New handles on some old favorite pliers

[joedodge]

Man some heavy duty heat shrink makes some great handles when the old ones start sliding off!

 

[Pexto]

Looks good! I've got a few pair that could use this treatment.

I think I'd want to cover the ends though. Does anyone know if there's such a thing as a heat-shrink end cap?

Another option: Klein makes some replacement handles that can be installed with hot water for $8-10 a pair.

Edit: To answer my own question, yes, heat shrink end caps are available. Example: https://www.amazon.com/MECCANIXITY-Heat-Shrink-10mm-30mm/dp/B0CR6B19TX?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[joedodge]

Had no idea they make end caps! And didn’t know Klein made handles! I’m gonna check into that. Thanks so much!

 

[Steve_P]

I've said this before, but I'm surprised that no one makes heat shrink with an end cap for this type of application- pliers, machine handles, etc. Obviously, it'd be a limited sales item, but there's all sorts of weird products like this available now on Amazon from Chinese companies looking for niche products.

 

[joedodge]

Excellent point

 

[MichaelP]

Plasti Dip

Amazon.com

 

[joedodge]

I’ve done pliers with it and don’t care for it. Never got it to hold up in a professional atmosphere

 

[Madjik Man]

Man some heavy duty heat shrink makes some great handles when the old ones start sliding off!

Flash forward to GJ circa the year 2157.

Someone posts up images of your pliers, “found these unmarked vintage pliers in a garage sale. Need help identifying them. The markings on the grips are yielding mixed results.”

 

[Madjik Man]

Plasti Dip

Amazon.com

I was going to recommend dipping the handles in plastidip.

Several layers makes for a nice handle feel.

 

[MichaelP]

I’ve done pliers with it and don’t care for it. Never got it to hold up in a professional atmosphere

Do you mean Plasti Dip or heat shrink stuff?

 

[joedodge]

Flash forward to GJ circa the year 2157.

Someone posts up images of your pliers, “found these unmarked vintage pliers in a garage sale. Need help identifying them. The markings on the grips are yielding mixed results.”

Hahaha love it. Never thought of that

 

[joedodge]

Do you mean Plasti Dip or heat shrink stuff?

Plastidip. I have a couple pairs I did years ago it works ok. But starts to come off after a while. Who knows was maybe my prep

 

[MichaelP]

Understood. Thank you. I don't have any extensive experience using it in a harsh environment. Interesting to know.

 

[NoahG]

I really like the Klein Koat handles

 

[KnurledNut]

Loctite SF F720 works well as a dip but is cost prohibitive.

 

[KnurledNut]

Resurrecting this thread to leave a tip. No pun intended.
The factory grips on my favorite Klein long nose pliers were wearing on the ends. I found these Hillman screw protectors in store at Ace for less than a buck for the two. This is the biggest size they carry, but they do have a few other sizes that would work well on smaller pliers. These seem more durable, thicker and flexible than the heat shink end caps mentioned in this thread. They also have a nice smooth glossy finish.
Some of the small ones would work well to protect meter test lead tips. I may grab a few of each size since they seem like they would be handy to have around and they are cheap.

 

[FigN⋅m]

Try making a "tail" with the heat shrink tubing.
Tuck it into the end before heating and it caps it pretty well.

 

[Meursault74]

I have no idea if these will work well, but they came to mind.

Robot or human?

 

[nadogail]

I have seen a liquid plastic that you can dip your handles into, back in the day it sold at Harbor Freight and worked acceptably well.

I recall that I saw it was sold at Harbor Freight. To the best of my recollection, it was only "OK"

 

[bonneyman]

I did the heat shrink thing on some new S-K ratchets and they work great. Getting the ends to look good is tough, though.

 

[Chipm]

There has to be a small-batch version of industrial tyoe handle dip, wouldn't you think? Plasti-dip does not hold up.

 

[ecotec]

There has to be a small-batch version of industrial tyoe handle dip, wouldn't you think? Plasti-dip does not hold up.

Plasti-dip is pretty terrible. Someone needs to come up with a better version.

 

[Professor Gascan]

How about both? A dunk or two in plasti-dip with a layer of heatshrink on top to make it a bit more durable?

 

[KnurledNut]

There has to be a small-batch version of industrial tyoe handle dip, wouldn't you think? Plasti-dip does not hold up.

Plasti-dip is pretty terrible. Someone needs to come up with a better version.

Loctite Color Guard I mentioned earlier is a better product. I have used it quite a bit.

 

[ecotec]

Loctite Color Guard I mentioned earlier is a better product. I have used it quite a bit.

I will have to try it.

 

[KnurledNut]

@ecotec
This product can be expensive which may limit interest. I got mine from an industrial supplier that carried it in store. The product packaging has now changed to a bland grey label that matches the rest of their line.