Shrink Tubing

Where does one find shrink tubing like Mr. Ritter uses on his Sparky and other gear?<br><br>What is it really intended for?<br><br>Thanks<br><br>Carl Morgan

Tubing is used to protect the flint wheel on the Sparklite. A length of tubing is a potential straw for gathering water from seeps. Shrink tubing and standard tubing may be found at electrical and hardware stores. Blueline Outfitters ( listed in our retail source list) is very good at procuring some of the odds and ends we use.

Radio Shack. _________________________________________________Proverbs 21:19

I use heat shrink tubing on the ferrocerium rod of the BSA "Hot Spark" that lives in my keycase (to protect it from the keys and other abrasion). With care, I managed to shrink it just enough (over an electric range, not a flame) so that it's a snug sliding fit, and can be removed and replaced. The excess shrank quite a bit more, to a sort of nozzle shape. Of course, if I ever have to use it a great deal, the rod will presumably get thinner and the tubing will no longer fit... by which time I don't expect I'll care at all. Radio Shack. It comes in handy for a number of things. I try to keep an assortment on hand.<br><br>I was able to find PTFE (Teflon) tubing more or less like that in Doug's kit in an electronics supply store (not Radio Shack). I'd like to find some in longer lengths, but not larger diameter, for setting up siphons. I've been using the thinner variety of aquarium tubing for that in the woods, but it's too bulky to store much length in a PSK. The soft silicone normal-size variety might even pack smaller than the thin vinyl stuff, under compression, since it flattens and bounces back.<br>

If you are near a "West Marine Store" they have shrink tubing in all sizes and styles

Carl<br><br> I am not sure if I misread the intent of your second question, or if everyone else did.<br><br> Shrink tubing is used in electronics to re-insulate striped wire. For example, you have to strip back a length of wire before you can solder it to a terminal. You would slide a short piece of shrink tubing up the wire before connecting it then slide the tubing over the soldered connection and heat it. The tubing shrinks and the wire and terminal are insulated. It works better than electrician's tape, and is much easier to use in tight places.

Thanks everyone. I was able to find some at Radio Shack and Home Depot.<br><br>schaz you answered my second question. Thank you. I had no idea what it was intended for.<br><br>On another note. I really like Blueline outfitters. Thanks to Chris Kavanaugh for suggesting them. <br><br>Carl