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  #1  
Old 01-17-2013, 08:23 AM
David-aviator David-aviator is offline
 
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Location: Chesterfield, Missouri
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Default Shrink Tube Label Printing

I just ordered a label printer that will make shrink tube labels for wires (plus regular labels).

This will be an interesting effort, I like to label wires and have done so in the past with shrink tube over printed paper labels. This thing should make the process quicker. The two sizes of tubing will make labels for #12 through #20 wire.

http://www.imagesupply.com/productca...?idproduct=943
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  #2  
Old 01-17-2013, 08:41 AM
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Auburntsts Auburntsts is offline
 
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Another option, should your printer break, is to print whatever you are using as the wire nomenclature (ie EFIS, 1-1, A12232, etc) out on a sheet of paper at a small pitch (6 to 8 IIRC), cut them out and slip them under a piece of clear shrink tubing on the wire. That's what I did, it's cheap, and it works great, even on 22AWG wires.
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  #3  
Old 01-17-2013, 09:01 AM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auburntsts View Post
Another option, should your printer break, is to print whatever you are using as the wire nomenclature (ie EFIS, 1-1, A12232, etc) out on a sheet of paper at a small pitch (6 to 8 IIRC), cut them out and slip them under a piece of clear shrink tubing on the wire. That's what I did, it's cheap, and it works great, even on 22AWG wires.
It is "fiddly" but does work well -



I bought a Rhino heat shrink label maker because it would be easier - however, after it chewed up and detroyed the last two almost unused $30 cartridges I am considering going back to the clear shribk tube method...
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  #4  
Old 01-17-2013, 09:02 AM
David-aviator David-aviator is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auburntsts View Post
Another option, should your printer break, is to print whatever you are using as the wire nomenclature (ie EFIS, 1-1, A12232, etc) out on a sheet of paper at a small pitch (6 to 8 IIRC), cut them out and slip them under a piece of clear shrink tubing on the wire. That's what I did, it's cheap, and it works great, even on 22AWG wires.
I've done that in the past, just thought this would be quicker and perhaps a bit neater.
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  #5  
Old 01-17-2013, 10:37 AM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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We used one of the dedicated tubing printers on Tsam, and it looks great - but the cartridges are so expensive, and there is a LOT of waste on each end of the labels (even when you print a string of them). Next time, I think I'd go back to paper labels and clear tubing.
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  #6  
Old 01-17-2013, 10:37 AM
rockwoodrv9 rockwoodrv9 is offline
 
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David, that looks like a good price for the unit. Let us know how it works. Thanks
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  #7  
Old 01-17-2013, 10:38 AM
Flying Scotsman Flying Scotsman is offline
 
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Second the K-Sun Bee3 printer...It was quick, worked great, and made a neat job. The printer is inexpensive (the cartridges aren't ), but I never had any trouble with it...
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  #8  
Old 01-17-2013, 10:51 AM
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Brantel Brantel is offline
 
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The Panduit LS8E does not waste any tube front and back like some of them do. I used a different brand in the past that would waste an inch on both ends! I think it was an older KROY unit.

Some of these folks will give you the printer if you buy so much tube. I think they use the inkjet printer marketing model....make the money off of the cartridges!
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Last edited by Brantel : 01-17-2013 at 11:01 AM.
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  #9  
Old 01-17-2013, 11:34 AM
humptybump humptybump is offline
 
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The Rhino wastes about 3/8" on each end unless you use the back-to-back printing trick.

In general, I am more than happy with the results that I would do it again.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight View Post
Next time, I think I'd go back to paper labels and clear tubing.
Paul - so that is how you will fill your retirement
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  #10  
Old 01-17-2013, 11:37 AM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight View Post
We used one of the dedicated tubing printers on Tsam, and it looks great - but the cartridges are so expensive, and there is a LOT of waste on each end of the labels (even when you print a string of them). Next time, I think I'd go back to paper labels and clear tubing.
Yes... and it's even more annoying if the machine destroys that expensive cartridge after 2 or 3 inchs of the 5 ft have been used...
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