Does Gearwrench dip their metal handle ratchets??

[measuredtwice]

I was surfing the interwebz and I saw a Gearwrench with a dipped handle. Is this something GW used to do or was it done after market? It looks professionally done. Doesn't look like Plasti-dip.

 

[Yarpo]

Doesn't look professionally done to me, looks ok, but it also looks hideous.

Can't say I've ever seen them sell a product with a handle like that, but I've only been buying tools for ~9 years or so, so maybe its older? How longs the 84T been on the market?

 

[Farmall450]

I vote aftermarket/homebrew

 

[measuredtwice]

By "professional" I just meant it didn't look like Plasti-Dip. That stuff usually looks thin. But maybe it's just a ton of dips in Plasti-Dip.

I have a bunch of old pliers that I'd love to regrip with something better than Plasti-Dip (and cheaper than Klein-Koat).

 

[mr.lemons]

It looks ugly but at the same time looks like it came out of the factory that way. My first thought was that it may be something similar to the Facom Fluo (fluorescent) range.

 

[darkzero]

Maybe something like this?

https://www.gripworks.com/rubber-grips.htm

https://store.gripworks.com/GripWorks-Brand.html

 

[Wamsutta]

I think it's a heat shrink tube that's closed on the end. Look at how straight the material is at the top towards the ratchet head end. I don't think a dip would have that straight of a line.

 

[Fedwrench]

Nope, Gearwrench didn't apply that coating. Merk got it right with heat shrink.

 

[fang123]

Not a pro job. I did something similar to a williams 1/4 ratchet. Heat shrink first, then many dips of plasti dip.

 

[mr.lemons]

How do you seal the end of heat shrink so neatly or can you buy heat shrink with a closed end?

 

[Farmall450]

How do you seal the end of heat shrink so neatly or can you buy heat shrink with a closed end?

I think it's a heat shrink tube that's closed on the end. Look at how straight the material is at the top towards the ratchet head end. I don't think a dip would have that straight of a line.

You can absolutely dip straight -- ever see a pair of channellocks?

Although I agree that if it was heated on it was specifically formed for this tool in that length with a closed end.

 

[scubadoober]

I am guessing it is a vinyl cap for bolts. Something like this.

 

[measuredtwice]

Video showing it from a factory tour:

I need one of those!

 

[Farmall450]

Video showing it from a factory tour:

Yes, I would consider that straight? Especially on a ratchet where it's symmetric; you'd have to be trying to not get a straight line from a surface of a fluid

 

[sparky 1971]

How do you seal the end of heat shrink so neatly or can you buy heat shrink with a closed end?

Heat shrink can be purchased with a closed end. However, black is the only color I have ever seen.

 

[Wamsutta]

You can absolutely dip straight -- ever see a pair of channellocks?

Go check your Channellocks. You'll see a drip forming on the end of each handle. That's the work of gravity. It's that way on all dipped plier handles.

 

[Farmall450]

Go check your Channellocks. You'll see a drip forming on the end of each handle. That's the work of gravity. It's that way on all dipped plier handles.

That would be a more plausible explanation, but you specifically mentioned straightness at the "ratchet head end".