I wanna buy it, what's it called? "Wire covering" to cover component legs etc.

[Joel in Texas]

Hello all.  I have a small, low-grade problem I've been living with for years.  I thought I would check in here - I would guess there is an answer that I just haven't seen yet.

I would like to buy some wire insulation, with no wire.  Once in while - for example - I want to cover component leads that are soldered in close proximity to other components, or cover a component leg that is near a place where my meter probe often goes.

I've seen slip-on, high-inside-diameter wire covering in things I have salvaged parts from, but have never seen it for sale, by the foot, yard, or roll.  When I need it, I usually just strip - and therefore ruin - a hunk of wire.  Then maybe the bit of insulation I just created ends up being too tight for the lead I'm trying to cover.

The problem is that I don't know what to call this product, or how to search for it.

You can probably guess what happens if I go to the A.E.S. or Tube Depot or Digikey or whatever website and search for "wire covering" or "wire insulation".  I get results listing all kinds of wire (but no "empty" wire insulation or wire covering) or results just list those big plastic cable covers / cable management products.

Like I said - a low-grade problem.  But enough of a recurring inconvenience that I was wondering if anyone had an idea what this type of product might be called, so I can search it up and get actual relevant results?  Thanks for any ideas or advice.

[nandrewjackson]

Teflon tubing. Also called PTFE tubing.


I have usually bought mine from eBay. Many different colors, inside diameter, outside diameters, wall thickness,  available.

[PRR]

Spaghetti. Sleeving. Yes, hard to search.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleeving
https://www.cableorganizer.com/cable-sleeving/
https://www.cableorganizer.com/specialty-industrial-sleeving/
https://www.newark.com/c/cable-wire-cable-assemblies/cable-management/sleeving-tubing/sleeving
https://mainframecustom.com/product-category/cable-sleeving/lc-coreless-paracord/
https://www.wirecare.com/category/braided-sleeving/electrical-insulation-sleeving
https://www.mcmaster.com/wire-sleeving/
https://www.waytekwire.com/products/1468/Braided-Sleeving/

[Joel in Texas]

Thanks nandrew and PRR - really helpful, and exactly what I was hoping for.  PRR, I appreciate all the links.

[sluckey]

I have a good supply of clear PTFE tubing and a good variety of PTFE insulated wire. I will often just strip insulation from PTFE wire to be used as tubing.

[Johntb]

Depending on how much you want this is a cool little kit. This place is about 20 minutes from me. He has a ton of stuff. I know he has more in the actual store than on the website. I always walk out with a bag of stuff and end up spending less than $40. Also if you dont know exactly what you want the website can be difficult. Anyway good luck.

http://vakits.com/clone-heat-shrink-3-accessory-pack-16-pieces

[kagliostro]

https://www.hilltop-products.co.uk/cable-sleeving-protection/rubber-tubing/silicone-rubber-tubing-products/pole-float-silicone-tubing.html#.XuFKqNrVIdU


Franco

[bmccowan]

I often use this stuff https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/spaghetti-old-style-white-20-awg

[DummyLoad]

purchase the size(s) you need by the foot.

https://fluorostore.com/collections/ptfe-tubing-collection/products/ptfe-awg-spaghetti-tubing


--pete