8 Ways to Heat Your Heat Shrink Tubing

Heat shrink tubing comes in a variety of colors, sizes and materials. Used as an economical and effective way to protect wire splices and bare wires, heat shrink tubing shrinks to fit the wire or application when heat is applied to the tubing. Tubing is used in a variety of applications, including vehicle engines, homes, outdoor wiring, home theaters, computer labs, and other spaces.

Heat shrink tubing comes in a variety of temperature sensitivities for different applications. It is also available in several flexibilities for different applications, ranging from military and sensitive electrical applications, to more common ones.

It's important to realize that heat sources that may be used in one setting may cause a fire or explosion in another. Heat sources that involve a flame, such as candles, matches and cigarette lighters, will work to shrink the tubing. However, they may also char or burn through the tubing. Heat sources involving flames should be watched carefully and moved along the length of the tubing as it is applied. If you need to shrink heat shrink tubing on a regular basis, or have a lot of tubing to shrink, invest in a heat gun to do the job most effectively, efficiently and safely.

8 Ways to Heat Your Heat Shrink Tubing

• Heat guns - these heat guns are often used for stripping paint and other uses.
• Blow dryers - if you don't have a heat gun, a very hot blow dryer will work on some types of shrink tubing.
• Candles - use a lit candle for well ventilated areas with no flammable vapor, like gasoline, propane, or oil.
• Matches - a lit match, or several matches in succession, may be used on smaller tubing. Be careful when using exposed flame.
• Butane lighters - butane lighters, or any lighter, can be used to shrink tubing. Use the same precautions as when using a candle or flame.
• Torch - a small torch, such as is used for soldering or cooking, can be used to shrink tubing. Use the same precautions as when using a candle or flame.
• Light bulb - it's not the best alternative, but holding a piece of wiring with heat shrink tubing near a hot light bulb can work.
• Ovens - if your splice can be placed into an oven, the heat from an oven will shrink the tubing.

Tips for Heating Heat Shrink Tubing

• Make sure the diameter you are using is the correct diameter for your wiring. Tubing is manufactured and stretched to a certain diameter. When heat is applied the tubing "shrinks" back to its original size. That size is usually stamped on the tubing or the package as a ratio. For instance, a 2:1 diameter means the tube will shrink to half the size of its current diameter. Different ratios include 2:1, 4:1, 5:1, and 6:1. 
• When using a flame or torch, keep the heat source moving. Flames and torches work well to shrink heat tubing, but move the flame along the length of the tube to ensure the tubing isn't charred by the flame.