12 Easy, Helpful Uses for Heat Shrink Tubing

I just bought a heat gun and shrink wrap from Harbor Freight, and I was totally blasted with the usefulness of shrink wrap. Here are just a few projects I came up with as far as my electronics workbench goes! I thought of a billion others, but they weren't necessarily relevant to my electronics revolution!

Before you do anything in this instructable, see Kurt E. Clothier's  heat gun reflector. This is awesome as it speeds up the shrinking time tremendously!

I'd actually be happy if you guys would inform me about what you find heat shrink useful for, if it's not already in this instructable. If I like it, and with your permission, I'll post your picture or I'll make one and I will credit you. Thanks Tomdf for the first awesome use for heat shrink, a wire fix! (step 9)

How about we call this an open instructable, where YOU guys get to contribute!

Thanks, and enjoy!

Step 1: LED Cluster

You will need a soldering gun for this project, but that's all!

Comments

[rimar2000]

Very interesting. I had used shrink tubing to protect the end of a rod, like a ferrule.

[Enjoying Electronics]

Hmm, how would that work out?

[rimar2000]

You put a piece of shring tubing over the end of the rod, then you heat it and it is like a ferrule, although with a hole. Obviously, it is not for heavy duty.

[Enjoying Electronics]

Oh ok, I get it. Basically that's what I did when I fixed my helicopter's tail arm. Right?

[rimar2000]

Yes, you are right. I did not read carefully.

[Kurt E. Clothier]

These are some great tips. I just want to point out a couple of things for clarification: On Step 1: LED Cluster, did you use heat shrink over one of the leads before adding it to the entire cluster? You did in Step 6: Resistor and LED. Otherwise, someone is likely to short the two power leads together when they shrink the tubing. Second, I can't really recommend that you just add heat shrink over twisted wires (as in Step 8) without soldering them first unless you need a quick, temporary fix for something. It would take a lot less force to pull them apart than you might anticipate. Otherwise, these are some awesome ideas. Keep up the good work!

If you do a lot of work with a heat gun, you might one to consider fashioning a reflective collar to help focus the heat on just what you want to shrink. This cuts my shrink time in half, even switching from the high to the low heat setting.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Heat-Gun-Reflector/

[Enjoying Electronics]

Yeah, I'd rarely do that, it would just be for a quick fix- I should clarify that. Oh, and on the cluster, I forgot to mention putting heat shrink over the negative lead. I'm gonna have to fix that. Oh, and I've seen your instructable before! I really liked it!

[Kurt E. Clothier]

Good stuff. Keep after it, and I'm sure we'll see (more) great things from you.

[Enjoying Electronics]

Thanks Kurt! I'm trying my best with the little knowledge I have. I just bought another electronics book, hoping to learn more!

Oh, and Ill be making your reflector soon :P

[Kurt E. Clothier]

Awesome. Be sure to post some pictures when you're done.

[Tomdf]

Ah, it's relieving to find out that I'm not the only person who get's excited about heat shrink, lol. I especially like the 9v battery clip, that's rather clever, and the helping hand helper, because those things really need the help :p

Since you asked, I have a tip to contribute: how to solder two wires with one piece of tube. I use this with two wire ribbon cable and since the wires are stuck together I feel there is little risk of them slipping and causing a short.

[Enjoying Electronics]

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[Enjoying Electronics]

Tomf that's an awesome idea! I kept on wondering how I'd do two wires without shorting them! Can I post your pic and comment? Can you send it to me as a patch?

[Tomdf]

Sure thing, thank you :)