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Heat Shrink?

K

kill4killin

Gawd
Joined
Jul 3, 2006
Messages
842
So for my next build I'm going to be doing a complete wire overhaul unless i end up getting the M12 (in which case i may end up doing it anyway depending on cable length).

My question is for shrink wrap, do you need to have a special heat gun or is a hair dryer hot enough to shrink to tubest to fit the wires?

(And a side question for those who have done this, what gauge wire should I use?)
 
I use a lighter.
Just hold the lighter so thet the blue part of the flame is touching the heat shrink tubing, as the yello or orange part of the flame will "burn" or leave black sooty markings on the tube.
Just be careful, and move the flame back and forth until it's shrunk enough.

Or buy a cheap heat gun at Home Depot, a hairdryer will just frustrate you...
 
Anyone else do that lighter idea? If that is all that is needed, then I may just run out to the store today and buy some heat shrink tubing.

Does home depot sell shrink tubing?
 
Yes, in the electrical section.
I've used a lighter for heat shrink for years.
Trust me, it works. Just take your time and be careful.
 
Ok, what gauge should i use for power supply wires? I think i only have 12 gauge right now, but i can get thinner if i need it.
 
I've never re-wired a psu, but I would suggest using the same gauge wire the psu used originally.
Just a guess.
 
A blow dryer may or may not work depending on how hot it runs. If you don't want to buy yourself a cheap heatgun (I've seen the go at Canadian Tire up here in Canada for as low as $14) a multipurpose blow torch might be in order. I've bought one on sale for $25 CAD which can burn, solder and blow hot air, which is perfect for detailed work. Much faster to ignite the blow torch than getting out a heatgun for small work.
 
I've done some aircraft wiring and had some training in that area-I would suggest a heatgun. I've seen them at Radioshack, and I'm sure if you looked around different stores you could find one. Heatguns can also be fitted with different tips for ease of use and heat distribution. I just wouldn't feel comfortable using an open flame.
 
Gibby82 said:
I've done some aircraft wiring and had some training in that area-I would suggest a heatgun. I've seen them at Radioshack, and I'm sure if you looked around different stores you could find one. Heatguns can also be fitted with different tips for ease of use and heat distribution. I just wouldn't feel comfortable using an open flame.
Click to expand...

The blow torch that I am referring to has an adapter which does not use an open flame to heat air. The gas blows over some kind of mantle or something which probably does some catalyic conversion of the gas to CO2 + Heat. You just need to ignite it for 10secs before snuffing out the flame. After that its flameless heat form the blow torch.
 
12, 14 and 16 guage wire is fine for a PSU, wheras 12 guage can transfer about 40amps and 16 guage can transfer about 20amps (that is, over a 2ft distance without any problems).


I'd go for the 14, as it's what's generally used, and the 16 for dedicated HD/CDrom power...

I use a butane lighter for the heatshrink. The matte stuff is good, but if you get the cheap shiny stuff, use a heat gun.

I also touch my soldering iron to it, works really well.
 
pawstar said:
The blow torch that I am referring to has an adapter which does not use an open flame to heat air. The gas blows over some kind of mantle or something which probably does some catalyic conversion of the gas to CO2 + Heat. You just need to ignite it for 10secs before snuffing out the flame. After that its flameless heat form the blow torch.
Click to expand...

I was more worried about the lighter...I figured there was some adapter for the torch, it'd be way too hot otherwise.
 
I like the soldering iron heat idea, I already have a soldering iron and it doesn't have a flame so you cant catch it on fire like you could with the lighter. I guess ill do test runs with both methods and see which works best. If niether work, I guess ill invest in a heat gun since ill probably be doing more of this stuff as i go on im my computer life.
 
the soldering iron will work, make sure you keep it moving, if you stop it will burn a hole. I like using a lighter, it works better in the nooks than a iron would. A heat gun would be best, but i don't see any reason why not to use a lighter. I only break out the gun when i am doing a mess of tubing.
 
I prefer the heat guns that come with the reducer 'funnel' attachment to direct the hot air onto a small area.
 
i dunno, a $14 heat gun may be a good idea but imo only if you're going to be doing a lot of wiring (say 15+ computers). i've been using a .50 lighter for close to 10 years now with absolutely 0 problems. if you're not a complete idiot you shouldn't have any difficulties
 
Arcygenical said:
12, 14 and 16 guage wire is fine for a PSU, wheras 12 guage can transfer about 40amps and 16 guage can transfer about 20amps (that is, over a 2ft distance without any problems).


I'd go for the 14, as it's what's generally used, and the 16 for dedicated HD/CDrom power...

I use a butane lighter for the heatshrink. The matte stuff is good, but if you get the cheap shiny stuff, use a heat gun.

I also touch my soldering iron to it, works really well.
Click to expand...
Even with a heatgun the stuff is a bitch to work with. Stick to the matte stuff. Most places around here don't even carry the shiny shit any more.
 
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