Electrical shrink tubbing as header collectors.

[GLMFAA1]

Has anyone tried a piece of electrical heat shrink tubing to make a collector for headers to exhaust pipe?

Was just setting here and it popped into my head, would have to be a low temp as to not melt plastic.

greg

[tbill]

I’ve used it on big rig exhaust systems to hide gaps, specially the pete 352 where the mufflers mount to the cab and the pipes may or may not line up so good when cab is down, I’ve used it to make distributors and to cover other pipes that I made out of bits and pieces 

[R. Thorne]

I use it for collectors.  Just a quick swipe with a cigarette lighter to shrink it on the primaries.  It needs to be a relatively snug fit initially so as not to look too large or megaphone like after shrinkage.

[Straightliner59]

I used it, for these. The headers are solder and the tailpipe is aluminum tubing. I used my thumbnail to press the still warm tubing around the headers tubes. I'm happy with them!

[peteski]

Interesting technique, but I'm worried that heat shrink tubing material is rather flexible and stretchy compared to plastic or metal tubes.  If I was using this technique, after shrinking and forming I would wick some thin CA glue where the tubing meets the hard parts.  That should make the joint more permanent. Yes, I have been called anal in the past, but I think that trait makes me a better modeler.

[Straightliner59]

12 hours ago, peteski said:

Interesting technique, but I'm worried that heat shrink tubing material is rather flexible and stretchy compared to plastic or metal tubes.  If I was using this technique, after shrinking and forming I would wick some thin CA glue where the tubing meets the hard parts.  That should make the joint more permanent. Yes, I have been called anal in the past, but I think that trait makes me a better modeler.

That's exactly what I did. Good call!

[afx]

Works great, even on open headers

[Jiml0001]

I use heat shrink a lot.   Couple of things.   Most heat shrink tubing shrinks at under 200 degrees.   Styrene melts at about 350 degrees.    I use a heat gun but a good hot hair dryer will work.     Open flame tends to melt and deform the tubing and the styrene instead of getting an even shrink.   Heat shrink can be stretched when it is warm and you can make tubing as small as you want.   I use it for any type of hose and even make plug boots from it     On these engines fuel lines,  radiator hose coupling, plug boots and even the fan belt are all stretched heat shrink tubing

[Straightliner59]

19 minutes ago, Jiml0001 said:

I use heat shrink a lot.   Couple of things.   Most heat shrink tubing shrinks at under 200 degrees.   Styrene melts at about 350 degrees.    I use a heat gun but a good hot hair dryer will work.     Open flame tends to melt and deform the tubing and the styrene instead of getting an even shrink.   Heat shrink can be stretched when it is warm and you can make tubing as small as you want.   I use it for any type of hose and even make plug boots from it     On these engines fuel lines,  radiator hose coupling, plug boots and even the fan belt are all stretched heat shrink tubing

Beautiful work! Love the finishes, and the details.