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

@pearing

$32 Bernz-O-Matic ST2200T Micro Flame Butane Torch Kit, Small, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Bernz-Matic-ST2200T-Micro-Butane/dp/B000PS9TQI

$50 Dremel 2000-01 VersaTip Precision Butane Torch Portable Micro Torch Mini Welder

https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-2000-01-Precision-Butane-Soldering/dp/B00MJW08JK

 

Go to a craft store and get a heat gun. They get hot quick and are much smaller than a typical heat gun.

 

The problem with plug in heat gun is that you limit yourself to areas with an available outlet of usage. While I ultimately enjoy the heat gun the most for it's most even heat distribution we got to be realistic as well and accept the fact that sometimes outlets will not be around.

I use a mini torch with a curved attachment to shrink heat shrink. I believe the tool is either made by MAC or Blue Point, I can't remember right now, but it is a solid tool to own in the arsenal. That provides a nice even radiation of heat around the curved tip which does not give you issues with poor heat distribution from it.

 

It completely depends on the application on what is best for the job. I used a Blazer torch (similar to picture)

when I was on the road installing new trailer lights and harnesses. I used water resistant connectors that had solder rings inside and a thick heat shrink with glue inside. Since the topic is heat shrink this isn't the best tool for the job in my opinion. The heat is too hot and too focused. This type of torch is also very good at soldering large wires/cables together.

With my Weller portosal I can shrink heat shrink quite well. I can also solder wires with it. I can weld plastic with it. I can build intricate plastic parts with it. A friend of mine window tinted a pickup with one.

Someone earlier posted this

which is similar to a Weller and it comes with the heat shrink attachment which a Weller does not. Heat shrink attachments are available in several different sizes.

I've used a heat gun a lot. Hundreds and possibly thousands of hours. Makita makes the most longest lasting corded heat gun. Milwaukee heat guns are good but heavy. If a person is going to do heat shrink all day long a heat gun is the way to go.

 

Found it. In the way that the OP wrote the title this is the best micro torch for shrinking heat shrink.

 

I bought the like $25 porter cable adjustable temp heat gun off Amazon a few years ago and it’s been great and I’ve done a shitload of wiring projects. You can also sit it flat with the air vent facing up and just roast your heat shrink over it instead of holding the gun to the heat shrink.

This isn’t rocket science, you don’t need a $100+ overpriced hairdryer for simple heatshrinking.

 

Thank you. Expensive little bugger... but 'best' comes with a price.

 

I didn't see a price. My Weller was $32.

 

Looked on Amazon... $140 For the Grote.

 

Bic lighter if you're in a pinch.

 

WOW! Crazy talk.

 

I have that as well but the torch is much quicker. If you are burning your shrink wrap you are doing it wrong.

 

With sax repair I’ve been through a few basic Home Depot Bernz-o-Matics then found this one that I love:

$42 Blazer GB4001-02 Stingray Butane Torch, Blue

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002PEVGPC

It has much more precise control on the flame and a wider range of flame too. I do a lot of soldering with it, heat shrinking, and shellac & hot glue work too.

On the flameless side my new favorite little tool is this guy, a great inexpensive little air torch:

$22 Heat Gun for Crafts, Mini Dual Temp Hot Air Gun Tool for Epoxy Resin, Shrink Wrapping, Vinyl Wrap, Embossing, Electronics, Candle Making, Sublimation, Phone Repair & DIY (Blue)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G4VMSHW

 

I am not an electrician, and I don't do a crap ton of electrical but with the two Toyotas and several old project VW's I do a fair bit.

I inherited a nice "dental torch" from an odd consignment deal I did a while ago that runs on alcohol and I find it very useful. It's not for brazing or anything high heat but for heat shrink and plastic work it provides a great focused low temp flame that is clean. You can vary the heat and pattern based on the alcohol used and torch settings. It even solders very well.

Dentists use them to melt wax.

Mine is an old school version of this more modern one on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/82440-Plastic-Alcohol-Torch/dp/B001EMM2HC

This is the one I actually use but they are pricey and harder to find:
https://dental.keystoneindustries.com/product/hanau-alcohol-torch/

You would have to check eBay for the more professional/old school one above I guess if you wanted one but I think the squeeze bottle would work similarly.

When not pulling the trigger they are just an alcohol lamp so you can work wires over top of it rather than bringing the flame to the wire. My style is heavier with a wide base and is resistant to tipping over. When you pull the trigger it gives a pinpoint and very controllable heat/flame. It says to use denatured alcohol but you can use rubbing alcohol or grain (everclear), etc. in it. It would probably run on anything that burns for this auto stuff.

Anyway, just thought I'd point y'all to something you might not have seen before. I doubt I'd have bought one before but now that I have one in the shop I find it a very useful tool!

 

I have the same little heat gun, works great! For me it takes a bit on the solder/heat shrink butt connectors but on normal heat shrink it works very well.

I have a Mac butane soldering iron that has multiple tips that works great, but it does go through butane fairly quick in my opinion. The flameless tip works very well for heat shrink and in areas where a flame may an issue.

My Milwaukee M12 soldering iron (2488-20) that rocks! As expected the batteries don't last long but man is it nice! Heats up in about 10sec, maintains heat and has an adjustable angle head.

 

Heat guns work best, don't scorch, burn anything.. as long as they're set at the right temp. There are cheaper ones, I like this one.

https://www.ohiopowertool.com/p-671...aspx?msclkid=4eddbb7c94f119f0f89ee4139935e889

 

Reality Check: All electric "cordless" tools are not cordless. They need to have a charger with a CORD plugged into an outlet.

Battery Operated. Cordless is marketing speak.

Any heating process is an electric hungry process. Heating will deplete a battery quickly.

 

This is what I use currently https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MBTMAT/MICRO-BLOW-TORCH/

 

Shit I thought this is how everybody did it.

Don't hold it on there, oscillate your wrist left and right (we're all very good at this anyway) passing the flame over the shrink with increasing frequency until you start to get the result you want!

 

dats it!