So what do you do when that cheap plastic comes apart? Toss it or repair it? Repair is easy and some of you have already done this but I thought I’d post this for those who haven’t thought about it. Short pieces of PVC pipe work well. You have two types of wire bails for buckets. One can be removed and the other can’t. If you have one that can be removed (see pic) then just remove it and cut off the PVC to the desired length and by bending the bail you can slip it on and bend it back and reinstall. If yours can’t be removed then cut a short piece of PVC (I cut it 1/8” wider than the width of my miter box so I could wedge it in.) Then cut it with a miter saw or hack saw (see pic) and using a 15 amp slow blow flat blade screwdriver wedge it apart and force the wire bail into the new handle.
This new handle actually makes carrying something easier. It is gentler on your hands and because it easily rotates on the wire bail it keeps things balanced fore and aft as well port and starboard. That way if you are carrying a full bucket of liquid it won’t slosh on your trousers (USMC taught me that women wear pants and men wear trousers.)
Of course if you are one of those irredeemable deplorable basket cases HRC talked about you might just want to duck tape it. Of course that won’t keep it from listing and spilling liquid on your pants.