Bright Red Heat Shrink Suggestions?

[webslinger283]

I have several FACOM Ergotwist Screw Drivers that are having the handles dissintegrate in my hands. I have seen several posts about using heat shrink as a method to replace, or repair handles. My OCD drives me to ask is there is anyone that has used 1-1/2" heat shrinkg that is legitinamtely bright red? Most of the heat shrinks that I have seen are pale red / pink. Thank you for any suggestions in advance!

 

[richfinn]

Time to buy a new set I'm afraid.

Vessel Megadora are great quality and reasonably priced

 

[Dave455]

I have seen some that was a brighter red, but I seem to recall it was either a thick wall or flame resistant. It wasn’t the regular stuff. It may have been “Shrinktek” which is a British manufactured product.

It might not be common where you are located, and a roll of it in the size you need would probably cost more than the tools are worth. I don’t think it would do a brilliant job anyway.

Sadly, this is a known problem with the Ergotwist, and I think is why they were discontinued. Shame, because the blades are decent.

I’m afraid richfinn has it right, they have basically had it.

If you like the drivers in other respects, I’d probably replace them with a set of “Protwist” - Facom’s current offering. Keep your existing drivers, cut the handles off and use them for all those jobs around the shop that you shouldn’t use good drivers for!

 

[webslinger283]

Time to buy a new set I'm afraid.

Vessel Megadora are great quality and reasonably priced

I would consider that, except I am fully invested in Ergotwist at this point...

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Good to see you started up a thread as it has taken awhile.
Your collection of Ergotwist drivers is very impressive. Sorry I j don’t have any suggestions to repair this screwdriver that would meet your specs.
To tell you the truth my screwdriver drawer is an absolute disaster. Mismatched Stanley, Craftsman, Fuller, many others even a SnapOn or two. I’ve probably have screw drivers from the 1930-40s. As long as they still do what they are supposed to they have a home. If not they get repurposed or scraped.

 

[Dave455]

I would consider that, except I am fully invested in Ergotwist at this point...

Oh no! What an awesome collection. So sad. Especially as you have so many rarities there, such as the spinner handles.

Ergotwists tend to be rare anyway, as the design was produced for a (relatively) short period.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a problem with the material used for the handle, and it degrades over time. I have known many other cases.

I’m not sure if it’s all of the handles, or just some, but I fear it’s a problem that affects all of them sooner or later, although most of yours still seem to be unaffected.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I wonder if you could do a decent job replacing it with Plastic-Dip. It's available in an aerosol, or a can and I think you can apply it with a brush, and it's available in red. https://plastidip.com/product/plastidip/

 

[richfinn]

I would consider that, except I am fully invested in Ergotwist at this point...

I had quite a few Facom Ergotwists back in the day and had the exact same issue unfortunately, oddly the Torx versions have survived pretty much intact, so maybe if you could find some old stock Torx and transfer the handles over it might save what's left of your collection.