Soon I am going to do some grafting of green (this year's growth) to
green material, about 3 mm in diameter. I did not succeed in this last
year, but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together. So this year I
am thinking of experimenting with heat-shrink tubing and I wonder if
there is any experience of this out there or any thoughts.

Heat-shrink tubing is widely used in the electrical industries as a
neater alternative to insulating tape. You can buy it in Maplin's or
on line. It is available in a range of sizes, and a size suitable for
my purpose is available. The idea is that you cut off a length of
heat-shrink tubing and slide it over the stem (or wire), then you join
the stem (or wire) and then slide the heat-shrink tubing back over the
join and use a heater to shrink the tubing onto the stem (or wire).
Various types of heater are available. I hope that will achieve two
things, it will hold the joined stems firmly together and it will stop
moisture loss. Obviously the stem mustn't be heated too much, but it
is the tubing around it which I am trying to shrink, and the heating
should be only for a few seconds.

So, has anybody got any experience or comments on this?

Michael Bell

--

On Mon, 17 May 2010 06:11:56 +0100, Michael Bell wrote:

So, has anybody got any experience or comments on this?

Interesting idea. The biggest snag I can see is the heat, IIRC the
tubing has to get above 100C to shrink that might be a tad warm for
plant material, particulary the exposed bits of stem, you could mask
those with ali foil? Check the specs of heat shrink there might "low
temperature" versions about.

Mechanically heatshrink isn't bad but after applying it I think I'd
still bind the joint to give it proper support. The heatshrink just
helping to keep the bits in the right place for you.

Removal will require cutting off it won't unwrap like a binding.
There isn't much if any "give" either so it might have to come off
earlier than a binding would.

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Michael Bell" wrote in message
. uk...
Soon I am going to do some grafting of green (this year's growth) to
green material, about 3 mm in diameter. I did not succeed in this last
year, but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together. So this year I
am thinking of experimenting with heat-shrink tubing and I wonder if
there is any experience of this out there or any thoughts.

Heat-shrink tubing is widely used in the electrical industries as a
neater alternative to insulating tape. You can buy it in Maplin's or
on line. It is available in a range of sizes, and a size suitable for
my purpose is available. The idea is that you cut off a length of
heat-shrink tubing and slide it over the stem (or wire), then you join
the stem (or wire) and then slide the heat-shrink tubing back over the
join and use a heater to shrink the tubing onto the stem (or wire).
Various types of heater are available. I hope that will achieve two
things, it will hold the joined stems firmly together and it will stop
moisture loss. Obviously the stem mustn't be heated too much, but it
is the tubing around it which I am trying to shrink, and the heating
should be only for a few seconds.

So, has anybody got any experience or comments on this?

Michael Bell

--

Having used Heat Shrink Tubing a lot in both the Marine Electrical and
Electronic fields, I would say that the plant would suffer from the heat. I
know the heat is only applied for a short while, but the inside of the tube
gets very hot.

Another down side, is the rigidity of it and getting it off after the graft
has taken :-((

Mike



--

....................................
Today, is the tomorrow, you were worrying about, yesterday.
....................................

"'Mike'" wrote in message
...

"Michael Bell" wrote in message
. uk...
Soon I am going to do some grafting of green (this year's growth) to
green material, about 3 mm in diameter. I did not succeed in this last
year, but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together. So this year I
am thinking of experimenting with heat-shrink tubing and I wonder if
there is any experience of this out there or any thoughts.

Heat-shrink tubing is widely used in the electrical industries as a
neater alternative to insulating tape. You can buy it in Maplin's or
on line. It is available in a range of sizes, and a size suitable for
my purpose is available. The idea is that you cut off a length of
heat-shrink tubing and slide it over the stem (or wire), then you join
the stem (or wire) and then slide the heat-shrink tubing back over the
join and use a heater to shrink the tubing onto the stem (or wire).
Various types of heater are available. I hope that will achieve two
things, it will hold the joined stems firmly together and it will stop
moisture loss. Obviously the stem mustn't be heated too much, but it
is the tubing around it which I am trying to shrink, and the heating
should be only for a few seconds.

So, has anybody got any experience or comments on this?

Michael Bell

--

Having used Heat Shrink Tubing a lot in both the Marine Electrical and
Electronic fields, I would say that the plant would suffer from the heat.
I know the heat is only applied for a short while, but the inside of the
tube gets very hot.

Another down side, is the rigidity of it and getting it off after the
graft has taken :-((

Mike



Just after posting that, it came to me that you would be better using
Hellerman Sleeves. No heat, rubber, various sizes. If you decide to use
them, don't buy a Hellerman Sleeving Tool, I have some left over from my
factory days and would be more than pleased to send you a pair, complete
with a set of prongs of different sizes :-))

Mike


--

....................................
Today, is the tomorrow, you were worrying about, yesterday.
....................................

On 17/05/2010 06:11, Michael Bell wrote:
Soon I am going to do some grafting of green (this year's growth) to
green material, about 3 mm in diameter. I did not succeed in this last
year, but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together. So this year I
am thinking of experimenting with heat-shrink tubing and I wonder if
there is any experience of this out there or any thoughts.

Heat-shrink tubing is widely used in the electrical industries as a
neater alternative to insulating tape. You can buy it in Maplin's or
on line. It is available in a range of sizes, and a size suitable for
my purpose is available. The idea is that you cut off a length of
heat-shrink tubing and slide it over the stem (or wire), then you join
the stem (or wire) and then slide the heat-shrink tubing back over the
join and use a heater to shrink the tubing onto the stem (or wire).
Various types of heater are available. I hope that will achieve two
things, it will hold the joined stems firmly together and it will stop
moisture loss. Obviously the stem mustn't be heated too much, but it
is the tubing around it which I am trying to shrink, and the heating
should be only for a few seconds.

So, has anybody got any experience or comments on this?

Unfortunately the heat needed to make heat shrink tubing do the
shrinking will cook the plant stem. It might still be useful as an
external support for a newly made graft even if it is a loose fit or
tacked on with PVA or cyanoacrylate glue.

Regards,
Martin Brown

"'Mike'" wrote in message
...

"'Mike'" wrote in message
...

"Michael Bell" wrote in message
. uk...
Soon I am going to do some grafting of green (this year's growth) to
green material, about 3 mm in diameter. I did not succeed in this last
year, but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together. So this year I
am thinking of experimenting with heat-shrink tubing and I wonder if
there is any experience of this out there or any thoughts.

Heat-shrink tubing is widely used in the electrical industries as a
neater alternative to insulating tape. You can buy it in Maplin's or
on line. It is available in a range of sizes, and a size suitable for
my purpose is available. The idea is that you cut off a length of
heat-shrink tubing and slide it over the stem (or wire), then you join
the stem (or wire) and then slide the heat-shrink tubing back over the
join and use a heater to shrink the tubing onto the stem (or wire).
Various types of heater are available. I hope that will achieve two
things, it will hold the joined stems firmly together and it will stop
moisture loss. Obviously the stem mustn't be heated too much, but it
is the tubing around it which I am trying to shrink, and the heating
should be only for a few seconds.

So, has anybody got any experience or comments on this?

Michael Bell

--

Having used Heat Shrink Tubing a lot in both the Marine Electrical and
Electronic fields, I would say that the plant would suffer from the heat.
I know the heat is only applied for a short while, but the inside of the
tube gets very hot.

Another down side, is the rigidity of it and getting it off after the
graft has taken :-((

Mike



Just after posting that, it came to me that you would be better using
Hellerman Sleeves. No heat, rubber, various sizes. If you decide to use
them, don't buy a Hellerman Sleeving Tool, I have some left over from my
factory days and would be more than pleased to send you a pair, complete
with a set of prongs of different sizes :-))

Mike

I'd second this idea - and thanks for the reminder, I have a tool somewhere
too from my panel bashing days too - will be just the job!

In message
Martin Brown wrote:

On 17/05/2010 06:11, Michael Bell wrote:
Soon I am going to do some grafting of green (this year's growth) to
green material, about 3 mm in diameter. I did not succeed in this last
year, but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together. So this year I
am thinking of experimenting with heat-shrink tubing and I wonder if
there is any experience of this out there or any thoughts.

Heat-shrink tubing is widely used in the electrical industries as a
neater alternative to insulating tape. You can buy it in Maplin's or
on line. It is available in a range of sizes, and a size suitable for
my purpose is available. The idea is that you cut off a length of
heat-shrink tubing and slide it over the stem (or wire), then you join
the stem (or wire) and then slide the heat-shrink tubing back over the
join and use a heater to shrink the tubing onto the stem (or wire).
Various types of heater are available. I hope that will achieve two
things, it will hold the joined stems firmly together and it will stop
moisture loss. Obviously the stem mustn't be heated too much, but it
is the tubing around it which I am trying to shrink, and the heating
should be only for a few seconds.

So, has anybody got any experience or comments on this?

Unfortunately the heat needed to make heat shrink tubing do the
shrinking will cook the plant stem. It might still be useful as an
external support for a newly made graft even if it is a loose fit or
tacked on with PVA or cyanoacrylate glue.

Regards,
Martin Brown

PVA and cyanoacrylate glue!? These are things I hadn't thought of.
Tell me more!

Michael Bell



--

Michael Bell wrote:

Soon I am going to do some grafting of green (this year's growth) to
green material, about 3 mm in diameter. I did not succeed in this last
year, but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together. So this year I
am thinking of experimenting with heat-shrink tubing and I wonder if
there is any experience of this out there or any thoughts.

Try Googling for self-amalgamating tape.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

In message , Chris J Dixon
wrote
Michael Bell wrote:

Soon I am going to do some grafting of green (this year's growth) to
green material, about 3 mm in diameter. I did not succeed in this last
year, but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together. So this year I
am thinking of experimenting with heat-shrink tubing and I wonder if
there is any experience of this out there or any thoughts.

Try Googling for self-amalgamating tape.

I was going to suggest the same
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/self_amalg.htm
but don't pay silly prices
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLSAT19.html
or
Ebay


--
Alan
news2009 {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

"Alan" wrote in message
...
In message , Chris J Dixon
wrote
Michael Bell wrote:

Soon I am going to do some grafting of green (this year's growth) to
green material, about 3 mm in diameter. I did not succeed in this last
year, but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together. So this year I
am thinking of experimenting with heat-shrink tubing and I wonder if
there is any experience of this out there or any thoughts.

Try Googling for self-amalgamating tape.

I was going to suggest the same
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/self_amalg.htm
but don't pay silly prices
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLSAT19.html
or
Ebay


--
Alan
news2009 {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk


or better still, go to your Electrical Wholesalers and ask what they have
got. Pay trade price there ;-)

Don't know who you have got but we have such as Newey and Eyre and City
Electrical Factors. Buy by the roll with no fancy packaging ;-)

And I am not on Commission either ;-)

Mike


--

....................................
Today, is the tomorrow, you were worrying about, yesterday.
....................................

In message , 'Mike'
wrote

or better still, go to your Electrical Wholesalers and ask what they have
got. Pay trade price there ;-)

Don't know who you have got but we have such as Newey and Eyre

The link I gave £2.10 +VAT
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLSAT19.html

Newey and Eyre price £6.56 +VAT
http://www.neweysonline.co.uk/newlec...g-10m-x-19mm-b
lack-waterproof/1050318444/ProductInformation.raction

Maybe your local electrical wholesaler isn't as good for value
--
Alan
news2009 {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Mon, 17 May 2010 19:43:06 +0100, Mike wrote:

Self amalgamting tape at trade prices nice idea but:

but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together.

SA tape needs to be stretched as it is applied. As the OP appears to
have trouble with ordinary binding this might not be such a nice
idea.

I'm still not convinced that the heat will be too much for the stem
if done very quickly with a hot air gun and the exposed parts masked
from the heat with a layer or two of foil.

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Alan" wrote in message
...
In message , 'Mike'
wrote

or better still, go to your Electrical Wholesalers and ask what they have
got. Pay trade price there ;-)

Don't know who you have got but we have such as Newey and Eyre

The link I gave £2.10 +VAT
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLSAT19.html

Newey and Eyre price £6.56 +VAT
http://www.neweysonline.co.uk/newlec...g-10m-x-19mm-b
lack-waterproof/1050318444/ProductInformation.raction

Maybe your local electrical wholesaler isn't as good for value
--
Alan
news2009 {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

Gobsmacked!!!

I had to check that they were both 1 roll price. I thought maybe Newey's
price was for a box of 6 rolls

Have to admit, not bought any for a long time. Been retired from Marine
Electrics and Electronics for a long time ;-)

Mike
--

....................................
Today, is the tomorrow, you were worrying about, yesterday.
....................................

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.co.uk...
On Mon, 17 May 2010 19:43:06 +0100, Mike wrote:

Self amalgamting tape at trade prices nice idea but:

but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together.

SA tape needs to be stretched as it is applied. As the OP appears to
have trouble with ordinary binding this might not be such a nice
idea.


and SA tape is like a long length of Sellotape, determined to stick to
itself before it goes where you want it to go. And once stuck to itself
......................................... you can forget that bit ;-{

Mike

--

....................................
Today, is the tomorrow, you were worrying about, yesterday.
....................................

In message o.uk, Dave
Liquorice wrote
On Mon, 17 May 2010 19:43:06 +0100, Mike wrote:

Self amalgamting tape at trade prices nice idea but:

but then I am not very clever with my fingers. One of the things
I found difficult was to bind the two pieces together.

SA tape needs to be stretched as it is applied. As the OP appears to
have trouble with ordinary binding this might not be such a nice
idea.

I'm still not convinced that the heat will be too much for the stem
if done very quickly with a hot air gun and the exposed parts masked
from the heat with a layer or two of foil.



Low shrink temperature tube requires a temperature of around 80C to
shrink, more general purpose heat shrink tube requires around 115C.

In my experience the tubing retains the heat for many minutes.
--
Alan
news2009 {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk