Shrinking -- Heat Shrink Tubing ---The Easy Way

[Sven]

What do you use to shrink heat shrink tubing?

I have been using matches, small lighters for the most part for years.
Tried a larger paint stripping heat gun, just throws too wide of a heat pattern good chance of melting anything near by.

I found the perfect tool at a local thrift shop for $3.00.
Originally bought it for my wifes hobbies.
It's a Embossing Heat Tool for scrapbooking and rubber stamp embossing.

Had an idea this morning. Decided to try it on some cable connectors.
WOW, this tool works great, small nozzle heat pattern, you can hold the nozzle within 3/8" from the tubing and it will not melt.
Perfect shrink. Even on 26 guage wire without melting the jacket.

Specs for our tool is 350 watts, Temp 650 degrees F

I looked on the web and the only company that sells these for shrink tubing is Sparkfun https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10326
Their's is only 300 watts.

Any craft stores probably carry this tool in stock, as well as on ebay, Amazon, etc. Prices range from $16 to 27.00.

So if your tired of using matches, lighters etc. give this a try. Think you'll like it.

 

[mudpuppy]

This is a great tip! Who woulda thought? Thats a real nice shot of a professional looking shrink.Thanks!..
Mud

 

[Bleaver]

n/t

 

[Mega]

Great tip Sven,as luck would have it my wife has 2 of them in her craft room,well she did have 2 that is

 

[Explorer]

I use one of these from Tower Hobbies a Top Flite Heat Gun.
Top Flite Heat Gun

 

[goingforbroke]

I usemy wifes hair dryer, lol she went to hair dressing school.$200 paul mitchell blow dryer...
Wrapped pvc pipe in foil to flatten it melted the tip of the dryer, she hasn't seen it yet lol

 

[finnfoto]

 

[megadivers]

I use a heat gun. Here is one for $14.99 and they also offer 20% off that with a printable coupon.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html

 

[Sven]

I use a heat gun. Here is one for $14.99 and they also offer 20% off that with a printable coupon.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html

What I was getting at is the craft tool is a more precision instrument, nice small nozzle with just the right amount of heat kept confined in a small area.
No hot nozzle to burn your skin off or to worry about when setting on a table to cool. The craft tool is much safer all the way around.

I have industrial heat guns that I used for stripping paint and varnish off wooden boat boats when I used to restore them. You develop some healthy respect for
those guns fast.....................................


The big gun is like butcher knife, the craft tool is like a scalpel. Just showing everyone a safer alternative.

By the way just bought another at another thrift store, new in the box $4.

 

[RockRaven]

Great post Sven. I use the larger heat guns to fabricate pvc into various forms for many different projects, have been looking for something with less power and a smaller focal point for quite some time. Thanks for the great tip!

 

[J.D]

good tip thanks for sharing

 

[MarkCZ]

I have got to have one!
Thanks

Mark

 

[kaolinwasher]

thats cool