Cold shrink tubing - GIF

**Altair** · Dec 9, 2021, 07:07 AM

Cold shrink tubing.

Previously:

Dip soldering an electrical terminal - GIF
Wire stripper and twister - GIF
Transformer wrapping machines - GIFs
Cable winding and wrapping machine - GIF
Cable wrapping tool - GIF

**WmRMeyers** · Dec 9, 2021, 10:37 AM

If that is what it looks like, the only thing new about it is the method of dispensing/wrapping the tape. We call that stuff "400mph tape" among other things. You peel the backing off as you stretch and wrap whatever it is you're sealing with the tape, and it shrinks and binds to itself. The method shown in the video is an improvement, particularly in tight spaces like multiple connectors on a bulkhead, as shown. Trying to get my fat fingers into spaces like that to evenly wrap the tape is a PITA and hands. Especially now that I'm getting old and creaky.

Bill

**clavius** · Dec 10, 2021, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by WmRMeyers

If that is what it looks like, the only thing new about it is the method of dispensing/wrapping the tape. We call that stuff "400mph tape" among other things. You peel the backing off as you stretch and wrap whatever it is you're sealing with the tape, and it shrinks and binds to itself. The method shown in the video is an improvement, particularly in tight spaces like multiple connectors on a bulkhead, as shown. Trying to get my fat fingers into spaces like that to evenly wrap the tape is a PITA and hands. Especially now that I'm getting old and creaky.

Bill

This stuff in not a wrap in the sense the 400MPH tape is. It is a highly elastic seamless tube that is stretched over a spiral plastic support on the ID. You have to thread your wire through it just like heat shrink tube, and then you pull out the spiral support. As the tube material is so elastic, it shrinks down to envelope the connection. It is often specified for use in places where a heat gun would be inconvenient or dangerous like when working in or around fuel tanks or the like.

I have only ever tried out samples of it given to me by salesman types, but it is pretty cool stuff. Expensive if I recall correctly but I guess it makes sense if you have an application that needs it.

**WmRMeyers** · Dec 10, 2021, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by clavius

This stuff in not a wrap in the sense the 400MPH tape is. It is a highly elastic seamless tube that is stretched over a spiral plastic support on the ID. You have to thread your wire through it just like heat shrink tube, and then you pull out the spiral support. As the tube material is so elastic, it shrinks down to envelope the connection. It is often specified for use in places where a heat gun would be inconvenient or dangerous like when working in or around fuel tanks or the like.

I have only ever tried out samples of it given to me by salesman types, but it is pretty cool stuff. Expensive if I recall correctly but I guess it makes sense if you have an application that needs it.

That is cool, then. In more ways than one.

I'd gotten to play with heat shrink tubing a couple of times back when it was outrageously expensive, and loved it for many things, but the heat source was a definite limiter of usages. Now it's relatively cheap. So is 400mph tape, for that matter. So another great tool for the folks that need such at thing. Wonder if I'll live long enough to see it become relatively cheap?

Bill

**Sleykin** · Dec 10, 2021, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by clavius

This stuff in not a wrap in the sense the 400MPH tape is. It is a highly elastic seamless tube that is stretched over a spiral plastic support on the ID. You have to thread your wire through it just like heat shrink tube, and then you pull out the spiral support. As the tube material is so elastic, it shrinks down to envelope the connection. It is often specified for use in places where a heat gun would be inconvenient or dangerous like when working in or around fuel tanks or the like.

I have only ever tried out samples of it given to me by salesman types, but it is pretty cool stuff. Expensive if I recall correctly but I guess it makes sense if you have an application that needs it.

We used it at work on our communications towers on the mountain tops. I retired 16 years ago so it has been around for awhile.. Do NOT put you finger in and pull the strap out LOL...

**clavius** · Dec 10, 2021, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Sleykin

We used it at work on our communications towers on the mountain tops. I retired 16 years ago so it has been around for awhile.. Do NOT put you finger in and pull the strap out LOL...

Yeah, it was quite a few years ago when I was introduced to this stuff. I have not had any reason to look into it since but I'm guessing it is still pricey.

Funny what you say about not putting your finger in it as one of my coworkers did just that with one of the samples, trying to be funny. He made a bit of a mess of his finger trying to cut the stuff off. The grip was tenacious and the material was tough to cut without cutting the finger underneath it. Not one of his brighter moves!