A glue gun is a thermal soldering tool of simple design, which is used to reliably connect a wide variety of materials to each other.
The hot-melt gun has gained wide popularity due to the high bonding properties of hot glue with a special composition that hardens quickly and does not have an unpleasant odor.
Among the many types of heat guns, as they are also called, you can choose a model to perform work of any complexity.
For example, in furniture production or on a construction site, tools with different technical characteristics will be required.
Areas of application: is there really a need for a glue gun?
The hot-melt gun provides excellent ability to quickly and firmly glue together the parts of a future masterpiece. All this happens thanks to molten polymers, which, without heat, very quickly harden, gluing the elements together.
Polymer glue will hold wood, plastic, glass, leather, ceramics, paper, fabric, and metal together. You should not use a heat gun when working with materials such as concrete and plaster, as well as polyethylene.
There are many brands of such products. PHOTO: rem-stroitelstvo.ru
If the work technology was strictly followed, then the parts are very firmly attached to each other, and only strong heating can damage such a seam.
A hot gun is most often used in technical fields, but it is also a very suitable tool for handicrafts. For example, it is an indispensable assistant in scrapbooking. You can also use hot glue for decoration; it is an excellent textured material for finishing surfaces; it can even be used to create beads for decoration. The unit is also useful in floristry, where it will not be a problem to glue some voluminous detail in the shortest possible time.
Application area
To solve certain problems, rods are produced in both a wide range of shades and transparent ones. This is very convenient for those who love handicrafts. Having selected the desired color, the product will look solid, no traces of glue will be visible. Models of filled rods have appeared.
For example, glitter and mother-of-pearl are added to the mass. The glue itself becomes a decorative element of the product, part of the composition. Thermal gun can be used in construction and repair. However, it is worth remembering that setting time is limited. After application, it is advisable to fix the part in place in the first few seconds.
There are also some restrictions. For example, where heavy loads are expected, it is not recommended to use a hot-melt adhesive connection; it is not designed for this.
You can glue decorative elements to shoes, but the soles will not last long. Do not use a gun to secure power structures during construction and repairs. It is not recommended to apply glue to plasters and putties without first treating them with primers and paints.
Sealing and insulation of seams
During operation, cracks and gaps appear in various structures. They appear in window and door systems, openings, and shafts. Often such a defect occurs in finishing materials. In addition to the untidy appearance, there are also undesirable consequences in the form of drafts and further destruction of the structure.
If there are no building mixtures or sealants at home, but you have a glue gun, then you can quickly solve this problem. With its help, you can easily make the desired connection and seal the seams. It is recommended to purchase special black or gray rods for this work. But first you need to clarify whether the gun is capable of maintaining the required temperature.
Video: Glue gun - why and how
The edges of the crack are cleaned of debris, foreign substances, and degreased. Then, after heating the gun for the required time according to the instructions, fill the seam. The result is reliable, durable insulation.
After cooling, you can cut off excess glue with a knife. The connection is not afraid of moisture, is not subject to corrosion, and will not emit substances harmful to health, so it can be used both in utility rooms, and in kitchens and children's rooms.
Tile
What to do when a tile falls off at home? You can get to the nearest hardware store and buy the required mixture. But it is usually sold in large packages and most of it will probably simply disappear. Repairs can be made with a glue gun.
Before starting work, you need to remove all remaining mixture from the tiles and the seat. It is advisable to do this even with a small margin, so that the tiles fall through with a small gap, no more than 1 mm.
Before applying the glue, it is recommended to warm the part with a hairdryer, and after installing it in place, hold it in the desired position for 2-5 minutes
Furniture
The interior will lose greatly if any element is broken or missing altogether. Front parts of furniture often fail during use. Decorative decorations and overlays can be restored with hot glue. There is no need to fix the glass with a gun.
The operating temperature of the glue is from 105 °C to 200 °C. These are critical values for glass; it may crack or break. A wooden surface easily tolerates this temperature.
Excess glue can be easily removed from it later. It is not recommended to glue load-bearing structures and functional mechanisms of furniture. The loads are too great and the glue cannot withstand them.
The design and principle of operation of glue guns for handicrafts: how it works
The tool with heating technology turned out to be very convenient. The principle of operation can be briefly described as follows: the product heats up, heat is transferred to the solid rod, it melts inside the gun and flows out in the form of hot glue when the lever button is pressed.
Externally, the tool is similar to a personal firearm “weapon”. It doesn’t matter whether it’s professional or for handicrafts PHOTO: dekoriko.ru
You need to charge the tool with hard glue sticks through a rubber receiver PHOTO: dremeleurope.com
The rod fills the device and one end ends up in the heating chamber, where it melts safely.
To start working, you need to preheat the product for 3-4 minutes, after which you can pull the trigger. The device will push the rod into the melting chamber, and drops of adhesive will appear from the nozzle.
Heating occurs in the barrel of the unit thanks to a heating element or several heaters. The feed mechanism with a ring pusher also takes part in the work. This part of the product is the most fragile; most breakdowns occur on the pusher. Therefore, it is important to wait until the tool is ready for use and not to press the trigger with force.
Over time, the coupling, which is responsible for preventing the melted glue from getting back into the gun, may become damaged. Therefore, you should not rotate the loaded “cartridge” or pull it back. It's easier and better to just cut the rod and squeeze the rest through the nozzle.
What you need to know about glue guns?
When there is a separate power switch on the tool body, it is much more convenient.
Most often it is located at the bottom of the handle, which allows it to be turned off with one hand.
Such a switch will allow you to stop the supply of electricity during breaks in work without having to remove the power plug from the socket.
In addition, such a switch will greatly help if the glue gun does not have an automatic temperature control, but has excess power.
How to choose the right glue gun for crafts
If you need brief information on selection issues, then you need to focus on the length of the cord, the manufacturer, the presence of an on (off) button, and power. But in reality, it is better to study all the performance characteristics and know what you are dealing with.
Power
How much energy a heat gun consumes will be determined by its power. The higher number of watts will tell you how quickly the “cartridge” will melt. However, speed is not the main thing - you need to look at the volume of the melting tank.
With normal capacity, glue will flow in sufficient quantities at normal speed. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about whether the device is powerful or not. PHOTO: leonardohobby.ru
The device class marked “pro” consumes more than 300 W, but for handicraft use 30-150 W is sufficient.
If the power is not enough for work, then there will be short pauses between doses of glue.
Advice! It is better to consider not the power, but the performance parameter.
There are models with power control and standby mode.
Power type and performance
The product always has an accompanying passport, in which you can find out information about the performance of the selected model. This will be indicated by the mass of molten liquid flowing out of the nozzle for a specified unit of time. This is usually from 5 to 30 g per minute. For handicrafts, the point gluing method is more often used, so it is not at all necessary to buy a professional hot-melt gun.
You need to find “your” device with convenient performance PHOTO: uvaleronchika.ru
As for the type of power supply, there are units with a stationary and detachable cord, which allows you to work without electricity for up to 15 minutes.
Professional models with a lithium-ion battery work up to 45 minutes in autonomous mode, then require recharging for 1.5-2 hours.
According to the method of supplying glue to the working part
To supply glue, the device has a special convenient trigger, and in more advanced models it also rotates, adjusting the release of glue.
Convenient and easy PHOTO: stroy-podskazka.ru
If a trigger is not provided, then the rod is fed manually, but you won’t see such models anymore.
Features and Features
In addition to the above characteristics, there are also additional functions that increase the possibilities during work.
Temperature adjustment and fast heating
Typically, guns for creative work operate within the range of 170-200ºC, although any rod begins to flow already at 105-110ºC. High temperatures greatly accelerate the melting rate, allowing continuous operation.
Characteristics depend on the purpose for which the product is purchased PHOTO: bouw.ru
If work is done infrequently, it makes sense to purchase a model whose operating temperature will be 170ºC.
If the model is advanced, then it may have temperature adjustment.
Ready indicator and backlight
The small light on the side is called the ready status indicator. Using the LED, it will be easy to find out whether the device has heated up to the desired temperature, or whether it is worth waiting for now.
Sometimes models are equipped with an on/off button, which allows you to pause while working PHOTO: workopt.ru
If the product has a built-in flashlight, the creative process will be much more comfortable, since all hard-to-reach places will be illuminated.
What is needed for the heat gun to work?
Without a glue stick, work is basically impossible, but they, like replacement nozzles, are purchased separately. But the stand is a built-in feature.
What do they glue with?
Spare stickers for the gun come in diameters of 7 and 11 mm, in different colors and operating temperatures.
To avoid problems, they use either original rods or search for a suitable brand by trial and error PHOTO: prom.ua
The length of the rods can be in the range of 4-20 cm, and the long option is preferable because it is changed less often.
Interesting color version PHOTO: tiu.ru
Colored stickers are used to disguise the adhesive seam, and if we talk about professional direction, then each color has its own highly specialized purpose. When it comes to creativity, hot clear glue is easily colored with wax crayons and glitter.
Replaceable nozzles
Not all models have nozzle attachments. Budget products come standard with a basic nozzle, but more expensive ones have special nozzles, the long ones of which will help bring a drop of glue to hard-to-reach places, and nozzles with flat holes will allow you to apply the glue in wide strokes.
There are nozzles with “leakage protection”; they contain a ball that prevents the ready-made glue from leaking during downtime. But this is not an ideal solution; the product will still leak.
Stand
At the front of the body there is a folding leg that allows you to hold the heat gun with its muzzle down. Laying a working product on its side is not the best idea!
There are devices with a special plastic stand: it is convenient to place the model on it in any condition.
It’s not so convenient to work without a stand PHOTO: tiu.ru
Types of glue guns and their prices
Thermal guns are divided into types, depending on their design, functions and other indicators.
So, according to the method of heating the glue, the tool can be divided into:
Gas
Used primarily in field conditions due to its mobility.
The source of energy for heating here is butane gas, one charge of which is enough for an hour to an hour and a half of work.
The gas heater is started by pressing a key (button, lever), which is simultaneously responsible for the piezoelectric ignition and the gas valve.
This tool is refilled from lighter cans.
The cost of gas glue guns is 3 – 4 thousand rubles.
Electric
The design contains a heating element powered by electric current.
The source of the latter can be a household network or a battery.
Network heat gun
The tool is “tied” by a wire to an outlet, and therefore working away from electricity is out of the question.
On the other hand, it does not require recharging and can be used without prior preparation, you just need to wait until it heats up to a certain temperature.
Its cost starts at 250 rubles. and on average is about 1000 - 1500 rubles.
Chinese glue guns of the simplest models can be found at prices below 100 rubles; the reliability and durability of such options raises many doubts.
NOTE:
Among Chinese instruments, you can also find quite noteworthy options at an affordable price.
Rechargeable
Cordless glue guns are more portable, however, they require a fully charged battery.
The operating time without recharging of battery models is about 40 – 60 minutes.
However, the autonomy of such a pistol is only temporary, since the battery must be periodically charged, which again requires an electrical outlet.
The price is approximately 3 - 4 thousand rubles.
According to the method of applying glue, the tool can be divided into:
- Automatic - option with connection to a pneumatic line or electromagnetic system. In both cases, the glue is supplied to the heating element by pressing the start button.
- Semi-automatic - like the next method, provides mechanical feed. Here the rod is pushed towards the heater by a trigger, which can be rotary or fixed. The trigger is connected to a slider that moves along the barrel of the gun, pushing the glue.
- Manual - no trigger at all. Feeding is carried out by pressing the hand on the end of the glue stick.
Pneumatic
A hot glue gun with pneumatic feeding of glue cartridges is a professional tool, when working with which you can fully concentrate on the operation, since there is no need to load your hand to feed the glue stick.
Such models are designed to perform large volumes of work; they often have a power of over 300 W and are connected to a compressor capable of delivering a working pressure of 3–7 bar.
This pneumatic heat gun weighs more than 1 kg and requires simultaneous connection to the electrical network and a pneumatic line.
These are industrial models that are used for finishing and construction work.
High-power 600 W options are used in various furniture factories and factories for the production of windows and doors.
Professional
The more powerful tool is distinguished by the fact that it is capable of heating adhesive stickers within a few seconds, and is equipped with various auxiliary functionality that allows not only to increase labor efficiency, but also to maintain full control over the heating temperature.
Professional heat guns can be loaded with glue sticks, granules, pads and cylinders.
Household glue gun
It has a power that does not exceed 60 W.
To melt a drop of glue, such a tool can take up to 4 minutes of time; this primarily includes mini models with 20 - 25 W ratings.
According to heating temperature, the tool is divided into:
- Low temperature - most often the operating temperature is 110 degrees, sometimes a little higher. Used primarily for working with heat-sensitive materials.
- High temperature – the heating temperature is usually at least 195 degrees.
Glue pen
A separate type of glue gun that should also be mentioned is a glue pen.
This option is great for delicate work, in particular for needlework, their price is approximately 1,200 rubles per piece.
This is a cordless, battery- or AA-powered tool that can use up to 60 glue sticks on a single charge.
Actually, the name itself speaks about the shape of this device, the dimensions of which are comparable to a marker.
Leading manufacturers and their models
Among the manufacturers that specialize in creating pistols for handicrafts are Xinchang Kaixing (China), UHU (Germany), Dremel (USA, Netherlands).
Let's take a closer look at their products.
Hobby and Pro DS-040
Craftswomen all over the world have long praised the Hobby and Pro DS-040, which glues together anything and everything in handicrafts. The oversized rods are suitable for covering large surfaces and the application is very precise. Among the advantages of the product are an acceptable price, the presence of a stand, protection against leakage, and a long service life.
Hobby and Pro DS-040 PHOTO: 1sew.ru
However, during operation, the body of the product heats up quite a bit. You can buy the product for 400 rubles.
UHU Creative 47360
German quality allows you to work perfectly at a relatively low temperature of 110ºС. The work is done safely, the gun itself is compact and lightweight. They are great for gluing any materials, even foam plastic or balloons, and quickly and firmly.
Lightweight and compact heat gun UHU Creativ 47360 PHOTO: market.yandex.ru
The product is sold for 1400 rubles.
Dremel Glue Gun 930
A high quality glue gun that is mains powered and does its job properly with 7mm diameter sticks. The manufacturer states that the glue is released in an amount of 5 g in 1 minute, and the heating time is indicated as 300 s. This is a device with a heating range of 105-165ºС.
The kit already contains 18 rods 100 mm long PHOTO: market.yandex.ru
They buy this product for 1320 rubles.
Professional and household hot glue guns
The first thing potential buyers pay attention to is the price. Why is there such a significant difference with the same design? The answer is simple - professional equipment is designed for uninterrupted operation, so during production a power reserve is built in.
The trigger and rod feed mechanism are made of more durable, wear-resistant material. For more precise adjustment to the special rods used, a temperature regulator can be built into a professional glue gun. What can be glued and what is the difference compared to a household analogue? Basically none. The list of materials is the same.
Household models typically range from 40W to 150W. This is quite enough for home use, making crafts, and practicing your favorite hobby. Industrial designs can have a power of up to 500 W.
This is needed to quickly melt the glue, when it is important to constantly maintain high consumption, for example, when assembling boxes or fixing tags on packaging. For a home user, such performance is not needed.
How to use a hot glue gun correctly
First, insert the rod, and then connect the device to power. Approximately you need to wait about 5 minutes: the heating time is affected by the brand of the model, the diameter of the rod, and power. All this can be learned from the instructions included in the kit.
As soon as the first drop appears, you can try to quietly press the trigger - the glue that appears on the cut of the nozzle notifies you that the device is ready for use.
Advice! Everything that needs to be glued should already be at hand, since the operating time of the unit is about 20 minutes. If the power is weak, then the work needs to be done faster.
Consumer Reviews
Reviews of craftsmen who are already working with certain models of heat guns can help with your choice.
Review of the Master Hand pistol:
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_2911179.html
Another review about the Master Hand pistol:
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_8238500.html
Review of the Dremel Glue Gun 910:
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_3306370.html
Another review of the Dremel Glue Gun 910:
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_6039634.html
Dremel Glue Gun 910
Review of the Hobby Pro DS 040 pistol:
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/reviews/kleevoy_pistolet_hobby_pro_ds-040/
A good tool is always the key to quality work!
