In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Handlebar resto with heat shrink tube

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by stackowood, May 5, 2015.

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  1. stackowood

    stackowood

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    I read some comments about using heat shrink tube for handle bar wrap (hose) and here are the results I had on an old Jonsered 630 handle.

    I picked up two different shrink tubes at the electrical wholesale house and tried a small section of both to see which one worked the best.

    Beat up old handle:
    100_6275.JPG

    New tubing:
    100_6277.JPG

    I ended up using the "Canusa" 1.1" heavy wall tube. The printing will come right off with a little carb cleaner on a rag. This stuff doesn't like to go around corners so you have to work it on:

    100_6281.JPG

    Start heating at the center, and work your way to the ends. You have to stretch it a bit to keep it from getting rippled. Once it is shrunk, trim the ends and it looks like this:

    100_6282.JPG

    100_6283.JPG

    The stuff gets thicker as it shrinks so it makes a nice handle cover that is hard to tell from the original. Not bad for the first one, and I'm sure there are some tricks to learn.
     
    stackowood, May 5, 2015
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  2. Warped5

    Warped5

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    Nice!

    The topic of alternative bar coverings has been hit on before.

    Heat-shrink was one option presented, but I've never seen anyone do it yet. This looks very good!
     
    Warped5, May 5, 2015
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  3. stackowood

    stackowood

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    Thanks, it turned out OK.

    Forgot to mention- cost - it was $37 (wholesale) for a 48" long piece of tube, which is enough to do 2 bars. The 3M version is only $21 but it has a thick coating of glue on the inside, a thinner wall, and just didn't seem to shrink as well.
     
    stackowood, May 5, 2015
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  4. $ooline

    $ooline

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    IMO any aluminum handlebar with hose or shrinkwrap tubing on it is 10 x better than a composite or plastic handle(stihl u listening...? )..they might not be as strong, or as light but it just seems to have a better feel. Well done stacks.
     
    $ooline, May 5, 2015
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  5. prell 73

    prell 73

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    That's a cool option
     
    prell 73, May 5, 2015
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  6. NH_Wood

    NH_Wood

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    Looks great - nice work! Cheers!
     
    NH_Wood, May 5, 2015
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  7. dgeesaman

    dgeesaman

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    Did you use the tubing with the adhesive inside?
     
    dgeesaman, May 5, 2015
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  8. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    I agree that the adhesive lined tube is unsat.
    Using the Canusa, you could use "spray silicone" to make sliding the tube on the handle easier. We use it on electrical cables (up to 4/0) all the time in the factory- heat and silicone spray are ok together.
    Could you wrap a fine cordage or some sort of similar thing to the handle, then apply the Heat Shrink tube over it, to incorporate some "grip"/ tactile aide?
     
    Eric VW, May 5, 2015
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  9. stackowood

    stackowood

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    Will try silicone spray next time, and I'm sure that will help it slide on. Once the tubing is heated and shrunk it seems to feel a little more rubbery and is gives a pretty good grip.
     
    stackowood, May 5, 2015
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  10. bogydave

    bogydave

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    Good idea
    Got to be similar to what was originally on there.

    Filed to memory in case mine ever need replaced :)
     
    bogydave, May 6, 2015
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  11. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Nice to meet you :)
     
    wildwest, May 6, 2015
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  12. DexterDay

    DexterDay Administrator

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    Very nice thread. Good info...

    Bookmarked :)
     
    DexterDay, May 6, 2015
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  13. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Right on, DexterDay!
     
    Eric VW, May 6, 2015
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  14. Stihl Livin

    Stihl Livin

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    Great thread here. I just did some googling of the canusa and found it on amazon for just over 20 with shipping.
     
    Stihl Livin, Dec 27, 2015
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  15. angelo c

    angelo c

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    angelo c, Dec 27, 2015
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  16. pantelis

    pantelis

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    Hello friend
     
    pantelis, Dec 28, 2015
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  17. pantelis

    pantelis

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    37 dollars for a 48" heat shrink tube ?? No thanks i will buy a new oem handle bar with 25 euros
    for example husqvarna 372 handlebar

    522 42 88 01 = 25 euros
    522 48 88 02 = 32 euros full wrap
     
    pantelis, Dec 28, 2015
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  18. angelo c

    angelo c

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    Amazon had it cheaper then the supply house... Not sure if Amazon ships to Macedonia though :(
    Also I would never re-wrap a Husky handle...they just don't last long enough to make it worth the effort, a Stihl....of course....they last for ever....:faint:
     
    angelo c, Dec 28, 2015
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  19. pantelis

    pantelis

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    I never try to buy from amazon , no reason why , most of times i use the ebay
    Yeah stihl use airnautics aluminum , husqvarna use a cheapo the same like cocacola tinkers:D:rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol:
     
    pantelis, Dec 28, 2015
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  20. pantelis

    pantelis

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    I like the alu handles just because you can welded them if break the plastics maybe are more strong but its a little trouble to fix them
     
    pantelis, Dec 28, 2015
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