Heat Shrink Question

Tchail · Post by **Tchail** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:19 pm

Hey Everyone,

I understand that when building your electronics for your starships, it is best to insulate electrical connections using heat shrink tubing.

I've picked up a package at Radio Shack, and I have a question:

What temperature is needed?

I'm going to have to get a heat gun, but I don't need the power of a big paint stripping gun.

But would a small craft-type gun work?

Thanks,

-Tchail

USS Atlantis · Post by **USS Atlantis** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:28 pm

The one I use is actually my wife's "embossing heat tool" she got at Michael's

Does the job quite nicely, and the smaller opening gives me more control so I can shrink-tube Plastic Fiber Optic strands without causing the strands to curl up on me

en'til Zog · Post by **en'til Zog** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:34 am

I usually hold the heat shrink over my (plugged in and up to temperature) soldering iron.

Rogviler · Post by **Rogviler** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:38 am

I use a cigarette lighter myself. I've seen others use a small pocket torch. It doesn't take long enough to catch anything on fire or melt solder. I've found it's hard to be precise with a heat gun and you can get a lot of heating of surrounding circuits and/or plastic, and some just take too long.

I'm sure there's a Debbie Downer around here to say that open-flame-shrinking is the leading cause of premature death in cats though.

I always say you should do what works for you.

-Rog

macfrank · Post by **macfrank** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:52 am

Add another vote for the soldering iron at temp method. It doesn't even have to touch the heat shrink.

Tchail · Post by **Tchail** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:59 am

I tried using a soldering iron without much success.

(I think I have a 30-35W soldering iron.)

Do you guys think that this would do the trick?:

http://kipkay.com/videos/laser-flashlight-hack

It's powerful enough to light a match, which to the best I can figure out is around 325 degrees.

I don't know if that will do the trick for heat shrink, though.

-Tchail

tetsujin · Post by **tetsujin** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 2:59 am

Tchail wrote: Do you guys think that this would do the trick?:

http://kipkay.com/videos/laser-flashlight-hack

It's powerful enough to light a match, which to the best I can figure out is around 325 degrees.

I don't know if that will do the trick for heat shrink, though.

Well, I think the (ratio of risk of damage to person):(potential for successfully shrinking heat shrink) would be unacceptably high... Also bear in mind a laser has a pretty narrow beam, and its ability to heat things up depends largely on how much of the light they absorb rather than reflect...

Personally I use fire to shrink heat shrink. I don't think it's the best solution really, but I don't use a lot of heat shrink, either... I think some kind of hot air gun would probably be the way to go.

macfrank · Post by **macfrank** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:54 am

Tchail wrote:
I don't know if that will do the trick for heat shrink, though.

Don't know what it would do to heat shrink, but an errant reflection will cause permanent eye damage - minor stuff like blindness. Leave the stupid stuff to the stupid people; they do it better.

If the soldering iron method isn't working, it's probably the heat shrink. You can get a small heat gun. designed for heat shrink tubing. Some butane torches have a heat spreader adapter that works really well at shrinking heat shrink. You can use the butane torch without the heat spreader if you're careful, too.

Frank

walter · Post by **walter** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:36 pm

Tchail wrote:I tried using a soldering iron without much success.

(I think I have a 30-35W soldering iron.)

Do you guys think that this would do the trick?:

http://kipkay.com/videos/laser-flashlight-hack

It's powerful enough to light a match, which to the best I can figure out is around 325 degrees.

I don't know if that will do the trick for heat shrink, though.

-Tchail

I have a very cheap soldering iron ( $1 at the 99 cent store) and it works very good with heat shrink tube. Allso look in the hardware store for the heat shrink tube it is about 1/3 the price of Radio Shack.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:01 pm

I use one of these with this attachment. Works fine.

rocketrider · Post by **rocketrider** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:03 am

I have had success with the Hobbico heat gun used to apply monocote covering on R/C planes.

http://www.hobbico.com/tools/hcar7000.html

Glen

admiralcag · Post by **admiralcag** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:53 am

rocketrider wrote:I have had success with the Hobbico heat gun used to apply monocote covering on R/C planes.

http://www.hobbico.com/tools/hcar7000.html

Glen

That's what I use. Works well.

Vern

Mr. Engineer · Post by **Mr. Engineer** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 12:25 am

Call me lazy but I just use the sharp tip of my soldering iron and literally rub it against the tubing wall on most sides until it shrinks.

MillenniumFalsehood · Post by **MillenniumFalsehood** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:46 pm

Why not simply hold the parts over a hot stove? I've done this with much success and it works most of the time (just don't try it near the kit parts).

Madman Lighting · Post by **Madman Lighting** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:14 pm

I think even a small hair dryer will work with this stuff. You dont need a high temperature, just a goodly amount.

Maschinen Krueger · Post by **Maschinen Krueger** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:30 pm

I just picked up a pack of heat-shrink tube from the Shack. I used a Bic Lighter. Works fine.

seam-filler · Post by **seam-filler** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 4:49 am

Madman Lighting wrote:I think even a small hair dryer will work with this stuff. You dont need a high temperature, just a goodly amount.

Yup - a hair dryer works fine.

starmanmm · Post by **starmanmm** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:16 pm

I have had the same issue in regards to heat shrinking around fiber optics to hold them together. The FO just curled and I was a good 6 inches above the flame.

Tired the flame and a heat gun

but would be interested in knowing what would work with heat shrinking around FO.

USS Atlantis · Post by **USS Atlantis** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:01 pm

starmanmm wrote:I have had the same issue in regards to heat shrinking around fiber optics to hold them together. The FO just curled and I was a good 6 inches above the flame.

Tired the flame and a heat gun but would be interested in knowing what would work with heat shrinking around FO.

I don't many issues - just keep the business end of the heat gun further away than you normally would - just close enough to get the shrink shrinking - even if it takes longer

Madman Lighting · Post by **Madman Lighting** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:05 pm

starmanmm wrote:I have had the same issue in regards to heat shrinking around fiber optics to hold them together. The FO just curled and I was a good 6 inches above the flame.

Tired the flame and a heat gun but would be interested in knowing what would work with heat shrinking around FO.

I do that all the time. Just use the side of a low wattage soldering iron and hold it a couple millimeters away or just brush the heat shrink with the iron.

Plastic fiber is heat sensitive, thats how we can "flare" the ends to make neat little lenses.

robiwon · Post by **robiwon** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 10:22 am

Easiest solution is to just use black electrical tape!

Seriously though, 99% time I use a Bic lighter or a small tea/votive candle. For doing FO you just have to have the heat source further away. It will take longer for the HST to activate but you will not melt the FO as easily. I have also used electrical tape on FO before adding the HST. This further insulates the FO from heat damage.