How to use heat shrink?

Hi all

I think i understand the use for heat shrink, nbut what i dont yet know is, how to shrink it, can anyone enlighten me? also does it require any speacial tools?

thanks Alex

If I remember correctly -and everybody is kindly invited to correct me if Im wrong- what you actually need is ... a lighter or a match.

You put the shrink stuff around the object(s)-to-be-wrapped and then apply heat to make it shrink. It can go real fast so look out not to damage it. Pliers which which to hold the object(s) might be useful since heat tends to migrate.

Depends what you are using it for Babeth is right, an appropriate amount of heat a light or something is ok for shrinking for connectors. If you are using it for battery packs you might need a broader source, I would use a heat gun, on a low setting at a distance.

the old black and decker heat gun has always done the trick for me

We just use the side of a soldering iron:)

(Message edited by team ballistix driver on October 27, 2007)

Blow torch

to make a long story short: any heatsource that makes the shrinking happen. A wide heatsource for larger surfaces, and lighters or soldering irons for stuff like connectors.

A hot air gun is the preferred method.

would a hair dryer work?

Yes, on some heatshrink, although depending on the hair drier, it may not get hot enough to fully shrink.

just tested the temperature on a hairdryer i did buy for cooling batteries, and it measured roughly 80 degrees centigrade, (by the way the hairdryer did have a cool setting)

Thanks Alex

will 80 degress do for most heat shrink?

Most heatshrink shrinks around 150 degrees some at 100 degrees. Will vary.

Best bet is to get a bit and test it.

As mentioned earlier a heat gun is your best bet. A blow torch can be used (carefully) but is a bit hot really. Lighters and matches work, but leave soot on the tubing and you tend to burn you fingers.

so hot air is better than naked heat, (flame)?
how about a paint stripper gun?

thanks alex

Naked flames are very hot... hot air is fine, paint stripper is a hot air gun with a acrapper attachment so will be fine, just turn it down.

a lighter works ok, but if your doing a alot of it or a large size piece for instance battery packs then a heat gun is best and they can be bought quite cheeply

Alexander,

Just buy some and play about with it. It only costs a quid or so from maplins.

Makro were doing a heat gun for a tenner.

thatll do, there not expensive