Shrinking Tubing

[BoatBuoy]

In the past, I have used heat-shrink tubing for connections, but they were small ga. and the tubing was only an inch or so long. I shrunk it by simply waving a cigarette lighter under it for a few seconds. Now I'm fabricating a wiring harness and faced with shrinking several feet of much larger diameter tubing. I don't have a heat gun. Are there any other techniques for shrinking a large amount of tubing or am I going to have to buy a heat gun? I think it could be done with a propane torch, but I'm not sure I have the finesse or steadiness of hand to do it.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Shrinking Tubing

I have recently done just as you are describing but I used a brand of tube that shrinks evenly and neatly. It is made by narva and is fireproof. I used a mappgas torch set low, you still need to be careful but it was much easier to shrink than conventional tube.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Shrinking Tubing

How about a blow dryer?<br /><br />Bob

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Shrinking Tubing

I tried my daughter's blow dryer. Being young, she has a 1 million watt dryer (or some such). Didn't shrink it, evidently not hot enough. Maybe I need a 2 million watt dryer. I really don't want to buy a heat gun for fear she'd find it and toast her hair.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Shrinking Tubing

I do this on a daily basis, shrinking wire size from 2stranded up to 4/0. I use a small propane torch starting in the middle and work my way to the outsides. The key is not to burn the shrink tube keeping the flame always moving. In tight spaces i use a asbestos type blanket so as not to burn anything around the area. If you can, do a trial run on some wires to get the feel.Hope this helps.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Shrinking Tubing

I’ve had good luck with an electric element on a kitchen stove. Held the wire about 6 inches above the heated element and rated the wire between my thumb and forefinger. By rotating it the tubing shrinks evenly and doesn’t burn like All Thumbs mentions.

 

[Sea Six]

Re: Shrinking Tubing

They sell heat guns at the craft store (Michael's) cheaper than at the hardware store. I use my wife's gun she bought for her craft projects and it works fine.

 

[burp]

Re: Shrinking Tubing

I've used a soldering iron many of times to shrink, shrink tubing. Use the side of the soldering iron and not the tip.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Shrinking Tubing

Thanks to all for your responses. I may check out the heat guns at the craft store.

 

[PeteHarris]

Re: Shrinking Tubing

You should be able to get a RC Airplane covering heat gun for about $20. Hairdrier on steroids and works like a champ. <br /><br /> http://www.towerhobbies.com/products/towr3200.html