MAC torque wrench handle disintegrating

[DHCrocks]

I need some ideas. My MAC TWV250F torque wrench with the comfort grip handle is disintegrating. The rubbery part is is all tacky/sticky and peeling off. when you grab it it sticks to your hands and crumbles off. I don't know the age of it but it must over 10 years old. any ideas on what I can use to replace the rubbery part. I suppose I can peel off the remaining part. I was think of wrapping it with some sort of tape. FWIW it was stored in the case in my tool box so it was not exposed to sunlight.

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I hope this is not a sign of things to come for the comfort grip stuff, I have a few snap on ratchets and boat load of knipex with the comfort grip handles.

 

[gdocktor3]

Email Mac first and see what they can do. They've always taken care of any problems I've had with no questions asked. In this case, I think you have a very valid argument either way. The grip seems to be failing due to quality or workmanship. I mean, its a torque wrench. I doubt anyone is misusing or abusing it and that's why the grip is coming off.

 

[dnschmidt]

What will work fairly effectively is HEAT SHRINK TUBING. McMaster-Carr sells this stuff in big diameters easily capable of going over that handle. Buy a foot length and use your heat gun and the problem should be fixed.

 

[Wamsutta]

+ 1 to heat shrink tubing. Remove the rest of the rubber and then apply the heat shrink tubing. Make it a little long and then trim the excess off with a razor blade at that line where the red meets the plastic end cap. It'll look like factory that way.

 

[DHCrocks]

those are great ideas. I'll try email MAC first and if they won't replace it I'll try the heat shrink idea. do you think I should get the adhesive backed ones?

 

[dnschmidt]

Will not hurt but I can't see how it help much either. You might end up with some gooey stuff on each end if you use the waterproof version with the melting inner shield.

 

[DHCrocks]

heard back from MAC customer support. This is what they said...

The TWV250F has been discontinued and replaced with TWV250FC. We do not have the comfort grip handle available for the TWV250F.

then I asked about getting the new style handle as a replacement and got this response.

It appears that the handle will not work, we do not even repair the older TWV250F anymore.

I then asked about warranty for my old torque wrench and they did not respond. I guess I'm **** out of luck.. I'll try the shrink wrap route. has anyone tried using this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handle-Skins-by-Rod-Skins-Heat-Shrink-Fishing-Rod-Wrap-Rubber-Grips-35mm-x-1m-/301992350844?hash=item465025947c:g:dnUAAOSwM4xXaZKI

 

[colin39]

See what ya tool guy says, my guy just replaced mine.

 

[gdocktor3]

Wrap it with grip tape like on hockey sticks.

 

[guy48065]

Golf club wrap.
Sewn-on leather would be awesome--but might not look too pretty after some use.

I'd be very careful trying the adhesive-lined shrink wrap. The temperature needed to melt the adhesive might melt the plastic handle too.

 

[DHCrocks]

MAC got back to me there is no warranty for this item.

 

[NOZZLEMAN]

MAC or whoever they sell has had crappy plastics for years... I had a dead blow mallet disintegrate and when I handed it back to MAC he handed be a Stanley hammer to replace it, I didn't buy a Stanley & wanted a MAC brand. Loud discussion followed and I got thrown off the truck. Laugh was on him... had him banned from the property with 50 mechanics in the shop. Not an editorial on MAC for all the haters out there... we have all had bad Snappy guys, MAC guys etc.

 

[DHCrocks]

So after I had no luck with MAC getting it warrantied I went the heat shrink route. I used the fishing type from ebay. It has a nice grippy feel and is thick so there is a little bit of compliance to the feel. it was really easy to peel off the rest of the original rubber with a plastic razor blade. I used a heat gun to shrink it and it went well, no burning or discoloring of the tube.