a low profile heater for plastic injection molding equipment nozzles utilizes forces provided to the axially ends of a tube portion to radially compress the tube portion onto a coiled heater element thereby compressing the heater element radially inward for optimal heat conduction between said heater element and the nozzle onto which the heater is attached . further embodiments uses a base sleeve onto which the coiled heater element is placed to engage the nozzle . the base sleeve may utilize a tapered threaded portion with slits in the sleeve to allow tightening of a ring portion to radially compress the sleeve base onto the nozzle .