New Improved Handle

[rkumetz]

Hi Ron, Jason & Jo - the problem I have found is the handle is a two-piece design with the plastic/dieldrin handle affixed to a metal section that then slides into the receiver itself. The plastic comes away from the metal & clearly a one-piece design would erase this issue.

Gerry x

Perhaps but that would be a bit of a challenge. If the handle was 100% plastic either the fingers that lock with the case would wear out or it could crack if you hit it on something. If the handle was 100% metal it would be very cold.

Are you saying that the plastic part came off or separated from the metal part? THAT is a really odd failure.

That problem could be solved by using machine screws and nylon insert lock nuts instead of self tapping screws to put the two halves together.

[sugezwolf]

Perhaps but that would be a bit of a challenge. If the handle was 100% plastic either the fingers that lock with the case would wear out or it could crack if you hit it on something. If the handle was 100% metal it would be very cold.

Are you saying that the plastic part came off or separated from the metal part? THAT is a really odd failure.

That problem could be solved by using machine screws and nylon insert lock nuts instead of self tapping screws to put the two halves together.

Yes that's it Ron and you're right it is the screw threads in the plastic that is the problem as it just isn't a hard enough material to hold a thread for long with a metal screw in it.

Really poor design.

Gerry x

[rkumetz]

Yes that's it Ron and you're right it is the screw threads in the plastic that is the problem as it just isn't a hard enough material to hold a thread for long with a metal screw in it.

Really poor design.

Gerry x

Gerry,
Since I have not had this happen to me (and I am not in the mood to disassemble my handle) I can't speak for the design however you should
contact Marshall. They are usually very good about making an attempt to
correct problems for customers. In addition if a few people complain about
this problem instead of remaining silently upset perhaps they would take a look at the design and change it. If the screws are simply ripping out of the plastic there are some inserts with big plastic cutting threads that could be used to prevent that from happening. They function sort of like the plastic inserts that you jam in a sheet rock wall to screw stuff to it.
Ron

[RLBagley]

Yes that's it Ron and you're right it is the screw threads in the plastic that is the problem as it just isn't a hard enough material to hold a thread for long with a metal screw in it.

Really poor design.

Gerry x

Hello Gerry-

Maybe I can provide a another response here. The comments on this thread are indeed surprising, in that we have never had a handle come back with pulled screws for a warranty replacement, or sent back because it would fall off and needed adjustment . . . . "like, ever" (to quote Taylor Swift's popular song).

We have never see a handle that has failed or had screws pull out, whether used by us here or member of the Pro Team who are selected as hard users with long seasons. Not one handle ever returned because parts became separated, the mounting points become worn, or failed in some other way. And that's a pretty significant record with thousands and thousands of receivers out there going back to 2007.

So in that sense, it's been a really great design, actually.

But it's certainly cause for alarm when several people make negative comment here on the Forum so quickly in place of simply calling or emailing us for help or a replacement. Maybe our perception is really skewed because of this, and more people are out there not letting us otherwise know. By in my own direct experience with it, six seasons in the field and numerous receivers being tested, passed around, carried, visiting with and talking to Distributors around the world, etc. is that, once the thumbwheel is tight and locked into placed, it just stays there.

And, the new handle builds on what we've learned, but provides a much better feel through well-placed curves and volume giving additional leverage and beef to it. It also "backwards compatible" so anyone with a 2007 or newer receiver design can try it.

The new handle uses a self-tapping screw, which is specially designed for plastic and offers even greater thread engagement, holding the aluminum bracket and glass-reinforced nylon handle piece together securely. My guess in that you could hang actually from it.

The thumb wheel engagement/handle mechanism is intended to be tightened down very snugly by hand. But it's probably wise to check it from time to time. For extreme cases or for anybody wishing to have their handle more permanently fixed, a simple dab of Loctite on the thumbwheel screw before assembly will do the trick.

The very reason for the design is to give users a quick-release option, and many people are now dispensing with the handle altogether making it essentially a "pocket receiver," while others who need to avoid the appearance of a weapon in the urban areas they hawk also never use it. Together with the quick-release handle design, in 2007 we narrowed the width of the receiver body 30%, gave it generous and smooth radius corners to make it a pleasure to hold without a handle.

Anyway, if you'd like to try the new handle, just PM your shipping address and we'll send one out so you can slide it in place, crank it down tight, and see what you think.

For such a low-tech improvement, it's my belief they really turned out great.

Makes the whole receiver feel different now.

RB

[RLBagley]

Yes that's it Ron and you're right it is the screw threads in the plastic that is the problem as it just isn't a hard enough material to hold a thread for long with a metal screw in it.

Really poor design.

Gerry x

Keep in mind that we have designers here with software to calibrate these designs well in advance, before machining them. A lot of discussion, internal debate and thought go into everything we make, including anticipation of what type of abuse things will get in the field.

Anyway, after I went out on a limb and mentioned in the previous post you could probably hang on the new handle without screws pulling out, I thought we'd better go test that.

We did.

Jerry, at 200 pounds, hung from the new handle first, connected to the bottom half of a receiver case, and even did a few pull ups.

Then "Little Kevin" who is 280 pounds, was next. No problem. No pulled screws.

I am now going to take and use that same handle this year on my receiver.

So, the short answer is, "Yes, the plastic we are using is indeed hard enough material to hold a thread with a metal screw in it, for a very long time."

(although we don't recommend using your own receiver and handle for doing pull-ups)

RB

[Tony James]

Dear Robert,

I've been fortunate enough not to have needed to use my telemetry much in recent years, but when it has been needed it's surpassed any reasonable expectation.
Regarding the handle, I've never had the slightest problem, although I can imagine this new version to be an improvement in terms of comfort and functionality.
When I see Steve Lea in a few days from now, I'll have to enquire about both the new handle and the new, smaller yagi.

Best wishes,

Tony.

[RLBagley]

Dear Robert,

I've been fortunate enough not to have needed to use my telemetry much in recent years, but when it has been needed it's surpassed any reasonable expectation.
Regarding the handle, I've never had the slightest problem, although I can imagine this new version to be an improvement in terms of comfort and functionality.
When I see Steve Lea in a few days from now, I'll have to enquire about both the new handle and the new, smaller yagi.

Best wishes,

Tony.

Well, better than that: I'll bring yours with me, as we are coming to the Falconer's Fair to help out this year, three days in the UK then on to Dubai.

Stephen doubled the size of the trade stand this year to better accommodate the crowds, especially if it's going to be raining. So the Hunter Wellies will be with me as a precaution. . .

Thanks for the note here,
RB

[Tony James]

Well, better than that: I'll bring yours with me, as we are coming to the Falconer's Fair to help out this year, three days in the UK then on to Dubai.

Stephen doubled the size of the trade stand this year to better accommodate the crowds, especially if it's going to be raining. So the Hunter Wellies will be with me as a precaution. . .

Thanks for the note here,
RB

Your reputation for service is already outstanding, but 'International Delivery by Hand', that takes the biscuit.
Eddy is coming over from Belgium, and along with other friends from Belgium and Italy we're meeting up at Nigel's for some sport, then on to meet with Roger Jean and Mark for a meal in Marlborough, before heading to the FF the following morning.
If you fancy joining us you're more than welcome, but either way I look forward to seeing you very soon.
With luck you won't need the wellies!

Best wishes,

Tony.

[RLBagley]

Your reputation for service is already outstanding, but 'International Delivery by Hand', that takes the biscuit.
Eddy is coming over from Belgium, and along with other friends from Belgium and Italy we're meeting up at Nigel's for some sport, then on to meet with Roger Jean and Mark for a meal in Marlborough, before heading to the FF the following morning.
If you fancy joining us you're more than welcome, but either way I look forward to seeing you very soon.
With luck you won't need the wellies!

Best wishes,

Tony.

We'll be arriving-departing Heathrow around mid-day, so yes, assuming traffic north on the M1 is not too bad, we will attempt to find you all in time for some good pub food. I'll ring you along the way, if we're making good progress. That would be brilliant (as you would say).
RB