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HOW TO CHOOSE A THERMO GUN - how to use a heat gun, what can be glued, what is a heat gun

Hot melt glue gun is an electromechanical mechanism that melts and doses the supply of melted glue. Designed for professionals and amateurs.

The tool helps to fix, model, seal and decorate. He glues metal. And for working with wood, plastic, glass and leather - he has no equal. Suitable not only for everyday needs, but also for creativity.

How does a thermal gun work

A glue stick is inserted into the metal chamber of the device. It heats up in it. When the trigger is pulled, the molten adhesive is squeezed out through the nozzles. Under pressure. One portion of the glue is replaced by another, the glue stick works like a piston.

The chamber is heated by a heating element that is powered from the mains. But! Some devices have electronic temperature control and several heating control modes. And that changes things. Automatic models are driven by a solenoid valve, rather than pulling the trigger like hand-held thermo guns.

After connecting to the network, the thermal power of the device increases sharply to 500 W, and then it goes into normal mode - 14 W. This is logical. The heating element "keeps" the glue in a molten state, but does not overheat it. The device works properly for approx. 20 minutes. Then it turns off. The "sophisticated" models have a glue heating indicator. It can be used to lower the operating temperature of the heat-sensitive glue gun.

How to use a heat gun

The pistol can be used not only indoors, but also outdoors. Glue guns are moisture resistant. They can withstand temperature drops from -40 ° C to + 100 ° C.

The polyurethane adhesive hardens quickly. To grab, it takes 1-3 minutes, for complete solidification - a day. It's practical. There is no need to interrupt work while waiting for complete drying. But, despite the ease of use, working with the tool requires skill. Before starting work, determine the exact place where you will apply the adhesive. It is important not to be mistaken. Because it will not be possible to quickly fix the defect, you will have to heat the bonding area to 130 ° C.

To keep the connection strong, clean and degrease the surfaces. This way they will be securely glued. Despite the fact that complete drying does not occur immediately, the fluidity of the substance remains for ten seconds. Sometimes less. During this time, it is important to have time to tightly squeeze the parts so that the composition permeates the surfaces. Try not to touch the glue, it adheres to the skin instantly. And it burns.

Glue gun: how to use

5 recommendations for gluing:

  1. be sure to clean and degrease both gluing surfaces;
  2. apply glue on two surfaces and immediately connect the parts;
  3. do not use hot melt glue on parts that are going to be heated;
  4. hot glue does not bond PVC and polyethylene well. Despite its high adhesion, such a connection will still collapse. The only question is about time;
  5. when in contact with gasoline, solvents and oils, the glue is also destroyed.

What can be glued with a thermal gun

The glue gun is indispensable when you need to lay the cable along the skirting board. Unlike nails or staples, bonding does not damage the surface. The glue grabs quickly.

For gluing metals or other heat-conducting surfaces, it is better to prepare a hair dryer in advance. Use it to warm up the connecting parts. If you don't have a hair dryer, it's bad. You will have to contrive or suffer, making more than one attempt at gluing.

How to choose a thermal gun: for handicrafts and for household needs

Glue guns are divided into two classes - professional and household. And although the border between them is very conditional, the general principle remained unchanged.

  • Household models are intended for short-term or single-use use.
  • Professional devices work continuously for many hours in a row.

For one-time use, you can buy a glue pen or a set. If you have to glue constantly, it is advisable to take a closer look at the models of well-known companies - Bosch, Sigma, Mastertool. The cost of the products of these companies fluctuates depending on the functionality of the device, reliability and availability of additional options.

A "fat" plus in your karma if you buy a device with one or more of the features described below.

  1. The ability of the pistol to work in several temperature conditions.
  2. Availability of replaceable nozzles of various shapes.
  3. Illumination for work in dimly lit places.
  4. Indicator of readiness of the device for operation.

Power for glue guns is not a panacea. It does not affect the melting point of the glue, as this figure is standard. But the operating mode of the device is yes: it just depends on the power. The higher the power (it is considered to be from 30 W), the more glue will melt in the heat chamber. So glue it up faster. A low-power instrument works with pauses. We'll have to wait until the next portion of the glue melts.

If we take into account the distinctive characteristics, it should be noted that the rarest detail on some models (for example, the Dremel Glue Gun 940) is the presence of a power switch on the case. Conveniently. And DREMEL hot melt glue guns are comfortable to work with. Their only drawback is their high cost.

Some manufacturers complete their tools with a special mat that can withstand temperatures up to 400 ° C and protect surfaces from melted glue.

To select a quality glue gun, look at 5 parts.

Trigger

There is a carousel (rotary) or slide type.

  • The carousel trigger is turned around the axis.
  • The slider is moved along the barrel of the pistol.

More convenient is a rotary trigger. It makes it easier to control and dispense the glue feed. And there is less effort.

By the way, "copies" of household pistols without a trigger are on sale. In such devices, the rod is pushed inward with the thumb.

Glue stick

The glue stick in the form of a cylinder with a diameter of 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 mm is suitable for any model of a gun. Barrel caliber reference. But there are models where the entrance to the heating chamber is made in the form of a rubber thrust sleeve. It allows a certain variation in the diameters of the glue sticks. Be careful! Some manufacturers produce oval rods that are only suitable for instruments with a similar barrel shape.

For professional devices, the largest are used.

  • 11mm glue sticks. They are sold wholesale and retail. Wholesale - cheaper.
  • 7mm rods are rated for a household pistol. They are used in interior decoration, for renovation, modeling and children's creativity.

Transparent rods are universal. They are suitable for fixing dry surfaces. It is regrettable, but there is no single color classification according to the color of the rods, each manufacturer has its own. Therefore, you need to carefully read the instructions, especially if you choose something specific for a specific task. Colored are "shirpotrebovskie" universal adhesives designed for simple decorative work.

But thanks to the variety of tinted rods, you can easily match them to the color of the parts being fastened. And bright options (with sparkles) are suitable for design creativity.

One of the important characteristics of glue sticks is the operating temperature. Most guns heat rods to 180 ° C. Even in those models that heat the glue to 300 ° C, 180-degree rods are still used. They are standard.And low-temperature ones are already special, and are designed for joining heat-sensitive materials. Including for some types of floristry. One such tool is the Dremel 930 JA.

Nozzles

Using a replaceable nozzle (nozzle), you can change the diameter of the melted glue coming out and its dosage. The nozzles are made of the same material as the glue heating tank. This is usually metal. Some of them are covered with a rubber protector that protects against burns.

Some manufacturers complete the glue gun with several types of nozzles. It's practical. You can more accurately dispense glue or apply it to hard-to-reach places. And yes, most gun nozzles are removable. The shape of the adhesive strip depends on the model of the device and the type of its nozzle.

  • Famous brand pistols are equipped with a spring-loaded ball valve in the nozzle. Such a valve prevents the free flow of heated glue, but does not completely block the outlet. There remains a gap to relieve excess pressure.
  • Cheap models do not have such valves, so you need an eye and an eye when working with them.

Housing

When buying, pay attention to the presence of an inspection window in the case. Through it, it is monitored how the rods replace each other and whether the gasket has not leaked under excessive pressure in the reservoir.

For convenience and safety, a folding stand-stand is provided in front of the device so that the nozzle of the gun looks down during breaks between work. Laying the pistol on its side is not recommended. The surface on which the gun lies will heat up and the heat from the body is less dissipated.

Power cord

Glue guns have a removable or stationary cord. Models with a stationary cord are more common. Devices with a charger have already appeared. But it is convenient to use them only when working at a stationary workplace, when constant movements are not required.

Interesting article: "Who Invented Scotch Tape: Interesting Facts About Sticky Tape"

See life hack how to draw with a glue gun

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