which tool for heat shrink

[fehdxl]

Curious...what tool are you all using to shrink the heat shrink around a wire?
Thx!
-Jim

 

[Pat Stewart]

Bic lighter I keep in my tool box.

Pat

 

[paul330]

Electric heat gun

 

[david.perl]

hot air gun

 

[bruceh]

Paint stripping heat gun.

 

[Mike S]

Electric heat gun whenever possible.

Soldering iron tip, Bic lighter or other as needed.....

 

[Sparky]

Here's what I use:

Along with this:

The reflector helps focus the heat for heat shrink, providing nice even heat and speeding up the process.

About $60 for both.

 

[ccsmith51]

Electric heat gun whenever possible.

Soldering iron tip, Bic lighter or other as needed.....

+1 on that, heat gun preferred...

 

[fehdxl]

Thanks guys! I don't have a heat-gun, so I've been using a lighter. Didn't seem like the best technique; but you all confirmed it's a commonly used alternate means.

Fly safe!

-Jim

 

[Greg Arehart]

Hair dryer on high works ok, though takes longer than a heat gun.

greg

 

[Andy J]

I got my heat gun at Harbor Freight. Less than 15 bucks and works great for heat shrink.

 

[NickAir]

In places you can not reach effectively with a heat gun, I have used the $1.99 long extended lighter. It worked when I could not use my heat gun with a rectangular end fitting.

 

[dhmoose]

Ditto

I got my heat gun at Harbor Freight. Less than 15 bucks and works great for heat shrink.

Works great ...and goes as low as $12 when they have a sale.

 

[gasman]

I use this tool http://www.all-spec.com/products/J-500.html?gclid=CK7Q3vC3wq0CFQkaQgodYlNp_A Does a close clean job.

 

[BNut]

I would be careful using a lighter. I have been working Avionics int the USAF for 30 year. I have seen to many time when a light is used the heat shrink gets over heated and becomes brittle.

 

[rleffler]

Works great ...and goes as low as $12 when they have a sale.

I second Harbor Freight. I purchase this a couple weeks ago to have a second heat gun. My son was borrowing mine for his senior project, so he got an early Chritmas present.

It's currently on sale for $13.99, when applied with a 20% off coupon that they've been running every week in the Sunday paper, that's not a bad price.

 

[fatherson]

I would be careful using a lighter. I have been working Avionics int the USAF for 30 year. I have seen to many time when a light is used the heat shrink gets over heated and becomes brittle.

Welcome to VAF, Mike! You've no doubt already discovered what a wealth of info exists here, and with your experience, you're well equipped to add to it. Good luck on starting your build.

--
Stephen

 

[BNut]

Thanks Stephen!!!

I have my plans in hand and plan on my tail kit delivery on April Fool's Day. I suspect that is the best day to represent my build. I think I will be giving more then I take, but I am looking forward to the journey!