Does anyone else here find it oddly satisfying to shrink heat shrink tubing? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mrcrud5
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 07:51:50 pm
content: I can't explain why I like it so much...

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 07:59:06 pm
content: I did until I broke my wife's craft heat gun (oops)

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 08:01:05 pm
content: Quote from: SingedFingers on February 23, 2017, 07:59:06 pmWhen I saw you reply I thought something else.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 08:03:44 pm
content: Quote from: mrcrud5 on February 23, 2017, 07:51:50 pmI never wanted to say it in public, but since you opened the door for us all - yes I love doing it. I do it whenever I have the urge. I do it anywhere I can. I wish I could do it more.

author: xygor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 09:57:40 pm
content: http://aspergerstest.net/aq-test/Edit: Here is a more intensive the questionnaire that the heatshrink fascination reminded me of. The question I remembered was "Have you been fascinated about making traps?". It is no longer there, but there are other "fascination" type questions that I think could be substituted with "heatshrink".http://rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.phpI scored a little above normal in the first one, just below borderline aspergers. I have no particular fascination with heatshrink.

author: Rutherfordium
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 11:02:44 pm
content: It is unbelievably satisfying....Unless of course I, as usual, leave it too close to where I'm soldering and shrink the godd*#$*(# stupid #$*($ thing before I'm ready to.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 11:08:27 pm
content: Ah yes especially the ones with thermal adhesive inside, deliberately heated a bit to long to watch the glue ooze out...and that smell.....Must go.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 11:53:40 pm
content: Quote from: wilfred on February 23, 2017, 11:09:49 pmHave you ever shrunk it on a train? Have you ever shrunk it in the rain? Have you ever shrunk it in a cot? Have you ever shrunk it in a pot?Heat shrink tubing ain't that bad - if you haven't shrunk it it's so sad!

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 12:11:05 am
content: Normally my fun happens before my tube shrinks.No need to kick me out, I'm leaving.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 12:16:32 am
content: Quote from: TwoOfFive on February 24, 2017, 12:11:05 amDo you still shrink it by yourself, or do you have a friend to help you?The heating and shrinking of tubing is always better with a friend.

author: Ducttape
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 12:17:39 am
content: Not when I used to use the generic stuff I picked up at Micro Center, but when I got some 3M tubing, well... that's a different story.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 12:19:13 am
content: Quote from: timb on February 24, 2017, 12:16:32 amSadly I do not have a friend to aide me in my inflating and then shrinking of long tubes, but maybe one day I will find the right person to assist me in this task.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 07:44:33 am
content: Quote from: TwoOfFive on February 24, 2017, 12:19:13 amShame on you, introducing a note of normality----us weirdos were just starting to enjoy ourselves!

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 08:26:32 am
content: There are situations that I do not like it at all.For instance when I am soldering short wires to a connector over which I would like to have some shrink tube for isolation only to find out it has already shrunk too much when I was soldering.Now ofcourse the wires are packed in a cable so there is no chance to put the heatshrink over the wires after the soldering.Then I have to choose: solder shortly and risk a lousy solderconnection or forget about the shrink tube. Aaaaaaaaah those situations are a nightmare.But for the rest it is nice shrinking it just as I love vacuum sealing food in my pro vacuum sealer with vacuum chamber, when the vacuum escapes the plastick bag shrinks around the product, magical sight.

author: HwAoRrDk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 10:19:47 am
content: Quote from: The Soulman on February 23, 2017, 11:08:27 pmRelease the schmoo!

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 11:18:15 am
content: Quote from: HwAoRrDk on February 24, 2017, 10:19:47 am

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 11:42:33 am
content: The only thing I like about heat shrink tubing is the German word for it: Schrumpfschlauch

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 01:34:59 pm
content: I tend to think about my hot-air station as a heat-shrinking device.EDIT:Also, apparently I'm borderline Asperger's, too. Thanks for the link, xygor.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 01:48:24 pm
content: Quote from: Zbig on February 24, 2017, 01:34:59 pmSame with me. In fact, I suspect I use it more often for heat shrink tubing than soldering/desoldering with it.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 02:04:18 pm
content: Yup, hot-air stations are great for heat-shrinking. And I admit that I got about a dozen boxes of heat-shrink tubing in different sizes and colors. I can't do without them anymore

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 03:53:05 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 24, 2017, 11:42:33 amNot bad.

author: xygor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 10:42:59 pm
content: Quote from: Zbig on February 24, 2017, 01:34:59 pmAspergers runs higher than the general population among engineers.Psychopathy runs higher than the general population among business executives and politicians.How do you recognize an extroverted physicist?They look at *your* shoes when they're talking to you.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 11:07:40 pm
content: Quote from: madires on February 24, 2017, 02:04:18 pmAre those dozen boxes full of used or unused heatshrink tubing.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 10:51:47 am
content: Quote from: Vtile on February 24, 2017, 11:07:40 pmUnshrunk. It's hard, but I limit myself to just a few cm each day.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 08:04:36 am
content: I suppose it's somewhat satisfying to shrink it.What's incredibly aggravating, however, is making a multi conductor cable up and crimping the last terminal in place, THEN noticing that lone piece of shrink tubing that you forgot to install on one of them sitting forlornly on the bench staring back up at you.It is inevitably, of course,juuuuuuusta bit too small to slip over the already installed termination.Been there, done that, all too many times. And if you triple check, somehow a piece will fall off or jump through a wormhole in the short time that passes between you verifying it's there and affixing the terminal.-Pat

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 04:36:07 pm
content: Quote from: Cubdriver on February 26, 2017, 08:04:36 amYou can actually stretch unshrunk tubing to make it a bit bigger if you need to slip it over something that's just a tad too big. What I do is slip the tubing over a pair of needle nose pliers (as far as it will go) then pry the pliers open, slip the tubing down further, open them so more, rinse repeat. For the really tiny variety, you can start the stretch with a pair of tweezers, then move on to the needle nose.Using this method, you can stretch a piece of tubing about 5x it's original size! (Though I normally wouldn't go over 3x.) They then shrink right back down to the correct size once you apply heat.This method is great for upsizing in a pinch when you're out of the correct size, or when you need to get the tubing over something but don't want to use a larger size.

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 06:34:43 pm
content: Never thought of that. Thanks for the tip.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 08:03:48 pm
content: Quote from: timb on February 26, 2017, 04:36:07 pmI've done the needle nose stretch thing many times, but have never gone more than perhaps 1/2 to 1 diameter larger before it starts getting buggered up and inclined to tear. Tim, what brand of tubing are you using that can go that big? I typically have the 2:1 polyolefin stuff McMaster-Carr sells. Perhaps I need to get more 'name brand' stuff. Size is generally 1/4" or smaller.-PatEdit to correct typo

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 08:53:42 pm
content: I assume no one has been able to invent a heat shrink tube that is split length wise, that could then be placed over connections that are of slightly different sizes. Then either with some super strong adhesive strip, or glue manually applied the tube is one solid piece again, can be shrunk with a heat gun. It's not only the times when you forget to add the tube to the wire before soldering, but when you already have a larger connector on one end you don't want to remove just to get the heat shrink tube on. Or wires and connections that are slightly sized mismatched. It would also be helpful to add this as a last step, since in tight spaces, if the tubing is close to the area you are soldering, since you have to add the tube to the wire beforehand, the heat begins to deform the tube before you get a chance to slide it over the area you wanted it, and you have to start over. I guess if this was possible, it would have been done already.

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 08:59:19 pm
content: Quote from: MacMeter on February 26, 2017, 08:53:42 pmhttps://www.zippertubing.com/Heat-Shrink-Products/Heat-Shrink-Wrap.htmlAlso, if you guys like shrink tubing, you'll be amazed by the Raychem heat shrink boots for connector assemblies:http://www.peigenesis.com/en/accessories/shrink-products/angled-degree-boots/te-raychem-angled-degree-boots.htmlhttp://www.peigenesis.com/en/accessories/shrink-products/straight-boots/te-raychem-straight-boots.htmlIt's magical how they shape themselves when heated.Edit: added links to the boots

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 09:30:00 pm
content: Quote from: radar_macgyver on February 26, 2017, 08:59:19 pmThanks! Glad I was WRONG, need to buy some of that.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 11:09:39 pm
content: I think you can do that with normal heat shrink tubing too. It is pretty self-adhesive when warm.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 11:24:10 pm
content: Back in the day when heat shrink tubing was a novelty, I absolutely loved it. However, over the years doing many of those with the heat of a soldering iron made me hate it - I even used a cheap heat blower to no avail. When I got my hot air station, everything changed and I am back to the "lovers" team.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2017, 11:47:14 am
content: I recall shrinking 'Twisties' packets by the radiator in the classroom heater, that required a lot of skill.