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How to shrink heat shrink tubing?

  • Thread starter Geoffrey S. Mendelson
  • Start date
G

Geoffrey S. Mendelson

Jan 1, 1970
0
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need to
shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used for
removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I moved
here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it over
a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove lighter
ends up with burnt plastic. :)

Is there such a thing as a small heat shrink tube shrinker that does not
toast the things around it? The largest thing I need to shrink over is
about 1/2 an inch most of them are small (20awg or less) wires.


Thanks in advance,

Geoff.
 
N

N_Cook

Jan 1, 1970
0
Geoffrey S. Mendelson said:
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need to
shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used for
removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I moved
here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it over
a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove lighter
ends up with burnt plastic. :)

Is there such a thing as a small heat shrink tube shrinker that does not
toast the things around it? The largest thing I need to shrink over is
about 1/2 an inch most of them are small (20awg or less) wires.


Thanks in advance,

Geoff.
--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel [email protected] N3OWJ/4X1GM
New word I coined 12/13/09, "Sub-Wikipedia" adj, describing knowledge or
understanding, as in he has a sub-wikipedia understanding of the situation.
i.e possessing less facts or information than can be found in the
Wikipedia.


Wrap the tip of (old) soldering iron with some plumber's PTFE tape and then
apply the iron directly to the tubing or use a replacment tip , so adapted.
 
S

Smitty Two

Jan 1, 1970
0
Geoffrey S. Mendelson said:
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need to
shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used for
removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I moved
here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it over
a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove lighter
ends up with burnt plastic. :)

Is there such a thing as a small heat shrink tube shrinker that does not
toast the things around it? The largest thing I need to shrink over is
about 1/2 an inch most of them are small (20awg or less) wires.


Thanks in advance,

Geoff.

We use Weller's #6966C, which is a small, lightweight gun that comes
with an assortment of heat focusing attachments. There are many, many
heat guns available in a huge array of styles and sizes, check your
solder and tools supplier's catalog.
 
C

Cydrome Leader

Jan 1, 1970
0
Geoffrey S. Mendelson said:
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need to
shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used for
removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I moved
here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it over
a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove lighter
ends up with burnt plastic. :)

Is there such a thing as a small heat shrink tube shrinker that does not
toast the things around it? The largest thing I need to shrink over is
about 1/2 an inch most of them are small (20awg or less) wires.


Thanks in advance,

Geoff.

hair dryer.
 
M

Meat Plow

Jan 1, 1970
0
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need
to shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used
for removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I
moved here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it
over a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove
lighter ends up with burnt plastic. :)

Is there such a thing as a small heat shrink tube shrinker that does not
toast the things around it? The largest thing I need to shrink over is
about 1/2 an inch most of them are small (20awg or less) wires.


Thanks in advance,

Geoff.

With practice a Bic lighter does the job on small wire. Anything bigger
like the end of a cable holding lots of wires say about 3/4 in you need a
heat gun .
 
W

William Sommerwerck

Jan 1, 1970
0
Isn't there a burning bush in your vicinity?

The problem is that fairly high temperatures are needed, well above what a
lighter or hair dryer put out. Lighters, in particular, will burn the tubing
before shrinking it.

One workable solution is to use a hair dryer, and block the inlets with a
sock. This causes the outlet temperature to rise to the "shrinking" point.
There's a catch, though... The hair dryer will "overheat" (natch -- that's
the idea) and shut off. If the dryer doesn't have a resettable fuse, you
won't be able to use the dryer again.

A few years ago I bought an inexpensive heat gun, which worked well. A bit
of scrounging might turn one up.
 
G

Geoffrey S. Mendelson

Jan 1, 1970
0
William said:
Isn't there a burning bush in your vicinity?

Yes, but it keeps yelling "Behold the Metatron, Behold the Metatron" and
won't help. :)
The problem is that fairly high temperatures are needed, well above what a
lighter or hair dryer put out. Lighters, in particular, will burn the tubing
before shrinking it.

Yes, that's what I found out. Especially if you get too close. Although I used
to have a steady hand, that was a long time ago. It wiggles occasionaly, and
when it does, the flame burns the plastic. :-(
A few years ago I bought an inexpensive heat gun, which worked well. A bit
of scrounging might turn one up.

I've never seen one here. Almost all of the construction is stone or concrete
and that kind of paint does not work well on it.

Geoff.
 
R

Rich Webb

Jan 1, 1970
0
Isn't there a burning bush in your vicinity?

The problem is that fairly high temperatures are needed, well above what a
lighter or hair dryer put out. Lighters, in particular, will burn the tubing
before shrinking it.

I've had pretty good luck with butane lighters that are turned way down
(a mere flicker of a blue flame) *IF* they're used on fairly small
shrink tubing. Just keep the hot spot moving and pay attention to what
the tube is doing. Works great with 1/16" shrink tube for single pins
but I do imagine it could be a disaster with large diameters.
 
W

Winston

Jan 1, 1970
0
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need to
shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used for
removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I moved
here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it over
a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove lighter
ends up with burnt plastic. :)

Is there such a thing as a small heat shrink tube shrinker that does not
toast the things around it? The largest thing I need to shrink over is
about 1/2 an inch most of them are small (20awg or less) wires.

Just as a point of reference, this tool appears to be
about perfect for you:

eBay 300417780799

STEINEL (230 volts) HL1810S HOT AIR/HEAT GUN

--Winston
 
S

Sjouke Burry

Jan 1, 1970
0
Geoffrey said:
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need to
shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used for
removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I moved
here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it over
a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove lighter
ends up with burnt plastic. :)

Is there such a thing as a small heat shrink tube shrinker that does not
toast the things around it? The largest thing I need to shrink over is
about 1/2 an inch most of them are small (20awg or less) wires.


Thanks in advance,

Geoff.
Whatever way you heat it, use teflon shrinck tubing.
You cant increase its blackness, and it shrinks to 1/3rd dia.
And does not melt/burn until over 450 degree Celcius.
 
J

Jeffrey D Angus

Jan 1, 1970
0
Graham said:
DuPont studies show that the Teflon offgases toxic particulates at
446°F. At 680°F Teflon pans release at least six toxic gases,
including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and MFA, a chemical
lethal to humans at low doses

While I was working at TRW, we had one of our technicians
end up in the emergency room from sitting over a cable that
he was using a thermal stripper on.

"Will he be ok?"
"Only time will tell."
"Is there anything you can do for him?"
"Just keep an eye on him."

Of course, I think they should be selling Teflon lined
blunts in the liquor stores.

Jeff
 
G

Grant

Jan 1, 1970
0
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need to
shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used for
removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I moved
here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it over
a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove lighter
ends up with burnt plastic. :)

Is there such a thing as a small heat shrink tube shrinker that does not
toast the things around it? The largest thing I need to shrink over is
about 1/2 an inch most of them are small (20awg or less) wires.

I use a Bosch 1500W paint stripper gun on low for the last 30 years or so :)

Nameplate rating says low is 320'C at 240l/m. It can be a little too hot
if one brings the heatshrink too close.

I've not had much luck with a flame, tends to scorch the heatshrink.

Grant.
 
W

William Sommerwerck

Jan 1, 1970
0
The problem is that fairly high temperatures are needed,
If you need more heat than what a blow dryer will do,
the HS is defective.

Not likely. A hair dryer hot enough to fully shrink tubing would probably
burn your scalp.
 
P

Peter Hill

Jan 1, 1970
0
Wikipedia.


Wrap the tip of (old) soldering iron with some plumber's PTFE tape and then
apply the iron directly to the tubing or use a replacment tip , so adapted.

I just use the clean part of the tip where it has a broad tapper to
the main body. An iron has to be in contact not wafted around in the
vicinity, just rub it up and down the sleeve while rotating the wire
1/2 turn each way. An 11w 1mm tip iron will do nicely on heat shrink
for joints in single core auto wire. 1/2" is going to need something a
bit more powerful, 80w 1/4"?
 
G

GregS

Jan 1, 1970
0
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need to
shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used for
removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I moved
here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it over
a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove lighter
ends up with burnt plastic. :)

Is there such a thing as a small heat shrink tube shrinker that does not
toast the things around it? The largest thing I need to shrink over is
about 1/2 an inch most of them are small (20awg or less) wires.

The old BIC will work fine if you got the touch.
There is also a BIC gun, actually one of those slim lighters.

There is a cheap tool out there. Its like a big soldering iron.
Blows maybe 300 watts with a small footprint. The Ungar
I have been using for 25 years has steadily gon up in price,
over $100. Rediculous. Something like shown on this page,
as well as all the rest.
http://www.buyheatshrink.com/HeatGuns/heatguns.htm

I paid $20 for mine at a local hardware store.
I still had money for a beer.


greg
 
A

Allodoxaphobia

Jan 1, 1970
0
Maybe HS has has changed recently or perhaps blow dryers are wimpier
now being designed for people too stupid to hold it at a reasonable
distance.
I only use the stuff occasionally and haven't in about 7 years.
Previously, I never had any trouble using a blow dryer.

I use a pistol-style hair dryer _plus_ a 'cup' formed from several
layers of aluminum foil. Create the cup using the barrel of the blow
dryer as the form -- making it with 2 slots running down opposite sides.
Lay the splice/whatever on the bottom of the cups with the wire(s)
entering through the slot(s). Use by placing the blow dryer just part
way into the cup -- allowing the "blow" to flow out of the cup. (Use a
blow dryer with a bimetal overheat reset -- not an overheat fuse.)

WFM

Jonesy
 
W

William Sommerwerck

Jan 1, 1970
0
A new set of test leads that came with an older model
of Tektronix TekMeter LCD scopemeter consisting of
4 leads, 3 were soft, but the red one was semi-rigid.
Vintage cables are often stiffer after 20-30 years, and
I suppose that's to be expected, but new cables should
be relatively soft.

Perhaps the plasticizer would have unacceptably altered the color.
 
G

GregS

Jan 1, 1970
0
Other way is a hot air re-work station. Mine can be set at a low enough
temp. But it's an expensive way to do it.

I have used mine, but the small area is only good for small shrink.
i also melt hot melt glue sometimes, and melt hot melt inside
the shrink. The edges need touched up at times.
The Ungar heat gun is about 350 watts and produces a 600 degree
temp at the tip. I have shrunk 2-3 inch shrink, no problem.

greg
 
M

Mark Zenier

Jan 1, 1970
0
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need to
shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used for
removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I moved
here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it over
a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove lighter
ends up with burnt plastic. :)

Is there such a thing as a small heat shrink tube shrinker that does not
toast the things around it? The largest thing I need to shrink over is
about 1/2 an inch most of them are small (20awg or less) wires.

For cable assemblies, I've found that nothing beats a Sunbeam toaster.
Turns itself off, too. You don't have to put it down into the slot,
just hold it over the top.

The trick with lighters is to keep the shrink about 1 1/2 to 2 inches
above the top of the flame.


Mark Zenier [email protected]
Googleproofaddress(account:mzenier provider:eskimo domain:com)
 
M

mm

Jan 1, 1970
0
I've recently started doing electronic repairs (mostly wiring) and need to
shrink heat shrink tubing. A long time ago I bought a heat gun used for
removing paint and used that. It was 120 volt, so I left it when I moved
here.

I've never had much luck (or is it patience?) shrinking it by holding it over
a soldering iron tip. Using a flame, like a cigarette or stove lighter
ends up with burnt plastic. :)

I always use a kitchen match, a wood match about 3 inches long. A
couple boxes of them are very cheap.

It usually comes out perfect. Sometimes I need to use more than one
match to make it tight.

Once in a while I burn the tubing a little, but it's never seemed to
weaken it. I'm sure I only turn the surface black.

I hold the wires horizontal and move the match back and forth, with
the tubing within the flame, the match 1/2 to 3/4 inch below the
tubing. It shrinks quickly.
 
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