Heat shrink tape -how to use

[andrew winksParticipant @andrewwinks64215]

I purchased some heat shrink tape, supposed to ideal for insulation joints etc where you can't slide the standard HS tubing over. Suppliers spiel…

Heat shrinkable tape is an environmentally friendly heat melted adhesive lined polyolefin tape. This tape is primarily used for repair of electrical cabling and insulation, particularly when they can't be disconnected, but has many other uses as well.

Great concept but how does one hold it in place while heating the stuff to get it to firstly stick and then when heat applied to shrink it, how to stop it unraveling?

Also it's about 1 mm or 40 thou in thickness which seems pretty user non friendly, it there any how to use for dummies advice from the electromagicians out there?

cheers, Andrew

[andrew winksParticipant @andrewwinks64215]

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Doesn't sound like 'domestic' tape, more like 'industrial' for sheathing 15 mm cable upwards.

[John CParticipant @johnc47954]

Cable ties? Have a look at 'step 3'.

http://www.cableorganizer.com/adhesive-heat-shrink-tape/

John

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Andrew I use it every day and it is very easy to use. Firstly there are 2 types, non adhesive and adhesive. All I do is cut to length and place over the wire before i attach and solder any tag or plug, when ready i use a heat gun to shrink the heat shrink tube into position. Regarding the adhesive type it is the same procedure, here, bear in mind that adhesive heat shrink is best used for external applications as it seals the joint.

One application I have used it for is to sleeve a gun cleaning rod to stop metal to metal contact. I also have used it to cover wooden dowels that are used or touched every day like window winders for Venetian blinds, it has may applications. It can also be built up in layers if you need to. You can also use it to,s sleeve handles on small pliers etc. It never unravels as once its shrunk it stays shrunk, I understand that it is irriadated to keep it size until shrunk with heat gun. If it needs removing I cut it away while doing repairs.

Clive

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Ordinary heat shrink tubing is available in a huge range of sizes.. cheapest source i know is **LINK**

There's also loom tape as an option when you can;t get over the end of something and that plumbing tape stuff thats a self amalgamating rubber **LINK**

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Andrew,
I have never used heat shrink tape myself so I tried Googleing for "using heat shrink tape" I found this youtube. It looks like you do have to use some temporary fixing.

Les.

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

The heat shrink tube I use is nothing like the You Tube session, I have heat shrink in various sizes to suit the application and cut a length to suit the connection I am doing, like stated before put the heat shrink on the single cable before you solder. I then slide the heat shrink back over the soldered connection and apply the heat gun, job done. Sizes vary, to tubes big enough to encapsulate battery packs down to perhaps 3mm tube which will shrink over 1 mm wire! There is another product called amalgamating tape that once wrapped around a joint then starts to cure itself and amalgamate into a solid seal. I use this where an entrance hole is too big for the wire or cable.

Clive

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Tube is very common, self-amalgamating tape too, but a heat shrink tape is a new one on me. Google revealed it exists but I think it is only suitable for rigid items like bus-bars where you can secure each end to something non-flexing and only heat it gently – 125C not the 250C used for tube.

While we are here heat shrink tube is good for 'prettying up' tatty old once chromed dilling machine handle rods and things like that.

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

"I purchased some heat shrink tape, supposed to ideal for insulation joints etc where you can't slide the standard HS tubing over"

English is a strange language to understand.

Self amalgamating tape was probably devised where you couldn't stretch and slide pre-cut lengths of rubber tube over pre made cable joints.

I understood what you rote Andrew.

Regards Ian.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

One question and 17,000 different answers but half the people never read the OP properly.

He was asking about TAPE, not TUBE.

[andrew winksParticipant @andrewwinks64215]

Thanks all, I have worked out that the product I have is not really suitable for my needs. Something similar to standard insulation tape but with the application of heat, totally sealing the covering would be ideal. I don't think it's been invented yet? Hope I rote this rite! Cheers, Andrew

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

Posted by John Stevenson on 17/05/2015 11:55:34:

One question and 17,000 different answers but half the people never read the OP properly.

He was asking about TAPE, not TUBE.

Heheeeee….

Wondered who who was gonna point this out….

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

I thought about pointing out that the question was about tape but I have also miss read the OP in the past. (And no doubt will do so again in the future.)

Les.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Heat shrink tape is available in Australia at Jyacar Electronics. (should be available at electronic part shops in UK)

Specification: Ideal for emergency repairs or when you aren't able to use a piece of tubing. It conforms to odd shapes that heatshrink tubing is unable to, and has a low melting point adhesive for easy installation. It also remains flexible at extremely low temperatures.

• Operating temperature: -40 – 105°C
• Shrink temperature: 125°C
• 25mm wide x 5m roll

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

Hi Andrew,

What type of repair are you trying to attempt with it?

…and what do the instructions say about preparation and application?

As long as you're not working on exposed cables I'd say wrap something like fuse wire or similar around each end of the tape to hold it in place whilst you apply heat. But not if the cables are exposed and live.

Maybe insulation tape would hold the ends until you sort the middle section.

Edit: Just found this vid.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gdxvdvusqU

 

Regards,
Ed.

Edited By Ed Duffner on 17/05/2015 13:06:33

[andrew winksParticipant @andrewwinks64215]

Hi Paul, the Jaycar product is the one I speak of. Unless I have got it wrong, it's probably ok for 12 mm high voltagecable overheads but too bulky for workshop use…have you any experience with it?

[Steve WithnellParticipant @stevewithnell34426]

Hadn't realised you could get heatshrink tape, especially an adhesive version, will come in very handy!

Tube is fine if both ends of a joint are the same diameter, but if one side is 5x the diameter of the other, it ends up being a right bodge of job, trying to use tube.

Steve

[Steve WithnellParticipant @stevewithnell34426]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RAYCHEM-S1030-HEATSHRINK-TAPE-HOT-MELT-/141503880338?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20f249dc92

This one is adhesive and 20mm wide.

£26.58 for 10metres.

Steve

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Posted by Steve Withnell on 17/05/2015 13:32:50:

Hadn't realised you could get heatshrink tape, especially an adhesive version, will come in very handy!

Tube is fine if both ends of a joint are the same diameter, but if one side is 5x the diameter of the other, it ends up being a right bodge of job, trying to use tube.

Steve

What I tend to do, is use a piece of tube that goes over the small cable, probably 40mm long, then another larger tube over this at 30mm, then an even bigger piece at 20mm and finally the bit that goes over the larger cable [s] finishing up on the other bit of heat shrink.

You get steps down but I think it looks neat.

[frank brownParticipant @frankbrown22225]

The way I would try to do it is:- First drill a small hole in the corner of the tape and put a piece of wire through it. Hold the cable in a vice and tie off the wire so when the tape is wrapped it lays in the correct place. Peel it back and heat the tape and proceed to wrap keeping the next bit of tape's glue melted. Seems to me the best thing is to leave the tape on its reel. So proceed heating and wrapping. When you have got to your final position,bind some copper wire around the last full turn and keep the balance of the tape tight.until the glue has cooled. Get hold of your favourite modelling knife or razor blade and tidy up the ends removing the funny little corner with the wire tether..

I have used the heat shrink glued sleeving to make of a 6mm cable to a large anode top connector it worked really well especially as the top cap end was about 12mm diam. Never had one fail out of 20+ over ten years!!

Frank

[andrew winksParticipant @andrewwinks64215]

Good advice all.

Reminds me of the many uses that the TUBE has. Shrink some different coloured sections on the handles of those wee allen keys to instantly ID the size. Also same for the workshop reading glasses, shrink some yellow sections onto the frames so I don't mix them up with the good office set…makes them easier to find amongst the clutter of the workbench as well!

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Hi Andrew,

Have not used the heat shrink tape. Only saw it in the store. They also have a liquid insulation tape which is painted onto a cable.

Paul.

[andrew winksParticipant @andrewwinks64215]

Hi Paul, I've also tried the liquid….not too impressed. The reason being its difficult to get an even layer and suitable thickness of product over the area to be insulated…certainly only for low voltage apps.

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

Going back to the self amalgamating tape. During my training I was taught to overlay the "self-amalg" with firmly bound self adhesive PVC tape. The application of pressure ensuring a complete and swift amalgamation to form a homogenous rubber "boot". Once fully amalgamated the PVC tape could be removed or may peel off on its own if exposed to sunlight.

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