretty bad once and needed the wire-wheel.

Those things will rust in a humid damp environment. The tools didn't used to have that clear coat varnish on them until a few years ago and I don't really think it's nessesary either. It's mainly applied to keep oxidation at bay when the tools are shipped and stored in distribution or on the retailers shelf. In real use that varnish wears, scratched and chips off real fast. But I don't see slight rust or oxidation as a big problem on tools. It just adds character.

 

[BloodySinner]

They didn't even offer to replace your pliers altogether?

 

[HandyManny]

They didn't even offer to replace your pliers altogether?

Why would they? Unless there is a defect or something I see no reason for them to offer this. Wear isn't a defect. Tools that originally came without dipped handles isn't a defect.

 

[Jim85IROC]

I think the compound they use is some type of vinyl. I'm sure it's a proprietary material, but likely a vinyl blended with something.

That's entirely possible, but the RTV Urethane may still represent a suitable solution that's more functional than the Plasti-Dip option.

 

[HandyManny]

That's entirely possible, but the RTV Urethane may still represent a suitable solution that's more functional than the Plasti-Dip option.

Possibly. I never have used Plasti-Dip so I can't comment either way on it. But the RTV you suggest may likey be a better solution. I first encountered blue dipped handles on Channellock tools in the very early 1970's if my memory serves me well, those early blue dipped versions were initially the industrial versions of their tools (now all their pliers have been standardized with coated handles). Many of my tools from that era still have most of their dipped coating on the handles despite heavy use, but that's not to say those blue coatings aren't filthy with grease, grime, and dirt from heavy use as well as being chewed up, torn in areas, and worn through at the ends on some of my early dipped pliers.

 

[geologist]

I have 8 Channellock / Champion DeArment tools that have been dipped in red Plasti-Dip 4 times each. The first coat is paper thin, but the coats seem to get progressively thicker. It's strange really.


Here are *some* of the tools before:




After dipping (drying process):




1 dip vs 4 dips:




Thickness comparison (4 dips sandwiched between a U.S. dime and U.S. penny):

 

[jeffmoss26]

Red? Nooooo!!!

 

[geologist]

Red? Nooooo!!!

I hunted for Plasti-Dip within an hour radius of my house, and red and black were the only colors I could find without ordering it online. Channellock used to make some slip-on handle replacements a few decades ago, but have since stopped making them. Many of those were offered in red, and after searching far and wide for blue (and finding only red and black), my logic was that I would rather have red than black.

In theory I could always dip them in blue (if I ever find it locally) and then my grips would vaguely resemble the new CodeBlue offerings.

 

[jdv]

I have 8 Channellock / Champion DeArment tools that have been dipped in red Plasti-Dip 4 times each. The first coat is paper thin, but the coats seem to get progressively thicker. It's strange really.

Just wondering how has the durable the new handles are and how they've held up? How long ago did you dip them? I have a couple channellocks and a few other pliers that have torn up handles.

Klein also makes replacement handles.

 

[Outlawmws]

I did PD on a number of plier-type tools and wrenches more than 30 years ago, and with one or two exceptions, they are still good to go. Multiple dips was key to getting a reasonably thick coating. getting the handles clean and dry is a pretty obvious prep.

before I actually diped tem, I hit them breifly with a Bernz-O-matic torch, adn this gets any sub surface moisture out (you can see the moisture condense then evaporate as you heat them).

I probably dipped them warm, (but not hot)

Steve, you might try getting them more than warm, but far from any extremely hot temp, and see if that might gives you a thicker first coat? How hot is too hat is the question. maybe 350-400 in an oven?

 

[HandyManny]

Just wondering how has the durable the new handles are and how they've held up? How long ago did you dip them? I have a couple channellocks and a few other pliers that have torn up handles.

Klein also makes replacement handles.

The Kleins appear to be slip-ons, wonder how easy they slip off during use?

 

[Outlawmws]

I posted some pics of mine, in another thread recently:


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1984733&postcount=20

 

[plinker]

I think some silicone/RTV would work for keeping the grips on, wouldnt take much in the tip of the handle. I had a grip slide off of some Klien wirestrippers and it looked like it had been RTV'd on.


I think Snap-on either did or does sell replacement grips. If you can get long enough heat shrink tube that would work as well, not quite perfect though.

 

[sickytwisted]

The Kleins appear to be slip-ons, wonder how easy they slip off during use?

When installing the klein grips, I was told to boil them to soften then up and use hairspray as lubrication. I think the should last a few years.

 

[ishiboo]

I'm sure with the process they use, it's not at all feasible to dip individual tools for customers, and doing one would introduce a whole slew of people wanting their old tools dipped. So fair enough they said no, and kudos for at least providing a suggestion and not just the "no"!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Steven, I thought you were going to use the 'make your own color' kit?

 

[camarotoolman]

I have put blue heat shrink tape on them, at least they looked better. I have got new Chanellocks, the plastic is warrented, but had to go to Meadville to get it, and them go back later to pick the new ones up. I'm from there so its not that big a deal for me.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

I think the red looks kind of cool. You will have to let us know how the grips hold up. most of my pliers are channellock and knipex and when the grips give out on them I don't want to rebuy if I dont have to.

Good luck.
Sean Scott

 

[MattT]

If you can get long enough heat shrink tube that would work as well, not quite perfect though.

Heavy adhesive lined shrink sleeving works well. The thinner unlined stuff ain't worth bothering with. Tears too easily.

 

[geologist]

Just wondering how has the durable the new handles are and how they've held up? How long ago did you dip them? I have a couple channellocks and a few other pliers that have torn up handles.

Klein also makes replacement handles.

The Klein replacements are kind of pricey. I didn't pay much for the tools, and I wasn't sure the Klein replacements would work for all of them. Since I wanted a relatively uniform appearance, I dipped all of them. I dipped 4 of them a week ago (3 coats) then 4 of them this week (3 coats) then I dipped all 8 of them for a final coat. The longer the handles cure, the better they seem to be as far as durability. They're reasonably cut resistant (I used a razor to cut them to size).

Steve, you might try getting them more than warm, but far from any extremely hot temp, and see if that might gives you a thicker first coat? How hot is too hat is the question. maybe 350-400 in an oven?

350 to 400 would be a bit much (in my opinion) simply because of how the serrations in the jaws themselves are tempered. On top of that, it turns out that Plasti-Dip is actually really flammable, probably due to the chemicals used to keep it in a fluid state while its in the can. My oven goes down to 175, which is what I heat metal to that I'm intending to reblue, so that might work for the Plasti-Dip as well.

Steven, I thought you were going to use the 'make your own color' kit?

I was originally going to, but since I determined that it would take more than one can of Plasti-Dip to accomplish my re-dip project, I wasn't sure I would be able to get them close to the same color. To do 8 pliers / cutters / etc it took 1 full can and about 1/4th of another. I used a clear plastic ketchup/mustard bottle from Walmart to dip the handles in when I started running low on the first can. That let me squeeze the sides to make the Plasti-Dip go farther.

In hindsight, Plasti-Dip cans could benefit from being a little wider and a little deeper. When I was doing the final coat on my needle nose and my linemans pliers, I was having trouble preventing the sides of the handles from rubbing on the sides of the can. Sure, I could have dipped one side at a time, but that's easier said than done.

 

[pavmentango]

I don't think anyone was saying that Channellock uses Plasti-dip. They just recommended that for after market re-gripping.

I think the stuff Channellock uses in it manufacturing is a type of vinyl.

You would be correct because I'm allergic to it and any new channellock will make fingers burn after awhile. The older stuff is softer and much, much nicer blue too.

 

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[JradM]

A 11-year-old thread resurrection? Why not!

There's also a product called "Color Guard" from Loctite. I bought a can in a Channellock-like blue awhile ago. Never got around to dipping my tools though.

Someone on the forum suggested it was a little tougher than plasti-dip - but obviously I can neither confirm nor deny.

 

[FredWanaker]

it would be nice if something worked. I have several pairs of wire cutters etc where the original coating slips when I use them. I'd love to recoat them but if one goes back to the early parts of this 11 year old thread, there are comments about how the retail dip falls apart in less than a year.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

... I have several pairs of wire cutters etc where the original coating slips when I use them. ...

I had the same problem. A couple drops of Krazy glue (the thick stuff) worked for me.

 

[minke]

Peelable? Is that what you want?

from: https://plastidip.com/about/

“ Plasti Dip is an air-dry, specialty rubber coating. In fact, it’s the original peelable, flexible, insulating, non-slip, durable rubber coating. “

 

[no704]

Works great, clean old handles well first. Takes 5-6 coats. Have all your tools lined up! Can is good for maybe 5 days after opened.

 

[matthew]

I think it was plasti-dip I used to rehandle a pair of tongue and groove pliers. I may be the exception that it worked well for me and has lasted.

If my memory serves me right, it’s kind of counterintuitive to dip. Its viscosity changes with the rate of movement, so it might work better dipping quickly than slowly.

 

[AA/FC]

lol