Heat Shrink Tubing

[Andy Doughty]

If I cast my mind back a few threads, to a discussion about trace making, I just about remember people talking about heat shrink tubing.
What sort do use? Over priced, brand named carp stuff, or cheap Tandy stuff?
Also do any of you have any ideas of how to stop the nylon coated wires from melting when heating the tubing up?

 

[Nicky Garbutt]

you put the shrink tube over a boiling kettle this will stop the nylon melting.

 

[Chris Bishop]

Use clear tubing. Pricy but worth it: You can see the coils underneath so you can check they're ok.

I use that Fox (*gag*) stuff at the moment.

I'll show you when I see you next, it really does work.

 

[Andy Doughty]

Tried the kettle, it doesn`t shrink it. Use a pair of pliers though, It gets a little warm!

 

[Chris Bishop]

I wouldn't use a kettle. It gets wet and the trace wire will rust ifr you don't use it for a few weeks. Some of those 49-stranded wires rust up in no time.

Nick the other half's hair dryer. Or burn your fingers and make the kitchen smell of burning flesh, which is what I usually end up doing.

 

[Carl Harrison]

I use a quick coating of clear nail varnish for lure traces as I find shrink rubber tubing has a greater tendancy to collect weed etc. It does the job, is a lot neater and cheaper too.

Has anyone tried epoxy resin adhesive yet?

Carl

 

[Paul Baxter]

use the cheap stuff if you have a frendly sparky get him to borrow some from work for you if not the local elec whole sale is still dead cheap shrink tube is shrink tube just don't buy small bits in packets with photos of fish on the packets these are a compleat rip off.

 

[Phil Hackett]

For the cheap stuff try Mapplins electronics, about 90p a metre. I think you can buy on-line and have it posted to you.

 

[GrahamM]

I've added this money-saving tip from Phil to our Tips Page, with a link to Maplins.

<a href=http://www.fishingmagic.com/news/article.asp?SP=&v=r&UAN=1375>The Tips Page Library</A>

 

[Rob Brownfield]

I sometimes use red on the upper treble, just to give a flash of colour to the bait near its tail..

Its also useful for bodies on pike flies. All u need to do is build up the body first with thread or wool, shrink the tubing on and then give it a coat od 2 part epoxy. Sorted!

As u all say, get down to an electricians shop...or even B & Q. Very cheap stuff...and dont believe the hype about certain companies specially developing tubing for fishing...poop!

 

[Kevan Farmer]

Rob. It is actually specially developed for angling. Specially developed to rip off anglers

We all know that tackle co's are in the business to make money, fair enough. But this is just another example of blatant exploitation. If this sort of product were more fairly priced - yes with a bit of profit for the manufacturer - then they might just find their other lines selling more. As it is anglers are more likely to shop around just in case.

Kevan

 

[Chris Bishop]

Clear's useful because you can see the state the wire's in underneath.

Take the point about getting ripped off, esp if the electrical places do it for pennies.

There must be more profit in some of the peripherals than "real" fishing gear like hooks etc.

Thanks for the sample Andy D, it came this morning.