PCA Forums

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 1:08 pm**

I have some generic stuff, was like 5$ for quite a large amount.... My shrink tube jobs look sorta clunky, the tubing doesnt seem to shrink equally when heated.
I saw 3M made some shrink tubing, about the same amount I have but instead of 5$ - they charged 35$. So I'm beginning to think shrink tubing is something where price and quality matters - anyone else have any thoughts on it?

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 1:15 pm**

I think I use 3M

I get it but like the 3-5 foot tube...

that does come out to be a lil bumpy as well I think....

what do you use to apply the heat?

and I haven't bought any in a while, I don't remember the $, but I know it wasn't $35... more twords the $5 range

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 3:14 pm**

3M is the best.

You should also use a hobby heat gun (they sell them in hobby stores for applying heat-shrink plastic skin on model planes).

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 5:24 pm**

i use 3m get it off the 50ft rolls we have at work... every size from 1/8th to 1 inch

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 5:35 pm**

Russell Industries. and i use a lighter to shrink it. works fine for me.

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 6:03 pm**

Pred, hook a brother up!

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 6:49 pm**

all i can get is the black stuff let me know what size and how much you need. i have a bunch here of all different sizes at least 3ft of each

and zippo's work great for shrinking this stuff

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 7:11 pm**

That's what I use, a zippo. I brought this up mainly because today I took thisd 120mm fan that was pulled out of an old Compaq server with a proprietary plug and cut it apart and used the +12 and ground off of an old floppy drive style power connector. After putting it together, it looks sorta amateurish. Made me wonder if heat shrink tube has an 'age' to it - as I remeber when I first got it, I built an RCA plug for my fiancee's stereo speaker, and that one looks really slick and professional - I'm damn proud of it! This thing though - all lumpy and bumpy hehe.

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 9:07 pm**

Originally posted by Judg3
That's what I use, a zippo.

invest in a heat gun...

Much easier to use

and if needed, can be a high powered blow dryer

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 10:59 pm**

Heat gun is easier and better. You burn the tubing with a lighter - that and the soot from the flame can degrade it and make it brittle and crack earlier than it normally would.

You'll never damage it with a heat gun.

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 11:23 pm**

i've yet to damage it with a lighter... and done it many times... gotta be smarter than the flame!

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 11:27 pm**

Originally posted by PreDatoR
i've yet to damage it with a lighter... and done it many times... gotta be smarter than the flame!

that may be the case, but it is easier and cleaner with a heat gun

and they are cheap, I think I paid $29.99 for mine, I can be wrong on the price though

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 11:30 pm**

not to argue.. everybody does it different... i only pay .99 for my bic and it works fine.. the trick is not to put the flame on the tube... you just want to use the heat form the flam.. i just take it and run it back and froth all over real fast till its nice and shrunk.

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2003 11:30 pm**

Actually, I was off on the price

Linky

Ace Dual Temperature Heat Gun (20176N)
Item no: 20176
Our Price:
$21.99

10 Amp
1200 Watts- 120 V
Dual heat selection; 750 deg. F or 1000 deg. F
Lightweight 1-1/4 lbs.
Hanging Hook
Plastic housing
UL listed
2 yr. in-home guarantee
6 ft. grounded cord
Boxed

Works great, and alot safer then a lighter, even if you don't do heat shrink alot, I recomend a heat gun... I don't use mine alot, but when I do I am glade I have it

Posted: **Tue Jun 17, 2003 12:53 am**

1200 watt Heat Gun for 22$
1200 watt PSU AT LEAST 600$

Damn unfair world!

PCA Forums

What brand shrinktube to you use?

What brand shrinktube to you use?