Do-it-yourself retractable suitcase handle

In detail: do-it-yourself repair of a retractable suitcase handle from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

The handle of a suitcase is one of the main components, without which it is simply impossible to operate a suitcase. A broken pen casts doubt on the journey, in the article we will tell you how it is possible to make repairs on your own.

First, let's analyze what happened. If one end of the suitcase handle comes off, and the other is still holding, we are lucky, the task is greatly simplified. The most reliable repair method is to secure the handle with a bolt. As a rule, through holes remain from standard fasteners - this is only on hand. Push the bolt on the back of the suitcase, pull the end of the handle through it, fix it with a nut (tightening it tightly). For a more aesthetic appearance, the nut can be closed with a suitable rivet.

If the telescopic handle breaks down:

The most common breakage of a telescopic handle is a fracture. For repairs, you will need to pick up a handle of the same size and width, a metal tube or plate (a thin corner, aluminum tubes will do). As a rule, telescopic handles are empty inside, so the best and most reliable repair method is to install inside a sturdy metal structure. We install a pre-prepared tube inside the broken handle, we advise you to choose a tube slightly smaller in size than the size of the handle, this will help to carefully install it inside. So that the place of the break does not stand out - carefully wrap it up with transparent tape or duct tape of a suitable color.

In the case when the handle breaks in several places and shatters into small pieces, you no longer have to think about aesthetics. We also need a metal tube, using tape or electrical tape, we attach it to the remaining intact parts. If a breakdown happened on the road, the role of a tube can be played by the body of a pen, a pencil, anything that fits in shape and provides the necessary rigidity.

Video (click to play).

Telescopic handle is stuck

Breakage is not common, but attempts to pry the handle usually lead to complete breakdown. In order to pull out the jammed handle of the suitcase, you must do the following:

  • On the reverse side, feel the frame of the telescopic handle
  • At the very bottom, open the protective upholstery and get close to the mechanism that fixes the handles.
  • There are two springs, in order to release the handle, you must press them at the same time.
  • For convenience, use a flat-blade screwdriver.
  • Be careful when you press on the springs the handle will “shoot”.

The described measures are suitable if a breakdown took you by surprise on the road. It is preferable to contact a workshop for repair, where professionals in their field will help you choose an identical pen, similar in its parameters to the original. The repair carried out by the master is covered by a guarantee, and the aesthetic appearance of the suitcase will not be affected.

The best way to fix a suitcase is to take it to the workshop, where it will certainly be put back on its feet, or rather, on wheels. But what if you need to repair the retractable handle of a suitcase urgently, right during the trip? And the craftsmen sometimes ask for so much that this money would be enough to buy a simple replacement for a broken suitcase. If you are not very worried about the aesthetic appearance of the case, it will be possible to repair it, even if you are, well, very far from nuts and bolts. How exactly can this be done? It all depends on the degree of damage.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of a retractable suitcase handle

When the handle breaks on the way, the beauty and durability of the repair is out of the question.It is important to do everything quickly and relatively reliably: so much so that you do not have to drag the suitcase in your hands to the very destination. And a real professional of express repairs - scotch tape will help us to do this.

So, the most common problem is a fracture of one of the retractable handle tubes. In terms of doing it yourself, the situation is very similar to applying a splint in case of a fracture in a person.

  1. Find a rigid frame that acts as a tire. It might be a small metal pipe, but in the field you usually have to rely on a pencil, ruler or comb - the stronger the better.
  2. An improvised splint is applied to the fracture site along the pipe.
  3. Now the place of the fracture is wrapped with tape or electrical tape along the entire length of the tire, or at least 5-7 cm in each direction from the fracture.

Of course, folding the handle with the tire back will be unrealistic, so if you still have to check in your suitcase, limit yourself to simply wrapping the break with tape in several layers.

Not everyone takes scotch or duct tape with them on trips (but in vain!), So the short-sighted will have to try to replace this irreplaceable product with improvised means: a handkerchief, cling film from sandwiches, stationery clips, if they fit.

By the way, this method can be used even if the handle is broken in several places, practically crumbling. You just have to find a tire a little longer or increase their number, and you will need to wrap it up with tape more reliably.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of a retractable suitcase handle

So you brought a broken suitcase home, and now you have enough time to slowly deal with the problem and try to repair the telescopic system with your own hands. Let's say right away: without experience in welding and polishing metal, it will not work to make the handle look like new, so all aesthetes will have to go to the workshops. But if you only need functionality from a suitcase, you can improve the way to strengthen the rift by replacing the tire with a pin.

  • Loosen the telescopic bolts and remove the broken part.
  • Insert a reinforcement of the structure in the form of a metal rod of a slightly smaller width than the cavity itself.
  • Secure the break with the same tape or tape.
  • Fasten the reinforced structure with the bolts back.

If a break allows, you do not even need to twist the pipe out of the telescopic holders, but it is important that the length of the pin is equal to the length of the handle itself, otherwise your reinforcement will dangle inside.

Another possible problem that you can solve with your own hands is the unscrewing of the bolts that hold the structure and, as a result, the handle dangling from one or both sides. To repair it, it is enough to tighten these or put new bolts and nuts in place of the old ones, for which you need to get close to the frame from the inside through the upholstery.

If it was not the telescopic handle, but the stationary handle that was unscrewed, you can also secure it with a bolt and nut, if it was not mechanically damaged (not cracked, not broken into parts)

Choose suitcases with telescopic, stationary and side handles so that in the event of a breakdown of one or even two of them, you have a backup transport option.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of a retractable suitcase handle

The second most common problem with telescopic systems after they break is jamming inside the suitcase. This is especially unpleasant if the suitcase is heavy: you won't be able to carry it on wheels!

  • First, feel inside the frame through the upholstery for the frame of the handle. Your task is to find holes with springs that fix it.
  • Now these springs must be pressed simultaneously: the handle will be released and "shoot" out of the groove.

The reverse situation is also not uncommon: the handle refuses to assemble back into the groove, and the suitcase must be checked in. Unfortunately, without disassembling the structure, it is almost impossible to solve this problem.In order not to completely break the structure during transportation, you can try to dismantle it with your own hands, twisting the bolts under the upholstery from the inside, or ask someone more experienced to do it for you. Then pack the handle in a suitcase, and wrap the suitcase itself with packing film so that things do not fall out and get dirty through the hole.

The telescopic handle and its quality are almost the main criterion when choosing a suitcase. Give preference to wide handles made of strong and thick metal, and then the likelihood of their breakage will be lower.

In order not to have to repair the telescopic handle, just roll the suitcase for it, and do not carry, sit on the suitcase and do not hammer it with heavy things under the maximum permissible weight. Well, if a breakdown did occur, now you know how you can cope with it in emergency and at home without the need to resort to the help of a master.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of a retractable suitcase handle

A century ago, travelers used chests, knapsacks and bags to transport things. Today a suitcase is an indispensable attribute for a modern person, whose life is connected with moving and business trips. It is also important for those who just travel a couple of times a year on vacation. The criteria by which you should choose it are the spaciousness and convenience of the handles.

When choosing a travel companion, you need to pay special attention to some parameters:

  • Image - Do-it-yourself repair of a retractable suitcase handleVolume. At the moment, in the largest suitcase you can put no more than 22 kg of things, in the middle one - no more than 17 kg, in the small one - up to 12 kg. Some varieties can change their volume by 1/3. Space is added by the zip opening that hides the entire compartment for household items.
  • The device of wheels and handles is designed for the corresponding weight and no more. Each model has its own specific gravity. This should be written in the instructions.
  • The handle is one of the main conditions for the convenient transportation of the suitcase. It should fit well in the hand and be rounded. Attached to the base with rivets or screws. The fasteners inside can be felt by hand, there are nuts, the size of which is usually several times larger than the size of the screws. The product on casters has 3 handles. One with a pull-out mechanism on top, the others are stationary - on top and on the side. The retractable one should have a comfortable length and the ability to fix it both in the extended and recessed position.
  • A good product has a plastic zipper, rather large, with 2 sliders.
  • Suitcases are made from soft (polyester and nylon) or hard (plastic with metal shavings) materials. The advantage of plastic over soft - in the ability to carry fragile things in it, the disadvantage is weight and susceptibility to scratches.