13 replies to this topic

[ric]

Have wasted too much time looking on the web so ...........ask the experts.

Can anyone recommend a good heat gun for use with heat shrink sleeving, typical use on bike electrics and similar, with the nice little nozzle adaptors and heat shield(s) to make life easy? Won't be used a lot but don't want it to fall apart either.

Cheers

[Saga Lout]

If you already have one just use a decorators heat gun. I'm in the electrical industry and have used one of these many times for HS sleeving and for home use that's all I have. Don't put the head too close to the work area and keep the gun moving so that the heat does not get concentrated on any one spot, if you're really concerned about burning surrounding items you can mask off with kitchen foil ....

[LDRider]

I have a fancy one with temp and fan control - it's expensive. I'll look up the model if you like. 98% of the time, a butane torch works just as well, just need to be a bit careful about lighting stuff on fire.

I carry a torch with me on the road. Basically, a cigar lighter will do it.

[hammerman]

I have one I bought from Aldi, cost me about £10. The temp is fully adjustable from hair dryer type heat to opps, where did my skin go type heat. Also came with a few nozzles etc

It's still working two years after I bought it.

Edited by hammerman, 15 October 2012 - 05:03 pm.

[Pantboy]

i have a gas powered soldering iron, it has changable tips, including a hot blower

it is similar to this http://uk.rs-online....-irons/4335978/

Edited by Pantboy, 15 October 2012 - 05:09 pm.

[Bobos]

If you already have one just use a decorators heat gun. I'm in the electrical industry and have used one of these many times for HS sleeving and for home use that's all I have. Don't put the head too close to the work area and keep the gun moving so that the heat does not get concentrated on any one spot, if you're really concerned about burning surrounding items you can mask off with kitchen foil ....

That's what we use at work. Fancy options are available but you gain nothing ferret. Alternatively, the missus' hairdryer with a block of timber behind the item being shrunked to reflect and contain the heat does work on heat shrink that's not too thick.

[arthurbikemad]

I've a tiny one from RS years old but still works fine very small nozzle, most of the time I use a blue flame butane gas gun..

[dablik]

I use a lighter,,works a treat...

[CaptainSlow]

I've never used anything other than the side of the soldering iron to do the shrinking. I didn't even know a special tool existed!

[hammerman]

I've never used anything other than the side of the soldering iron to do the shrinking.

So do I when I'm feeling lazy, but the hot air gun makes a very quick neat job of heat shrinking wiring. Particularly where you are using bigger / multiple wire heat shrink tube.

[Trotski]

you should be able to pick up a heat gun for a reasonable price at any any hardware store, if your only going to use it a couple of times, then use a Hair dryer on high, or a Lighter, but the right tool does a better job.

[tdm850rider]

Hair-dryer does the job, just takes a bit longer.

[chill]

If you are going to use it a lot I would recomed a Makita HG1100. We have several at work and the cop a lot of hard work and they are still going well.
If not the above sugestions would be recomended.

[dmmsta]

I've got a small gas soldering iron with a blow torch tip that I use - if thats run out then I just use a normal disposable lighter.

No need for fancy tools unless (as others have stated) you're going to be doing a large amount of work.