How do you shrink heatshrink?

[Geek]

A $0.50 Bic ciggie lighter.

Heatgun for 3/4" and larger.

Cheers!

[jazzy939]

I use a 'pocket' blowtorch with adjustable flame

[Stuey]

Originally posted by jazzy939
I use a 'pocket' blowtorch with adjustable flame

Me too.

[DigitalJunkie]

I have always used a (Bic) lighter..
One of these days I'll get a heatgun..one of these days.

[Magura]

Originally posted by star882
A hair dryer works nicely and will not melt the insulation like other methods could. Or just hold the section about half an inch above a hot soldering iron.

Well, try Star's way of doing it, and you'll find that not only is the risk of burning the heat-shrink not an issue, but if making a complete construction in one move, it's real smart.
Mount all the heat-shrink, but don't heat them one by one as you go, but just leave it in place til you're all done, then 5 minutes with the hair dryer will shrink them all in one go.


Magura

[Atilla]

Next time I'm trying massive heat-shrinking all-in-one-go construction, that's gonna be awesome !


The reason I'm asking this is because I've developed some form of heatshrink addiction, I wrap everything in color-coded heat-shrink in the final stages of the casework. It's so ... colorful (yeah, I use colored heatshrink all over the place ...)

[star882]

Originally posted by Magura
Well, try Star's way of doing it, and you'll find that not only is the risk of burning the heat-shrink not an issue, but if making a complete construction in one move, it's real smart.
Mount all the heat-shrink, but don't heat them one by one as you go, but just leave it in place til you're all done, then 5 minutes with the hair dryer will shrink them all in one go.


Magura

The issue I had with using a lighter was not burning the heatshrink, but melting the insulation on the wires. I started using a hair dryer when I found that it gets hot enough. (Look for one that is also designed for styling to be sure.)

Another trick is to put a little hot glue on the connection before the heat shrinking. The heat will melt the hot glue and seal the connection from moisture as well as make it more solid mechanically. Did that on some telephone wiring and it works great. The local ISP does something similar with the broadband lines, but with a special silicone instead of hot glue.

[Dr.EM]

Originally posted by star882
Another trick is to put a little hot glue on the connection before the heat shrinking. The heat will melt the hot glue and seal the connection from moisture as well as make it more solid mechanically.

In fact, you can buy adhesive lined heatshrink tubing, it is indeed useful stuff. I need some for my measuring mic

[lgreen]

i use the bernzomatic. it is awesome!!!!

like a little blowtorch at the price near to a lighter. flame shoots out and direction and intensity is easily controlled; unlike those cheap stick lighters yhis is like a torch

and good for the grill too!

and it has an led! but not sure how that works

[djQUAN]

I use a lighter for quick jobs. and the hot air rework station if the lighter isn't enough.