Cable sleeving Noob q's

[Manny Calavera]

When doing this on case or fan cables that are long,what methods do you guys employ to thread it through the sleeve mesh,without to much hassle ?

And if you dont have access to a heat gun what else can be used in a pinch for cable shrink ? I'm looking for tips and tricks. TIA !! :)

[UberTimm]

for a quick and dirty heat shrink job, just use a standard bic lighter, or any lighter, hold it so the flame is a few inches away, the heat will be more than plenty, just be careful. i've done which when doing in the field electronic cable repairs, but it works if you don't want to buy a heat gun (i dont think they're worth it unless you do a TON of cabling)

thats my trick, and for threading, ever try straightening a coat hangar? might work.

[Manny Calavera]

for a quick and dirty heat shrink job, just use a standard bic lighter, or any lighter, hold it so the flame is a few inches away, the heat will be more than plenty, just be careful. i've done which when doing in the field electronic cable repairs, but it works if you don't want to buy a heat gun (i dont think they're worth it unless you do a TON of cabling)

thats my trick, and for threading, ever try straightening a coat hangar? might work.



Thanks for the coat hanger idea !! :) Props to you.

Hope others chime in with advice.

[stain.]

lighter/matches > soldering iron for shrinking the shrink tube. I've used both and lighter is best.

[FallenMystic]

Without a heatgun i'd add my vote for lighter, (though you can pick up a heat gun cheap at places like harborfreight (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=35776),) if you want to spend the green.

as far as threading wires I typically just put abit of tape over the ends to keep it from snagging on the mesh and feed them through, the wires are typically stiff enough to be able to pass them straight through.

[Manny Calavera]

Without a heatgun i'd add my vote for lighter, (though you can pick up a heat gun cheap at places like harborfreight (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=35776),) if you want to spend the green.

as far as threading wires I typically just put abit of tape over the ends to keep it from snagging on the mesh and feed them through, the wires are typically stiff enough to be able to pass them straight through.



For sleeving,what about using a knitting needle ? my wife suggested this,but before I go run out and grab some I want to know if anyone else has tried it ?

[FallenMystic]

For sleeving,what about using a knitting needle ? my wife suggested this,but before I go run out and grab some I want to know if anyone else has tried it ?

haven't tried it myself but taping/tieing it off to the end of the wires and pulling it through should work, though you still might end up having the ends snag on the mesh of the sleeving.

at one point I actually used the end of a pen, (I can't remember the type) it was one where you could unscrew the ink and just end up with a hollow tube. cut the end off that so you've got a pointy hat, stick that over molex pin ends and use that as a shield to slide them through, (less chance of snaggage.)

works well for Molex though a bit big for fan wires etc...

[filthysanchez]

Tape some fishing line to the cables with electrical tape, tie a loop on one end, and use a crochet hook or something to pool it through.

[ClariorHincHonos]

Typically with mesh sleeving if you compress it the hole will expand giving you more room to feed it through (at least this was true with aircraft wire sleeving, which is pretty much the same).

[jackofalltrades]

I agree with the others on threading the wires but a better solution to using a bic lighter is a good old hair dryer works the same as a heat gun most women have one around the house less chance of scorching the heat shrink. If you don't have a woman around the house get one they are handy to have around as well :D

[Manny Calavera]

My wife mentioned using a candle (tea light) rather then a lighter on the heat shrink.I will try this and the knitting needle tonight as I just had the rest of my parts delivered by Purolator !! :D

[Manny Calavera]

Tape some fishing line to the cables with electrical tape, tie a loop on one end, and use a crochet hook or something to pool it through.


My wife says 'Size matters" :D A crochet hook is too short/small

[Hauki]

You can get some pretty large crochet hooks if you look around enough :p
I wouldn't go out of your way to get one though, there are numerous ways one could pull the wires through.

[filthysanchez]

You could always notch a dowel rod, and put the loop on the notch, then feed it through with that.

[Manny Calavera]

You could always notch a dowel rod, and put the loop on the notch, then feed it through with that.


Hmmmnnn...thats true.