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Best/good heat gun for heat shrink tubing and connectors

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  • Best/good heat gun for heat shrink tubing and connectors

    Its been a good day today. Finding and planning what I need. With all of the connections coming up there has to be a better way of shrinking tubing other than my trusty bernzomatic torch that I use for plumbing work.

    In looking across the tubing brands they recommend roughly 200F to 350F - up to 500 F to properly shrink. Most of the You-Tube vids showed folks using heat guns of all sizes. Most had the guns sitting on their ends and passed / rotated the wire and fitting over the tip. I know I don't need anything pro grade - probably under $50 or less - say $35. HD carry's Wagner and some others and there are gobs of cheap ones on amazon. I could use it to remove paint too later on some furniture.

    What are you folks using to do your heat shrink tubing with or heat shrink crimp fittings? - and I know there are some real pro's here like Jim, Rob, and Howard.

    Thanks for any thoughts

    Keith
    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

  • #2
    lol. I'm no pro. "Not too shabby of an RV shadetree technician" maybe.

    From my inverter project document:


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    Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

    2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

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    • #3
      I have a cheap Ace hardware one I’ve had for years that works fine. On a whim I bought a Dewalt 20v one thinking it would be nice for RV work. It’s great that it’s cordless and it gets plenty hot, but the fan does not blow super strong so it took a bit of getting used to. If you’ve already got Dewalt tools it might be worth considering.
      Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.​

      Neil Citro
      2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
      2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

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      • #4
        Can't you just use a BIC lighter , that's the way we did it back in the 1900's.

        Brian
        Brian & Michelle
        2018 Reflection 29RS
        2022 Chevy 3500HD

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        • #5
          Yoda

          A heat gun with an attached stand is useful for bench work because this leaves both hands free. These are usually rather large for in-vehicle work . . . so, you need a smaller one for that. The bench/shop one may cost a bit, but the smaller one can be just about any brand that is on sale. Why get one when you really need two? LOL . I have never tried the battery version, but am not sure how well these would work because the standard plug in versions draw several amps at 120V.

          Rob
          Cate & Rob
          (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
          2015 Reflection 303RLS
          2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
          Bayham, Ontario, Canada

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post
            Yoda

            A heat gun with an attached stand is useful for bench work because this leaves both hands free. These are usually rather large for in-vehicle work . . . so, you need a smaller one for that. The bench/shop one may cost a bit, but the smaller one can be just about any brand that is on sale. Why get one when you really need two? LOL . I have never tried the battery version, but am not sure how well these would work because the standard plug in versions draw several amps at 120V.

            Rob
            Yeah I can say it does not have the umph of my corded one and I wouldn’t want it as my only one, but as a second it’s nice to have. I had some 2” adhesive heat shrink that it struggled with but everything below that it’s done fine with. Has a trigger lock so you can use it bench top since it sits nice on the battery. Has been handy when I’m out and about and don’t want to mess with a cord. I had a ton of batteries already and carry their vacuum and blower in the rig already so it made sense.
            Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.​

            Neil Citro
            2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
            2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post
              Yoda

              A heat gun with an attached stand is useful for bench work because this leaves both hands free. These are usually rather large for in-vehicle work . . . so, you need a smaller one for that. The bench/shop one may cost a bit, but the smaller one can be just about any brand that is on sale. Why get one when you really need two? LOL . I have never tried the battery version, but am not sure how well these would work because the standard plug in versions draw several amps at 120V.

              Rob
              TWO???? There you go again. I am thinking of this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1 I think it is a disconnected model as it is not on the Wagner web site. Very adjustable.
              2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Country Campers View Post
                Can't you just use a BIC lighter , that's the way we did it back in the 1900's.

                Brian
                LOL Yep - been there, but I usually burn my finger and the tubing at the same time.
                2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

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                • #9
                  I know this post is a few days old but, the https://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Variab...62&s=hi&sr=1-1 looks to be the new ish model of the HT4500 cranking out 1500 watts. However the HT1000 is 1200 watts vs the 4500 being 1500 watts.

                  The Motocare ones appear to be built more like the HT4500 with adjustable temps. Both https://www.wagnerspraytech.com/prod...temp-heat-gun/ and https://www.wagnerspraytech.com/prod...onal-heat-gun/ crank out 1500 watts with what looks to be digital temp control. The latter looks to be more like the HT4500 and IIRC is about the same price range.
                  Joseph
                  Tow
                  Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
                  Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
                  South of Houston Texas

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                  • #10
                    This is the one I have saved for later ordering. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1 It has 5 fan speeds and temp setting in 20 degree increments
                    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

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                    • #11
                      Thats the one I have. Picked it up at the local orange box store a few years ago. been handy.
                      Joseph
                      Tow
                      Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
                      Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
                      South of Houston Texas

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                      • #12
                        Piezo start BernzOmatic works well, is free standing, cheap and can be used for a variety of other purposes. I also have a heat gun and find it heats too large of an area.

                        https://www.lowes.com/pd/BernzOmatic...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

                        Jim

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by MidwestCamper View Post
                          Piezo start BernzOmatic works well, is free standing, cheap and can be used for a variety of other purposes. I also have a heat gun and find it heats too large of an area.

                          https://www.lowes.com/pd/BernzOmatic...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

                          Jim
                          I have one of those - actually probably 3. It gets too hot and is very hard to control a small flame for heat shrink tubing. Great form plumbing work though. The other thing is it can easily scorch other stuff as your trying to shrink something.

                          Thanks for your suggestion though
                          I went ahead and ordered the Amazon one last night.
                          2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Yoda View Post

                            I have one of those - actually probably 3. It gets too hot and is very hard to control a small flame for heat shrink tubing. Great form plumbing work though. The other thing is it can easily scorch other stuff as your trying to shrink something.

                            Thanks for your suggestion though
                            I went ahead and ordered the Amazon one last night.
                            Keith,

                            I figured you were looking for something different. I fan the flame quickly back and forth over the shrink wrap while rotating the piece and this has worked well for me. A heat gun will work well if it has a variable setting on output.

                            I'm eyeballing the Kreg Pocket Hole tool that Howard posted to install my folding countertop extension. Maybe we should re-name the forum as " The Grand Design Tool Channel"?

                            JIm
                            Last edited by Guest; 02-18-2021, 06:12 PM.

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                            • #15
                              There you go mentioning a tool I don't have Now where did I leave my Binford 2000?
                              Yep back to my corner
                              Keith
                              2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

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