Learning to use a glue gun with sticks; main points

There are several ways to connect various objects and materials, but the simplest and most effective method is adhesive fixation. To use a glue gun, you need to know the general operating rules. The principle of operation is simple - the device heats up a polymer rod, which becomes plastic under the influence of temperature. Using a gun, the adhesive mass is applied to the desired area. Then the gluing itself is done.

What is a glue gun and what is it for?

The second name of the tool in question is a heat gun. This name appeared because the tool has the appearance of a firearm, and glue sticks are used as cartridges. In order for this device to start gluing, it is necessary to expose the glue sticks to high temperature, which is why you need a heat gun.

A hot-melt gun is a tool for gluing different materials. With its help, you can connect not only homogeneous, but also dissimilar materials, namely:

Wood
Metal (such as a chipped piece of a designer piece)
Glass
Artificial and natural stone
Polymer materials
Fabrics
Concrete, gypsum and similar materials

Having such a tool in your household, you can quickly and easily solve any problem of restoring the integrity of parts and products. Most needlewomen use tools for making crafts, which not only simplifies the task, but also increases reliability. What does a heat gun consist of? The device consists of the following parts:

The body is shaped like a firearm - made of heat-resistant and impact-resistant plastic. Cheap analogues are made from ordinary plastic, so don’t be surprised if the tool breaks easily
Trigger - serves to supply the next portion of molten (liquid) glue. This trigger is also called a carousel trigger
Pusher - this part is located inside the tool. A trigger is connected to the pusher, thereby moving the glue rods to the heating chamber. On the back there is a hole of the appropriate diameter into which glue sticks are installed or charged
The guide coupling is the part of the mechanism that is connected to the heating chamber. The coupling serves to prevent displacement of the cylindrical rod when it is fed to the thermoelement
A thermoelement, heating element or heating chamber is one of the main devices of the tool in which the rod melts. The melting point depends on the power and ranges from 105 to 250 degrees. In addition to power, it is also necessary to take into account the heating rate of this chamber
Power cord - a cable through which the instrument is connected to an outlet
Nozzle - a nozzle or tip on a tool through which molten liquid glue flows out
The stand is a special design that allows you to place the device in the correct position while the thermocouple is heating up

Glue guns are produced in different qualities, and therefore they are classified into household and professional. Household appliances cost from 200 rubles and are often used for making crafts. Such a price for household heat guns is because they are made from low-quality components, so they do not last long. Professional devices cost 5 times more, but they will last a long time, even if they are used daily.

Many people don’t understand why a heat gun is needed until they try to seal different parts with it. Moreover, this tool is convenient to use not only at home, but also on the farm. The options for its use are as follows:

Bonding tiles or ceramic utensils
Provides reliable connection of linoleum to concrete and other surfaces
Adhesion of foam and wood materials when installed as skirting boards
Gluing fabric, paper, plastic and other materials for handicrafts
Joining fabrics and gluing buttons
Gluing Christmas toys or making them
Sealing connections
Joining glass, as well as gluing broken ceramic products

Everything that previously had to be disposed of if its integrity was damaged can now be glued together in a simple way and in just 5 minutes. Hot-melt adhesive is also called universal, which is due to its unlimited abilities.

This is interesting!
The instrument appeared relatively recently and has gained mass popularity, which is associated not only with its low cost, but also with its capabilities. Such a tool will be appreciated not only by housewives, needlewomen and craftsmen, but also by car enthusiasts when it is necessary to glue a fallen badge on the hood or repair cracks on a bumper.

What it is

Hot glue, what is it, people wonder before deciding whether to purchase it or not. The product is a chemical substance that can be converted into liquid and solid form more than once. For the transition, it is necessary to expose the composition to a hot temperature in the range of 80-150 degrees. The glue is produced in the form of a rod; for comfortable application, use a glue gun for crafts.

The demand for hot-melt adhesive is high due to the high quality of the connection obtained and its versatility of use. The product is suitable for: paper, glass, wood, leather, metal, cardboard and other materials.

The glue is produced in the form of a rod; for comfortable application, use a glue gun for crafts.

On what principle does the tool work?

The operating principle of the heat gun is extremely simple and uncomplicated. Even a child can understand how the tool works, because everything is simple here. Glue sticks are useless in their solid state, so to use them for their intended purpose, you must melt them. This can be done without a special device, but using a glue gun improves not only the convenience of the work, but also the quality of the manipulations performed.

Let's find out step by step how the heat gun works:

The glue stick is fed into the chamber
The chamber is heated by the heating element to the appropriate temperature limits
In the heated chamber, the glue stick gradually melts, and liquid glue flows out of the nozzle, which is applied to the surface

Everything is extremely simple and easy. The tool must be used exclusively with special glue sticks, which are as inexpensive as the tool itself. Manufacturers produce not only corded glue guns, but also battery-powered ones, which are not only convenient to use away from electricity, but also safe. Cordless heat guns operate from autonomous power sources, which are lithium-ion or nickel-cadmium cells.

This is interesting!
Portable glue guns are more expensive than networked ones, which is due to the use of an autonomous power source. In addition, they are additionally equipped with chargers.

Useful tips

It is advisable to seal the edges with masking tape Source ytimg.com

Smoothing and rubbing in sealant Source waysi.ru
If the question regarding how to work with a sealant gun is clear, pay attention to some nuances affecting the process of applying the composition itself. The main aspects are as follows:

When cutting off the end of a plastic tube, pay attention to the marks on its tip. They are intended to determine the width of the resulting seam (not applied to tubes from all manufacturers).
The seam on which it is planned to apply sealant must be cleaned and degreased in any possible way.
You need to apply the sealant from the corner, evenly moving the gun adapter in the desired direction.
When squeezing out the composition, try to maintain a continuous line.
Smoothing or rubbing (pressing) of the composition is allowed. To do this, wet your finger with soapy water and move it in the desired direction.
It is more convenient to remove excess composition with a spatula, after moistening it in a soap solution.
To avoid staining the area that does not require treatment, cover it with masking (paper) tape. The pasted strip must be removed after the applied composition has completely hardened.

Rubbing with a finger dipped in a soap solution Source avatars.mds.yandex.

It is most convenient to cut the adapter with a stationery knife Source Aa sdelaysam-svoimirukami.ru

How to use a glue gun correctly according to the instructions

Having an idea of what a heat gun is and what it is needed for, you need to take time to study the features of its use. After all, many people immediately after purchasing a new tool do not read the instructions, but start using it. And only after the device begins to malfunction, do they grab the instructions and try to find out what is the cause of the breakdown.

Before using the glue gun, you need to check its integrity. To do this, you do not need to disassemble it, but carry out an external visual inspection. Devices are produced by many manufacturers, so each manufacturer gives its own recommendations for use. It will not be superfluous to read the instructions, which will prevent damage to the tool or injury to a person. If you purchased a tool that you have not used before, then the instructions for using the heat gun are as follows:

Insert the glue stick into the special hole on the back of the gun. Please keep in mind that sticks come in different diameters, and you need to choose them specifically for your instrument.
Place the device on the stand
Plug in and wait 5 minutes. The waiting time depends on the power of the device, since professional models warm up in 2-3 minutes, while low-power household models warm up longer
After five minutes, you can pick up the device and, pressing the trigger, apply liquid glue to the surface

If ordinary household appliances do not have any indication, then professional ones are usually supplemented with the following elements:

Power button in the form of a toggle switch
The red indicator indicates that the device is connected to the network
Green indicator - lights up when the tool is ready for use
Temperature regulator - this device changes the power, through which the melting speed of the glue increases or decreases
Replaceable nozzles. They differ in the diameter of the conical hole. A large hole increases the consumption of glue, while a small hole, on the contrary, is used, for example, when applying glue and then gluing decorative elements, buttons, rhinestones, etc.

What type of tool is best to buy for your home depends on how often you plan to use it and for what purposes. If periodically, to restore the integrity of damaged products, then a household tool will do, but for needlewomen it is better to buy a professional-type glue gun, since it not only lasts longer, but also allows you to adjust the melting temperature of the glue, which is important when making various crafts.

This is interesting!
Using glue guns is not difficult, and regardless of whether it is household or professional, the principle of their use is the same.
Despite the ease of use of the devices, they can only be given to children under the supervision of parents, and in no case should they be left unsupervised. The video below shows how reliable connections with a glue gun are.

How to make it yourself

Sometimes you want to save money and create a rod yourself. However, finding the necessary elements is not so simple, and in the end you will hardly be able to save money. It is difficult to make a sticker of the desired diameter and shape, so it is better to use ready-made ones, of which many different types can be found on sale.

It is difficult to make a sticker of the desired diameter and shape, so it is better to use ready-made ones.

The article described a hot glue gun that can glue. Its use can be called universal, and the resulting result pleases with accuracy and strength.

About glue sticks or sticks - what they are and how to use them without guns

A glue stick is a cylindrical oblong stick, which today is sold not only in specialized stores. These sticks consist of an adhesive composition, but in order to prevent them from sticking together prematurely, they contain a hardener. This hardener loses its properties when exposed to high temperatures, which is very convenient to use. The rods have different lengths, thicknesses and even colors, which is done specifically so that everyone can choose the necessary material depending on the technological task.

First, let's figure out what colors glue sticks are and what materials they are used for:

Transparent - the most popular, allowing you to glue glass, metal, tiles, paper, etc. Their main advantage is that after use, they leave virtually no traces. Transparent sticks are popular for needlework
White - used for connecting plastic, cables, tiles, tiles and other white products
Black - used for bonding leather and carpeting
Yellow - allows you to glue wood, cardboard, paper, and other similar materials

In addition to standard colors, there are also sticks consisting of several colors or with glitter. They are usually used for drawing various figures when making crafts. If the tool is used only for gluing around the house, then ordinary transparent rods will do, but for needlework you will have to stock up on sticks of different colors.

The length of the glue sticks affects how long the tool will last. If you do handicrafts or glue linoleum, then it is recommended to choose long rods. In cases where you need to glue or grease, it is better to buy short rods. Manufacturers produce them in lengths from 40 mm to 200 mm. The shorter the rod, the more often you have to install new ones, which is inconvenient, for example, when making crafts.

When purchasing, the seller will ask a question about what diameter of the rods are needed? All household appliances have a mounting hole of 7 mm, and professional ones have 7 mm and 11 mm. There are others, for example 9 mm, 12 mm, but they are rare. Typically, the diameter of the rods that can be installed in a specific device model is indicated in the instructions. It is impossible to install a rod with a diameter of 7 mm into an 11 mm hole, since the pusher will not be able to push it forward.

This is interesting!
Manufacturers produce tools with different hole sizes for installing glue sticks. Thermal guns of 7 mm and 11 mm are popular, which must be taken into account when purchasing consumables.

Types of hot melt adhesive rods

It is difficult for novice artists to understand how to choose the right sticker. To make it easier to recognize the purpose of the rods, it was decided to mark them by color. So, knowing the designation of shades, you can understand what material the sticker is suitable for.

To make it easier to recognize the purpose of the rods, it was decided to mark them by color.

Colorless Transparent Glue Sticks

Universal stickers that work with most substrates. The seam is soft and reliable, the level of adhesion is high.

Universal stickers that work with most substrates.

Yellow transparent rods

This type is suitable for paper, cardboard, wooden bases. Can also be selected for some metals and plastics. It has an average level of adhesion and moisture absorption.

It has an average level of adhesion and moisture absorption.

Opaque white rods

This option is great for glass and metal products. Also able to cope with plastic, textile and wooden bases.

This option is great for glass and metal products.

Opaque multi-colored rods

Their characteristics are the same as colorless rods, but they can blend well against the background color of the product if you choose a similar shade. Created on the basis of EVA.

They can blend well against the background color of the product if you choose a similar shade.

Black and gray hot melt adhesive

These are specialized stickers. There are two types of their purpose: for filling and protecting the seam areas of objects from moisture; for insulating electrical contacts.

There are two types of their purpose: for filling and protecting the seam areas of objects from moisture; for insulating electrical contacts.

Decorative rods for arts and crafts

The presence of sparkles in color is in demand for creating creative crafts. The composition is safe and can therefore be used by children under adult supervision.

The presence of sparkles in color is in demand for creating creative crafts.

How to use a glue stick without a heat gun

It often happens that you urgently need to use glue, but you don’t want to turn on the heat gun. It happens that there is no electricity, the glue gun is broken, it is difficult to reach the place where the glue is glued, or the sticks were purchased without a device. It is quite possible to use them without using a specialized tool, and there are different ways to do this. Consider these methods:

The easiest option is to take a regular candle. Place the glue stick over the fire and hold it for 2-3 minutes until liquid glue begins to drip. Point it in the desired direction to ensure further gluing of parts
Construction hair dryer - they have a high temperature, so they will melt the rod quite quickly. To do this, you should place the stick on the surface and point the barrel of the hair dryer at it, and it is not at all necessary to turn on the tool at maximum power
A soldering iron or torch is another way to melt glue stick without using a gun.

There are enough ways, and if there is a need to use a glue stick without special tools, then it is not at all difficult to do.

What materials can be glued

A heat gun is a fairly versatile tool. Its advantage is the connection of parts with a hot melt. The high temperature allows for strong bonding of a wide range of materials. Good demand for powerful models is due to the fact that a glue gun can be used to glue:

cardboard, wood and carpet;
linoleum, leather, plastic and cable;
tiles, ceramics, fabric, glass, PVC plastic, metal, etc.

You can make homogeneous and heterogeneous connections. In addition, rods are used for sealing, as well as for fixing, for example, wiring in the manufacture of electrical equipment. Its color helps you choose the optimal consumable, which, however, can have a purely decorative meaning.

Info for creatives: Unconventional use of a drill - 4 interesting life hacks

How to choose the right glue gun and what influences power

In addition to cost and appearance, which must be taken into account when choosing a heat gun, it is advisable to pay attention to one more main parameter - power. The higher the indicator, the more electricity the gun consumes. This is a drawback, however, the higher this indicator, the faster the rod will melt, which means you won’t have to wait long for the heating element to warm up. Before choosing a glue gun for your home or household, you should find out what power they come with and which one is best to buy.

From 30 W to 150 W - these are cheap household guns, the warm-up time of which reaches 5 minutes. Household devices also do not have built-in regulators, so after connecting them to the network, you must wait until the heating chamber warms up
From 150 W to 500 W - usually such heat guns on the market are presented in professional versions. In addition to built-in regulators, such devices have the ability to quickly warm up. This is a separate option that works according to the following scheme - after turning on the device, its power briefly increases to the maximum value, which allows you to warm up the camera in up to 1 minute. After the chamber warms up, the power is reduced to the set or specified value

The presence of a regulator allows you not only to use the tool for connecting different materials from paper to tiles, but also eliminates the rapid melting of the rod when a break or pause is made. To do this, you need to set the regulator to the minimum mode and install the device on a special stand.

This is interesting!
The higher the power of the equipment, the higher the melting temperature, respectively. On professional models, the melting temperature reaches 300 degrees.

Melting point of hot melt adhesive

The constituent components affect the temperature at which the rod will melt. So, for household appliances, ethyl vinyl acetate types are used, which turn into a liquid state at 80-150 degrees. Polyamide will melt when heated to 150-200 degrees. Accordingly, the gun must heat up to similar temperatures.

For household appliances, ethyl vinyl acetate types are used, which turn into a liquid state at 80-150 degrees.

What you need to know when choosing heat guns for creativity

First, you need to decide for what purpose you plan to use the device - constant use or periodically from time to time. Based on this, you can decide what type of tool to choose - household or professional. Professional ones are more expensive, but at the same time they have wide functionality and great capabilities. When choosing any type of heat gun, you need to pay attention to the following factors:

Power - the more the better, but it makes no sense to buy high-power devices that you plan to use to glue paper or other similar materials
The speed of reaching operating temperature - in professional devices this time is 15-40 seconds, and in household devices up to 5 minutes. When doing needlework, it is not always necessary for the glue to melt quickly, since it takes time to arrange the decorative elements
The presence of a power regulator - the most primitive regulator looks like a switch. The need for such a regulator arises when work is carried out with dissimilar materials from paper to concrete
Availability of replacement nozzles - if they are not included with the device, you can buy them separately. The need to use different nozzles almost always arises, since a nozzle with a thick hole applies glue when gluing large surfaces, and a nozzle with a thin hole is used for working with small parts
Nozzle type - choose models with nozzles that are coated with a silicone base
Power type: mains or battery. The latter option is more effective, but has one drawback. When the battery is low, you need to take a break to charge it
Cable length - inexpensive device models have short cords, the length of which does not exceed 50 cm, which is very short. Professional models have cords from 1 to 2 meters long
The diameter of the hole for glue sticks - if this is a low-power tool, then it is better to choose it with a 7 mm hole. A low-power device will take a long time to melt a thick rod, so the power and diameter of the glue sticks must be appropriate

Knowing the main points, choosing a heat gun for your home is not difficult. Having the device at home, it will also not be difficult to master its use, especially if you read the instructions.

What are the rods made of?

The main element, which is contained in the rods up to 50%, is polyester polymer. Also included are resins and plasticizers. The following types of stickers can be distinguished by polymer type:

Ethyl vinyl acetate;
Polyamide;
Polyester;
Modified silicone;
Made from synthetic rubber;
Made from reactive polyurethane.

The main element, which is contained in the rods up to 50%, is polyester polymer.

Important points when using a heat gun - charging, heating and replacing rods

Learning to use the device is not difficult, but in the process of using it, additional questions almost always arise, such as when to insert a new stick, how to understand that the device is ready for use, or how to hold it correctly during a break. These questions need to be sorted out so that during the work process you don’t have to look for answers in the instructions or in search engines all over the Internet. When using a glue gun, the following important factors must be taken into account:

Some models of guns do not have a switch, so immediately after plugging the plug into the socket, they begin to work
Plug the plug into the socket or switch the toggle switch to operating mode only after the device has been charged with a glue stick. If you turn on the device without a glue stick, the heating element will overheat and fail. The exception is professional pistols, which have a built-in overheat protection option.
If the device does not have a light indication, then you can understand that it is ready for use by touching the plastic case near the barrel
You can monitor the consumption of glue sticks using a special window, which is available on all models of the devices in question.
The amount of liquid glue to be squeezed out depends on the degree to which the trigger is pressed.
After applying the glue to the surface, its hardening time is 2-3 minutes. During this time, you can adjust the position of the parts to be glued as necessary
When taking breaks, the gun should be placed on a stand. All models have a stand that differs in design. The nozzle is directed downwards
During a break, it is necessary to place a substrate on the nozzle of the gun on which the glue will drip
During a break, it is also necessary to reduce the power to the minimum value
When gluing, it is recommended to preheat metal parts with a hairdryer
When the glue stick is no longer pushed by the trigger, you need to insert the next one, which will push the previous one
When the work comes to an end, you should unplug the device from the network, and then squeeze out the glue until it still melts. As soon as the glue stops leaking, the gun can be placed on the stand. There is no need to remove the wand from the gun
If during operation it is necessary to replace the rod (by color), then you should remove the installed one and install another one in its place

All these recommendations will help eliminate the occurrence of errors during the operation of the device in question. Only after the user learns how to use the gun can it be used to perform any type of work. It is recommended to practice beforehand.

Functional and design features

Before you understand what can be made from a glue gun, you need to understand its features. The device is called a pistol because of its external resemblance to a weapon. A special hole has been created for the glue stick, where it is inserted and when the device is turned on, it begins to heat the mass, after which it can be applied by pressing the trigger. The design includes the following parts:

Heating model;
Ring pusher;
coupling;
Nozzle.

The device is called a pistol because of its external resemblance to a weapon.

Safety precautions when operating the device

It is necessary to observe safety precautions when working not only with electric, but also with hand tools. Here are a few rules that must be followed when working with a heat gun:

The instructions indicate the time of continuous operation. You especially need to know this time for household pistols so that they do not fail prematurely. Professionals are capable of working for hours, but they also have their limits.
Heating a gun without a rod is contraindicated, especially if it is a household tool that does not have built-in protection.
Always keep the network cable behind you
When working with a gun, avoid touching the nozzle, since it is the nozzle that gets very hot, since the heated glue comes into direct contact
Do not operate power tools in a damp area as there is a high risk of electric shock.
Do not pour third-party liquids inside the gun, otherwise it will break and may harm a person.
If you need to change the nozzle, you can do this after the device has cooled down.

Following safety precautions when working with a heat gun will protect you from serious injury.

How to change the rod in a gun after it has cooled down

When work is completed with a glue gun, it is not necessary to remove the rod from it. The next time you need to use the device, you need to connect it to the network, and wait until it warms up, continue working. But what about the situation when the next time you need to insert a new rod of a different color? Removing the old one without preheating is strictly contraindicated, since the melted glue has frozen in the chamber, and attempts to remove it will lead to breakdown of the mechanism.

To change the glue stick, you will need to first turn on the device and, after waiting for the installed stick to warm up, you can remove it and install another one. It is not difficult to find out that you can remove an installed glue stick, since to do this you need to pull it towards you with a slight force.

This is interesting!
In order not to buy long rods, you can glue 3-4 sticks together and use the resulting structure as an elongated adhesive base.

Problems and their solutions

Over time, some parts wear out. Most often this is the plastic from which the trigger, the advance mechanism and the o-rings in the feed coupling are made. Being in close proximity to the heating chamber, over time they lose elasticity, crack, and crumble. You can replace them yourself by cutting new seals from silicone or heat-resistant rubber. Then the glue under the pressure of the rod will again come out through the nozzles, and not through the resulting gaps or cracks into the gun body.

The nozzles need to be cleaned regularly. If the glue cannot be removed in a cold state, then the device is heated and excess polymer is removed using rags, thick paper, or cardboard. The device is inexpensive, so repairing it with replacement parts is unprofitable. The most vulnerable parts of the device are the trigger and the rod feed mechanism. During operation, the hot glue in the gun is quite mobile, so you should not press too hard on the trigger. You can damage it, or create excessive pressure in the heating chamber, which will lead to accelerated wear of the seals.

Which model of a good heat gun to choose

Today, many manufacturers are engaged in the production of the instruments in question. Some manufacturers are improving devices, expanding their functionality, while others are making devices much simpler, which affects their cost. It is almost impossible to list all the names of manufacturers of glue guns, so the material contains several models of professional-type guns that are really worth paying attention to when choosing.

The Dremel 930 is a powerful tool with a warm-up temperature of 195 degrees. This device is designed to work with rods with a diameter of 12 mm. This model is designed for use not only indoors, but also outdoors. Estimated cost 3000 rubles
Bosch PKP18E - designed for high loads, and designed to work with rods with a diameter of 12 mm. The price of this model is 3500 rubles
Zubr - Russian pistols, not inferior in quality to European ones. At the same time, their cost is 2 times less.

Knowing the main selection criteria, buying a new glue gun will not be difficult. With such a tool you will forever forget about all types of adhesives such as Moment, Elephant, Strength, etc.

Details about practical material

When preparing everything you need to create a craft using a glue gun, it is important to know that to realize your plan, you can use a lot of uneven surfaces, these include:

Wood.
Glass.
Leather pieces.
Paper of different densities.
Rubber blanks.
Ceramics.
Any types of fabrics.
Plastic and foam.

You can verify the ease of use of the device from your own experience; using your imagination, you can collect exclusive things.

You can decorate your interior with such products, give them to a relative or parent for a holiday, and significantly diversify the game with friends.