I posted this in my build thread, but thought I should just start a thread.

I saw a wire labeler at Lowe's this weekend. The Dymo Rhino labeler. Has anyone used this before? Anyone recommend this or another?

I want to label my wire as I install them and want to give it a professional appearance.

Thanks,

-HD

I have a regular labeler made by Brother (a P-Touch something or other). I have used the industrial tapes to label wires in the past. The tape claims to have twice the adhesive of the normal tapes. In my experience, these hold very well for labeling wires.

CJ

HD,

I bought the Dymo RhinoPRO 3000 label printer when I built my theater and used it to label all the wires in my theater and whole house audio project.

http://images40.fotki.com/v1261/photos/1/1068290/5039830/RHINO3000-vi.jpg

I've had a few of the standard office labelers in the past and thought is was time for an industrial version. Its a great device, easy to use and supports printing on several different types and colors of labels. I found their nylon labels worked best on wires. I haven't tried it but I read that these label printers also support a heat shrinkable tape.

I ended up choosing a kit that came with a few extra tape cartridges and an AC power adapter.

http://images37.fotki.com/v1200/photos/1/1068290/5039830/rhinokit-vi.jpg



DO IT!

Regards,

BillMac

I have the Rhino Pro 5000 and highly recommend it. However, you do have to make sure that you use the correct labels- I use shrink tape whenever possible and use nylon tape when I have no other choice. The other type of tape doesn't last too long.

CJ

I use polyester (I think it is sometimes called film) labels on all my wires. The adhesive is very strong when printed, they are moisture resistant. The manufacturer of the tape that I use says it is permanent and waterproof, but I haven't tested that. I sometimes put a piece of clear heat shrink over the label to make sure it sticks. However, I have never had one peel off.

how much does this thing run?

I think that I paid around $60 on ebay (used).

CJ

I am not using the Dymo, I use a brother USB labeler. It was around $90 USD with the auto-cutter. They have one without the cutter for ~50. I was using a hand-held, but the USB desktop is so much faster. If you are a costco fan, they routinely discount the auto-cutter version to $50. I am using the QL-570. It is about the size of a receipt printer you might see at an eatery.

I am not using the Dymo, I use a brother USB labeler. It was around $90 USD with the auto-cutter. They have one without the cutter for ~50. I was using a hand-held, but the USB desktop is so much faster. If you are a costco fan, they routinely discount the auto-cutter version to $50. I am using the QL-570. It is about the size of a receipt printer you might see at an eatery.

Is that one require a PC then? I had thought about just getting labels for my inkjet as long as they had a clear cover as part of the label.

Yes, it requires a PC. I prefer that, because I have a bunch of preset labels so I don't have to retype the name every time. The printer is quick too. I think it does something like 70 labels/minute. Also, it can use continuous roll tape so you can make custom sized labels. You aren't limited to the die-cut sizes. AFAIK, there are no polyester labels for inkjet printers, they are all paper. I believe this is because the inkjet inks are water soluble. If you can protect the paper from moisture it would probably be ok, though I doubt it is as durable as the film. There are polyester labels for laser printers though, if you have access to one of those.

BUMP

for more devices

Working on the Christmas list! :D

Seems most devices use a thermal transfer process for printing - is that permanent, or does it fade? Does it depend on the tape/label material?

Tape - nylon vs. polyester?

So far, nylon 2 votes, polyester 1 vote.

What is shrink tape? Any adhesive labels available?

According to the Dymo web site, polyester is intended for flat surfaces and nylon for curved surfaces (like cable). Shrink "tape" is shrink tubing which you can put over a cable and shrink with heat.

It's thermal transfer, so it's more rugged than thermal (like some cash register receipts).

http://global.dymo.com/enUS/ProductAccessories/Rhino_3000.html

Anyone know if the RhinoPro 5000 is much better than the 3000 model for HT/communications use? I've read all the data sheets on the two models and they're kind of vague on the differences really. The biggest difference that I know of is that the 5000 can print on the wider 3/4" media, whereas the 3000 can only print up to 1/2" wide labels.

I just ask this because it appears the 3000 is touted as perfect for av installers, etc. with all its presets...and the 5000 seems more for industrial wiring usage. I'm leaning towards the 5000 b/c I like the option to use the wider 3/4" labels but I don't want to give up any features of the 3000. I've got some of those super thick monoprice cables and the narrow labels just don't seem enough.

Is anyone familiar enough with them to know if the 5000 contains ALL the same features of the 3000 plus more, or is it a completely different model?

Thanks in advance.

I have the 5000 and love it. For wraps around cable the wider tape is nice.

Dymo Rhino 3000 is on the list, with nylon tape. :)

Thanks all

Is anyone familiar enough with them to know if the 5000 contains ALL the same features of the 3000 plus more, or is it a completely different model?

Thanks in advance.

Double-check, but I don't think that the 3000 handles heat-shrink tape, which is about all I use on my cables.

CJ

CJ (and others):
Thanks for the replies. Based on your comments and additional research I bit the bullet and ordered the Rhino PRO5000. I really wanted the ability to do 3/4" labels & heatshrink. I got a good deal on the 5000 kit (AC power adapter, hard case and 2 tapes) online. It arrived yesterday but I haven't had a lot of time to play with it yet. From what I've seen I'm glad I went with the 5000 over the 3000. It has a bunch of features that I'll never use (that probably will only make it more complicated...LOL) but I'm pleased with the purchase. I'll let you know how it goes...now if I could just start making some progress!!!!

Mark

http://animalnewyork.com/250_mike-giant-sharpie.jpg

:)

I use shrink tape whenever possible and use nylon tape when I have no other choice. The other type of tape doesn't last too long.

CJ

Hello,

I just purchased a Rhino500 and hope to use some heat shrink labels in my setup. Before I made a label purchase, I wanted to ask what I should look to buy in terms of sizes of heat shrink labels for my home theater and home automation setup. Generally speaking, I plan to wire the following types of cables:

- Cat 5e and Cat6
- HDMI
- RG6-Quad Shield
- Optical cables
- Component cables (RG6 again x3)
- 14/2 speaker wire
- 16/2 speaker wire
- 16/4 speaker wire
- DB9 serial cables
- General power cords (i.e. AVR, DVD Player)
- Rather small stereo cables that are used for IR runs (I think these are 6mm?)

So, my first impluse was that I need all the sizes of heat shrink lables (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and 3/4") but it would be nice, and cheaper if I was able to only use a few sizes. Since I've never done this before, I wanted to ask what sizes I should consider.

Also, I wanted to ask for recommendations on a heat gun to use.

Thanks,
T.Wells

I wouldn't bother with the 1/4" or the 3/8" tape. The 3/8" will fit CAT5, but it's a pain. The 1/2" works just as well and is much easier. They will shrink a lot, so you should be good for just about everything. Also, you won't be using shrink on the power cords, optical cords, or serial cords unless you plan on custom making them- the ends are too large to fit through the heat shrink tube.

As far as the heat gun goes, any cheap one will work fine. I think I picked mine up at Radio Shack.

CJ

As far as the heat gun goes, any cheap one will work fine. I think I picked mine up at Radio Shack.

CJ

CJ,

Thanks for the information. I purchased some 1/2 and 3/4" shrink tubing and now I just need to find a heat gun. I checked radioshack.com and the cheapest gun was a $69 Black and Decker. Does that sound right?

Thanks again,
T.Wells

Can also use a lighter.

Just keep it moving, waving it back and forth.

$1.50

u can always use the stove as well. I have done that a few times. same direction as the lighter.

Harbar frieght carrys heat guns less than 10 bucks. And depending on the type of tubing, hair drying might also work.

onto this subject, we use expensive brother labeler at work and I use the cheap PT65 at home due to the ultra cheap cost of refills. I had a few dymo before, but the refill just kills.

CJ,

Thanks for the information. I purchased some 1/2 and 3/4" shrink tubing and now I just need to find a heat gun. I checked radioshack.com and the cheapest gun was a $69 Black and Decker. Does that sound right?

Thanks again,
T.Wells

I'm pretty sure that I didn't pay over $30 for mine. You might try some other stores. Walmart might have some in their auto department.

CJ

I'm pretty sure that I didn't pay over $30 for mine. You might try some other stores. Walmart might have some in their auto department.

CJ

I am going to give this one a try as it was cheap and appears to be very small.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03015616000P

-T.Wells

Double-check, but I don't think that the 3000 handles heat-shrink tape, which is about all I use on my cables.

CJ

It's listed as a supply item for the 3000 on Dymo's site

I bought the Dymo Rhino 3000 for myself.

Non-Querty keyboard is annoying, but straightforward.

Nylon labels that came with the unit are perfectly adequate - I'd like to try the heat shrink labels.

These D1 labels from Dymo are expensive. Anyone know of another manufacturer? I recall on the Amazon website, in a review of the Rhino 3000, that it's a standard size, and other labels will fit. Review has been wiped.

This Rhino 3000 eats batteries fast, even with auto-off. I'll have to scrounge up an AC/DC transformer wall wart. AA x 6, lasted 1 month, only made ~20 labels. I don't think I left it on even once.

Seems that the company Esselte (Pendaflex in the U.S.) makes the D1 cartridge labels for Dymo, and also sold their own brand of D1.

Now they don't anymore. I guess Dymo got their act together.

(Edit - Dymo is a subisiary of Esselte http://global.dymo.com/enHK/Privacy/default.html)


Edit - the Rhino 3000 can take heat shrink tube labels, per the sales sheet

http://global.dymo.com/img/compel/XoSznLLdW-VLxUG8cLCl0Mbr1MSMu69P.pdf

Heat shrink tubing is even more expensive, ~$25-30/5 feet, but can be used in place of other heat shrink tubing, i.e. when you need to cover a soldered connector, FWIW.

Rhino 3000 can take the 3/8" + 1/2" heat shrink labels, but not 3/4". I don't know what size would be necessary, for cat5, rg6, rg59, zip cord, 22/4, 18/2, hook-up wire...

Edit#2 - cableorganizer.com has a good breakdown of the Dymo labels, and printer compatibility.

http://cableorganizer.com/dymo-replacement-labels/

data sheet for recommended cable diameters, for heat shrink labels, page 7:

http://images.cableorganizer.com/dymo-label-printer/manuals/RhinoPro-Tapes-info.pdf

I think cat5e is ~5 mm in diameter (0.189 inches per Belden data sheet), allowing the 12 mm (1/2 in) heat shrink tubing.

3/4 in (19 mm) heat shrink tubing tape is not compatible with the Rhino 3000, so I guess I'll use the standard nylon labels for coax.

RG59 is ~0.233 in (6 mm), and RG6 ~0.274 in (7 mm).

Thanks Neurorad- that's good stuff. I do use 1/2" shrink wrap for my CAT5e cables. The 3/8" shrink wrap is about exactly the same diameter as the CAT5 cables- it will barely fit over some and won't fit over others.

CJ

I should have put in a disclaimer.

I double posted to Cocoontech.com forum, and member Mustangcoupe pointed out that the 1/2" should fit around RG6 and RG59.

I don't have firsthand experience, just repeating what the Dymo info sheets say.

Maybe they're trying to sell more of the 5000 labeler?

Dymo says the heat shrink tubing reduces to ~1/3 the original size - that sounds like a maximum amount of shrinkage, but I would think that is, indeed, a maximum.

I'll have to try it, when my 1/2" heat shrink labelled tubing arrives. Will post back then.