Interest in aftermarket Handle Bars?

[Metals406]

What would be the interest in aftermarket handle bars for different saws? I've kicked around the idea before, but I'd like some feedback.

Anyone that has ever made something one-off, knows that it takes a lot of work. . . But when something is jigged or templated, it's a lot quicker.

I'm talking full and 3/4 wrap bars for saws that never offered them, or replacement for ones that have been damaged.

It would take some setup to get going initially. . . Having the same saw in the shop would be a must -- to make sure the bar fir correctly. . . Once that first one was made and templated or jigged -- easy sailing.

What are your thoughts?

 

[tlandrum]

id say if the prices could be kept in line with factory there would be a lot of interest.

 

[Arrowhead]

I think that would be a good item to sell if you can do it profitably enough. The USA bars from Madsens are made by one guy out of his garage. They are top notch in my opinion, but hardly in stock. I spoke with Madsens last week and they were still out of stock on the 3/4 wrap for the 044. Its been almost 2 months now. They sell for only 39.99! To me thats cheap for the quality they are. I hope you can do, that would be great!

 

[Moss Man]

I go through alot of saws and occasionally need handlebars, come up with decent ones and I'll buy off ya.

 

[logging22]

I would buy one, for each of my saws!!

 

[wigglesworth]

If you can keep the price in line with madsens, and keep them in stock or at least built to order, then you could sell a ton. I would buy one

 

[little possum]

What about the plastic? Shrink wrap? I know there are a few supply companys that sell the wrap in large quantitys. Would that be a option, rather than oem wrap.

And for the right price. Id be a return customer

 

[volks-man]

metals,
i say do it.
after you make back your initial start-up cost you can start having some fun.
i'm thinking custom high loops at the top of the handle (for us short arms), or extended side loops, or angled handles for stihl.... that sort of thing.

 

[Metals406]

The handle material is shrink tubing and can be ordered in bulk. . . What would be a bugger is making the first few to get it down -- without the shop eating a bunch of time.

Not sure if we can compete with $40 dollars a piece? . . That could be why the guy's so far out? We make $60 an hour shop rate to make bills and keep the doors open. . . The saw shop to be unnamed must be buying them cheaper yet?

So this USA guy's selling them to the distributor for, what, $32 a piece?? Dude must have another job, cause that won't pay the power to turn on the welder. LOL

Sounds like there's a lot of interest though!

 

[038Mag2NC]

Yes!

That sounds like a great idea, I've been looking for a full or 3/4 wrap handle for my 038 and cant find one anywhere. :greenchainsaw:

 

[Metals406]

metals,
i say do it.
after you make back your initial start-up cost you can start having some fun.
i'm thinking custom high loops at the top of the handle (for us short arms), or extended side loops, or angled handles for stihl.... that sort of thing.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. . . The sky's the limit really for creative handle bars. . . But not for $40 a piece. LOL

 

[little possum]

So I am just trying to picture the manufacturing process. How would you bend the tubing?

Weld up a jig, then heat the tubing and bend it? Then crimp/flatten the ends after putting on the shring wrap?

Thanks, hope the eyes are better now

 

[Moss Man]

Have a nice tag on em stating Made In The USA.

I have bought a couple Forester handle bars for $19.95 and they were pretty solid, just food for thought.

 

[Jacob J.]

It depends highly on your manufacturing methods and how many handles you can make in a given time frame. I've talked to the guy from Pro-Safety directly and he told me the reason the full and 3/4-wrap handles are out of stock so often is because it's cheaper and easier for him to make half wraps. He can make 60-85 half wrap handles a day vs. a couple dozen of the full or 3/4 wraps. The half wrap handles sell for half the cost but they're so cheap to make his profit margin is a lot higher. Plus there's no welding with the half-wraps.

The big thing for you would be to find the broadest market for your product. Naturally the modern pro saws are the most popular so handles for those models are going to sell the best. MS-460, 441, 362, 372, 576, and 390 are the most popular saws right now and those are the ones with the strongest on replacement parts. A lot of the consumer model saws use plastic handles now so it may be tougher to manufacture a low-cost aluminum replacement.

Yeah you can make handles for the older saws and there will be a market for them but it's a much weaker market with slower sales and lower profit margins.

 

[Metals406]

What about tubing thickness? Is factory just right? Or thicker is better?

What do you guys think?

The flattened ends would be pretty easy to do. . . Just make a top and bottom die for the press.

 

[Mr. Bow Saw]

I would like the front handle on my 066 to be a few inches higher
because when I wrap my tumb around the handle its always
hitting the top cover of the saw. I have big hands..LoL.

 

[madhatte]

I'm getting a 3/4 wrap fabbed up for my Dolmar. I'm sure I'm not the only person who would appreciate that setup.

 

[little possum]

With the plates on the press, would it be able to punch the holes in there at the same time?

Sorry I ask so many questions. I spend a lot of time in a machine shop and a welding shop and this has got my wheels turning also.
I think its a good idea as long as you dont hurt yourself.

 

[Metals406]

It depends highly on your manufacturing methods and how many handles you can make in a given time frame. I've talked to the guy from Pro-Safety directly and he told me the reason the full and 3/4-wrap handles are out of stock so often is because it's cheaper and easier for him to make half wraps. He can make 60-85 half wrap handles a day vs. a couple dozen of the full or 3/4 wraps. The half wrap handles sell for half the cost but they're so cheap to make his profit margin is a lot higher. Plus there's no welding with the half-wraps.

The big thing for you would be to find the broadest market for your product. Naturally the modern pro saws are the most popular so handles for those models are going to sell the best. MS-460, 441, 362, 372, 576, and 390 are the most popular saws right now and those are the ones with the strongest on replacement parts. A lot of the consumer model saws use plastic handles now so it may be tougher to manufacture a low-cost aluminum replacement.

Yeah you can make handles for the older saws and there will be a market for them but it's a much weaker market with slower sales and lower profit margins.

The saws off the top of my head were: 044/440, 046/460, 441, 361, 362, 038 -- 372, 390, 576, 460 -- some of the 2100 series Jonie's, etc.

You're absolutely right though JJ, a guy would have to have his core sellers to make it worth while.

I can't believe a company is selling a bar for $19.95 retail?? Holy smokes that's cheap!

 

[Metals406]

I'm getting a 3/4 wrap fabbed up for my Dolmar. I'm sure I'm not the only person who would appreciate that setup.

Doh!! I forgot to list the Dolmars too. . . There would be some call there for sure. If you wouldn't mind, would you post what you're paying to have this one-off handle made?

Is he using the half wrap and adding to it??