I have some lawn chairs with plastic handles that have deteriorated.

If you have the typical collapsible chairs I'm picturing (that were popular in the 60's through to the 90's), have you thought of removing the broken bits of plastic and wrapping the arm-rest area with rope? I'm referring to the nice thick rope you see at bix box stores, hardware stores, etc. Be sure to use a heavy-duty glue.

PS: Sorry for the typo! It should read "big box stores"! Adding rope to replace your broken handles would add a popular nautical element to your chairs.

I would replace the plastic arms with wooden ones.

You could use wood to replace the plastic handles and round off the straight edges to make them more comfortable and finish them as you see fit. I remember a lot of those chairs with wood on them.

If the plastic handles were screwed on, unscrew and salvage what you can to use as a template - make wood handles and screw back on.

I would get some plastic/vinyl cord and make a new handle by tying on a few strands the loop of the size handle onto the chair, then I would do half-hitches all the way down the length of the handle you've tied onto the chair for a nice cushy handle.

I second Bobbie’s replacement suggestion. However, I did some pretty extensive Googling and found lots of webbing but no arms.

No problem. If you have some woodworking experience or know someone you’re pretty much done. If you need someone you will need to get creative. Ask at your local senior center. At ours there’s a woodworking club and also guys that do small household projects at very reasonable prices. In the high school woodworking class there’s probably a kid who would be happy to cut some wood for you.

Get the length, width, and height - doesn’t even need to be exact x make them wider, add cup holders! And then relax in your “new” chairs!

Ophs forgot link.... https://www.etsy.com/listing/178267606/vinyl-cord-vinyl-02-5mm-made-in-canada

Here is a video on how to half hitch,but your doing it over several strand of cord instead. Forgot to mention you can use paracord found on rolls at most home or craft stores. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-e2a-kc39Y

Thanks for the suggestions. The current handles are riveted through both sides of the arm. My husband was the wood worker and he was planning to do that when we came home from our summer in Glacier Nat'l Prk. As it turned out, he died before we came home for the last time. So he didn't get a chance to finish that project. --Just goes to show, you can't count on tomorrow! But I guess I have the woodworking equipment, just need to be able to put it to use. Taking out the rivets will probably be the first challenge. Then go from there or Ask my Bro-in-law if he will do it for me! I will have to get them painted first I guess so that they are really nice when finished.

Thanks for the excellent instructional video. That really made it clear and it definitely an option to consider. Nice finish too! the idea of para cord makes it a real consideration. I was thinking of the rough rope which I don't even like to touch. Thanks again!

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I hope you can do the project. He might help guide you thru it; and please, post pictures for us so we can be inspired too.

Use a piece of 1x4 (round fronts and edges and sand a bit), and attach with strap iron using short screws

Rivets aren’t difficult to drill out. I’m guessing you have pulled (“Pop”), not driven, so I looked a round for some simple instructions.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Removing-Rivets/

The 1x4 wood suggested above would be nice but also check the “molding and millwork” aisle. The store will cut it for you and there might even be free scraps. Sand and stain or paint before you attach them.

Be careful with power tools. If you don’t know how to use an electric drill get help or you can easily use a hand-drill on this project.

Attach your new wood arms with screws. Get stainless or brass so they won’t rust. Look for round-head screws and washers to match. Aluminum tubing is soft and you want to spread the load. Make sure they’re long enough to go through the tubing and go at least half-way through the wood.

You might be able to hollow out your wood arms a little on the bottom to fit the tubing better but it’s not necessary.

Put the chair upside down on a table or workbench. Clamp or get someone to help you hold the arms in place while you mark the hole locations. You can add more holes but that’s another story.

Stick something long and skinny (skewer, knitting needle! awl?)straight down through the old rivet holes and mark the locations.

Take the arms off the chair and drill small pilot holes for your screws. Sometimes the package will tell you what size pilot holes to use or ask at the hardware store.

Don’t go too deep. You can put a little masking tape flag on the drill so you know when to stop!

Put your chair back up on the workbench on top of the arms, fish around with your long sharp thing until you find the first hole. Put your screws in, flip the chair over and sit down and relax.

I know you will always miss your husband and he is proud of you for taking on this project.

Hugs.

Replace with wooden handles.