Heat-Shrink Tubing: The Tools That Do The Job

By this time we know you’re psyched about working with Heat-Shrink Tubing but now you need tools and you don’t know where to start. Now you don’t think we were going to forget that part did you? Of course not we’re being unreasonably paranoid. However, let’s not dwell on that and get back to business, shall we.

To heat-shrink tube what are you going to need, exactly? There are a few essentials that you can’t go without if you want to do accomplish heat shrink related tasks. Within those tools of course are variations and some parts will be of higher quality then others but let’s wait no further and examine what tools and parts you will need to come by in order to do the job you have to do.

Heat Gun – This tool lets out a stream of hot air as the name would imply and it’s a tool that’s used to set your tubing into place. They have a vague resemblance to a blow dryer but trust us as good a tool as it is, we don’t recommend you treating your follicles to this thing. Not only will it get the job done with heat shrink tubing but it works on drying wood, stripping paint, and thaw out colder than normal surfaces (which you may have to do when having to create tubing).

Braided Sleeving – This is an accessory akin to a finger trap. Except instead of your precious digits it’s intended to cover the tubes you’ve heat shrinked to allow for further protection. On a side note this accessory is a $200 million industry. Not bad for a material that most people may indeed confuse with a mere novelty.

Heat-Shrink Butt Splice – In short it’s a small heat shrink piece with a crimp. You’ll take any wires you’re working on that need to be part of the splice and use your hot air gun for adhesion. Its tolerance for the elements is phenomenal. It can handle spray, oil and water and most hazardous materials.

Heat Shrink End Caps – These accessories provide a means to properly fasten the ends of any power and communication cables you will work on when you heat-shrink tube. The seal is pressure tight and your heat gun will seal these end caps to provide that proper fit.
The average heat shrink temp for our end caps is around 275°F (135°C).

The internet and any reliable tool store/computer specialty business will have these items and many others that work with heat-shrink tubing. Now that we’ve provided you with the basic information going to one of these places or checking out the internet for further information shouldn’t be a big deal.

Not to sound boastful, but we know we’ve not failed you so far and we’re not about to start. We’ve got a reputation to uphold and your trust to maintain. So why mess up a beautiful thing right? Anyway, our dear readers we’ve got a feeling you’ve done a commendable job so far in improving your base of knowledge on heat-shrink tubing that we feel you’re going to be just fine in mastering the tools of the trade. Knock ‘em dead, folks! I also wrote an interesting article today on fiber optics...another one of my hobbies!