shrink tube

[Guest]

okay, i know im a dummy but ive never used this stuff before. whats the best way to use and heat/stretch/shrink?? ive just received a mind boggling detail set and dont know where to begin!

[Guest]

Least dangerous is a heat gun from a hardware store, more dangerous is an open flame held away from it. You can use a lighter and turn the flame down and hold it closer so as not to destroy anything around it and not leave black marks on it. Always be careful of any plastic around where you're working.

[Guest]

Have a look at this Funky. Assume it is mini shrink tubing you are using. This looks the job if it is.

heat shrink | eBay

Laurie

[Guest]

ive already got a heat gun with various settings from very warm to nuclear. would this put me at risk of melting plastic or resin parts?? (ive never used resin parts nad theres quite a few in the kit)..

cheers gents

[Andy2035]

You can also use a soldering iron if you have one...

[stona]

I've never used heat shrink on a model but I've used it a lot in my day job.

If you keep the heat source,a proper gun is best,moving and keep it as cool as you can whilst still doing the job you shouldn't melt the plastic or resin. The heat shrink will shrink at a much lower temperature than the plastic parts will melt.

At work I often apply heat shrink over existing insulation on pretty fine cables (in electronic control looms) and have never damaged the insulation on cable I'm trying to fix.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

cheers for all of the advice..it sounds pretty simple (famous last words). as i say, ive got a proper heat gun so i might start experimenting before i attack the kit in anger (which wont be for a while yet).

:thumbsup:

[Ian M]

Safest way to shrink shrink tube with out melting everything in the area is steam. Put the kettle on and make a cuppa while you are at it.

NOTE Hold the parts being covered with tweezers and mind your fingers.

One more thing. Don't use shrink tube that has glue in it. It really is a pain to get the glue off when it ouzes out the ends of the tube as it shrinks!!!

Ian M

[Andy2035]

One more thing. Don't use shrink tube that has glue in it. It really is a pain to get the glue off when it ouzes out the ends of the tube as it shrinks!!!Ian M

It also burns like @#*#~ if you get it on your skin, I speak from experience...

[Guest]

Try a hair dryer, i use the stuff for fishing... thats if iam thinking of the right stuff of course, but a hair dryer works very well.

scott

[Ian M]

Try a hair dryer, i use the stuff for fishing... thats if iam thinking of the right stuff of course, but a hair dryer works very well.scott

You must have a long extention lead Scott if you use a hair dryer when fishing..... lol

[stona]

You must have a long extention lead Scott if you use a hair dryer when fishing..... lol

Or a portable generator.....might scare the fish though

In fact if you had a portable generator you could rig up a device to stun the fish and save all that sitting around! Would that be considered cheating?

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

In fly fishing the fun is in the hunt.

scott