As the name may suggest, a heat gun is no revolutionary weapon. It is simply a gun-like machine that produces heat. A self-respecting handyman’s best-kept secret is a heat gun. From automobile repair shops to homes to large-scale industries, heat guns have a range of applications but they are often overlooked. A heat gun is a power tool, an invaluable, affordable part of your tool kit.
There is a variety of heat guns with different innumerable features each suitable for different utilizations. Let’s discuss the different features and mechanisms of heat guns so that you can buy the best heat gun for yourself!
How does a heat gun work?
A heat gun functions very similarly to a hairdryer. The only difference is, you guessed it, the temperature! Heat guns produce temperatures way higher than a hairdryer by sucking in air through a fan and passing it through a heating coil.
Where can heat guns be used?
A heat gun is the jack of all trades in a toolbox when it comes to home improvement projects or heavy-duty industrial work. Following are some of the uses of a heat gun:
1. Thawing pipes, gutter systems, car doors, and deep freezers.
2. Drying paint or removing paint.
3. Drying damp wood or giving wooden furniture an antique vibe.
4. Molding.
5. Bend PVC and metal pipes.
6. Removing old flooring and wallpapers.
7. Shrink tubing and shrink wrap.
8. Window tinting.
9. Repairing leather and vinyl.
10. Get rid of bumper dents.
What are the different types of heat guns?
Electric heat gun
Electric heat guns are the most sought-after in the market due to the variety and convenience they offer. Electric heat guns come with various features for example cordless or with a cord, with or without temperature variation, and different fan types.
Electric heat guns have a multitude of applications and these are mostly the cheapest option with a similar configuration of heat guns of other types.
Gas heat gun
It is safe to say that gas heat guns have lost their appeal and only a small percentage of contractors use them now if there is no electrical power source available where they are working. And rightly so. A gas heat gun uses propane or butane to operate so an added burden of buying and refilling a gas canister is on the owner. Additionally, these heat guns are relatively costlier.
Infra-red heat gun
New to the market and steadily growing in popularity, infra-red heat guns give off infra-red heat instead of hot air. They are cheaper, safer to use and can go up to 600 degrees celsius.
Industrial heat gun
A robust construction, higher airpower and higher temperature allows industrial heat guns to be the power tools for industries like automotive, engineering, and construction.
Temperature settings
Conventionally, heat guns do not come with temperature settings. Most heat guns heat up to their maximum temperature and the only way to achieve variable heat is to manually move the gun towards or away from the object.
However, heat guns with advanced temperature settings are available in the market. Temperature settings are essential as they determine the timescale of your work (how much time it takes to heat the gun up), the quality of your work for example, a heat gun directly heating up to 12000 degrees Fahrenheit might char the walls if you are removing paint, and the user’s safety.
If you are a novice and do not know exactly what you want, opt for a heat gun with variable temperature settings. There are heat guns that come with a dial ranging from low, medium and high temperatures. Even more sophisticated guns have an electrical display allowing the user to insert exact temperatures.
Airflow
Airflow is directly related to the fan speed. Professional heat guns on the expensive side offer three fan speeds for varying airflows. The changing airflow will determine the surface area being impacted by the heat gun. A stronger fan will resist change in temperature as the heat gun is moved towards or away from the object to vary the surface area.
Airflow features like that of automatic shut down are imperative in case the heat gun overheats to prevent damage to the heat gun itself, you or the project.
Accessories
Nozzles
Nozzles are detachable accessories of different shapes to concentrate hot air. Ideally, you want a heat gun that comes with multiple nozzle options so you can take on various DIY projects.
The most common nozzles that come with a heat gun are:
1. Reducer nozzle
Best for soldering and bending of pipes.
2. Reflector nozzle
It wraps itself around pipes and is, therefore, best used to bend plastic
and copper pipes as well as apply heat shrink tubing.
3. Surface nozzle
It has a wide, narrow opening great for removing floors.
4. Glass protection nozzle
It protects the glass from direct heat so it can be used for taking paint
off glass windows.
Additional accessories include a dead man’s switch. A thermal cut-out to cut off power in case of overheating, a scraper, a hook to store the heat gun, and a stand.
Safety precautions
Heat guns are relatively safe as fire is not involved. However, to avoid any unfortunate incident, precautions must be taken. Buy a heat gun with a cool down feature and thermo-cut in case of overheating. Make sure you are not blocking the airflow as this can overheat the heat gun and lead to a fire. Wear heat-resistant gloves, which are readily available at any hardware store, and a long-sleeved shirt. Do not, at any point, direct the heat gun to your body. A heat gun should also never be directed at a flame or flammable object.
If you are using a heat gun with a cord, do not trip over it.
When stripping off lead-based paint, install an air-purifying respirator, HEPA filters, and an organic vapor cartridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is power in a heat gun?
A: The power of a heat gun can range from 1500W to 2300W. The power determines the highest temperature a heat gun can go up to.
Q: What is the maximum temperature a heat gun can reach?
A: The highest temperature is achieved by an industrial heat gun which is typically 1000 degrees celsius.
Q: Is there a storage process for the heat gun?
A: Nothing too complex is required to store a heat gun. Make sure to cool it down for at least 15 minutes before storing it in a box or hanging it by a hook.