What Replacement Handles For Pliers?

[ChevyEFI]

I'm not dead set on USA and I'm not dead set on a particular brand. But it sure sounds like a good idea to get some Channellock brand pliers.

Problem? The blue (like this guy: ) is just not for me. And the plain one-color shrink sleeve doesn't appeal to me either.

Now, I've read up on all kinds of ratchet handle replacements (and have a custom ratchet project or two brewing in my head ) but I'd like a better looking set of handles on some Channellocks pliers.

I'm a fan of these Facom handles (ergonomics, grip, color, design) in particular:

Can you lead me to some handles?

 

[decaf]

Knipex?

 

[jakemac]

I found these black rubber ones. They will fit 8" plier handles, and can be cut down to fit smaller handles. Ignore any listings for other colors, I called the supplier, all other colors are discontinued and they will ship you black ones instead.

Here is a link to a thread I started on a similar subject.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

jakemac,

So how do those feel compared to Channellocks?

Are they smooth, rubbery, or that foamy ****?

 

[bonneyman]

I like these Klein hard handle slip-on's for my lineman and needle nose pliers.

http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/60.html

 

[jakemac]

jakemac,

So how do those feel compared to Channellocks?

Are they smooth, rubbery, or that foamy ****?

They feel similar to the black rubber coated grips on some of the Craftsman tools, with a textured grip. Not squishy like the Klein #55's, and not as thick. They are a little thicker than the original vinyl grips on Chanellocks and offer decent gripping power, but not as thick as the hard Tenite handles offered by Klein or Ideal.

I'm still looking for vinyl replacement grips, but these will do for now on pliers 8" or smaller. I suppose that I could cut the end off of one pair and double up the length for larger handles, but I'm not there yet.

 

[Haukur]

Plastidip?

1. Dip them a few times to get desired thickness.
2. While still not fully hardnened, place them in your palm while wearing a disposable glove, close palm to make ergonomic shaped handles?
3. Profit?

 

[ChevyEFI]

I ended up buying a foot of marine extra thick adhesive-inner shrink tubing in red and a foot in black. I'm not sure of the sizing; may have been 3/4" across i.d. when flattened. It shrunk enough to become snug on the handles, though I was fairly sure it wouldn't and I'd have to go back and order 1/2" from the eBay seller, gregsmarine.

Not as nice as the Facom handles, but it's what they needed.