Replacemant Grips for Pliers ?

jakemac · Jun 18, 2013

I have a bunch of old pliers of various configurations and sizes that I've picked up over the years, Many of them are missing the plastic handle grips or need to have the grip replaced. I've tried that dipping stuff, but didn't like the results.

Recently, I've picked up a bunch of old Utica pliers without the grip.

The only replacement grips that I've been able to find online are Klein grips in red, and some miserable tenite grips that are too big. Neither are quite right.

I'm looking for thin blue or green plastic (or plastic like) grips to replace the original ones on my other Utica pliers and other old brands.

Does anyone know of an online source for replacement plier handle grips ?

PAPERMAKER · Jun 18, 2013

http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip

joedodge · Jun 18, 2013

use plastidip grip you can buy the can at homedepot near the tools. its basically liquid tape in different colors you just dip the handles and legt it dry. works well

joedodge · Jun 18, 2013

beat me to it lol

jakemac · Jun 18, 2013

Thanks, but I've tried it. I didn't like the results. I'd prefer slip on replacements if they're available.

buening · Jun 18, 2013

I've seen guys use heat shrink tube meant for electrical wiring. Get the quality stuff and not the HF ****. The only downfall is that it won't cover the ends of the handles, which is where you may possibly use plastidip should it be a concern.

senor fozz · Jun 18, 2013

I like the heat shrink idea. GO 3M if your interested in it, several colors available.

bob from indiana · Jun 19, 2013

Klein makes red slip on grips for pliers. they are larger diameter than most but are very tough. Many electricans use them.

CWP1616L · Jun 19, 2013

I'm absolutely amazed there aren't more options out there for plier grips. I guess nobody sees the market potential. Somebody could make a killing if they came up with a kit for textured grips like Snap-on has on their pliers.

astrodoggie3000 · Jun 19, 2013

I'm sure it is all designed to get you too buy more pliers... companies make more money that way.

steveo3002 · Jun 19, 2013

if you decide on heat shrink look for glue lined , it wont move then and its pretty thick

if you push the end against something smooth while its hot it will smooth over a bit

CWP1616L · Jun 19, 2013

If somebody came out with heat shrinkable plier grips that were closed on one end......they'd make a killing.

rlitman · Jun 19, 2013

Plastidip needs to be applied in several layers. At less than three coats, it is worthlessly thin. By around 10 coats, the buildup approaches Channellock, but you have to work on the drip with each coat.

HF actually does have quality heat shrink. Look at the marine stuff. But heatshrink doesn't make a good plier grip. Fuel hose does though, if you want something tubular in shape.

CWP1616L · Jun 19, 2013

rlitman said:
Plastidip needs to be applied in several layers.

I didn't know you could apply several layers......will the 2nd layer bond to the 1st layer and so on?

jakemac · Jun 19, 2013

CWP1616L said:
I didn't know you could apply several layers......will the 2nd layer bond to the 1st layer and so on?

Yes, but each layer is really thin. To get a useable thickness you need to build up the layers. The time you need to invest isn't worth the results. Not to mention the time waiting for the layers to dry.

I have no interest in making plier grips a new hobby. There are too many other projects on my To-Do list that I could be ignoring. That is why I was hoping to find a source of slip-ons that had the same feel as the original smooth grips on the old Utica pliers.

I'm not really interested in modern chushy ergonomic bedazzled grips that don't fit human hands.

It's slippery smooth plastic grips for me, thank you very much ! :bounce:

rlitman · Jun 19, 2013

jakemac said:
Yes, but each layer is really thin. To get a useable thickness you need to build up the layers. The time you need to invest isn't worth the results. Not to mention the time waiting for the layers to dry.

Agreed. Channellock and others use a hot dipping process that applies the handle in one dip, with no solvents to evaporate out and dry.

I've seen DIY-able hot dip vinyl coatings applied from a hot wax pot, but these generally aren't that strong. This is the peelable stuff that you find on milling cutters, etc.

Maybe you could melt a bunch of glue sticks and color in a wax pot, but I would expect that the longer the glue stick stays melted, the more problems you will experience, so this isn't necessarily something good for small batches.

TheGrooveking · Jun 19, 2013

If you watch the Channellock video you can see their dipping process and that is a single coat. I've read on GJ about how you need to thin Plastidip to get good results, I too have used in the past with only minor success.

TheGrooveking

buening · Jun 19, 2013

Has anyone tried dipping handles in a gallon of brush on bedliner? It might provide more of a grip than the smooth plasti-dip, and it should adhere fine since it holds extremely well to truck beds.

jakemac · Jun 19, 2013

Does it come in blue ?

LOL

buening · Jun 19, 2013

They do have tintable bed liner, though its not the cheap stuff you can buy at Walmart.

Milton Shaw · Jun 19, 2013

Try dip and then the Klein over the top of the dip. The Klein were too big for my side cutters but after a dip they fit fine.

jakemac · Jun 19, 2013

The Klein's are too thick. I can make them work if I have to, but they don't feel right.

It sounds like I'm being picky, I am. I want what I want, and can't get past it. I'm surprise/disappointed that with all the chinese junk that is sold here, no-one is supplying grips for the good stuff. Not even cheap junk.

rlitman · Jun 19, 2013

I too don't care for the feel of the Klein grips, and they're far from one size fits all, but for those trying to wrestle with them, just a tip. Drip them in nearly boiling water for a minute before you try to put them on.

dj spanners · Jun 19, 2013

years ago you could get replacement plier grips from snap on but I seem to remember they were only available in black, not sure if they still do em.

PugetDude · Jun 19, 2013

http://www.re-grip.com/

Hootbro · Jun 19, 2013

PugetDude said:
http://www.re-grip.com/

Interesting but they do not offer product that will go below 0.63" diameter. That leaves out most pliers.

Mohawk Dave · Jun 19, 2013

Ok, here's some for Grobet-Vigor� German pliers...WTH are those?

link to all colors, about half down...http://www.aitindustries.com/cscart/optical-pliers/replacement-parts.html

link to blue ones...http://www.aitindustries.com/cscart/pliers-grips-blue.html

Mohawk Dave · Jun 19, 2013

Has anyone mentioned IDEAL replacement grips....https://www.google.com/search?q=ide...FIDEAL-Replacement-Plier-Grips-10J826;250;250

jakemac · Jun 19, 2013

Mohawk Dave said:
Has anyone mentioned IDEAL replacement grips....

I tried those first. They are way too big for the sizes listed. They are also thick, like the Kleins. I may use them on a pair of 10" pliers that I have on the way. I'll know after they make their way though the postal system.

I'll look at the link to german ones when I have more time.

Mohawk Dave · Jun 19, 2013

I'm with ya jakemac. I want to duplicate Channellock grips on everything.

I have BIG hands, and I hate BIG grips. Those CL Code Blue are annoying, the replacement Kleins are too bulky.

I'm about to melt down a tire and get to dippin.

jakemac · Jun 19, 2013

Mohawk Dave said:
I'm about to melt down a tire and get to dippin.

You'll have to let me know what your local fire dept has to say about that after the neighbors tattle on you. :FIREdevil

Mohawk Dave · Jun 19, 2013

jakemac said:
You'll have to let me know what your local fire dept has to say about that after the neighbors tattle on you.

lol...no kidding. And I live next door to the mayor. For real. :lol_hitti

But when I do my own "controlled burnings" I just do them in the winter in the middle of a big *** rain storm. Heavy clouds, smoke blends in. So, I'll let you know how the tire thing goes next winter!

vssjim · Jun 19, 2013

Diamond used to sell grips but like them they are gone too.

jakemac · Jun 20, 2013

OK, so I checked out the link for the grips for the Grobet-Vigor� German pliers. They might be what I'm looking for, but the site doesn't list the size. By the look of the pliers that they sell, it appears that they fit small nipper sized tools. The pliers that they sell are for repairing optical glasses (spectacles to us old farts

), so I doubt that the grips would fit an average size pair of pliers.

The grips are $5ea and they have a $25 minimum before shipping to order. Their shipping charges are insane, so ordering a sample is right out. I'll keep the link in case I get (more) desperate, but for now ....... The hunt is still on.

NoxiousBurrito · Jun 20, 2013

You can still properly cover the grip of a plier with heat shrink.

Cut the heat shrink piece with a little extra at the end of where you want the grip to be.

Use a heat gun to shrink it. Continue to the base, then keep applying heat. Heat shrink has a melting point.

When the heat shrink begins to melt use another pair of pliers to pinch the shrink around the base of the plier handle.

Then use a knife to cut off around the handle. Not perfect, but still offers a pretty good replacement.

2 layers of heat shrink makes for a nice amount of bulk on the grip.

archirelic · Jun 20, 2013

Knew a guy that would replace his pliers grip with that heavily textured skateboard grip tape. He'd purchase it in rolls and apply it as needed to pliers that had lost their grip. After applying the grip tape, he'd run it through plastidip once or twice just to cover up enough of the abrasiveness.

I've worked with a couple pair of his pliers and they've got no slip in your hand and the plastidip does well to not tear the **** out of your hands.

jakemac · Jun 21, 2013

So, after nearly going blind reading multiple pages of various google searches, I found a better source for replacement handle grips similar to the ones at the AIT Industries site. But without a minimum order requirement. ------------- AMAZON - DOH !!!!!!!

I think that they are for small pliers used to repair eyeglasses, but that's ok, I have some small tools that I can use them on. I ordered 1 set of the blue ones to use as a sample. We'll see how long they are (no-one gives dimensions) when they arrive. I'm hoping that they can be used on at least 6" pliers, but I doubt it, maybe 4". I'll try to remember to post an update after they arrive.

In the mean time, here's the link if anyone else wants to check them out :
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...rial&field-keywords=OptiSource+handle+sleeves

six206 · Jun 21, 2013

Mohawk Dave said:
Ok, here's some for Grobet-Vigor� German pliers...WTH are those?

link to all colors, about half down...http://www.aitindustries.com/cscart/optical-pliers/replacement-parts.html

link to blue ones...http://www.aitindustries.com/cscart/pliers-grips-blue.html

Grobet is a company that makes jewelry tools (I'm a jeweler) and I've re-gripped lots of pliers before with the both the grobet and plastidip. The Grobet ones won't really work unless your pliers are small. Someone mentioned you have to thin plastidip a little and that's true for a better result. I also put it on a bunch of other tools that that don't have grips but now do. More coats the better.

CWP1616L · Jun 21, 2013

I tried that Plastidip one time and that stuff is so thin, it looks more like paint.

six206 · Jun 21, 2013

you've got to get at least 10 coats on there to get anywhere close to something the factory feel, it takes a little time but it's worth it.

Replacemant Grips for Pliers ?

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