5 Gal bucket handle mods

NUTTSGT · Oct 22, 2015

So I'm currently working on the basement, lowering the floor level, stoning and pouring some concrete. I'm hauling all the dirt out, stone and concrete back down in 5 gal buckets.

The issue I have run into, as many of us have, is that the bucket handles are breaking. Other than the handles, there's nothing wrong with the buckets so no need to swap them out. Today I made a couple of quick wraps with some electrical tape, it was the closest at hand.

I considered using some hose or PVC pipe over the handles but wanted some input here. . .

So my question to those ingenious members of GJ, what have you done to reinforce/mod the handles on your 5 gal buckets ? What works and what doesn't ?

Thanks.

raddksn · Oct 22, 2015

All I got for you is two half full buckets are easyer to carry than one full!

rlitman · Oct 22, 2015

Rubber air hose.

Openboater · Oct 22, 2015

I like the idea of carrying less weight in the buckets. Easier on the back too. t

al bundy2 · Oct 22, 2015

do what the boaters do...Get some nice, thick braided dock lines (can be bought by the foot), I think I used 1/2 inch. also get a washer with an inner diameter that matches the size of your line. drill a hole that matches your line through the bucket where each side of the handle attaches. Thread the line through the hole and then the washer on the inside of the bucket. Taping the end of the line will help. Get a serious fire source like a torch and melt the end of the line and then push it against something to make a nice mushroom shape

This will give you a very comfortable rope handle that is stronger than what came with the bucket. Down side to this technique is if you want to stack buckets, there are ways to do the same thing and still stack them but it is much trickier. good luck

NUTTSGT · Oct 22, 2015

raddksn said:
All I got for you is two half full buckets are easyer to carry than one full!

Openboater said:
I like the idea of carrying less weight in the buckets. Easier on the back too. t

Those going out with dirt are 2/3-3/4 full. Those coming in with stone are about 3/4 or just over full and the concrete buckets are about 1/2 full.

I learned long ago, more loads with less are easier on the body than few loads with more.

fullthrottle24 · Oct 22, 2015

Drill holes in bucket and run rope with a double fishermen(prusik). Webbing would work also, but probably harder to carry though.

G_P · Oct 22, 2015

rlitman said:
Rubber air hose.

That's what I've done.

Strouty · Oct 22, 2015

Are you talking just the plastic grip part or the entire handle breaking?

When we paint towers, I put a 1 gallon can inside a 5 gallon bucket to help keep the mess down to a minimum. I use what they call nine wire to reinforce the handles, basically it goes through the side of the bucket and wraps (spirals) around the original metal handle then goes through the other side of the bucket. I have never had one break off.

If I was looking to make the handle more comfortable, the air hose or even electrical tape might work.

theoldwizard1 · Oct 22, 2015

Get some rope (double braided nylon is the best). Cut 2 pieces that are about 4"-6" longer than the distance from the top of the bucket to the bottom, across the bottom and then back up the other side. Arrange these in a cross with 4 equal arms. Use some heavy nylon upholstery thread to tie the cross together. Multiple wraps each way across the cross.

Cut another piece about 2"-4" longer than the diameter of the top of the bucket. I'm sure you see where I am going.

The big trick I have learned is if you can not make tight knots (or you need keep them very small), warp the rope in a loop around the item and then use double wall shrink tube over the part you have folded back over on to it self.

When you are done, I have a 4' crawl space with a concrete floor that I would like to turn into and 8' basement !

SARG · Oct 22, 2015

I took the time a few years ago to create new handles out of a tougher plastic that wouldn't crack.
The error in my strategy was splitting the tubing lengthwise to go over the existing wire handles ........ and then not being cautious ....... and getting the paw flesh caught in the gap.

Major pain. The replacement handles came off a lot faster than they went on.

PelicanPines · Oct 22, 2015

I use these bucket boss rubber handles... BUTTTT... I add electrical tape after installing them to secure them. As it happens if you pick up the bucket and one of these rubber things is upside down with out the tape... it just slides back off.

http://www.amazon.com/Bucket-Boss-Brand-08010-Grip/dp/B00004T83D/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445568787&sr=8-1&keywords=bucket+handle

PECVD2 · Oct 22, 2015

This is what I have done with my older buckets using an old broomstick that I cut in half lengthwise.
But I have been talking to a guy I know who has a 3D printer about making some for me.
I drilled these free hand so please don't kill me for the screw placement.

jdsac · Oct 23, 2015

Metal plumbers tape around the top just under the wide area, put your handle thru it- won't shear off

NUTTSGT · Oct 23, 2015

Strouty said:
Are you talking just the plastic grip part or the entire handle breaking?

If I was looking to make the handle more comfortable, the air hose or even electrical tape might work.

Just the plastic handle but I welcome all advice reference the handles. As far as I'm concerned the more advice, the better this thread will be for all members to search when they have a problem.

:beer:

NUTTSGT · Oct 23, 2015

theoldwizard1 said:
When you are done, I have a 4' crawl space with a concrete floor that I would like to turn into and 8' basement !

Thanks but no thanks. I already have the point wore off my shovel from all the projects that I have done here.

I do appreciate the advice.

Brian_WK · Oct 23, 2015

As I get free 5 gallon buckets, the down fall is that they have the full plastic handles that tend to break pretty easily I usually use a ratchet strap around the bucket right below the ridges.
I go around the bucket then start tightening it down. When I have about 2 fingers looseness I take the extra strapping and loop it around the strap that goes around the bucket then go over the top. Then through a 6" long piece of 1/2' pvc pipe for a handle then around the ******** the other side wrapping it around the strap that is going around the bucket a few times. Then go under the bucket to where I looped it the first time and tuck the extra strapping into the strap that is around the bucket. I then ratchet the strap tight. I do this all with the bucket upside down so that it is easier to do and not have to hold the strap around the bucket.

Brian

JonBoehman · Oct 24, 2015

I use 1/2" pvc on all of my broken bucket handles. it feels a little more comfortable too

NUTTSGT · Oct 24, 2015

I got some clear vinyl hose and I have a section of garden hose. I also already have some 1/2" & 3/4" pvc. I'm going to do a bucket handle with each and see which one I like better.

That is on the to-do list for tommorrow.

lotsoftools · Oct 24, 2015

1/2" or 3/4" PVC is what I use. Cut it to length, set it in the vise and cut a slit on one side with a hack saw or other hand saw, then put it on the wire. Wrap with electrical tape and done.

I do this will all of my buckets.

rharman · Oct 24, 2015

NUTTSGT said:
I got some clear vinyl hose and I have a section of garden hose. I also already have some 1/2" & 3/4" pvc. I'm going to do a bucket handle with each and see which one I like better.

That is on the to-do list for tommorrow.

Please do not carry any compressed air in those buckets with PVC handles!!
:lol_hitti

bczygan · Oct 24, 2015

Thinking outside the bucket.....Is there a way to fashion a chute for the trip down?

I'd be trying to think of some kind of lift too.

Bill

NUTTSGT · Oct 25, 2015

bczygan said:
Thinking outside the bucket.....Is there a way to fashion a chute for the trip down?

I'd be trying to think of some kind of lift too.

Bill

I wish there was Bill.

The back wall of the basement has the crawlspace for the back of the house, the front and west side are covered by the wrap-around porch and the east side has the garage. If it wasn't for the basement being "surrounded", I would have dug done and started replacing basement walls too.

As for a chute over the stairway, it's not wide enough and I'm not constanly working on it so that would be in the way, probably more than it would help.

NUTTSGT · Oct 25, 2015

I decided to try a different approach than choosing one material for handles. I'm going to try 4 different ones and see what works best for me.

L to R, 3/4" PVC, 3/4" copper, Swan Soft & Supple garden hose, and some 5/8" clear vinyl hose. I left the original plastic handle on the wire and put the covering over it. For this reason, I didn't think the 1/2" pvc would work. But when I walked over to grab it, I saw a short section of copper pipe (J-pole antenna) and thought of using it. I've seen enough medicinal copper commericials on TV (Tommy Copper for one) and wondered if it would help soothe that muscles after carrying buckets of dirt/stone with a copper handle. :dunno:

All set up and ready to go.

JC23 · Oct 25, 2015

Eric's post reminded me I saw a book at Lowes on the many possible uses of a five gal pail. So, with a little Google-Fu, I present

http://fivegallonideas.com/

I dig the one about emergency supplies.

welder4956 · Oct 25, 2015

This:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=21364-1410-RS510XB%2f6&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3132405&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=rel&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

If you want more cushion, put some 1" on top of that:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=21377-1410-RS512XB%2f6&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3132417&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

gregtwojeeps · Oct 25, 2015

Whew, that project makes my shoulders hurt just thinking about it. I would have to use one of these that would carry the two five gallon buckets for me. But then again, I have wussatitis. :lol_hitti

rick carpenter · Oct 27, 2015

I cut a length of pex in a spiral and "threaded" it on the handle and wrapped that with self-bonding rubber electrical tape.

rick carpenter · Oct 27, 2015

JC23 said:
Eric's post reminded me I saw a book at Lowes on the many possible uses of a five gal pail. So, with a little Google-Fu, I present

http://fivegallonideas.com/

I dig the one about emergency supplies.

One major use for 5 gal buckets is for standardized cleaning kits aka "flood buckets". The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) puts out this recipe: https://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies/Relief-Supply-Kits/Cleaning

It is the same as the one recommended by Church World Service, an ecumenical service organization of which the United Methodist Church is a member. The idea is that these can be assembled by volunteers anywhere, warehoused at appropriate locations such as the Sager Brown depot (http://www.umcor.org/Search-for-Projects/Projects/901515, click on Relief Supplies) in Baldwin LA, and then shipped in mass quantities to disaster areas. The assembling organizations take great care to ensure that volunteers follow the recipe strictly so that receiving organizations always know exactly what they are getting.

My county, Walker Co TX, suffered flooding along the Trinity River in the May-June storms. Flood buckets were shipped in for use by residents, and are still being used today. Our church made up some more flood buckets two weeks ago to add to the pipeline.

NUTTSGT · Oct 27, 2015

I carried up I believe it was 4 1/2 wheelbarrow loads today, 8 buckets to the load.

I like the vinyl hose the least then the garden hose. I think I will switch those two to the copper pipe as I felt that edged out the PVC pipe by a little bit.

NUTTSGT · Apr 19, 2025

Just an update as this was brought up elsewhere. Still rocking the copper and PVC handles a decade later. Not much carrying in/out of the basement but the modded handles have stayed on the buckets.

RonnieC · Apr 19, 2025

Just read through the thread and when I saw the ten-year update my first thought was “good lord, he’s still dragging dirt from the basement!”

NUTTSGT · Apr 19, 2025

RonnieC said:
Just read through the thread and when I saw the ten-year update my first thought was “good lord, he’s still dragging dirt from the basement!”

Well, honestly, that was a multi-year project. It just sucked and I kept putting it off till I finally said, this floor needs finished. So I got it done then moved onto the walls.

Bert_ · Apr 19, 2025

I did a similar basement project. Did you ever have a thread on yours @NUTTSGT ? I slipped on some 1/2 PVC when the old plastic ones started breaking. I even kept a tally how many trips I made carrying dirt out.

Some people buy a gym membership :dunno:

Hooked · Apr 19, 2025

RonnieC said:
Just read through the thread and when I saw the ten-year update my first thought was “good lord, he’s still dragging dirt from the basement!”

LOL, I just got to the end as well. I'll add my solution -- closet curtain rods cut to length, drill hole down the center, then cut in half on band saw, put on the metal handle and wrap with baseball bat grip tape.

Shadowdog500 · Apr 19, 2025

I bought these Snappy-Grip handles and like them. They feel good in the hand. They are two halves that snap together.

NUTTSGT · Apr 19, 2025

Bert_ said:
I did a similar basement project. Did you ever have a thread on yours @NUTTSGT ? I slipped on some 1/2 PVC when the old plastic ones started breaking. I even kept a tally how many trips I made carrying dirt out.

Some people buy a gym membership

No actual thread. I did post a few pictures in my Garage Refurb here and there.

I started digging it out way before I became a member here. I never took any pictures at the time, might actually be quite embarrassing knowing what it looked like at the time. . .. and we bought the place.

PT Doc · Apr 20, 2025

Shadowdog500 said:
I bought these and like them. They feel good in the hand hand. They are two halves that snap together.

These work well.

welder4956 · Apr 20, 2025

NUTTSGT said:
So I'm currently working on the basement, lowering the floor level, stoning and pouring some concrete. I'm hauling all the dirt out, stone and concrete back down in 5 gal buckets.

The issue I have run into, as many of us have, is that the bucket handles are breaking. Other than the handles, there's nothing wrong with the buckets so no need to swap them out. Today I made a couple of quick wraps with some electrical tape, it was the closest at hand.

I considered using some hose or PVC pipe over the handles but wanted some input here. . .

So my question to those ingenious members of GJ, what have you done to reinforce/mod the handles on your 5 gal buckets ? What works and what doesn't ?

Thanks.

I replaced the broken handles with 4" lengths of 1/2" pvc conduit. Works great.

MichaelP · Apr 20, 2025

I wonder if I'm the only one who finds some irony in buying a $7 handle replacement for a $3 bucket.
Not that I'm not guilty either...

5 Gal bucket handle mods

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