Heat Shrink

[ATC]

I'm getting low on my supply, and am wanting to stock up for future projects I have planned.

I know most of the electrical sites out there, but I haven't come across any that carry ALL 3 sizes I'm looking for. 1/8", 3/32", and 3/16". The 3/32" isn't 100% necessary, but I'd like to have it while I'm at it. I'm down to 1/4", and it just laughs at 14-18ga wiring

Needs to be 3:1, double layer, adhesive lined. I'd like at least 8' of each.

I was about to order from one site, until I saw they wanted $8 to ship 10' of it. Do they not know that you can fit about 50' of it into a $3 envelope? Delcity wasn't much better...

And while we're at it, what are some good brands to look for? I don't want to find the shrink rock hard and flaking off in a matter of a few years...

 

[theoldwizard1]

I buy mine on eBay. Yeah, I am sure it came from China, how much of the "name brand" stuff sold at the big supply houses ALSO comes from China ?

 

[rlitman]

For 3:1 adhesive lined, I actually buy mine at HF. Their "marine grade" shrink is ok. The rest of their shrink is ****.

 

[JRC3]

I'm not sure how the sizes convert...But the HF is some of the best I've used compared to the box store stuff. It's thick and seems to get real sticky on the inside. Only 2:1 though.

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-heat-shrink-wire-wrap-assortment-96024.html

The rest of their shrink is ****.

I've had pretty good luck with the stuff I posted. Never tried the others

 

[rlitman]

I'm not sure how the sizes convert...But the HF is some of the best I've used compared to the box store stuff. It's thick and seems to get real sticky on the inside. Only 2:1 though.

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-heat-shrink-wire-wrap-assortment-96024.html



I've had pretty good luck with it.

Their marine heat shrink is 3:1
http://m.harborfreight.com/42-piece-marine-heat-shrink-tubing-67598.html

 

[Joe-R]

I'm getting low on my supply, and am wanting to stock up for future projects I have planned.

I know most of the electrical sites out there, but I haven't come across any that carry ALL 3 sizes I'm looking for. 1/8", 3/32", and 3/16". The 3/32" isn't 100% necessary, but I'd like to have it while I'm at it. I'm down to 1/4", and it just laughs at 14-18ga wiring

Needs to be 3:1, double layer, adhesive lined. I'd like at least 8' of each.

I was about to order from one site, until I saw they wanted $8 to ship 10' of it. Do they not know that you can fit about 50' of it into a $3 envelope? Delcity wasn't much better...

And while we're at it, what are some good brands to look for? I don't want to find the shrink rock hard and flaking off in a matter of a few years...

ATC,

Try Mouser Electronics:

http://www.mouser.com/search/refine.aspx?N=254627

Just click the filters to narrow it down to what you want. Good luck! You can also buy a variety pack in a case. I have one, but don't remember anything about it. I can take a look if you're interested.

Joe

 

[pi_guy]

HF is ****
The proper one is DR-25 produced by Raychem.
I stock all the sizes up to two inch, there are quite a few different types.

Raychem catalog
ATUM High shrink ratio, adhesive lined tubing page 60
CGAT Adhesive lined, flexible, tubing page 62
CGPT Commercial grade, flame retardant tubing page 63
CRN Semi-rigid, flame retardant tubing page 65
DCPT Flexible, flame-retardant, dual colour tubing page 66
DR-25 Flexible, chemical & abrasion resistant tubing page 67
DR-25-TW Thin wall version of above page 68
HCTE Helical conduit, flame retardant page 69
HTAT High temperature, adhesive lined page 70
LSTT Low shrink temperature tubing page 71
RNF-100 General purpose, flame retardant tubing page 72
RNF-3000 3:1 shrink ratio version of above page 73
RP-4800 4:1 shrink ratio, flame retardant tubing page 74
RT-375 Optically clear, flame retardant, flexible tubing page 75
RT-555 High performance, low outgassing page 76
RW-175-E High temperature, chemical resistant tubing page 77
RW-200-E High temperature, fuel resistant, ruggedised tubing page 78
SCL Semi-rigid, encapsulant lined tubing page 79
SR Silicone tubing, cold applied page 80
SRFR Highly flexible silicone tubing, heat-shrinkable page 81
STW PTFE thin wall sleeving page 82
TW PTFE standard wall sleeving page 83
TFE High temperature, heat-shrinkable PTFE tubing page 84
TFER Higher shrink ratio version of above page 85
VERSAFIT® Highly flame retardant, low shrink temperature page 86
ZH2 & ZH4 Zerohal, flame retardant, high temperature tubing page 87
ZH-100 Zerohal Thin wall, low fire hazard tubing page 88
ZHTM Medium wall, low fire hazard tubing page 89

HF carries none of these

 

[CJ7VFR]

You can also check out Digi-Key online. They have all kinds of heat shrink tubing. Some that are adhesive lined and some that are not. Some are even fire retardant and fluid resistant.

I did a very quick search of the Digi-Key site and found some adhesive tubing.

Here is the link: http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/cables-wires-management/heat-shrink-tubing/1704112?k=heat%20shrink&k=adhesive&pkeyword=heat shrink

They sell the stuff in kits, as well as separately from several different manufacturers like 3M, Qualtek and Raychem.

I bought a kit of the regular non-adhesive lined tubing from them a few years ago to do some wiring for my stereo hook-up in my old Jeep CJ-7. The kit came with 5 different sizes (diameters) of tubing in 6 foot lengths.

I had a lot left over and use it all the time on things around the house. As a matter of fact I just put up some old speakers in my basement last week and used some of the shrink tubing.

I didn't have any speaker wire (16 gauge) long enough to make continuous runs from the amp to the speakers, so I connected up some pieces of wire that I had by tinning the ends of the wires and then soldering them together, followed by some shrink tubing on all the connections.

Worked out great.

Jim

 

[Ainsley]

Needs to be 3:1, double layer, adhesive lined.

3:1 adhesive lined is all I use now, I'll be watching to see what you end up picking up as I'd like to standardize on some nice high-end stuff that is a reasonable price. My electronics supplier in town has 4 foot lengths for about $3.50 depending on diameter so that's what i've been using.

 

[theoldwizard1]

3:1 adhesive lined is all I use now, I'll be watching to see what you end up picking up as I'd like to standardize on some nice high-end stuff that is a reasonable price.

I am on my second or third box of HF marine (dual wall) heat shrink. It seems like I really only use 1 or 2 sizes so I just ordered some generic of the suze I needed from eBay.

 

[rattle_snake]

3M EPS-300 (3:1 adhesive lined)

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/23026O/3mtm-heat-shrink-tubing-eps-300.pdf

Digikey has decent price.

 

[nehog]

... adhesive lined. I'd like at least 8' of each.

I was about to order from one site, until I saw they wanted $8 to ship 10' of it. Do they not know that you can fit about 50' of it into a $3 envelope? ...

Adhesive lined shrink tube has to be shipped and stored in straight, uncompressed lengths (boxed). Typically it is in 4' lengths. Very inefficient to ship. You can't coil it!

 

[Jess]

Any decent marine chandler will have this in 4' lengths, adhesive lined, and various sizes. The place I deal with has Vertex, which also supply heat shrink crimp on terminations. The boating supply shop and retail places like West Marine likely only have the short cut up and very expensive pieces.

 

[rcktpwrd]

I have bought from here: http://ties4less.3dcartstores.com/31-Heat-Shrink-Tubing-with-adhesive_c_41.html seems to be decent stuff.

 

[pi_guy]

Adhesive lined shrink tube has to be shipped and stored in straight, uncompressed lengths (boxed). Typically it is in 4' lengths. Very inefficient to ship. You can't coil it!

I will tell that to my 100 foot rolls.

 

[paranoid56]

amazon has good prices on 100ft rolls. whats where i pick mine up from

 

[ATC]

Thanks everyone. Power was out for a day after a freak storm, or I'da been back sooner I'll get to looking around in the morning when I get some time.

Adhesive lined shrink tube has to be shipped and stored in straight, uncompressed lengths (boxed). Typically it is in 4' lengths. Very inefficient to ship. You can't coil it!

Why can't you? My last batch came folded up, rubber banded together in a small package. Works perfect....

 

[nehog]

Why can't you? My last batch came folded up, rubber banded together in a small package. Works perfect....

Any heat in transit (or storage after) and the adhesive (basically heat melt glue) will stick to itself inside if allowed to have contact.

 

[Beemer533]

I get pretty much all my smaller stuff from McMaster and larger stuff (1" and up) from Heatshrink.com.

Very happy with both..


And Nehog is correct, dual wall heatshrink should never be folded or rolled if at all possible, especially if you use it outdoors like I do.

This post edited by the NSA

 

[ATC]

I just placed an order with Mouser. Good prices, and better shipping. I went with 3M stuff to give it a try.

 

[Joe-R]

I just placed an order with Mouser. Good prices, and better shipping. I went with 3M stuff to give it a try.

ATC,

Cool! Please let us know how you like it...

Joe

 

[Resu]

I've had great success with a user on eBay called FurryLetters. Most known for TechFlex (legit TechFlex), but also carries a few varieties of heat shrink tubing at good prices. It is nice stuff.

Link - http://stores.ebay.com/FURRYLETTERS

 

[MFolks]

When I built test cables for missiles at General Dynamics/Convair in San Diego,the company used heat shrinkable Neoprene,in many different lengths and diameters. It came in rolls resembling a black fire hose. Raychem was the brand used.