How to shrink heat shrink tubing?
in [Repair]
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From: Jeff Liebermann on 10 May 2010 18:15 On Mon, 10 May 2010 21:50:08 +0200, Sjouke Burry <burrynulnulfour(a)ppllaanneett.nnll> wrote: >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. 350C for most PTFE formulations. 450C will set paper on fire. The shrink ratio varies from 2:1 to 4:1. The stuff gave me problems until I finally read the instructions. There are different types, that require different temperatures, cool down periods, and handling: <http://www.texloc.com/hs_home.html> See the various "how to shrink" sections at the bottom. However, the results are worth the effort. The PTFE tubing is far more flexible after shrinking. With a 4:1 shrink diameter ratio, I have few fit problems. However, I found that it becomes brittle when overheated or cooled to quickly. Going too slowly is also a potential fire hazard when working with flammable cables. -- Jeff Liebermann jeffl(a)cruzio.com 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
From: Michael A. Terrell on 10 May 2010 19:49 William Sommerwerck wrote: > > 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. <http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html> $19.99 regular price. On sale for $9.99 at times. -- Anyone wanting to run for any political office in the US should have to have a DD214, and a honorable discharge.
From: William Sommerwerck on 10 May 2010 19:51 >> 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. > 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.
From: AZ Nomad on 10 May 2010 20:59 On Mon, 10 May 2010 16:51:06 -0700, William Sommerwerck <grizzledgeezer(a)comcast.net> wrote: >>> 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. >> 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. 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.
From: Andy on 11 May 2010 01:12
On Mon, 10 May 2010 16:24:04 +0000 (UTC), "Geoffrey S. Mendelson" <gsm(a)cable.mendelson.com> wrote: >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 use the soldering iron barrel, not the tip. > >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. |