Vintage Modeling Tool Grip Repair?

[beanthere]

Does anyone have any tips or advice on how to replace the grips on some vintage modeling tools? I have 3 that I purchased and the tools are in great shape but the rubber grips are old, dried up, cracked and worst of all flake off on your project. This I discovered last night and as I tried to get the little pieces off my wet project some left a black stain behind. I figure it will be easy to get the old grip off, and I was thinking of finging some medical tubing that I could slide on and epoxy in place? Or I could take some nice wood and put a groove in two slabs and epoxy that on and then finish the handles. Thoughts? Other ideas welcome. Thanks.

[Deno]

Take your modeling tool to the auto parts store, ask to see what sizes of rubber air/vacuum/ hose sizes they have. Try to fit the stylus end into each, find one that fits snug, buy a couple of feet, cut to length, and press onto tool, save the left over for the future. My best to you.

[JohnD]

What about, removing the old handle and wrapping them with leather? or perhaps a nice braided handle? or, my old standby....(white) hockey tape?

Hope this helps,

John

[skyout]

I'm with JohnD, check out this thread by jerryrwm where he redid his Grandfather's knife handle with roo. Awesome!

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=22759

Rick

skyout

[beanthere]

Thanks to all for the great tips, I have 4 to redo so I will try a little of each to see what works best.

[beanthere]

OK, I had originally thought about medical tubing but after the recommendation to go to an automotive store for tubing I went out to the shop and found some rubber tubing the right size to fit two of my modeling tools. The other two are smaller. The tubing I found was a nice tight fit so from my days as a bicycle mechanic I used the same trick for installing hand grips - Hair spray. It is almost as slippery as soap when it is wet but it dries like a mild glue as opposed to the soap which often never dries. Bottom line, I now have two vintage modelers as good as new, even took a skiver and rounded the ends a little. I may try the leather on one of the two others.