Heat guns look like awkward hair dryers, but heat guns can solve problems that nothing else can touch. Whether it is shrinking tubing or stripping paint, thawing pipes or removing stickers from glass, heat guns can do it. Once people own a heat gun, they start to see ways to use the heat gun in almost any project, from crafting phone cases to installing vinyl flooring.
Yet, not all heat guns is alike. Some heat guns have better temperature ranges, airflow, or controls than others, which can affect how well they will last in a specific project. To determine which heat gun to buy, people can learn more about the different varieties of heat guns.
Some manufacturers have built some heat guns for industrial projects. Others have built them for precision work on delicate electronics. A few have tried to contain the features of the other two varieties.
Understanding the differences between heat guns makes it so people can avoid buying the same heat gun twice and can avoid damaging their money’s worth of furnitures.
Different Varieties of Heat Guns to Consider
1. Corded Heat Guns
Corded heat guns remain the most common type of heat gun people buy for good reason. Corded heat guns allow people to maintain high wattage without having to worry about battery life.
Most corded heat guns come in models that range between 1,500 and 2,000 watts and reach temperatures between 120 degrees and 1,100 degrees. These types of heat guns can be seen on construction sites and in workshops. People can work in these heat guns for extended periods of time without losing heat gun power.
This is why professionals use these types of heat guns. The trade-off of corded heat guns is the cord. The cord can get in the way of working at heights or on scaffolding.
2. Dual-temperature Heat Guns
Dual-temperature heat guns is helpful for individuals who only want to purchase a heat gun for completing occasional home projects. These models offer heat settings around 570 degrees and 1,000 degrees. These heat guns dont feature digital controls that require people to remember the temperatures.
These tools work well for common home projects. Yet, they cannot heat items to temperatures in between the two settings provided by the heat gun manufacturer. If an individual only heats items a few times per year, dual-temperature heat guns are difficult to beat in functionality.
3. Variable-temperature Heat Guns
Variable-temperature heat guns allow people to control the heat output of the product to a specific temperature that is required for the items to be completed. Most variable-temperature heat guns range from 120 degrees to 1,200 degrees. Many models also feature digital displays that will allow the user to set the heat gun to the temperature the manufacturer recommends for shrinking heat-shrink tubing without causing bubbles on the product.
The added features of these heat guns cost more and weigh more than other models. Yet, once people have used them, they will notice the benefits of the control these heat guns provide. These types of heat guns are best used on projects where even a slight increase in heat will damage the item.
4. Pistol-grip Heat Guns
Pistol-grip heat guns are manufactured with an ergonomic handle that allows people to use the heat gun for long periods of time without developing any strain in the wrist. Most pistol-grip heat guns include a stand so that the user does not have to hold the heat gun with one hand while the other hand performs some craft project. The pistol-grip heat gun is best used for craft projects.
The one downside to the pistol-grip design is that the bulk of the heat gun will make it difficult for the user to reach into tight corners in there project.
5. Barrel-grip Heat Guns
Barrel-grip heat guns, also known as inline heat guns, have a straight grip that is similar to a soldering iron. Electricians use this type of heat gun to work within electrical panels without overheating their wires.
The straight grip of these heat guns will allow them to be easily stored in a tool bag. Holding a barrel-grip heat gun for long periods of time will cause fatigue in the wrist. Yet, the control that it allows people to have over the heat gun when performing a project is unmatched.
6. Mini Heat Guns
Mini heat guns are compact tools that provide many of the same features as other heat guns but in a smaller package. Most mini heat guns will range between 600 and 900 degrees and use less than 500 watts. These mini heat guns can complete the same projects as other heat guns to heat small items or remove labels from small containers.
Craft projects that require mini heat guns to weigh very little and heat in precise spots will find mini heat guns useful. The downside of these heat guns is their runtime. They cant be used at full power for half an hour.
7. Industrial Heat Guns
Industrial heat guns range between 2,000 watts or more and reach temperatures over 1,300 degrees with strong airflow. Roofer use these heat guns to weld membranes, auto shops use them to loosen rusted bolts and restoration crews use them to dry damp drywall. The power of these heat guns makes them risky to use incorrectly.
They come with various safety features to ensure that they are used correctly. If an individual does not have projects that require such power, they will never need to purchase an industrial heat gun. Some heat guns have extra features to solve specific problems.
For example, some heat guns have built-in LED lights to illuminate dark areas inside attics. Other features include adjustable nozzles of varying sizes that suit different projects. A few heat guns have vacuum attachments to remove fumes when using heat guns on plastic materials.
These features cost more money but provide benefits to those who use the product the most. It is essential to consider the projects an individual will complete with a heat gun when purchasing one.
8. Infrared Heat Guns
Infrared heat guns work similarly to conventional heat guns but with an additional infrared heat feature.
This infrared heat penetrates many materials, allowing the heat guns to heat the items without scorching their surface. Restoration professionals use infrared heat guns to dry damp walls without creating dust. These heat guns also warm old paint on woodwork without warming other delicate wood veneers.
The additional infrared feature will cost more and add more weight to the heat gun. Yet, the benefits will be worth the cost for many people. Regardless of the type of heat gun people purchase, the most important skill to master is to keep it moving.
If people leave the heat gun stationary on an object, the object may blister, melt, or catch fire. Yet, if people keep the heat gun in steady movement over an object, it will distribute the heat well. People should start as far from the object as they can and then move in closer once they have tested the heat gun on a scrap object.
Mastering this skill will distinguish between the people who love their heat gun from those who love theirs after only one experience with it. Once people find the type of heat gun that best suits the projects they will complete, the heat gun becomes one of the most useful tools in their kit. People will find themselves reaching for the heat gun more times than they expect.
Yet, each time they use a heat gun, it will remind them how easy it can be to complete almost any project when the right amount of heat is used correctly.
