28 replies to this topic

[nmdelrio]

Is hot glue (glue gun) safe to use to secure insulated wire routing on the circuit board? Many say to use kapton tape, but I do not have access to kapton tape.

:rolleyes:

[Epy]

It's safe, but it'll probably come undone in a few days

[Kingcodez]

In most of the things I
ve opened up over the years, laptops, older computers, my xboxes, gameboys, etc, they all have hot glue on the chips.

If anything, don't use Hot Hot glue, use the cooler kind just incase the temp gets so high that it would melt the plastic on the wires.

But even if it somehow did melt the plastic, the wire would be surrounded by glue, thus being re-sealed.

I think It's called low temp hot glue, it's used in kid's crafts so they only get 1st degree burns instead of 3rd degree.

Most computer companies use a little dab of hot glue to secure wired to the mobo or to something else to keep them out of the way.

It's non conductive liquid PLASTIC.
Nothing more.

[AlmostInvisible]

get some 'micropore surgical self adhesive tape' from boots/chemists or similar http://www.boots.com...catalogId=11051

just cut it to suit.. very similar stuff used in portable electronics to hold cables in place

[rgarjr]

Hot glue is messy though. Kapton looks more professional and better imp.

[DanBeale]

hot glue is fine.

you could also use a 'super glue' but be careful. there's a special 'thick' version designed for gluing wire to cct boards.

I don't understand people using kapton tape for mods. Kapton tape is just a heat resistant tape. you'd use it to mask off areas of a pcb that was going to be flow soldered.

[jtj]

hot glue works fine but is hard to remove, kapton tapes is expensive but the best way to reinstall things.

[aeharding]

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hot glue works fine but is hard to remove, kapton tapes is expensive but the best way to reinstall things.

You're not going to use 36 yards of kapton tape in even 5 years... LOL especially since you only need a bit here and there. It's a good price for me... $5.00

EDIT:: http://www.technical...m?ProdID=361516

Edited by aeharding, 29 October 2008 - 06:04 AM.

[AlmostInvisible]

I think some people on here are a bit Kapton tape crazy :lol: ;);)

[jtj]

the piece of kapton tape is not expensive but as i bought one i t was 38 Euro and i think this will be the only one in my live ;-) i dont need it too much just for my simple modifying. i have 50 Meter on the taperoll :-)

Edited by jtj, 29 October 2008 - 08:37 AM.

[Squiffy]

As others have said, I'd avoid the hot glue approach in case it needs to be removed, which is such a pain. Avoid superglue too, it's not a good solution in areas with high temperatures. You can get some generic polyimide tape from here: http://www.dealextre...ils.dx/sku.5340 very cheaply :)


>You're not going to use 36 yards of kapton tape in even 5 years...

Unless you use it to make your own space suit ;)

[DanBeale]

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hot glue is fine.
you could also use a 'super glue' but be careful. there's a special 'thick' version designed for gluing wire to cct boards.

More info on this: Loctite manufacture something called "takpak" (Loctite 444 or Loctite 382 are examples) which is a cyanoacrylate designed for semi-permanent tacking of electronic components and wires.

You can move wires after you've tacked them but it's tricky and not a good idea. (It's easy to damage cct traces) However, if you know you've got the wire in the right place, and you want a permanent tack, and you can afford it, takpak type glues are good.

Obviously be careful of vapours - they can mark other surfaces.

[AlmostInvisible]

and it's stupidly expensive

[gospeed.racer]

Anyone that thinks removing hot glue is difficult- I use a heat gun all the time to soften hot glue and it works great.

[Squiffy]

>I use a heat gun all the time to soften hot glue and it works great

Well with the right tools things becomes easier ;O)

[rgarjr]

Yeah I use a blow dryer to heat up the glue and it becomes really soft and can be take out. I dont use hot glue anymore though.

[DanBeale]

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and it's stupidly expensive

What's stupidly expensive?

[lunchb0x1988]

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and it's stupidly expensive

What's stupidly expensive?

I think he means typing as he saved himself some keystrokes by being very ambiguous.

[RandyLude92]

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Quote

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and it's stupidly expensive

What's stupidly expensive?

I think he means typing as he saved himself some keystrokes by being very ambiguous.

HAHAHA!!! :D
that's great... i think he means "takpak"

personally i've used "silicone RTV" caulk to attatch things to PCBs before
it's pretty cheap, you can get it from the auto parts store, it peels off easily with no damage to circuit traces/wires, it's high heat resistive, non-conductive, and comes in all kinds of fancy colors from reds, blues, black (yes is said black caulk) and so on

[AlmostInvisible]

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and it's stupidly expensive

What's stupidly expensive?

tak pak is stupidly expensive :), not hot glue :lol:

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he means typing as he saved himself some keystrokes by being very ambiguous

:rolleyes: yeah that'll be what I meant :lol:

I was responding to the post immediately prior to mine obviously :)

Edited by AlmostInvisible, 30 October 2008 - 08:23 AM.