Bow handle BH13 black

Bow handles in the BH13 series are molded handles in thermoplastic with smooth through holes. The handle is fitted with two screws and gives a steady full hand grip; it sits on drawers, doors and equipment that are lifted, pulled and opened day after day. The same type of handle turns up on everything from control cabinets to packing machines, a classic standard part among machine elements.

Thermoplastic is a rewarding handle material. It feels warm in the hand compared with metal, it does not rust and it takes knocks without bending; a bent steel handle stays bent, while the plastic springs back. The material is also electrically insulating, which makes the handle suitable on electrical cabinets. The matte black surface gives a good grip even with gloves and hides scratches from daily handling. The thermoplastic also takes oils and the cleaning agents found in a workshop environment.

The series comes in six sizes with hole spacing from 93 up to 235 mm. The smallest has an overall length of 110 mm and a height of 37 mm, the versions at 117 and 120 mm have an overall length of 140 mm and a height of 40 mm, and beyond that there are 132, 180 and 235 mm for wider doors. The screw holes are 6, 8 or 10 mm depending on the size; the coarsest hole belongs to the largest handle.

The holes are countersunk, on the smaller sizes with a diameter of 11 and 14 mm respectively, so the screw head ends up protected down in the handle where it neither chafes against the hand nor catches on loads and clothes. The mounting is done with a through screw and nut, or with a screw into threaded holes in the surface.

The uses are everyday in the best sense of the word: tool boxes, electrical cabinet doors, machine guards, equipment cases, service covers, pull out units in vehicles and sliding doors in the workshop. In short: where something is to be opened or moved by hand. In service vehicles and tight spaces the plastic handle is also kind to both paint and knuckles. The handle works as well on newly built cabinets as on refurbished older equipment.

The grip opening takes four fingers, even in a work glove. The height of 37 mm and upward keeps the knuckles clear of the surface.

Replacement is the most common buying situation. Measure the hole spacing center to center on the old handle before you order; 117 and 120 mm look identical by eye but differ in both hole spacing and screw size, and a couple of millimeters wrong means new holes in the door. Compare against the data sheet if you are unsure. An old handle that has cracked usually also tells you that the load has been on the high side, so think at the same time about whether the door needs a second handle.

The screw size follows the holes: a 6 mm hole suits an M6 screw, 8 mm suits M8 and 10 mm suits M10. Pick the screw length so the head bottoms in the countersink; a screw sticking up out of the handle makes the grip uncomfortable and collects dirt.

Size it by load, as with all lifting parts. A handle in thermoplastic carries everyday loads with good margin, but if the whole weight of the equipment is going to hang in the handle during lifting it is wise to fit two and spread the grip. The screw joint is usually the real limit; use washers on thin sheet metal doors. When in doubt it is better to go up in screw size than to hope for the best.

The pack holds 25 pieces, a sensible level for both production and maintenance stores.

Wondering whether the dimensions match your door? Send us a line and we will check it together.