shrinkwrapped line

[Jaan]

It does shrink a little lengthwise. What I do is shrink one end first, then go down the length, then cut off any excess at the other end.

It also shrink in different ratios, some tubing shrinks 3 to 1, some 2 to 1. The more you shrink it the thicker the walls will be. Also, some tubing comes with glue inside, which is nice if you're shrinking wires together. Most doesn't though since it's cheaper.

It tends to take shape too, shrink the tubing with the hose in its final shape and it will look nicer.

[magman86]

anybody know what size to get?

i was asking more of the diameter size, not really the length, i know what i need for the length, just not the diameter, is it measured but the preshrunk diameter, or what it shrinks to?

[Spider-TW]

Like Jaan said, it varies. It should be labled for the minimum diameter it can shrink and the diameter that it is un-shrunk.

I would stay away from the glue coated stuff unless you know you want it. The glue can be really messy at the ends or if you take the wrap off.

[hmudd13]

I get mine at ACE hardware. 1/2" tube.
99 cents a foot, unlimited lengths.
Black only

[Railgun]

It shrinks to around 50% of the original size. So it's wise to have your line with you so you can pick the size that is a fairly easy but close fit over the hex of the end fittings. I hadn't thought about using the stove burner to shrink tubing but that would work. Other more "normal" options are a proper heat gun (not a hair dryer) or a propane torch on low with about a 3 inch flame played lightly and quickly over the tubing from a distance where the end of the visible flame is a good inch or two from the tubing.

Electronics part stores carry a wide variety of shrink tubing. For the size needed for this application $4 for the one yard length is about right.

[Jaan]

I second getting a heat gun. They come in handy. You can get them for less than $10 at Harbor Freight. Besides heat shrinking tubing, you can take labels off of packages, paint off of window sills etc.

[robnix]

Good luck finding anything other than short pieces. I've checked Radio Shack and Home Depot both sell short pieces they look to be 6" maximum. I haven't tried Lowe's but I'm sure they sell the exact same thing.

Harbor Freight.

[Jaan]

Good luck finding anything other than short pieces. I've checked Radio Shack and Home Depot...

Well that there's yur problem :)

[snoopay700]

You know, if you wanna kill two birds with one stone you could always put your gun without your valve in the oven to change the anno and make the shrinkwrap shrink.





P.S. I'm kidding, don't actually try this.