JamesBondaka
Active member
Does anyone know if you easily take off control head to replace handgrip instead of pulling over battery pack area?
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hand grip replacement question?
- Thread starter JamesBondaka
- Start date
The only other way is to cut it off.
Rolling it up and off the battery pod end , after you unscrew the 3 end screws of the battery pod to pry it apart , you to remove the stand and then it's a relatively easy process and will preserve the old hand grip and the allow you to roll a new one on.
If you aren't needing to preserve the old grip and install a similar version(tubular) on there, then maybe use the grip material that's used on tennis racquets or other sports bats, in it's place. They are usually wrapped on in a spiral method and last a long time.
good luck
david di
Rolling it up and off the battery pod end , after you unscrew the 3 end screws of the battery pod to pry it apart , you to remove the stand and then it's a relatively easy process and will preserve the old hand grip and the allow you to roll a new one on.
If you aren't needing to preserve the old grip and install a similar version(tubular) on there, then maybe use the grip material that's used on tennis racquets or other sports bats, in it's place. They are usually wrapped on in a spiral method and last a long time.
good luck
david di
JamesBondaka
Active member
Yes, but it somehow doesnt look like a easy task to roll one on from the battery pack end....maybe its easier than it looks but doesnt appear to be. If the control housing can be taken off.....that would seem pretty fast and simple...I guess I can try taking it apart and see
thanks!
thanks!
JamesBondaka
Active member
thanks for the tip but Im interested in replacing the original grip
JamesBondaka
Active member
Thanks for the video but I interested in knowing if it can be done from the other end by possibly taking the control head off...it would be a lot simpler if done that way.
I would be really surprised to see that taking the control panel/box off as being the better alternative to what's shown on the video or fitting grip tape like that used on tennis racquets etc. and all that just to replace the handle rubber grip.
The rubber tube handle could be warmed up(hair dryer,oven, hot water) and pre rolled onto a plastic/metal ring or rolled onto the shortest possible length of a pvc plastic/metal tube that was a slightly bigger diameter than that of the battery pod/shaft handle(after removing the 5 screws though I did it with 3 and the stand). This would allow one to deliver the rubber over the area and unroll it there without the need of "soap-on-fication"(word used where I used to work for soaping and wetting a product for assembly)of the rubber sleeve and then having to push it all the way along the length of the battery pod/shaft shaft.
Now, unless the Etrac has been assembled vastly different to the Explorer's, Quattros and Safaris, in that the control box is far easier to remove and just by looking at it from the outside, it seems no different to the Explorer's etc assembly. Having peeked on the inside of the Etrac when I first got one a few years ago, I noticed that when it came to that part of the assembly, is not that different either. The electronics are BUT the rest is similar(smaller control box than Explorers etc).
In my little experience with the removal the Explorer control boxes off the handle neck,it was required in some cases, to actually break and cut bits of plastic off and this was only due to some gluing that was used to maybe repair or maybe stiffen the assembly. The tube handle had to be relocated further back down along the rear of the handle/bat. pod. or removed in order to
Yes, you can always take the control box off and replace the grip......BUT, in my opinion, unless the grip is somehow kept expanded or relocated further back, it will keep the assembly "clammed" together at that end and that would present you with another set of problems that include the ones you might encounter when you de-solder some wires(unless they are plugged in and can simply be unplugged) and then deal with the coil connector that was usually needing to be pulled through the assembly that requires the shaft cam clamper to be dismantled and a section of plastic within that area to be expanded.
It isn't that difficult but why bother?
David Di
The rubber tube handle could be warmed up(hair dryer,oven, hot water) and pre rolled onto a plastic/metal ring or rolled onto the shortest possible length of a pvc plastic/metal tube that was a slightly bigger diameter than that of the battery pod/shaft handle(after removing the 5 screws though I did it with 3 and the stand). This would allow one to deliver the rubber over the area and unroll it there without the need of "soap-on-fication"(word used where I used to work for soaping and wetting a product for assembly)of the rubber sleeve and then having to push it all the way along the length of the battery pod/shaft shaft.
Now, unless the Etrac has been assembled vastly different to the Explorer's, Quattros and Safaris, in that the control box is far easier to remove and just by looking at it from the outside, it seems no different to the Explorer's etc assembly. Having peeked on the inside of the Etrac when I first got one a few years ago, I noticed that when it came to that part of the assembly, is not that different either. The electronics are BUT the rest is similar(smaller control box than Explorers etc).
In my little experience with the removal the Explorer control boxes off the handle neck,it was required in some cases, to actually break and cut bits of plastic off and this was only due to some gluing that was used to maybe repair or maybe stiffen the assembly. The tube handle had to be relocated further back down along the rear of the handle/bat. pod. or removed in order to
Yes, you can always take the control box off and replace the grip......BUT, in my opinion, unless the grip is somehow kept expanded or relocated further back, it will keep the assembly "clammed" together at that end and that would present you with another set of problems that include the ones you might encounter when you de-solder some wires(unless they are plugged in and can simply be unplugged) and then deal with the coil connector that was usually needing to be pulled through the assembly that requires the shaft cam clamper to be dismantled and a section of plastic within that area to be expanded.
It isn't that difficult but why bother?
David Di
Not sure why you are so adamant on trying to replace your grip with the original, subpar Minelab grip? 
There is no benefit! It's like raking the leaves on a windy day, or going to the car wash when it is raining!! 
As the others have said, the original grip on the Minelab machines is a piece of junk. It will rip/tear with repeated use in no time.
The better solution is to buy a good tennis racket grip (black), which will last and last and last, and can be cleaned very easily. And you don't have to take your head unit off. It's on in 1 minute, but will last for years.
CAPTN SE
Dan
There is no benefit! It's like raking the leaves on a windy day, or going to the car wash when it is raining!! As the others have said, the original grip on the Minelab machines is a piece of junk. It will rip/tear with repeated use in no time.
The better solution is to buy a good tennis racket grip (black), which will last and last and last, and can be cleaned very easily. And you don't have to take your head unit off. It's on in 1 minute, but will last for years.
CAPTN SE
Dan
JamesBondaka
Active member
I want to because I want to replace the minelab grip with another that is much better quality and should last for a very long time. Its just a personal preference otherwise I would agree with you.
Doctorcoinz
New member
Replacing the hand grip with any thing other than an original minelab grip will probably depreciate the price of the detector when you come to sell it
Replacing them is a tricky job i know...
Replacing them is a tricky job i know...
The stock ones are not all that great although I have hundreds of hours on mine and it is still in one piece .Looks to me like the best option is putting it on over battery compartment.If a person could devise an expanding device to put the grip cover on and then expand it and slip it over battery housing it would bo so much easier and no need for soap and water.I think I could make such a tool without to much trouble.
What type replacement do you have in mind.I woner about some of the better barbell foam grips.
What type replacement do you have in mind.I woner about some of the better barbell foam grips.
JamesBondaka
Active member
Ray,
I just like my detector to look reasonably good....the minelab grips either are ok or not, as you know. The soap thing is just crazy and not worth my time.
A device would seem the right way to go! I have purchased some whites handgrips and the newer ones are very durable and should last along time. I have also bought a grip cover from the UK but found out to fit securely....the grip needs to be on the unit and then the cover goes over it. Then, I should never have to replace the grip and just wash the cover from time to time. You must be mechanically minded!
thanks
James
I just like my detector to look reasonably good....the minelab grips either are ok or not, as you know. The soap thing is just crazy and not worth my time.
A device would seem the right way to go! I have purchased some whites handgrips and the newer ones are very durable and should last along time. I have also bought a grip cover from the UK but found out to fit securely....the grip needs to be on the unit and then the cover goes over it. Then, I should never have to replace the grip and just wash the cover from time to time. You must be mechanically minded!
thanks
James
I still use the stock grips too. But I always wrap a couple layers of Vet Wrap around them. Vet Wrap is like an ultra-thin Ace bandage that only sticks to itself. You can put on how ever many layers you want, making the grip more padded or thicker to accommodate the size of your hand. Vet Wrap is sold at Vet shops and Farm Supply stores, costs about $4 a roll, comes in different colors and each roll will cover several grips. A couple times a year, when the grip gets looking nasty, I just take off a couple layers of Vet Wrap and put some more back on. Back in business, good as new! HH Randy
JamesBondaka
Active member
thanks for the tip....I may do just that....