Shrinking Heat Shrink Tubing

[SVEN1]

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 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.

[Mechanic]

Hi Sven1,

I have used one of those guns before as my partner is into scrap booking also, they do work nicely. However, my favourite tool for this is my hot air re-work station as the temp is controllable. About 230c is good. For bigger jobs I have a temperature controlled hot air gun. But both of those are more expensive than the one you use. However, your missus would like a hot air rework station for the embossing she does as you can set the air speed low and the temp high and not blow the embossing powder away

Cheers Mick

[kt315]

I use this industrial heat gun. it was not expensive and good for any kind of work.

[kt315]

[multieagle]

Another option: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Portable-Hot-...item3390ff7f79

[kt315]

[Gwil]

I use an old Black and Decker paint stripper heat gun, usually set to the lower of its two heat settings. Slower, but safer. If I want to avoid overheating something nearby, I make a shield out of one or often two pieces of cardboard. (If the cardboard catches fire, you're using too much heat!)

[SVEN1]

What I was getting at is the hobby tool is cheap cost.
Very small hot air nozzle so your able to control the heat to a specific area without having to use shields etc to protect other parts.
I have an industrial heat gun myself to use for stripping paint and varnish off wood. I consider it to be a bucher knife compared to the hobby heat tool which
is like using a scaple. To me, its more of a precision tool.

Best part is I don't have to worry about melting flesh with the industrial heat gun nozzle that remains burning hot for an extended period of time.
Don't have to worry where that heat nozzle is in relation to other items that it could damage when set aside after use, if it fell over.
For safety factor the small hobby heat tool wins hands down. It's a good alternative which doesn't take up much room on the bench.

[kt315]

crosslinked to barracuda coil http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showt...916#post223916

[Skippy]

That SparkFun tool looks nice, it's a shame it doesn't seem to be available in 220 / 240 Volt version.
There are alternatives: this Docrafts Papermania tool for heat-embossing, though:
https://www.docrafts.com/Products/pa...-uk-plug/78043
And one sold as Dovecraft
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dovecraft-...e/281887579179

You are correct about commercial guns being too powerful. There is definitely a need for something more modest in a workshop.

I'm going into a nearby town later, which has a good craft/hobby shop, I think I'll have a look at what they have in stock.

[kosacid]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/27157...8615505&crdt=0

[kt315]

Skippy, on my last official work i had an air gun soldering station HAKKO (real Japan) and had not problem with the shrinking. but i left it as left the work...
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1p7b9L...older-Iron.jpg

some people asking me took it for repair of car bumper.

[kt315]

kosacid outrun me =)))

[Skippy]

Yeah, i have access to an expensive hot air SMD rework tool at work, too, but it's no use when I'm at home. At home I have a hobbyist heat gun, it's intended for shrinking film covering ( Solarfilm etc) on remote-control model aeroplanes, but it's fine for general heatshrinking. I just liked the look of the smaller ones, and the price was reasonable.
I paid a visit to the hobby/craft shop I mentioned earlier, they didn't have any in stock, but they are 12 Pounds (U.K) , I will visit again in a week or so.

[kt315]

from unexpensive - Lukey 852D
http://pro-radio.ru/technology/591-6/