A heat shrink tube is an essential part of the wire baking arsenal. While it may not seem like it, heat shrink tubes are really big pieces of metal. They are 18-gauret wires wrapped in a tube and then oven heated and dried. This process creates a tight fit on the wire, creating an easier to stretch tube during baking.
Because heat shrink tubing is such a large piece of metal, there is a custom height requirement for buying one. Typically, you need at least a six-inch long one to get your project working correctly.
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Calculate area of heat shrink
When doing some math, it is important to calculate the area of heat shrink for 18-ga wire. As mentioned before, a typical heat shrink operation will use a score of 4 inches on the end of the wire and then place an opening approximately one inch long and slide it in.
When done correctly, the end of the wire will look like it has shrunk slightly and that is how much space you have left. That is how much space you ordered too!
Once put on, the heat shrink must be used immediately or it will dry out. This can be hard to do if we are having trouble with our order. When we are finished, we must take it off or it may stay heated up through the day!
We would suggest using a hair dryer to cool it down quickly so we could continue with our order.
Select appropriate heat shrink size
Most wire hams use 18-gauge wire for their heat shrink. Some use 12-gauge, but most use 18-gauge due to its thickness.
When using thinner gauge wire, it may be easier to start with a smaller size and increase by a bit as the heating process goes on. Therefore, a small size may need a few more wraps to become fully heated.
To ensure adequate heat shrink and does not break during the process, make sure there are no loose ends of wire or insulation left over after the wrap is placed on the heating device.
Apply heat shrink carefully
When applying heat shrink, we must be sure to match the size of the wire to the size of the heat shrink. 18-ga wire is approximately 1/2 inch in diameter and contains eight barbs.
To use heat shrink, place the wire in a freezer bag or dish towel and freeze for at least an hour before using. If you want to Freeze your wire before using, make sure to let it cool fully before wrapping or freezing.
When using, let them sit on a warm surface until they are frozen and secure with tensors or hardware cloth.
Make sure wire is clean and dry
Most heat shrink tubes contain an anticorrosion agent to protect the wire from rot or damage while it shrinks.
If using liquid shrink tubing, make sure the correct size is included for the wire you use. Liquid shrink tube must be heated before it can shrink!
Use very small, sharp knife or scissors to cut the lenght of tube necessary for heat to reach it. Make sure to take caution not to cut too short-of course, this would not work!
Once heated, wrap wire around tube and give a few twists to lock in theshrinking. If needed, add more heat until satisfied.
Make sure heat shrink is clean and dry
Most heat shrink brands come in different sizes for wire or solid tube. These measurements are shown on the label or inside the package.
The smaller sizes are better for thinner wire or solid tube items. The larger ones can be better for thicker wire or multiple thicknesses of material.
Most small tubes are about 1 inch long and ¼ inch wide. A small tube should always be used on smaller objects, like buttons or jewelry components. Large pieces of metal may need a bigger tube to prevent them from cool down too quickly.
Make sure the shrink tubing is clean and dry before use. Any water that gets into the tube could cause it to melt or stretch out, causing a potential safety issue. If there is moisture in the tubes, let them sit until they dry completely.
Do not stretch the wire before heating the shrink tube
Once the wire is in the shrink tube, do not pull on the wire until the heat has reached it.
To ensure that you do not break the insulation on the wire when heating, make sure that there is a good sized space between each piece of wire. Once this has happened, you can begin to shrink the wire.
Once you have shrunk the wire, take it out and twist off the top carefully to reveal how much Wire is left. You can then remove it and use it to create a new circuit or wrap some electrical tape around it to prevent shorts or transfers.
Keep the heat source close to the heat shrink tube
When heat shrinking, approximately 18-gauge wire is needed for each of the four corners of the tube. This is due to the wire being folded in upon itself when it is soldered to the metal.
When using a heat source to shrink the wire, there are two ways to keep the temperature of the wire. The first is to use a dedicated fan to circulate air through the heat source. The second is to use an extension cord that has its end connected to a wall outlet and another that has its end plugged into an appliance.
By having both methods, you have two choices for temperature: use one or use both! Both methods work fine, just depending on your need may depend on which was unavailable due to your wire size.
General tip: When shrinking 18-gauge wire, it is important to keep an eye on it and wait until it stops fluttering before continuing with your project.
Use the correct technique when shrinking the tube
When shrinking the tube], the wire must be placed in a circuit-brake, or else it will short out with the heat shrink. This is due to some television shows and movies that have used this method to shrink the tube].
In order to use a circuit-brake, you must first remove one end of the wire. Then, place the wire in a small pot of water; if there is none, add some more water. Put a little bit ofeenfel on top to prevent boiling over; if there is none, add some more water.
Once both ends are removed, wrap electrical tape around them to insulate them from heat and electricity. Then, place the pot in an oven set at warm temperature settingfor cooking. Let it cook for about an hour until it has shrunk the tube].