Any tips on Heat Shrink?

[blearyeyes]

I just bought a hot air gun and heat shrink tubing... before I melt something anyone have any experience tips?

[Leevibe]

Like with soldering, get in and out quick if you can. You don't want to melt the stuff around where you're working. Having said that, it's pretty easy. Just point the heat gun at it and watch it shrink.

[alanp]

I usually use my helping hands thing to hold the piece steady. Haven't burnt myself, but I've no wish to find out if it is hot enough.

[peterc]

In my experience, dont get too close or heat up the heatshrink too quickly. If too much heat is applied, the shrink can become hard, shiny and inflexible.

I use an old paint stripper and warm from about a foot away, takes a bit longer but the shrink stays bendy and does not get a hard shiny finish to it.

Peter

[RobA]

Follow these simply instructions and all should be well,
http://dlnmh9ip6v2uc.cloudfront.net/datasheets/Tools/Heaterizer-Instructions-02.pdf

[Matt]

Is it bad that I just use a lighter?

[davent]

I usually do a couple quick heat and cool cycles, i don't try to get the complete shrink in one heating attack.

I like the double wall stuff with adhesive.

For cables and the like i find it best to stand the heat gun on a table and hold & manipulate the part over the heat gun nozzle.

[alanp]

Is it bad that I just use a lighter?

I used to just use either that or the barrel of the soldering iron, but a proper hot air gun works MUCH, MUCH better. Like writing with a stick of charcoal compared to a proper Bic.

[playpunk]

Where do you guys source good heat shrink? I have some cheesy Home Depot heat shrink on my DIY cables, but I want some better stuff


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[alanp]

Picked up enough to last years from Ideal Electrical. They're a trade shop, but they sell to the public. Small Bear also sell small-gauge heatshrink, IIRC.

[gordo]

Is it bad that I just use a lighter?

Nope, but the heat gun keeps it from discoloring or going black.

If you use a heat gun keep it moving and get to about 3 or 4 inches from the shrink.  My gun is right beside my work bench so for the few times I need it, it's within easy reach.  I've had good luck buying the heat shrink kits from Harbor Freight here in the US.

[electrosonic]

Probably not the cheapest way to stock your heat shrink. But convenient and nicely packaged.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=70662&cat=1,43456

Andrew

[davent]

Used to get the adhesive 3:1 from takefiveaudio but a local shop now stocks it so i get it there.

http://www.takefiveaudio.com/mall/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=109&cat=Shrinktube

ANother local shop.  http://www.partsconnexion.com/shrink_hshrk_main.html

[Willybomb]

I tried a hairdryer last time on.. something... might been the Boneyard, and I just succeeded in getting the enclosure hot and softening the finish.  I went back to using the side of my soldering iron, which ends up leaving crap on the heatsink..

[RobA]

I used to use the side of my iron too, but when I got my decent iron and decided I shouldn't abuse it any more I finally bought the $15 heat gun that I'd had sitting in my cart at Amazon for around two years. It's well worth the minimal cash outlay. Lately, I've been rolling a whole bunch of LED/LDR combos for testing. Having the heat gun makes it infinitely easier and the results are really good.

The air stream on my heat gun is a lot tighter than a hairdryer, so minimizing collateral damage is easier.

(If, you haven't read the link to the Sparkfun heat gun manual I put in my response above, do. It's the best manual I've ever seen.)