Heated handle repair...

[PA Dan]

Has anyone ever replaced the rubber on a heated handle saw? Is it possible to be replaced? I got a Makita 5001 with heat and the handle has a tear in it and some gouges. I was thinking about putting new rubber on it. Let me know if you have done it.

 

[Funky sawman]

I was wondering the same thing

 

[Bilge Rat]

It may be difficult to replace with OEM without messin up the heating element.
How tight is an OEM to slide on?

Heat shrink tubing might be a safer choice.

 

[PA Dan]

No idea how tight. The heated handles have a different rubber than the non heated. I believe its thinner and it has ribs.

 

[Tor R]

If it was my saw, heat shrink tube adhesive 3:1 ratio, around 2” in diameter unshrinked.
You can get them in different thickness, you may have to be creative when it comes to the ribs

 

[K Mueller]

I’ve looked into it before, but have never done it yet. I’m not sure what Stihl uses but it has to be some kind of heat shrink. I’m thinking silicone rubber tubing?

http://m.gh-material.com/uploads/20170/r201706011347175423211.pdf

 

[Basher]

I have replaced the rubber on regular non heated handles, its a bear of a job, wouldn`t try it over heated handles. The heavy shrink wrap worked well on some of the older Stihl handles I did. If this is just for a work saw I would add one or two layers of shrink wrap right over the existing rubber, it would even telegraph the ridges through it.

 

[Spladle160]

I think the standard Stihl tubing route includes lot's of force and an air compressor. The ribbed shrink tube in your link looks like a way better option on a heated handle. If you buy some let us know how it works out, I have a heated 661 handle I repaired that needs a grip. I was just going to use some lizardskins grip tape but that shrink tube looks nice.

 

[Basher]

Yes, the Stihl hose fits really tight, air pressure is incorporated into its installation. What diameter is the handle requiring recovering, mm or inch?

 

[PA Dan]

Thanks for that info guys! Working nights so I'll try and get those measurements in the morning! It looks like there are two layers on the handle. Where the grip ends there is kind of a bottle neck which leads me to believe there is another layer. One slid on and the heating elements attached and then a shrink layer.

 

[huskihl]

Could fill the holes in with something not too fancy and wrap the whole thing with tennis raquet tape

 

[PA Dan]

Could fill the holes in with something not too fancy and wrap the whole thing with tennis raquet tape

Total John Riley style![emoji869]

 

[huskihl]

Total John Riley style![emoji869]

Pretty cozy.....

 

[PA Dan]

Pretty cozy.....

Bicycle grip tape is his secret!

 

[PA Dan]

I just got to measure the grip. Here are the specs.

Bare bar .870
Outer rubber .070 thick
Total outside diameter 1.115

 

[Bilge Rat]

For heat shrink try
buyheatshrink.com

Get the 3 to 1 shrink adhesive lined heat shrink.

It holds up on boats/saltwater.
I use it on wiring, net handles, and stick anchors.

 

[exSW]

Just bring me the saw. Problem solved.

 

[PA Dan]

Just bring me the saw. Problem solved.

Nice try...[emoji13]

 

[Basher]

The Stihl handle hose will fit on a .875 tube but its a bear of a job getting it on, almost a two man job, not sure the struggle is worth it. The shrink wrap is much easier and likely cheaper to.

 

[PA Dan]

The Stihl handle hose will fit on a .875 tube but its a bear of a job getting it on, almost a two man job, not sure the struggle is worth it. The shrink wrap is much easier and likely cheaper to.

There is the base layer in the handle that has the heating elements attached to it. I'll do a search for heat shrink and see if there is some around .070. I checked with Makita and they dont sell just the covering. You have to buy the whole handle and that's $89. Maybe a thin layer over the ribbed like someone already suggested?