Non-motoring > Heat shrink tubing	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Rudedog	Replies: 61

New Mon 10 Jan 11 22:16   Heat shrink tubing - Rudedog

OK, I've bought some heat shrink tubing to seal the ends of my laces on my walking boots (?good idea), I've never used this stuff before, so what can I use to activate it without destroying the laces? it says that it starts working at 70 degrees and is fully shrunk at 110, will a good hairdryer get up to this temp? Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 10 Jan 11 22:27   Heat shrink tubing - Zero

Hair dryer? nah Hot air paint stripper Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 10 Jan 11 22:32   Heat shrink tubing - Runfer D'Hills

Maybe consider splashing out on a new pair of laces ? Or was it an especially wallet injuring Christmas this year ? :-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 10 Jan 11 22:39   Heat shrink tubing - CGNorwich

Truly all information is on the web. THis site will tell you how to solve all your aglet problems (that's apparently what that bit on the end of your boot lace is called ) including the use of heat shrink tubing. Must try to use the word aglet in a conversation tomorrow! www.fieggen.com/shoelace/agletheatshrink.htm Last edited by: CGNorwich on Mon 10 Jan 11 at 22:39 Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 10 Jan 11 23:29   Heat shrink tubing - Rudedog

Thanks, I've been on that site before for looking at different ways to lace up my boots, I must have sub-consciously remembered about using this method, BTW the laces are almost brand new but two of the tips have already come of. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 10 Jan 11 23:35   Heat shrink tubing - CGNorwich

Its actually one of those sites that sounds a bit odd but contains a lot of useful information. Seem to be forever tying my boot laces lately. Will try out the secure knot. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 10 Jan 11 23:40   Heat shrink tubing - Ted

I use a lot of it......never done me aglets, though. Cigarette lighter does the job fairly instantly with out damage to anything else. Ted Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 10 Jan 11 23:55   Heat shrink tubing - Rhubarb

My method. Dab of contact adhesive on the end of the lace, slide sleeving on, rotate sleeving to spread glue, shrink sleeving with heat gun, (paint stripper), roll heatshrinked end between fingers while still hot to reduce diameter, heat again for good measure. Done! Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 00:34   Heat shrink tubing - Fursty Ferret

Use the barrel (not the tip!) of a soldering iron. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 04:53   Heat shrink tubing - Iffy

The guy who fitted the TV aerial at the caravan used heatshrink to waterproof and secure a coaxial cable joint. Can't remember the heart source he used, so that's not very helpful, is it? He didn't have mains power. A kitchen blow lamp would do it. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 08:59   Heat shrink tubing - Jetski

Boiling water. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 09:45   Heat shrink tubing - FotheringtonTomas

>> will a good hairdryer get up to this temp? Easily, if you partially block the air inlets. It can get very, very hot indeed. Eventually it will go phut! Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 11:09   Heat shrink tubing - Old Navy

I use an electric paint stripping gun for HS tubing. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 11:10   Heat shrink tubing - Zero

>> >> will a good hairdryer get up to this temp? >> >> Easily, if you partially block the air inlets. It can get very, very hot indeed. >> Eventually it will go phut! But it will be pretty useless, as you blocked up the vents, no air will be coming out of it. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 11:17   Heat shrink tubing - madf

I use a blowtorch.. carefully. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 11:21   Heat shrink tubing - Bellboy

why not book a flight to somewhere really hot and leave the laces on da beach for a few hours? Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 11:31   Heat shrink tubing - bathtub tom

Probably hasn't got your money Bb. We can't all afford to jet off for three week Winter holidays. ;>) Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 11:37   Heat shrink tubing - Old Navy

>> Probably hasn't got your money Bb. >> >> We can't all afford to jet off for three week Winter holidays. ;>) >> I wonder how long it will be before we get the "Impoverished car dealer" sob story. :-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 12:25   Heat shrink tubing - Zero

>> >> We can't all afford to jet off for three week Winter holidays. ;>) >> I wonder how long it will be before we get the "Impoverished car dealer" sob >> story. :-) Of course he will get a sympathetic ear when he does. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 12:49   Heat shrink tubing - Cliff Pope

I can't believe this is real. Surely it's come from the Private Eye book of spoof ads? "End frayed shoelace misery- Just use Lace-o-weld on your worn out laces, and quick as a flash, New Laces! Only £99.99. Batteries not included. Warning - Do not use indoors." Reply to this message | Report message       4

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:03   Heat shrink tubing - Old Navy

Doesn't everyone have HS tubing in their toolbox? It's a bit like not having a selection of cable ties. If not they are ill equipped for the modern world. :-) Last edited by: Old Navy on Tue 11 Jan 11 at 13:05 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:05   Heat shrink tubing - Crankcase

>> Doesn't everyone have HS tubing in their toolbox? >> >> If not they are ill equipped for the modern world. :-) What is this "toolbox" of which you speak? Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:12   Heat shrink tubing - Old Navy

>> >> Doesn't everyone have HS tubing in their toolbox? >> >> >> >> If not they are ill equipped for the modern world. :-) >> >> >> What is this "toolbox" of which you speak? >> >> The one in the garage with electrical bits and pieces in it, soldering iron etc. As opposed to the ones with woodworking or engineering hand tools. Don't tell me you live a deprived existence without the equipment to do repairs to your possessions.:-) Last edited by: Old Navy on Tue 11 Jan 11 at 13:13 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:21   Heat shrink tubing - Crankcase

>> Don't tell me you live a deprived existence without the equipment to do repairs to >> your possessions.:-) Ah, that's what they're for. I'm afraid my ability with all things in that vein are severely limited. I realised this at school, when forced into woodwork lessons, and my "coffee table" turned out to be a stool, much to my surprise. Even worse was the simplest metalwork project I could find - a poker. It fell to bits after one poke. I'd give my right arm to be able to use a screwdriver, but I rather fear if I did pick one up that's exactly what would happen. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:26   Heat shrink tubing - R.P.

And me too Crankase ! Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:30   Heat shrink tubing - Zero

My sons friend arrived at our house, with his exhaust hanging after his bodge with cable ties failed. I showed him how to fashion a new exhaust hanger by joining various sized jubilee clips together. No tool box should be without a selection. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:41   Heat shrink tubing - Old Navy

>> I showed him how to fashion a new exhaust hanger >> Also wire coathangers are useful, they are banned in the house by Mrs ON, but I keep a couple in the garage. I am not being brave, I don't think she knows what is beyond the fire door in the utility room. :-) Last edited by: Old Navy on Tue 11 Jan 11 at 13:42 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:44   Heat shrink tubing - Alanovich

>> I am not being brave, I don't think she knows what is beyond the fire >> door in the utility room. :-) >> Hmm. That comment has made me think. I'm thinking about getting a door knocked through from my hallway into the garage as there is currently no internal access. Will it have to be a "Fire Door" these days then? Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:48   Heat shrink tubing - R.P.

There is one as a non-OE fit on the garage here, I assume there's a Building Reg on it. Common sense though...especially if you're fixing your own boot laces in there. Last edited by: Pugugly on Tue 11 Jan 11 at 13:49 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:50   Heat shrink tubing - Old Navy

>> Will it >> have to be a "Fire Door" these days then? >> I dont know what the building regulations are but I would think one would be required, and certainly sensible. My Focus was in the garage overnight for three years before it was recalled for a fix to stop them catching fire while unattended. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 14:01   Heat shrink tubing - Zero

>> My Focus was in the garage overnight for three years before it was recalled for >> a fix to stop them catching fire while unattended. Never mind, you gave it fair attempt, better luck next time. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 14:59   Heat shrink tubing - spamcan61

I'm not a BCO but yes, and there needs to be a step downwards of a few inches between the hallway floor and garage floor as well, presumably to act as bund in the event of fuel leakage. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 15:04   Heat shrink tubing - Alanovich

>> there needs to be a step downwards of >> a few inches between the hallway floor and garage floor Ah crap. My hall and garage are on the same level, so that rules it out I suppose. Rats. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 15:06   Heat shrink tubing - Zero

You can put in a threshold step. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 15:11   Heat shrink tubing - Old Navy

>> Ah crap. My hall and garage are on the same level, so that rules it >> out I suppose. Rats. >> Couldn't you put a substantial 2X4" across the floor on one side of the door to block any fluid transfer ? Last edited by: Old Navy on Tue 11 Jan 11 at 15:12 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 12 Jan 11 10:35   Heat shrink tubing - Alanovich

Good idea, Z & ON. But I shan't look forward to the wife/children forgetting about it and leaving teeth marks in the side of my 360! Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:47   Heat shrink tubing - R.P.

I had an acquaintance that drove a black taxi cab as personal transport on the grounds he wouldn't get stopped on the way home from the pub ( "they tell you to take a taxi home don't they") applying the same sort of lateral thinking he had a coat hanger as an aerial - albeit a plastic one. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 14:01   Heat shrink tubing - Iffy

...Also wire coathangers are useful... Welding wire is even better. Stronger, and it withstands more bends and twists before it snaps. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 14:02   Heat shrink tubing - Zero

Coat Hangers, Welding Wire, Jubilee clips,. Youngsters! Pah! don't know the meaning of a job well done these days, No pride in their work. Last edited by: Zero on Tue 11 Jan 11 at 14:03 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 14:49   Heat shrink tubing - RichardW

If it can't be repaired with a combination of bailer twine, parcel tape, gaffer tape, and chemical metal, then it's probably not worth repairing! Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 15:22   Heat shrink tubing - madf

>> If it can't be repaired with a combination of bailer twine, parcel tape, gaffer tape, >> and chemical metal, then it's probably not worth repairing! >> Bailer twine is good for emergency trouser repairs after arguments with barbed wire.. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 21:02   Heat shrink tubing - Dulwich Estate

"If it can't be repaired with a combination of bailer twine, parcel tape, gaffer tape, and chemical metal, then it's probably not worth repairing!" Hmmm...what about my windscreen then........ Last edited by: Dulwich Estate on Tue 11 Jan 11 at 21:02 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 22:27   Heat shrink tubing - Old Navy

>> "If it can't be repaired with a combination of bailer twine, parcel tape, gaffer tape, >> and chemical metal, then it's probably not worth repairing!" >> >> Hmmm...what about my windscreen then........ >> Easy, drill a series of holes each side of the crack and lace it up like a shoe with bailer twine. :-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:11   Heat shrink tubing - R.P.

Brilliant Cliff - Just been reading these in my delayed Christmas edition ! Never fail to make me laugh. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 13:49   Heat shrink tubing - VxFan

To stop my laces from fraying at the ends, I just use a ciggy lighter and melt the ends. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 16:10   Heat shrink tubing - Bellboy

i love masking tape in my toolbox,solves hundreds of permanent fix problems it does and welding rods, so much easier to shape than coat hangers and easier to source Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 16:33   Heat shrink tubing - Ted

Welding rod rusts....so better to use a galvanised coat hanger. Better still, everytime you chuck a radio/tape/CD player away, snip the aerial off and keep a store of them to end broken aerial misery on the car. They also make a handy pointer if you decide to give the wife a lecture on something...say, ironing, for instance. Masking tape is much the best thing to stop serious bleeding which might otherwise have required a trip to casualty, thus enabling you to get on with the job in hand. Ted Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 17:18   Heat shrink tubing - Pat

Could the OP just not go and buy a new pair of boot laces, or have I missed something? Pat Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 18:17   Heat shrink tubing - Iffy

...Welding rod rusts... It comes in different gauges, and you can do some serious strapping up with the thicker stuff. We always used to carry a few rods in several different thicknesses on the breakdown tender. Rust didn't matter because the customer was told it was a temporary repair. I'm sure when they got home they all had the job fixed properly - not. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 18:19   Heat shrink tubing - R.P.

No good as boot laces though. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 18:25   Heat shrink tubing - Iffy

...No good as boot laces though... True. Not saying I've seen this, but the thinner stuff would be good for wiring up a flapping sole. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 20:13   Heat shrink tubing - Runfer D'Hills

Just flame the frayed ends with a lighter (as I think someone suggested back up there... ) It'll seal them well enough without the need for the tubing, unless of course there's some aesthetic reason for wanting your lace ends neat. Why do walkers wear red socks with their trousers tucked into them by the way? Always wondered. :-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 20:25   Heat shrink tubing - Bellboy

Why do walkers wear red socks with their trousers tucked into them by the way? Always wondered > >>. so they dont get knocked down by a fire engine silly............;-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 20:31   Heat shrink tubing - WillDeBeest

To indicate crisp preference: red=Ready Salted, blue=Cheese & Onion. You never see green because Salt 'n' Vinegar is horrible. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 20:38   Heat shrink tubing - R.P.

Would they be Walkers' crisps then ? Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 20:46   Heat shrink tubing - WillDeBeest

Is there any other kind? Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 20:56   Heat shrink tubing - henry k

>> Is there any other kind? >> as I posted the other day - Naked . Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 21:22   Heat shrink tubing - Bromptonaut

>> Just flame the frayed ends with a lighter (as I think someone suggested back up >> there... ) It'll seal them well enough without the need for the tubing, unless of >> course there's some aesthetic reason for wanting your lace ends neat. Fine with nylon laces, epic fail if they're cotton!!! Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 21:29   Heat shrink tubing - Runfer D'Hills

Betcha even "cotton" laces will have some synthetic content in the weave... I'm quite impressed with this thread. Wouldn't find this sort of thing in many places would you? Far less, people arguing about the structure, care and maintenance of bootlaces. Why do they wear red socks? I'm yet to be convinced by the snack theory. Last edited by: Humph D'Bout on Tue 11 Jan 11 at 21:29 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 22:02   Heat shrink tubing - Ted

It may be for the same reason that I wear red socks when motorcycling. A flapping sole is best cured with tie=wraps. Ted Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 11 Jan 11 22:37   Heat shrink tubing - CGNorwich

"'m quite impressed with this thread. Wouldn't find this sort of thing in many places would you? Don't know whether you have explored the site referred to in my earlier post. There's more shoe lace info. there than you could believe possible. Strangely interesting too in an odd sort of way. How to tie a shoe lace if you only have one arm for example! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 12 Jan 11 08:33   Heat shrink tubing - Cliff Pope

>> >> >> Masking tape is much the best thing to stop serious bleeding which might otherwise have >> required a trip to casualty, thus enabling you to get on with the job in >> hand. Then when the job is finished do a proper repair with superglue. Not joking - top surgeons recommend it. Reply to this message | Report message