Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: pmc on January 18, 2005, 11:59:59 pm

Title: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: pmc on January 18, 2005, 11:59:59 pm

I have some wires I soldered together but I forgot to use shrink tubing. It's too late to slip it on because both ends are soldered too. I've used electrical tape before, but it often unsticks and comes off unless I twist it on really tight.

What's an alternative or best practice? I don't want a short happening.

-pmc

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: stevejt on January 19, 2005, 12:11:53 am

cut, slip on tubing, resolder.  How long could it take? A minuteafter the iron is hot?

Steve

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: Ken Layton on January 19, 2005, 12:41:47 am

Try MCM Electronics (www.mcminone.com) Cold Shrink Tape # 21-3535 or 21-3545.

There is also made "Heat Shrink Tape" which works just like heat shrink tubing but it's in a tape form.

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: Stormy151 on January 19, 2005, 01:00:07 am

I've seen a "liquid electrical tape" that you can just paint on connections.  I've never used it, so I can't speak as to how well it works.  I imagine it's like that Plasti-Dip stuff for tool handles...

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: Rocky on January 19, 2005, 08:25:29 am

I hate when that happens

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: pmc on January 19, 2005, 08:38:12 am

Thanks guys. Lot's of options.

And simply redoing it never occured to me for some reason.

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: tmasman on January 19, 2005, 08:39:15 am

Quote from: Stormy151 on January 19, 2005, 01:00:07 am

I've seen a "liquid electrical tape" that you can just paint on connections.  I've never used it, so I can't speak as to how well it works.  I imagine it's like that Plasti-Dip stuff for tool handles...

It works great! It takes a little getting used to & you'll want a different brush than the one in the can.  The one in the can is always too stiff...

Anyhow, I've used this to protect a few projects & even when I was too lazy to solder some wires together... Just twist really tight & smother with "liquid electrical tape". Haven't had a problem yet.

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: JThw8 on January 19, 2005, 09:07:11 am

I'll second that, liquid electrical tape is some good stuff.  I use it alot on different things that are just not suitable for heat shrink wrap and it works fine.  Always good stuff to keep around just in case.

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: Hoagie_one on January 19, 2005, 09:09:25 am

what about globs of hot glue?

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: somunny on January 19, 2005, 10:24:09 am

This is pretty good stuff:

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/government/innovative_solutions/node_GS1YR4S9D0be/root_GS3RBW6QFVgv/vroot_31S2JJ7584ge/gvel_7344GKG758gl/command_AbcPageHandler/theme_us_innovativesolutions_3_0

I've used it before in industrial applications.

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: Beeeph on January 19, 2005, 03:23:06 pm

CAT5 Cable.

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: Hoagie_one on January 19, 2005, 03:24:41 pm

Quote from: somunny on January 19, 2005, 10:24:09 am

This is pretty good stuff:

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/government/innovative_solutions/node_GS1YR4S9D0be/root_GS3RBW6QFVgv/vroot_31S2JJ7584ge/gvel_7344GKG758gl/command_AbcPageHandler/theme_us_innovativesolutions_3_0

I've used it before in industrial applications.

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: pointdablame on January 19, 2005, 03:34:00 pm

Quote from: Beeeph on January 19, 2005, 03:23:06 pm

CAT5 Cable.

What? how is Cat5 going to help him protect the connection?  ??? ???

That liquid electrical tape works fine, but if it were me, I'd just snip the wire and do it again.

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: Beeeph on January 19, 2005, 05:47:27 pm

CAT6 cable then.

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: Lilwolf on January 19, 2005, 05:53:05 pm

Cat5 stinks for cabling... Well... not really... Solid core wires stink for cabling until you solder...

but have you tried the two sided crimp on connectors... There is a name for them... And they work.  I got a box of 100 for a few bucks years ago.  I did one control panel using them... But now I'm moving towards using screw in terminal blocks.  But these are part of my hotswap setup.

Title: Re: Alternative to shrink tubing?
Post by: somunny on January 19, 2005, 06:30:41 pm

Couldn't get my link to work, either.