Model Boat Mayhem

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length.
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: shrinking heat tube  (Read 4815 times)

ray123

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 461
  • shuswap tugboat
  • Location: southeast england
shrinking heat tube
« 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 

[/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%] [/size]
[/size]
Logged

SailorGreg

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,326
  • Money talks - it says goodbye
  • Location: Hayling Island, Hants
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #1 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

cos918

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2,278
  • Location: Abingdon
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2018, 10:50:40 pm »

tip of the soldering iron


john
Logged

Colin Bishop

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12,171
  • Location: SW Surrey, UK
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2018, 11:36:51 pm »

Quote
tip of the soldering iron
Quote

Yes, that's what I do.

Colin
Logged

Umi_Ryuzuki

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,395
  • Location: PDX, OR USA
    • Models and Miniatures
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #4 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.  :-)

mrlownotes

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 404
  • Location: A bit NorthWest Cambridgeshire
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #5 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.
Logged
Bintur Ellenbach

Brian60

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,315
  • Location: Hull,UK-but currently residing in Los Martinez, Spain.
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #6 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.

Plastic - RIP

  • Inactive
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,255
  • Bobbing Along!
  • Location: Watford
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #7 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/

Where in the South East are you?
 
Logged

grendel

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,948
  • Location: Canterbury, Kent, UK
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2018, 08:12:39 am »

I generally use a mini propane torch (well it actually uses lighter fuel)
Logged

tonyH

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2,336
  • Model Boat Mayhem Forum is the Best!
  • Location: Suffolk, England
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2018, 01:39:50 pm »

Ditto, or fag lighter!
Logged

steamboat66

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 145
  • maybe it will float!
  • Location: retford
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #10 on: April 08, 2018, 09:19:25 am »

fag lighter here.
Logged

Klunk

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5,208
  • If you know who I am, please remind me!!
  • Location: luton, beds
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #11 on: April 08, 2018, 03:58:41 pm »

wifes hair dryer
.




don't tell her
Logged
SECRETARY - LUTON AND DISTRICT MODEL BOAT CLUB
full time penguin

SteamboatPhil

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2,762
  • Location: Dieppe, France
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2018, 05:25:16 pm »

Humm get me, I just use a heat gun..... O0
Logged
Steamed up all the time

Netleyned

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9,051
  • Location: Meridian Line, Mouth of the Humber
    • cleethorpes mba
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #13 on: April 09, 2018, 06:38:57 pm »

Get Swimbo to breathe on it.
Bit of a Dragon methinks :D
Ned
Logged
Smooth seas never made skilful sailors
Up Spirits  Stand fast the Holy Ghost.
http://www.cleethorpesmba.co.uk/

Howard

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,200
  • Location: Scotter Lincolnshire
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #14 on: April 09, 2018, 06:53:02 pm »


Ned you want to shrink it not melt it.
              Regards Howard.
Logged

Netleyned

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9,051
  • Location: Meridian Line, Mouth of the Humber
    • cleethorpes mba
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #15 on: April 09, 2018, 07:07:40 pm »

Good for silver soldering  %%
Ned
Logged
Smooth seas never made skilful sailors
Up Spirits  Stand fast the Holy Ghost.
http://www.cleethorpesmba.co.uk/

malcolmfrary

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6,027
  • Location: Blackpool, Lancs, UK
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #16 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.
Logged
"With the right tool, you can break anything" - Garfield

hopeitfloats

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2,705
  • Location: ashburton. new zealand
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #17 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
Logged

chipmonk

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 49
  • while you are here, can you just!
  • Location: West Sussex
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #18 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
Logged

tsenecal

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 495
  • Location: Arvada, Colorado, USA
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #19 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...
Logged

Netleyned

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9,051
  • Location: Meridian Line, Mouth of the Humber
    • cleethorpes mba
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #20 on: April 12, 2018, 03:53:59 pm »

Do you have a link?


Ned
Logged
Smooth seas never made skilful sailors
Up Spirits  Stand fast the Holy Ghost.
http://www.cleethorpesmba.co.uk/

tsenecal

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 495
  • Location: Arvada, Colorado, USA
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #21 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
Logged

david48

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 866
  • Location: Strathdon,Aberdeenshire
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #22 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
Logged
Two heads are better than one sheep head  as my old plant manager used to say

bgrunes

  • Shipmate
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 23
  • Location: Crosby Liverpool
    • Crosby Model Boat Club
Re: shrinking heat tube
« Reply #24 on: November 12, 2018, 06:31:04 am »

Countdown to Christmas, got this on my list thanks for the link.
Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
 

Page created in 0.09 seconds with 22 queries.