What are the best “thin” replacement plier grips?

[kctyphoon]

I think i actually hate the wide grips on my Irwin branded NWS lineman pliers..

So two questions:

Has anyone tried to remove those big NWS grips from their pliers?

What are the best, thin, vinyl type replacements i might be able to shove on these things instead ?

 

[MetricTech]

I’m right there with ya! I really dislike the multi component grips on any pliers. I bought the angled combination pliers from nws with the multi component grips, about $45. Hated them right out of the box all because of those bulky grips. My old snap on guy used to let me steal the grips off of his warranty pliers before he sent them in. Snap on grips can be transferred easily onto most pliers. But I’ve never tried sliding a multi component grip off of the nws pliers


Metric Tech

 

[MetricTech]

Check out these old Utica pliers w/ snap on grips. These pliers originally had metal handles from the factory




Metric Tech

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

Ditto. I dislike my Gedore plier's fat grips and reach for my Kleins first.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Have you thought about pulling the handles and dipping em?

 

[M6erfan]

Check out these old Utica pliers w/ snap on grips. These pliers originally had metal handles from the factory

Nice

 

[woody 73]

What is the part number for the red snap on handles or better yet a link...

 

[kctyphoon]

I don't care about "sliding" them off. I'll cut the things off and destroy them if I can get something more normal on there.. I like the Klein, Channellock, Knipex, NWS standard type grips. The regular textured nws most of all. The Knipex alligators have the same type of non slip thin grips. I'm wondering if anyone has a source for something like that.. I don't even use the Irwin at all cause I just don't even like holding them.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I think i actually hate the wide grips on my Irwin branded NWS lineman pliers..

So two questions:

Has anyone tried to remove those big NWS grips from their pliers?

What are the best, thin, vinyl type replacements i might be able to shove on these things instead ?

[SIZE="5”]If you want thin what about getting some adhesive lined heat-shrink tube? I know that doesn't close off completely towards the bottom, but ....[/SIZE]

 

[mr.lemons]

Check out these old Utica pliers w/ snap on grips. These pliers originally had metal handles from the factory

That would be great if the Snap on grips can be purchased separately. I really like vintage pliers but don't use them much because of the bare handles.

 

[rlitman]

That would be great it the Snap on grips can be purchased separately. I really like vintage pliers but don't use them much because of the bare handles.

Klein sells those exact grips separately.

 

[rlitman]

KC, any opinion on Klein Tenite grips?

I hate Klein Journeyman grips, but I like the Tenite grips.

I put those on my favorite T&B crimpers. They're not thin by any means though.

 

[mc4life27]

You can order some from Klein I think they have different styles you can choose from. Also if your friends with the snap in guy I think he can order them for you. Also what about trying plasti dip? I never tried it but know some people who say they work ok.


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[MetricTech]

I’ve tried plastidip quite a few times and I’m too big of a perfectionist to leave it on long term. I never could talk myself into trying the Klein replacement grips because of the price compared to buying new pliers. I bet snap on throws hundreds of these grips away every week. I’ve seen so many pliers warrantied for a broken jaw, tip, or cutting edge and most of them had perfect grips. Makes me sick. I don’t think manufactures realize there is a market for this. I still have a few bare handle pliers from the 20’s and 30’s that I’m coming up with non slip grips for


Metric Tech

 

[ChevyEFI]

Those NWS handles look like they'd be terrible.

But Facom has great ergo grips on some of their stuff.

Thin - you can use irradiated adhesive lined marine shrink tubing. And if you want two colors, or to thicken it up, multiple layers will do it. I did this on some originally grip-less Channellocks.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1971021&postcount=8

 

[kctyphoon]

These look interesting...

 

[kctyphoon]

Those were discontinued from Ideal last year.. just bought 2 pairs from a place showing them in stock.

 

[redragoon]

Gripworks sells just handle grips, but most of their products are sold in batches of 25 to 250+. Maybe get a group to split some for a lot of tools that need them.

They seem like they have dip molded ones for most sizes.

https://store.gripworks.com/Dip-Molded.html

 

[Jazz1]

I tried Plastic Dip, it did not stay on. I forgot to pick up some shrink wrap today thinking that may be alternative.

 

[fang123]

Have you thought about pulling the handles and dipping em?

I've done this with good results. You can make them as thick as you want.
I have also used heat shrink, and then dipped them. Or just heat shrink also.

What about emergency/rescue tape. It's pretty damn tough.

 

[bwringer]

I'm just glad I'm not the only one with a pet hatred for stupidly bulky grips.

Many can be removed easily if you get some water boiling, distract anyone watching, and dip the handles into the water for 30 seconds or so. Gives an interesting little tang to your pasta or veggies, depending on what you've been yanking on with the pliers.

Put on some oven mitts, grab and pull.

Or just hack the farging things off with a razor.

And yes, it would be fantastic to find a reasonably priced source of thin replacement grips. Haven't ever found anything.

 

[rlitman]

...Many can be removed easily if you get some water boiling, distract anyone watching, and dip the handles into the water for 30 seconds or so. Gives an interesting little tang to your pasta or veggies, depending on what you've been yanking on with the pliers...

Old pots and pans in my house migrate from the kitchen to the shop. I've got a stock pot for collecting oil, and non-stick cookie sheets that are great for glue-ups. I've heated up shop stuff on the grill side-burner before. There's no need to bring the fumes into the house.

 

[Sine Swept]

I thought I read somewhere that they use Plastisol, which is used in screen printing to make t-shirts. Notice how your shirt will wear out but that ink stays on there until the shirt becomes a rag.

The ink must be cured at 150-160 Celcius for 20-30 seconds

You can buy the ink online or art store. You could probably dip every tool you have as these inks go a long, long way!

 

[mikebaker1129]

I see GripWorks offers some samples .
Klein does offer a thinner foam type grip,I have purchased them from Zoro,but they are short .
GripWorks look interesting.

Channellock use to offer a regripping service at one time for their pliers but that is in the past.

 

[MarineTech]

Has anyone tried heat shrink tubing? It comes in different lengths and colors, and is pretty cheap too.

 

[rlitman]

I thought I read somewhere that they use Plastisol, which is used in screen printing to make t-shirts. Notice how your shirt will wear out but that ink stays on there until the shirt becomes a rag.

The ink must be cured at 150-160 Celcius for 20-30 seconds

You can buy the ink online or art store. You could probably dip every tool you have as these inks go a long, long way!

Factory dipped handles are plastisol. You heat the handle, and dip it hot. That cures the plastisol, and thickens enough for it to come out of the dip with a nice layer on it. Then bake what you pulled out.

But there are many different grades of plastisol. Fishing lures are also plastisol (worms, crickets, etc.) and neither that soft stuff, nor screen printing ink are probably going to work well on tool handles.

 

[Sine Swept]

Some day while my wife is screen printing, I will try for posterity's sake. I have plenty of grip-less handles that could be my guinea pig.

I was also going to mention that it is possible to cure ink on top of ink, so if the layer doesn't come out thick enough I could try for more.

I don't have a way to heat the metal, but I do have a giant screen printing heater!

If it will stick, I think it will work.

 

[kctyphoon]

Yea i thought about the plasti dip thing, but i cant see that coming out with any respectable results. I mean, i dont want $40 pliers, thats are in perfect condition, to become a failed science experiment. Ill see how the ideal grips look when/if the show up.

I mean - this is not a priority in life. If they look like they fit nice, great. If not, oh well. Either way I’m probably gonna just keep using the NWS pliers i recently bought from KC Tool i bought for work anyway.. this is just a “it a shame i hate these things cause of the grips” kinda thing.

 

[senlow]

VynaFlex plastisol from GripWorks has a good reputation. This is a dip product that manufacturers use. I have no personal experience with the product. I do know that it has a somewhat short shelf life. Use it or lose it!

 

[Steve_P]

Plasti dip won't hold up - its nothing like the real deal as said. I dont mind the NWS handles but I can understand; when you've been using the dipped style forever that's what you're used to. Plus you're probably already wearing heavy gloves. I have both types and got used to the NWS comfort grips after a while. I would think that they would be easier on your hands, vs dipped, if you used them continuously all day. Which no one really does...

 

[kctyphoon]

So anyway - my Irwin branded NWS lineman cutters got a makeover. The big blue plastic grips are gone, and some new Klein replamcents are on.. honest opinion - they are better then i thought, not exactly what i wanted, but a big improvement. I wish they were a little bit softer, and weren’t “Ruby RED” but they fit great, and have a decent textured grip. They are growing on me.

 

[oldpliers1]

These look interesting...

Hi I live in Australia, do you know anyone who has any stock of these especially the 35-007 grips , I do have some original crescent ones of these mint perfect , if you could find me some 7 s I would be happy to send them to you . Regards A

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I don't care about "sliding" them off. I'll cut the things off and destroy them if I can get something more normal on there.. I like the Klein, Channellock, Knipex, NWS standard type grips. The regular textured nws most of all. The Knipex alligators have the same type of non slip thin grips. I'm wondering if anyone has a source for something like that.. I don't even use the Irwin at all cause I just don't even like holding them.

They used to sell this dip at Harbor Freight for that purpose to coat metal with it,,