Using heat shrink tubes

[JTHANK]

hi all,

I've been using heat shrink tubes a lot on my horn. In some cases, I think they are much easier to handle than cork sheet. Here are some photos showing where and how I used them on my horn.

Tip: a little bit of contact cement can be put inside the tube before applying heat. This can hold it in place more securely.

 

[kevgermany]

Heat shrink is good, but seems to wear quickly - much quicker than cork or other tubing.

 

[jbtsax]

I like your use of shrink tubing on the octave post. The big advantage of cork at linkages when there are no adjusting screws is that you can sand it to adjust the regulation. The big challenge for me is to find a tubing that is both quiet and friction free. Teflon is slick but quite noisy. Rubber tubing is quiet, but creates friction. Sometimes I will use synthetic felt that has been saturated with teflon powder for lack of a better idea.

 

[JTHANK]

I have yet to find supplies of good quality cork sheets locally, but heat shrink tubes are easy to buy so I use them whenever possible. I agree cork sheets should be used where it is necessary to adjust regulation. I had ordered some cork sheets but they are too thick (meant to be used on the neck) so sanding is a pain...

To reduce friction, I put a little bit of key oil on the tubing. It works and doesn't seem to create other problems so far.

 

[What]

Okay, I'm a bit lost here? What are heat shrink tubes and what are they used for? Since I don't have an easy to get local repair shop I am interested in learning what I can on my own.

 

[kevgermany]

Okay, I'm a bit lost here? What are heat shrink tubes and what are they used for? Since I don't have an easy to get local repair shop I am interested in learning what I can on my own.

Plastic tubing that shrinks in diameter, but not length, when you heat it. More usually used for electrical work (shove a few wires through it, then use a hot air gun to shrink it. Or if it's a smaller diamter, put a length on a wire when you need to re-insulate a bare part, make the joint, then heat.

 

[JTHANK]

The very first time I used heat shrink tubes was making interconnect cables for sound equipment. If you find a shop that sells electronic parts (i.e. if you see different kinds of connectors, jacks, cables, etc.), they should sell these heat shrink tubes. The DIY scene for electronics (especially audio equipment) is much bigger here in Hong Kong, so it is much easier for me to get these.

On the saxophone, I use heat shrink tubes for silencing the keys and for setting regulations in some places.