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I really want to begin incorporating heat shrink in my pedal builds. I think it will really bump the neatness up a notch. What do you guys use for a heat gun?

This BernzOmatic Butane Micro Flame Torch caught my eye the last time I was at Home Depot. The kit comes with a hot blower attachment. The $16 price tag also quite attractive.

Then there are actual heat guns like this Milwaukee Digital Heat Gun for $36. The digital aspect sounds pretty cool, but the photo makes it look kinda janky.

I am really hoping to having avoid spend 55 bucks on a heat gun... even if it's a Weller, and I know it's going to be a solid tool. That Milwaukee does look extremely flexible the more I look at it.

Bonus question: What are some good sizes of heat shrink to have around. I'm thinking mostly to go over the connections between wire and pot/jack lugs, and component leads. Anything I'm missing?

Whatever you get, make sure you get an attachment like 1 in this photo:



It blows the heat evenly around the heat shrink. Makes all the difference and speeds things up. Probably get one much smaller than that, they also make an attachment that is a little metal V that wraps around a much shorter/smaller piece, which is what you'd want for pedals.

I have always used Butane, but I have one of the ace hardware heat guns around (it is awesome for adding shrink tubing to cables and things of that nature)

Above post is right though you definatley want the attachment to isolate the heat to just the place you want it to go.

As far as tubing sizes, a Gauge above you hookup wire gauge is a good start and probably double it as well (for 2 wire passes)

I know radio shack makes a multi pack but when i buy it there are about 5 sizes that just get thrown out or used to shrink tube things like pencils and screwdrivers (not a bad practice BTW)

As small as you can fit over a given spot is usually best - heat shrink doesn't always shrink as much as you'd like it to. Sometimes I'll shove a gauge that looks too small over the end of a solder tab or a spot where I've soldered two things together, so it so of python-bulges over the solder, then shrink it down, because then I know it's tight and it's not going anywhere.

For that reason, buy an assorted size bag and then a bag or roll of the most common size you're going to need (as hbombgraphics says, probably one or two sizes above your wire gauge)

... I just use my soldering iron.

But I just bought a small butane soldering iron and got a torch tip for it. That may work too.

I usually end up needing to melt the heat shrink INSIDE the pedal, so a big heat gun is out.

This plus this.

A bic

Jero wrote:A bic

+1
Those Butane lighters work good too.

Jero wrote:A bic

that's what i use, too. but i never use more than half an inch of tubing at a time.

Didn't think I was the only one
Of course a heat gun is ideal, for most applications, but lighters do fine. Those torch style ones are prob a little more precise.

Look at all of you, going MacGyver all over your heat shrink with your lighters. :ninja: I tend to get a bit jittery after a while when I work on stuff, because I drink too much coffee and forget to eat food. So the thought of holding burning fire, with a shaky hand, near something I've just spend a lot of time working on makes me a bit nervous. It'd probably end up being a lot like this:

I'll probably go to Home Depot sometime this weekend and see if they have that digital one in stores. The thought of having variable heat settings kind of excites me. Maybe I can convince malady that we shouldn't have to dip into the gear/diy funds, since she might be able to use it as a hairdryer on the lowest setting.

hbombgraphics wrote:I know radio shack makes a multi pack but when i buy it there are about 5 sizes that just get thrown out or used to shrink tube things like pencils and screwdrivers (not a bad practice BTW)

Bloody brilliant! Could you imagine walking into an important meeting or job interview, and you bust out a pencil that is covered in heat shrink?!?!? That is so funny inside my mind.

mathias wrote:As small as you can fit over a given spot is usually best - heat shrink doesn't always shrink as much as you'd like it to. Sometimes I'll shove a gauge that looks too small over the end of a solder tab or a spot where I've soldered two things together, so it so of python-bulges over the solder, then shrink it down, because then I know it's tight and it's not going anywhere.

For that reason, buy an assorted size bag and then a bag or roll of the most common size you're going to need (as hbombgraphics says, probably one or two sizes above your wire gauge)

Ok, ok, ok. I will buy the assortment pack. I was hoping there would be universal sizes that works for everyone, and then just buy those sizes. I'm definitely getting a pack with an assortment of sizes aaaaannnnd an assortment of colors! I want my pedals to feel fashionable and glamorous. rainbow heatshrink my excitement!!!

modernage wrote:Look at all of you, going MacGyver all over your heat shrink with your lighters. :ninja: I tend to get a bit jittery after a while when I work on stuff, because I drink too much coffee and forget to eat food. So the thought of holding burning fire, with a shaky hand, near something I've just spend a lot of time working on makes me a bit nervous. It'd probably end up being a lot like this:

That's some good imagery
Please be careful using a heatgun as a blow dryer. Might still end up like

There's also an attachment for soldering irons that works like the attachment to the heat gun. Directs heat into a cylindrical area. Looks like this:

Dunno where to buy one, though.

mathias wrote:There's also an attachment for soldering irons that works like the attachment to the heat gun. Directs heat into a cylindrical area. Looks like this:

Dunno where to buy one, though.

That would fucking rule for cutting cheese.

Me too on the cheapo 7-11 lighter. I put the flame down low and put the heatshrink down inside the flame. The tip of the flame is the hottest, the body of the flame less. I keep it moving until I see shrinkage, then I get it from the other side.
I've tried using the soldering iron but I end up scorching the heatshrink because I can't hold it steady enough.