Interest in aftermarket Handle Bars?

[Jacob J.]

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

Those are the half-wraps that don't require any welding. The guy has a machine that bends the tubing and crimps the ends automatically. Him and his assistant apply the handle hose and it's about an 8-10 minute operation per handle.

 

[Metals406]

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.

:hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Metals406]

Those are the half-wraps that don't require any welding. The guy has a machine that bends the tubing and crimps the ends automatically. Him and his assistant apply the handle hose and it's about an 8-10 minute operation per handle.

Hmmmm. . . They're definitely setup then. A machine that can bend and crimp in one go wouldn't be cheap either.

 

[Mr. Bow Saw]

:hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange:

Hey...not that big.:jawdrop:

 

[Metals406]

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.

I'm sure you could make it where they pressed out the holes at the same time. . . But I also know Doug won't want to spend thousands of dollars to tool up on a dream and a promise.

There's got to be a way we can setup on the cheap and obtain some kind of reasonable production though. . . It'll just take a little ingenuity.

 

[little possum]

Yes a simple jig to put the handle in a drill the holes would be fine.

By the look of ya'lls work that you have posted, I am sure you will get it figured out.

 

[Metals406]

Yes a simple jig to put the handle in a drill the holes would be fine.

By the look of ya'lls work that you have posted, I am sure you will get it figured out.

Thanks, but even with templates and some of the more popular bumpers jigged up, there's 10-20 hours in each bumper, plus materials. . . They're a lot of work.

I think this handle thing has a lot of potential, and I love working with aluminum!!

 

[Metals406]

Hey...not that big.:jawdrop:

:greenchainsaw:

Your handle would cost $5k. . . Hahahahaha.

One thing I don't like is how those 3/4 wraps on the Stihl's sometimes block the rear bar nut from wrench access. . . I'd remedy that right quick.

I also think they could be angled out further from the clutch cover some.

 

[Metals406]

Those are the half-wraps that don't require any welding. The guy has a machine that bends the tubing and crimps the ends automatically. Him and his assistant apply the handle hose and it's about an 8-10 minute operation per handle.

So is Forester and USA two different companies? Does Forester and USA both offer full-wrap and 3/4?

Are we talking Forester guide bar Forester, or someone else?

 

[Jacob J.]

So is Forester and USA two different companies? Does Forester and USA both offer full-wrap and 3/4?

Are we talking Forester guide bar Forester, or someone else?

Forester is a distribution company, not a manufacturer. They're like Bailey's on a larger scale. They sub-contract manufacturing through third parties for some things.

Yes, Forester guide bar and Forester are all one big ball of wax.

Yes, Forester and USA Handlebars are different companies.

 

[Rounder]

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?

I would think a burly 44,46,66 wrap would sell well in the home state- done right for the right price, and I'd send business your way and plenty of it - Sam

 

[Metals406]

I would think a burly 44,46,66 wrap would sell well in the home state- done right for the right price, and I'd send business your way and plenty of it - Sam

Are you talking 3/4 or full Sam?

You still cutting beetle kill?

 

[Teddy.Scout]

I am in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
044's, 046's, 066's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Metals406]

Well, first and foremost we need to nail down the likes and dislikes of the handles already available.

That would make our product different. . . Better different.

 

[Metals406]

Also, we know that a lot of saw stuff is interchangeable. . . Are any of the saw handles interchangeable? I can see it not though, as they changed a lot of stuff between old and new, even if ever so slightly.

 

[Honkie]

I would love to have a "true" full wrap for the 044.....

 

[Metals406]

I just added a poll for curiosity sake. . . I know a lot of saws aren't listed (only 10 options allowed), but I think I hit-on a lot of popular models. You can chose multiple answers.

Obviously, other models could be listed in this thread.

I'm going to email a link of this thread to Doug so he can see the reaction to the idea. I brought it up to him a long time ago, and he wasn't sure about it?

Really, the reason I started this thread, was because of several posts I've read in the last couple weeks about the 3/4 handles being out of stock. Seems like a lot of guys were really bummed they couldn't get one for their saw.

 

[Metals406]

JJ, you're the local saw encyclopedia. . . What does a dealer charge for full wrap options from the factory?

I'm probably wrong, but $140 sticks in my brain (talking full wrap).

 

[Metals406]

I would love to have a "true" full wrap for the 044.....

Please expound. . . What would you change and why?

 

[Jacob J.]

I would love to have a "true" full wrap for the 044.....

Bailey's sells them, as does Madsen's...