Heat shrink tape -how to use

Good advice all.

Reminds me of the many uses that the TUBE has. Shrink some different coloured sections on the handles of those wee allen keys to instantly ID the size. Also same for the workshop reading glasses, shrink some yellow sections onto the frames so I don't mix them up with the good office set...makes them easier to find amongst the clutter of the workbench as well!

Hi Andrew,

Have not used the heat shrink tape. Only saw it in the store. They also have a liquid insulation tape which is painted onto a cable.

Paul.

Hi Paul, I've also tried the liquid....not too impressed. The reason being its difficult to get an even layer and suitable thickness of product over the area to be insulated...certainly only for low voltage apps.

Going back to the self amalgamating tape. During my training I was taught to overlay the "self-amalg" with firmly bound self adhesive PVC tape. The application of pressure ensuring a complete and swift amalgamation to form a homogenous rubber "boot". Once fully amalgamated the PVC tape could be removed or may peel off on its own if exposed to sunlight.

Sounds like a good idea Brian, I had almost given up it. But with the addition of heat, wouldn't the PVC tape unravel?

I'll experiment anyway.

"Self Amalg" doesn't need heat to 'do what it says on the tin'. It'll bond into a homogenous boot at ambient temperature over a period of a few days so long as the pressure is applied by a complete PVC tape over-wrap. (That's the important bit).

It takes a little longer if it is colder but I've used it in a former life outdoors in winter in the UK and it worked. I was told it had a "shelf life" but I've used some that I've had for years and it still works OK.

If you want a waterproof seal around a cable remove the minute longitudinal extrusion marks by circumferentially abrading the surface.

For self amalg tape, when applying stretch it so it goes to a half of its original width. Lot easier to say then to do!

Frank

By all means stretch it slightly as you apply it but I'd not recommend stretching it that far. It sounds like any advice you received to use it that way was trying to avoid the use of the PVC tape over-wrap to apply pressure.

Two different tapes. Dad used to call the self amalgamating tape Empire tape, Have I got this right?,Black cloth tape.

Ian S C

Don't think so - my Dad used cloth self amalgating tapes to fix burst top/bottom hoses on car radiators.

The self-amalgamating tape I use is a purely a synthetic plastic type of stuff for sealing electrical joints to keep the weather out. Not sure how it would cope with very high temperatures.

Steve

I have used self amalgamating tape to repair the rubber flexible section on a car aeriel, it worked fine.

Clive

I'm not sure why there would be any restriction to how much self amalgamating tape should be stretched. The only limit I know of regarding stretching is its breaking point!

My understanding is that it is designed and made for stretching, actually I can't imagine how it could be used unstretched.

It is a product I have used for quite a few years and its the stretching that make the layers adhere to each other. I have used it to make cable replacement strain grommets for things like power tools. Its easy to create thick section where the cable clamp grips and then a long gradual taper that might only be a few though thick at the end.

Ian P

I've always given the tape a good stretch to wrap a joint and never used any PVC tape over wrap. The only problem I've had with it is getting it off afterwards!

Steve

The old black cloth tape was the best stuff for fixing handlebar rubbers, wrap round the bar, dip rubber in petrol and push on quick. I tried to buy some a couple of years ago but no luck. I also have used the plastic self amalgamating tape. Mostly as a temporary emergency repair for leaking plumbing pipes. Best way is with the tape warm to the touch, stretch the tape and overlap about 2/3. I fasten the loose end with a bit of wire or string until set. It's very effective and seems like it could be left on for ever. I find it difficult to apply on electrical cable as the cable flexes to much. If you are wondering why I need the tape- we have very soft water and copper pipe does not last long, the old pipe being much better than the new stuff.

Cor blimey yeah I remember my old man carrying that tape in the car back in the fifties. It got him out of a few tight corners back then. eg split radiator hoses and cracked rubber wiring. Wrap it round your thumb joints when handling bricks. As a temporary fix it was great.

He used to make palms from old inner tubes as well when brick laying.

Edited By Jesse Hancock 1 on 08/06/2015 09:59:39