Anybody use a heatgun?

[Zargon]

drying out wood brick or stone for paint after cleaning.......

I have the 'pro'one from HF(pro and hf, I know....) and its been fantastic for about 3 years

 

[Avalon]

I use an Ungar 1095. Good for getting stickers off of crap. Probably not good for much else.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

Just found out about these things not too long ago. I know they're popularly used for stripping paint, but what kind of jobs/applications I can use it for?

I've been looking at the Milwakuee ones. Should I get the high-end multi-variable temperature control one as an investment?

edit: I have a dent on the edge of my non-unibody MBP, - next to one of the USB ports. I'm thinking about using a heatgun to re-mold it the alu-housing. Possible? Or will I just screw-up the paint job?

The cheap ones are great for having one when you need it, if you are not going to use it much then go for the cheapest one you can find.

Professional ones are cool to have lying mostly in the closet though, it makes you way cooler than having a cheap one lying mostly in the closet.

For that job, i'd use a hammer and a larger (or smaller) bolt, you won't make the alu soft with ANY heat gun, you'll need a high capacity blow torch for that and even then it will disintegrate before it goes soft enough for you to form it.

 

[stargazr]

Some of the more expensive ones have a fan-only switch position to cool the heating element when running but not in use, and also before shutting down. They are supposed to last longer.

http://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Power-P...681689&sr=1-17

 

[bobdole369]

If you recall the brand, can you share it with us? Is using a torch cheaper compared to a heatgun?

I will find it in the closet tongiht. Since I never paid for electricity while working, it is more expensive using a torch since I DO pay for butane. However I expense that butane so its a wash.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

Okay. So, a high-end model does not equate into a longer life? Are basic models all the same?

If you are going to use it once ever five years like most people who don't use them professionally or are homeowners do it really doesn't matter.

The design is so simple that it's hard to screw it up and unless you use it professionally you won't need anything more than two settings.

I bought some no name brand and i've used it to strip a LOT of paint, some heat shrink, removing old glue and heating up pipes in the winter.

It's lasted 18 years so far, i think i paid a full £10 for it.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

Some of the more expensive ones have a fan-only switch position to cool the heating element when running but not in use, and also before shutting down. They are supposed to last longer.

http://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Power-P...681689&sr=1-17

It's not a great idea to fan cool the heating element when not in use, it will do better cooling down on it's own in it's normal pace not to mention that heating it up again would mean less stress on the heating element if it was already pretty hot when you need it again.

But they will tell you anything to get you spending £100 on something that makes it a worse buy because you believe in what they say.

 

[Zargon]

It's not a great idea to fan cool the heating element when not in use, it will do better cooling down on it's own in it's normal pace not to mention that heating it up again would mean less stress on the heating element if it was already pretty hot when you need it again.

But they will tell you anything to get you spending £100 on something that makes it a worse buy because you believe in what they say.

whats the heating element made of?

your degree in MATSE is from where?

 

[Squisher]

I have a cheap one that I bought 25 years ago. I have used and abused it and it still works fine. Almost all the work you use it for you will actually be trying to lessen the heat output by pulling the gun further away from what you're working on. They're great for loosening up caulk and adhesives too.