The Best Heat Shrink Hacks Everybody Needs To Know

Every home, job, and family has its own unique set of needs. Things you need to fix, or buy, or try, or do. Luckily, you're capable of handling more than you think. And so is your heat shrink tubing.

Heat Shrink Basics

General purpose heat shrink tubing is hollow on the inside with tough, protective walls outside. You can use heat shrink tubing to create seals, connections, barriers, shields, insulation, and protection around just about anything you can fit into it.

It comes in different diameters from 3/64" to 10". So whether you're fixing something slight or experimenting with something large, there's a size that's perfect for you.

The magic of heat shrink happens when you apply heat to the tubing ideally using a heat gun for shrink wrap tubing for the most consistent results. This activates it and causes the tubes to reduce in size, uniformly and symmetrically. They cure to cool almost instantly creating a snug, consistent fit around materials that lasts for years.

A Quick "How To" Use It

Once you've got your project or to-do inserted into a sliced tube of heat shrink, it's time for heat. This is best done with a heat gun since they have precise temperature controls and perfectly directed flows of heat that activate all sides of the heat shrink's surface.

If you don't have a heat gun, we can help with that, too. Blow dryers won't work, but a small lighter or handheld torch will do the trick. Just make sure to take your time, keep the flame about four inches away, and rotate your tubing slowly and evenly.

Sizing Up Your Heat Shrink

The amount of "shrinkage" that you get is customizable based on what you need. All heat shrink comes with its own shrink ratio.

• Larger ratios like 4:1 and 6:1 start bigger and shrink down much smaller. This allows you to fit wide-mouth plugs and bulker cables in at the beginning while providing a neat form-fitting final finish.
• Smaller ratios like 2:1 and 3:1 will begin 2x or 3x larger than their finished shrink. This allows standard charging cables or electrical cords to slide in before giving them a comfortable, close-fitting finish.

Where Heat Shrink Works

Heat shrink is most commonly used for electrical insulation, protecting connections and joints, repairing cords, bundling wires, sealing cables and terminals, and being an all-around reliable solution for electricians, mechanics, and DIY enthusiasts.

But with its quick, easy application and rough, rugged exteriors, heat shrink is a great solution to help you handle all sorts of tasks.

Here are a few more perks, possibilities, and helpful heat shrink hacks to bring ease to everything in your life and on your To-Do list.

Outdoor Perks: Strong, Secure, and Safe

Heat shrink tubing is an excellent ally in the great outdoors. It is temperature stable from -55°C to 135°C (-67°F to 275°F). It has a dielectric strength of 600 V/mil. It provides strength, insulation, and heat and chemical resistance, plus black is also UV-resistant. It's also available in a textured, non-slip grip.

Outdoor Hacks with Heat Shrink Tubing:

Camping

• Waterproof and secure your camping gear.
• Fix tent poles for extra stability.
• Protect tent seams from wear and tear.
• Tidy up ropes and cords at the campsite.
• Secure rain tarps for shelter.

Gardening/Landscaping

• Protect and seal irrigation lines
• Keep garden hoses tangle-free.
• Protect plant stems from harm.
• Fix stakes, fences, and protective barriers
• Strengthen tool handles and add custom grips

Fishing

• Improve your fishing gear such as rods, lines, lures, and hooks.
• Protect fishing hooks from rust and damage.
• Waterproof connections on electronic fishing devices.
• Add comfy, custom grips to your favorite fishing poles.

DIY

• Bundle, repair, and mend extension cords.
• Insulate, seal, and protect outdoor lighting, wiring, and connections.
• Wrap up and guard against the elements.
• Weatherproof patio furniture.
• Fix broken or wobbly patio furniture.
• Secure, seal, and customize grilling tools.
• Tighten up loose bike parts and accessories.

Indoor Perks: Fast, Fun, Flexible

Heat shrink tubing is also a safe, helpful option for securing and repairing when you're inside. It comes in 12 colors, including shiny, glossy variations. You can also mix and match with colored cable ties. Heat shrink tubing is lightweight, non-toxic, and easy to work with.

Indoor Hacks with Heat Shrink Tubing:

Decorating

• Prevent ribbon ends from fraying.
• Reinforce and protect decorative lighting, holiday lights, string lights, and fairy lights.
• Repair broken hangers, curtain rods, and kitchen utensils.
• Fix damaged lampshades, picture frames, and chair rungs.

Crafts

• Create unique and colorful pieces of jewelry.
• Repair broken beads, chains, necklaces, and bracelets.
• Label and reinforce craft and hobby handles.
• Organize tools, scissors, brushes, and more.

Kids

• Make custom utensil or pencil grips.
• Fix favorite pens or school supplies.
• Reinforce broken or fraying shoelaces.
• Repair the ends of pull strings on hoodies, sweatpants, jackets, and more.
• Secure broken straps and snaps.
• Label toothbrushes.

Pets

• Strengthen collars and leashes for durability.
• Add extra water resistance and weatherproofing to your favorite gear.
• Create a durable dog leash.
• Customize comfortable grips on grooming tools.

DIY

• Insulate and protect home electrical connections for safety.
• Organize wires, cords, and cables for a clutter-free space.
• Minimize noise and metal knocking together on keyrings.
• Create custom colored key identifiers.

You won't find a more dependable solution for what ails your belongings or fails around your home than the versatility and durability of heat shrink tubing.

When you pair your smarts and creativity with heat shrink's might and versatility, what you need and can get done just might surprise you.