Electricians lurking here-what is the best micro/small torch for heat-shrink tubing?

My $10 butane torch died this fall and I would appreciate some recommendations for a replacement. I do a fair amount of wiring (my 32 fire truck, Taco, VW plus friends vehicles) and need something that will start, easy to refill etc. Benzomatic? Master Appliance? Blazer? Do tell; what works for you?

Thanks in advance!

 

I'm a big fan of an electric heat gun. Less complex, nothing to refill, no fire to deal with and nice even heat. Just switch it on and off. I have a big Makita heat gun.

 

Heat gun works the best for me. No risk of burning the heat shrink.
And, I don't like a naked flame around flammable items.

 

I like not being plugged in when under the dash-also appreciated the smaller size of he torches. Heat gun is an option, but I want more flexibility...

 

If you're looking for flexibility and firey things, I have a Weller Port-a-Sol that I really like. Its a soldering iron mostly, but you can change tips to turn it into a heat knife or a torch. Runs on butane.

 

I hear you.
The flameless heat guns work great.
https://www.grote.com/products/83-6508-flameless-heat-gun-heat-gun/

I mostly use the butt connectors that have the heatshrink sleeves built in.

 

Love the $25 benzomatic from home depot.

 

Hands down the best:

$110 Weller 6966C 250 Watts Electric Industrial Heat Gun

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-6966C...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

I've had mine for 30 years, and you can still buy them new. You get just the right heat, right where you want it. If you are serious about wiring, it's worth the price. Once in a while you can find them used. A buddy got one recently off ebay for $70

 

Goddamn man I'm use to buying snap on tools for work but that's a lot of money for a heat gun that's not even cordless, but Christmas is coming up so....... is it really worth the $110?

 

If you want perfect heat shrinks every time, with no burned wire or other problems, then yes, it's worth it. It's only designed for one purpose though. Check Ebay and you might get lucky. If mine ever gives up, I'll go right out and get another one.

 

Well fuck another expensive tool added to the buy list.

 

$1.99

 

Go to a shop that sells bongs and buy a refillable torch from them.

 

I use one of these. I have a Snap-on torch that worked great, but it died and wont hold a flame.

 

$21 BonJour Chef’s Tools Butane Culinary / Crème Brûlée Torch, Aluminum, Gray - 53386

Chefs Torch

when the wife's not making dessert you can use this to shrink wrap or start the BBQ.

 

I second this. I use one at work not only for shrink tubing but also solder butt connectors.

 

Weller.

Cords are for people stuck in the past that refuse to try the future. Some of these flame throwers I'm seeing in this thread, lol, its heat shrink tubing not brazing the Liberty Bell back together, lol.

 

I use an electric heat gun. Less likely to scorch things. They're also great for removing stickers, thawing stuff out....all kinds of uses.

 

This. Been using one forever. Amazon has some really good pricing on the Weller kits.

 

I have the Bernzomatic soldering torch. It works well for what i need it to do, easy to refill, and reliable... but i have been looking at the dremmel torch. I do feel like it takes a while for the longer torches. But if you are just connecting wires i like to use the soldering/heatshrink butt connectors.

https://amzn.to/33G7rRJ