Heatshrink Question

[Chris Hopkins]

Hi Guys,

I'm currently putting together a guitar with some EMGs and they came without the heatshrink tubing (I got them on Fleabay).

What's the best diameter of heatshrink to get? I saw some on Fleabay that was 3.2mm in diameter...Would this be ok?

[jnewman]

Most heatshrink will shrink to a little less than half its original diameter. If you pay some more, you can get some that will shrink to a third its original diameter. If it doesn't say, it's a safe bet that it's 2:1 heatshrink and not 3:1. Measure the bits you have to heatshrink - you need to buy heatshrink whose original diameter is bigger than what you want to heatshrink, and whose shrunk diameter (be it half or a third the original diameter) is smaller than what you want to heatshrink.

Edited March 21, 2007 by jnewman

[crafty]

You don't need eBay for heatshrink. Just go down to the hardware store and look in the electrical section! The stuff is so cheap it'd be a CRIME to pay for shipping on it.

[Saber]

Or go to your local Radio Shack or electronics supply store.

Edited March 22, 2007 by Saber

[Chris Hopkins]

Thanks for the tips guys - I found a guage in my dad's toolbox and it looks like 3.2mm heatshrink is the way to go as the wire was about 2.5mm in diameter.

[venominox]

I would suggest getting heatshrink tubing that can fit snugly over the wire and solder joint before you even heat it up. Especially if it's cheap, you could end up with heatshrink that barely shrinks, then it would still be adaquate.