Heat Shrink Tubing : Ways to Improve your Gear!

[@BamaChad-W4CHD]

Also that heat shrink with glue bond inside is a miracle worker for it's actual use. It's a quick way of attaching wires with no soldering. Just twist the wires together and heat shrink them and it will hold for years.

[@esincl52]

I replaced my boot laces with paracord and used heatshrink tubing to keep the ends from fraying and also aid in lacing them up,worked great

[@Louwebster0798]

Wow! That is a really cool idea. Thanks!

[@MrTangent]

I used heatshrink tubing on my entire boot to keep water out and thieves from stealing them while I walk. I also used heatshrink tubing over my entire body like a plastic chrysalis that I am typing to you from in the hopes that one day I will mutate into a beautiful butterfly. So far the only thing that has happened is that I am completely impregnable to water ingress, and also extremely hungry and covered in feces and urine. Please send help.

[@spankymagee]

Same....they pull through the holes better when snugging and they have lasted me close to a year already with very heavy use. And I tossed the inside string making it hollow which actually helps makes the knot compress a whple lot better than shoe string so it doesn't come untied. The crazy part is, it's like 1/3 the price of cheap garbage shoestrings and is better in every way.

[@MegaDysart]

@@MrTangent dude lmao

[@BamaChad-W4CHD]

Awesome video. I've been using heat shrink tubing for years now. It's amazing stuff. Shrinking with a lighter will leave those burn marks. If you let the top of the flame hit the tube. Hold the lighter on it's side and put the heat on the top of the tubing. Then flip around to heat it evenly. Never let the flame get under it.

[@rob45x]

Wow. Heat shrink on the punches and smaller hammers is an awesome idea!

[@WalkingPrepper]

Until you need to read the measurements on said punches. But Im sure you use your punches far more than the average person, so, it shouldnt be a problem

[@rob45x]

@@WalkingPrepper I have several punch sets and none have any measurement scales on the side. Maybe it's an American thing.

[@BamaChad-W4CHD]

I have several sets of punches and it just depends on what they are for if they have measurements or sizes on them. It's not an American thing it's just a use thing lol

[@philipschmidt6367]

Sootch, Your greatest gift to the prepper community is making us, THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX! Great video as always.

[@ColinRudolphEsq.]

"We all know that cool is the goal" You're the man Sooch!

[@Sergeant_Prepper]

I have wanted a heat gun for years, but I just didn’t need it often enough to justify it. But that has now changed! Thanks man!

[@videodistro]

A paint stripping heat gun works very well on old paint, too.

[@FunWithGuns]

I use my ladies blow dryer 👍

[@geico1975]

I used a BIC lighter on the ends of my paracord laces, I love to use it for laces so strong.

[@floridaguy1133]

I use a harbor freight heat gun I got it for less than $20 on sale several years ago and it still works great

[@superdave8248]

I've used heat shrink tubing on a number of projects over the years. I don't think I ever used a heat gun with in. Instead, I used a soldering iron.

[@jayhaynes5964]

Use a long pair of needle nose pliers to hold the cordage while you heat it up.

[@FishTheJim]

I used shrink tubing for years as a CATV repairman. There is also a heavier tubing for using on tool handles. You have to be careful to not burn the tubing.

[@BamaChad-W4CHD]

The stuff is a must have for wiring. I have tons of it in tool boxes and around the house and shop. It saves a lot use needless soldering

[@krisqueen5939]

Would the shrink tube waterproof a electric connection of splicing or wire nut 2 wires that will be buried? Thanks in advance for a reply

[@FishTheJim]

@@krisqueen5939 Not very well. I had to dig up a lot of shrink tube failures especially those that were over heated. The industry switched to a gel pack enclosure for repairs but also was much more willing to just put in a whole new line.

[@krisqueen5939]

@@FishTheJim thanks, I have a buried line I need to fix that was cut by digging equipment if you have a suggestion? Would a junction box with some kind of waterproofing work? Thanks

[@FishTheJim]

@@krisqueen5939 I would say that depends on what kind of line it is. The gel packs we used were designed for the cat5 lines. If it is phone or electric I would talk to someone who supplies for that type of line for the best reccomendation for repair.

[@davidmoore5616]

I've been using these on zippers for years. Some thought it strange, but useful. I'm glad I found someone else that does this. I never thought of using it on tools. Thanks.

[@rickbourne1376]

Great advice about things very few think of. Sootch has the spirit of continuous improvement.

[@jefflarson4982]

You can use heat shrink tubing on the metal zipper tabs too so when it’s cold or wet you have better grip

[@rcfokker1630]

A soldering iron, or a domestic iron, will provide enough heat to shrink the tubing. It would pay you to place some sort of shield over the region of the bag which you don't want to heat up with the gun. You can melt a polyester bag or its plastic zip. If you want to be super-careful.

[@BigE36]

I put heat shrink tubing on my lock pick handles. What I do is when the tubing is still hot, I take a washcloth or hand towel and squeeze the tubing to the tool and it gives the tubing some texture.

[@prepper1013]

I love this idea Sootch. I wish they made the heat shrink big enough to fit over my mother in laws mouth. Carry On....

[@andreasnitsch8119]

🤣🤣

[@watchandpray8918]

I bet she feels the same about you. 🤭🤭🤭

[@madventures_oz]

thats what Ductape is for!

[@GaryDrumm]

This could become an OCD level thing really quick. 😜 Great video! 👍🏻

[@toddwilliams6301]

An ivory handled ballpeen hammer!! That’s hilarious! Might try “fiberglass”. :-) Aside from that, great vid as always. I’ll be trying that on alot of stuff.

[@daniellethornton]

Yes I saw Wranglerstar do this a couple years back! Good tip and good video! Thank you for your time and may God bless you and your family.

[@waynemorgan5733]

Stopped watching Wranglerstar,too much drama.

[@sinclairpages]

I have put para cord and the heat shrink tubing on my pants zippers for years. Works great especially well in the winter when out doors and wearing gloves. You can put it on jackets and coats also. If you find them small enough you can repair boot lace ends.

[@timnewman4359]

Your outtakes in this one are the funniest I've seen yet. Also, thanks for the cool idea.

[@andreasnitsch8119]

Thanks for the idear . As a fisherman i got these Tubes at home and only used the very small ones , now i got a few idears for the Bigger ones .

[@KGSco]

Wife: "Honey, did you put heatstrink on all my kitchen utensils?!" SensiblePrepper: "Ummmm, I don't know what you are talking about..."

[@andreasnitsch8119]

🤣🤣😅

[@cbigg81]

If you're having issues threading the cord through, I've used a safety pin as a pull. Even a small paper clip bent out into a hook works well!

[@raidersJScamo]

I've had access to larger heat shrink and put them on my Maglite flashlights then did a paracord wrap.

[@georgehartwig1865]

Makes a big difference for usage with a toenail clipper 🤩

[@05generic]

Well that grabbed my attention! I could go wild with that stuff.

[@enice617]

I loveeee heatshrink. It’s actually an unhealthy obsession 😂

[@halosrusty]

Bruh you really shouldn’t eat it.

[@unprofor9394]

It’s ‘bout the FUMES... «Bruh»...

[@bicyclebookster6510]

I use heat shrink tubing on aluminum bicycle brake levers. It insulates your fingers from the cold metal.

[@archieburson4301]

Good practical knowledge to have.Thanks for passing along!

[@8123Ben]

You should do a knot before and after the heat shrink for some of your knots to prevent your sleeve from tearing.

[@ljdunsmore1]

Much like you when I saw this method on a pouch I wanted to do all my bags this way. The one thing i learned is if you're working with nylon cord you dont even need to tie them back. Take a lighter and melt the end of the rope or cord so it melts to the shrink wrap. I know it doesnt save that much but it gives the ability to make a much smaller zipper pull that will stay tucked in and never get caught on anything

[@markmascaro6892]

You can put you repair sewing needles in heat shrink for storage.

[@charlesrussell8072]

I have used it in the past to cover wire splices on my model trains. I just used my wife's hair dryer, didn't need to spend money on a separate heat gun

[@WalkingPrepper]

If I had a soldier who was that OCD about putting 550 cord pulls on his YKK Zippers on his gear, I showed him how to use the guts from the 550 cord and whipped (Wrapping the cord with the guts) the pulls. Using what he had already, and reduced his waste.

[@hankhill9980]

Were you walking when you wrote that bc it makes no sense. 😆

[@VictoryOrValhalla14]

@@hankhill9980 it does if you know how to whip rope or how obsessed soldiers are with 550 cord.

[@WalkingPrepper]

@@hankhill9980 perhaps rereading it until you do, rather than skimming over it would help you to understand what is being conveyed.

[@tripeee58]

I don’t understand why 42 people would not like the video? It’s a suggestion not an imperative, Jeez! And in my opinion a good one. Thx Sootch.

[@pasta759]

Thank you for sharing. A great idea. From experience, I strongly recommend using the multi tool pliers to hold the paracord when tying and using the heat gun. Ouch

[@bruceevans8837]

I have used heat shrink many ways, but the best use ever was on a pair of glasses that had cable temples on them. Also you can get a small "craft heat gun that is more than adequate for heat shrink, and much easier to use without heating the surrounding material. Good video, thanks.

[@gpclipner]

Super ideas Sootch !! I’ve noticed on a lot of my pants it just seems like the zipper tabs are getting smaller. On my jeans and even my fancy tactical pants. Tabs fold up and you have a hard time finding them when you really have to go. Some of these tabs the hole is too small for paricord so smaller shoelaces could be the ticket. You certainly earned your Stogie today.

[@GeorgeOrwell-yz6zx]

I bought a jacket that had wooden beads on the ends of the pulls. That worked really well. When it was really cold the round wood beads were easy on the fingers

[@RockyGully]

Thats one of the neatest tips I've seen.Great foul weather project.Nice work man!

[@canadafree2087]

Rather than a lighter, I light a tea candle, that way I can control the shrinking with the height. I also found Goo Gone will remove the printing that is sometimes on the tubing. I like heat shrink because it prevents your zipper pull loops from snagging on things.

[@jaganshi5444]

I like this, I've never used the heat shrink but have done this loads with electrical tape. It would probably be much sturdier and would eliminate any sensitivity to moisture

[@MisterJIFF]

The hair dryer works better that the lighter, match, stove, the film does not need that high of a temperature to retract

[@spankymagee]

Thats what I did with paracord home made shoelaces. One new idea I've done recently that works great, is when your belt or backpack straps are too long, is to cut it, then fold the end and use a grommet tool to put two grommets on the end of it. And For your backpacks, you can put them in other parts of your straps too, to give you more places to put carabiner clips.

[@johnvanblaricome2452]

I like the nail clippers

[@andyrix54]

If you use the marine grade heat shrink you won't need to tie a knot, the waterproofing adhesive will firmly glue the shrunk tube on to the paracord and it is more rigid. Also, another technique you can use with marine grade heat shrink is to have the ends of the paracord inside the tube with only a small loop exposed at the end. Note that the paracord is typically manufactured from nylon, a material that is fairly heat sensitive.

[@michaelhaywood5342]

I use it on the excess straps of all my backpacks. That way they never come out of the set harness. I stil have full use of most of the strep length just fold the excess over once or twice, the set the heat shrink

[@markmontgomery2171]

As far as the zip pulls go, I use a cheap carabiner to hold zippers closed on my backpack via those loops. Had issues in the past with zippers opening up, so not planning to do the shrink tubing. Otherwise, I can see that this is a great improvement for what you are trying to do.

[@canadafree2087]

Fantastic idea, it also helps when traveling against pick pockets as it gives you an extra chance to notice them trying to fiddle with the carabiner when you are walking.

[@timbishop1006]

Great idea I've been using name brand spray sealer to rubberize handles on some of my hand tools

[@saltysaty8686]

I've been doing heatshrink with my soldering iron. Just keep it moving, then one side to another then top and bottom and it's tight!

[@InVinoVeritas.]

Oath Keepers is home to active-duty law-enforcement officers who are training up other members to prepare for civil war, according to one of the group’s top figures. “Our guys are very experienced,” said Arroyo. “We have active-duty law enforcement in our organization that are helping to train us. We can blend in with our law enforcement and in fact, in a lot of cases, our training is much more advanced because of our military backgrounds.” Arroyo’s statement was backed up by Javed Ali, an ex-National Security Council senior director and FBI counterterrorism official, who said the Oath Keepers are a “unique and challenging” threat to the U.S. because a “large percentage have tactical training and operational experience in either the military or law enforcement. That at least gives them a capability that a lot of other people in this far-right space don't have.”

[@jimdozier9421]

I use superglue on my knots and cut off the excess really close with a razor blade. Can even be filed smooth.

[@Hometown_Outdoorsman]

thats a pretty good idea. gonna probably do that on my duty boots. I have the rocky jump boots with the side zipper but sometimes the pull gets turned just enough that it wont lay flat and somehow wedges inside the zipper so il probably be cutting that off and put some black PC on.

[@secret5794]

Great video, I find this to be very informative and helpful, thanks

[@seamuszharper]

Something to consider for pull tabs is to replace paracord with cord that has a tinder core for emergency fire building.

[@thinklist]

I loved this. Typically what size paracord do you use for replacement?

[@DAYWALKERTWO]

i use it to put the ends back on shoe laces that i cut off if there too long.

[@ucitymetalhead]

I really like the rolls makes it easier to make different lengths without waste also I'm going to have to try this on this cordage i have with built in bumps in the cord.

[@bobbymalcich63]

that is a good idea for survival!! thanks sootchoo for the video!! keep up with making video's sootchoo!!! keep up the good wprk you do.

[@nmr6988]

The colored sleeves make those small tools much easier to see, especially if they're at the bottom of a tool bag.

[@Dukelax510]

GoRuck has been doing this for years. Great thing to add to all your bags. Super helpful.

[@edhacker3290]

Another Secret revealed - It is a nice little tool. Been using it to hold my E&E kits for years.

[@furkids4ever]

👍😺😺Love the color coding with it! I was wondering about that very thing when I did my fire kit ... Thank you!

[@velocajigas]

Great ideas, I have a suggestion for the zipper pull you can do ones like the Maxpedition just take the paracord and slip true the shrink tube melt together the ends of the paracord and slip the shrink tube truth the union use a cylindrical object then use the heat gun. I have used this for my bags.

[@matthewshannon6946]

Lot's of great ideas!! Thanks!!

[@MrWATM]

Good video. I like using a double cobra weave/heat shrink combo for zipper pulls. Gives a bit more to grab onto.

[@toml.8210]

Stores like Home Depot have long rolls of tubing up to about 1-inch, but if you want smaller sizes or assorted colours and pieces, look on eBay. I have both. The lighter is fine for small pieces to cover a soldered repair or small exposed section, but the heat gun gives even, controlled heat for longer pieces and a very even shrink. Be careful not to melt or burn the shrink with the lighter! use the flame with care and work slowly.

[@Xsurvival-savageX]

Was just thinking about this very thing!

[@robertlansdown7606]

You can also get heat shrink tape.

[@hawkeye68a.82]

Nice work brother 👍 That's some very versatile stuff, been using it for various applications for many years. But, not for many of the things you used for! Love new, bright ideas, particularly the Smart ones!😆 Take care Friends 👍👍

[@davebrown1358]

You can use a soldering iron on the heat sink , used that doing electronics

[@rapache1]

THANK YOU FOR POSTING A FUN DIY

[@tommoore1982]

Good video.. I made shoe laces from paracord and used heat shrink on the ends. Did not think of some of the stuff you did here.

[@nikole2334]

If you use paracord for boot laces you can use it on the ensa of your laces.

[@toml.8210]

You can even the heat shrink tube with adhesive or silicone sealer inside!

[@marjiecleveland]

Great info! Thanks for demonstrating!

[@pnyarrow]

Some great out of the box thinking and shrinking - thanks for sharing. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel

[@davidbuurma9309]

Great vid... more shrink wrap projects...

[@Edwardmodos]

Pull the heat shrink inside out so you don't have the numbers/letters on the heat shrink when you're done...

[@KillSwitch80]

Maxpedition has a 40% sale on their AGR series right now. I just bought a ton of their zipper pulls.

[@Lcanoero]

A double fishermen's bend is worth learning.

[@toml.8210]

You mention zipper pulls made of paracord: how do you make those? I think you need to "gut" the paracord first...

[@darrellh1840]

I like using heat shrink tubing but have never though about using it on tools. I usually dip my tool handles in a Plastic dip for a rubberized texture...

[@jimbailey7997]

Can you put the close caption on so us that are hearing impaired can see what you are saying? thanks I appreciate it.

[@warpedone2]

Clean looking pulls

[@johnvanblaricome2452]

Put a little candle wax on those zippers. Makes them work a lot smoother.

[@Hunter-eh4pz]

Great for electronic wires

[@theperpetualprepper9696]

That’s something I need to try

[@Divediva84]

I’m just getting started with a get home/survival bag. I’m overwhelmed! 😅 what do I need at a minimum for an urban situation? The current political situation is freaky. Any advise is appreciated and I love your videos. Thanks! I’m in CO by the way.

[@RuffKutz]

Can use the heatshrink as fire starter too.

[@j.williams560]

PlastiDip works great for tools. It would also work for the pulls and is available in many colors.

[@Carnyx_1]

I'm thinking rifle sling swivels. Some of my rifle slings attachments hit my stock and make noise, or might scratch or wear on the stock.

[@mattc1602]

Can you just make a loop and have the two ends meet inside the wrap, will it hold?

[@cagataytan8009]

No need 4 Heat Gun. Get (Borrow) your GirlFriend's Hair dryer a bit. Use it prolonged on the Heat shrink tubes. Problem Solved ! Used that while working on ATV Television 's Cable Surveillance team. Works wonders. Also there are Heat Shrink tubes of Numbers, Letters and colors. May individually labelize zippers and ziplock bags as well..

[@Scoob-re2ne]

Best thing to use on heat shrink is a solder iron. Direct heat and extremely quick 😁

[@warlantactical]

The military has been doing this for years on the ilbe packs

[@frenchfryfarmer436]

Thought that what it was...I have several of those.

[@warlantactical]

@@frenchfryfarmer436 yep

[@warlantactical]

@@frenchfryfarmer436 there are a lot of mode we do on our kits as content creators Stay tuned in few months i am out to break social media

[@wquon2007]

i also prefer gutting the cordage on my ties. im sure theres "best use" cases for both. good vid

[@RebaDerChi]

Electric tape also works pretty well for this.

[@st3v3stich]

Look at the Leister Triac hand tool for heat shrink tubing. Its the best heat gun tool on the market hands down.

[@user-zu9ym2lw3i]

Harbour freight will be scratching their head wonder why the heat shrink wrap in flying off the shelves.