Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => The "Black Arts!" ( Electrics & Electronics ) => Topic started by: ray123 on March 31, 2018, 10:11:54 pm

Title: shrinking heat tube
Post by: ray123 on March 31, 2018, 10:11:54 pm
hi all  just wondering what you all use to shrink heat shrink tubing?  now i do use a  long  cigarette lighter


but i have heard that some people use heat guns   i looked into heat guns  they seem  to be big  and  give off lots of heat  as some tube i shrink carefully inside the boat!


  the question  from me is there a small  handy size  electric hot air gun that dont get  to  hot! 


thanks 

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Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: SailorGreg on March 31, 2018, 10:23:59 pm
I have used an old hair drier, one designed for travelling so it is quite small. I have to admit it isn't quite as quick as a hot air gun but it does the job.  But a hot air gun is my weapon of choice as it shrinks the tube quickly and tightly.


Greg
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: cos918 on March 31, 2018, 10:50:40 pm
tip of the soldering iron


john
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: Colin Bishop on March 31, 2018, 11:36:51 pm
Quote
tip of the soldering iron
Quote

Yes, that's what I do.

Colin
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on March 31, 2018, 11:56:03 pm
tip of the soldering iron

john

Yes, that's what I do.

Colin


Me too, because I am already soldering wires and the iron is hot.  :-)
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: mrlownotes on March 31, 2018, 11:58:04 pm
I used an old soldering iron for many years. The constant problem with tbis method is it requires contact with the wrap. When funds allowed I invested in a Proxxon Micro Hot Air Gun. Not cheap, for what they are, but it comes with a selection of nozzles and two selectable heat settings. After using just once I wished I'd acquired one years ago. I wouldn't be without it now.
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: Brian60 on April 01, 2018, 07:37:01 am
I have a soldering station, the nice thing with these is that you have both the soldering iron and a hot air gun. Both are adjustable for temperature so you can dial in the exact (or near enough) temp for soldering without applying too much heat for the part that is getting soldered.

The hot air gun is not only temp adjustable but also fan adjustable too, so you and not only tune the temperature but also how much airflow is being used to blow the heat out of the gun. I've never used it for its intended purpose, soldering/desoldering large surface mount electronic components, it just gets used for shrinking heat tube. It can be turned down low enough to do 1mm tube - small enough for led legs or single wires. All the way up to 25mm heat shrink tubing.
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: Plastic - RIP on April 01, 2018, 07:54:39 am
There are proper mini-heat guns for doing this (I've got one) - it's like a normal heat gun but the nozzle is about 12mm so it's much more controllable and can fit into confined spaces.

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/heat-guns/4453436/ (https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/heat-guns/4453436/)

Where in the South East are you?
 
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: grendel on April 01, 2018, 08:12:39 am
I generally use a mini propane torch (well it actually uses lighter fuel)
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: tonyH on April 01, 2018, 01:39:50 pm
Ditto, or fag lighter!
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: steamboat66 on April 08, 2018, 09:19:25 am
fag lighter here.
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: Klunk on April 08, 2018, 03:58:41 pm
wifes hair dryer
.




don't tell her
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: SteamboatPhil on April 09, 2018, 05:25:16 pm
Humm get me, I just use a heat gun..... O0
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: Netleyned on April 09, 2018, 06:38:57 pm
Get Swimbo to breathe on it.
Bit of a Dragon methinks :D
Ned
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: Howard on April 09, 2018, 06:53:02 pm

Ned you want to shrink it not melt it.
              Regards Howard.
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: Netleyned on April 09, 2018, 07:07:40 pm
Good for silver soldering  %%
Ned
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: malcolmfrary on April 10, 2018, 09:05:21 am
For small stuff, a gas lighter (one of those long ones, easier on the fingers).  Large stuff like battery packs, a cheap hair dryer got from a bring n buy.
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: hopeitfloats on April 10, 2018, 10:40:42 am
lighter here to but I have got a small butane gas bottle that is filled from an aerosol can used ironically to fill lighters. that works really well
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: chipmonk on April 12, 2018, 02:46:28 pm
I use a small heat gun of the type used by the aero boys to shrink solafilm wing coverings. Had it for 20 years and never had a problem with it. You want to shrink the sleve not cook it.
Cheers Chris M ok2
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: tsenecal on April 12, 2018, 03:41:28 pm
i solved all my soldering needs in one fell swoop about 3 years ago when i bought one of these.  "cheap Chinese crap" that has been the best soldering iron i have ever owned...   i bought it to do surface mount electronic parts, but, it works great for everything, including using the hot air gun to shrink tubing.

the temperature settings for both the soldering iron and hot air gun are able to be set in single degree celsius from 100 to 400, allowing me to heat up medium size brass blocks, or small handrails equally well.

the one i bought way back when was about $60, but they have dropped to less than $50...
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: Netleyned on April 12, 2018, 03:53:59 pm
Do you have a link?


Ned
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: tsenecal on April 12, 2018, 05:18:47 pm
Do you have a link?


Ned


this one has an american 110v electrical plug, i presume a search on ebay.co.uk will find an equivalent with the proper plug.  the model # 898d is the important part...


https://www.ebay.com/itm/898D-2in1-SMD-Rework-Soldering-Station-Solder-ESD-Tips-BGA-Hot-Air-Nozzles-110V/201965355652?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/898D-2in1-SMD-Rework-Soldering-Station-Solder-ESD-Tips-BGA-Hot-Air-Nozzles-110V/201965355652?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144)
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: david48 on April 13, 2018, 08:34:02 am

If you buy one changing the plug might not be the way ahead ,if its rated 110v  ,the element in the heat gun could possible melt as well as the displays ,just my take on it ,I could be wrong of course .
David
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: klz on April 13, 2018, 09:19:50 am
This is in the UK  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YH-898D-SMD-ESD-SAFE-2-IN-1-HOT-AIR-REWORK-SOLDERING-IRON-STATION-BLUE-LED-UK/182721820237?epid=2098413473&hash=item2a8b11b64d:g:3xoAAOSw4GVYGwIN

This says uk but as an Honk Kong Address https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YiHUA-898D-SMD-ESD-SAFE-2-IN-1-HOT-AIR-REWORK-SOLDERING-IRON-STATION-LED-UK/162865657180?hash=item25eb8cb55c:g:g3YAAOSwbihaK1Yu

Hope they help
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: bgrunes on November 12, 2018, 06:31:04 am
Countdown to Christmas, got this on my list thanks for the link.
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: g4yvm on November 12, 2018, 07:04:04 am
If you buy one changing the plug might not be the way ahead ,if its rated 110v  ,the element in the heat gun could possible melt as well as the displays ,just my take on it ,I could be wrong of course .
David


Aghhhhhh...dont go plugging 110v into 220v outlets.  Buy the proper kit.


Soldering irons and heat guns (usually sold as temperature controlled solder stations) are not costly, probably hit.you fifty or sixty quid, and they will last you a long, long time. 


David
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: LJ Crew on November 12, 2018, 08:20:32 am
A small hot melt glue gun works ok for me.
Title: Re: shrinking heat tube
Post by: grasshopper on November 12, 2018, 09:10:28 am
Steam from a kettle spout works for me, I also have a micro hot air gun that runs off a disposable lighter...bought it from CPC ( farnell)