Anybody use a heatgun?

[intogamer]

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?

 

[intogamer]

You can use a heatgun for a heat-job. (that's what she said)

 

[Numenorean]

If you aren't even sure what you're going to use it for, why a Milwaukee?

Get a harbor freight one.

It's useful if you do wiring and use heat-shrink a lot.

 

[unxpurg8d]

If you have to ask what you'd use it for you probably can get by without the high-end version... just a guess.

 

[intogamer]

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 (strip/dry-out) the paint job?

If you aren't even sure what you're going to use it for, why a Milwaukee?

Get a harbor freight one.

It's useful if you do wiring and use heat-shrink a lot.

Milwakuee seems like a quality brand? No?

 

[PottedMeat]

you're going to fuck up the paint and not fix the aluminum at the same time

 

[Numenorean]

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 (strip/dry-out) the paint job?



Milwakuee seems like a quality brand? No?

You can use a heat gun to reshape plastics somewhat. It can affect the paint.

And yes Milwaukee is a good brand, but why spend that much money when you don't need to?

 

[gorcorps]

You will melt platic on your computer before the aluminum gets hot enough to form, and even then you'll most likely just make things much worse.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Only for self defense...

 

[ahenkel]

i use mine for shrinky dinks

 

[olds]

If you aren't even sure what you're going to use it for, why a Milwaukee?

Get a harbor freight one.

It's useful if you do wiring and use heat-shrink a lot.

Basically all I use one for. And by "one" I mean my wife's old hair dryer.

 

[intogamer]

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

 

[Paladin3]

Most recently I use one for heating up a broken rubberized water hose so it would slide off the pvc pipe it was connect to easier, and to heating up a cold concrete outdoor counter before applying some adhesive signs.

The suckers really do have 1001 uses, but just buy a cheap one.

 

[Numenorean]

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

It could. But I've been using a cheapo harbor freight brand for quite a while now with no issues.

There really isn't much to a heat gun. Heat element and a fan - that's it.

If I was buying drills, saws, etc. then sure I'd go for a Milwaukee but for something like this there's no need.

If you don't care and just want a new toy, then get the highest end heat gun possible and revel in its awesomeness and the fact that you won't use it nearly enough to justify the cost.

 

[drum]

I think I got a Wagner from Home Depot for 20 bucks.

 

[Dirigible]

I have used mine for removing paint, heat shrink, remolding plastic, heating up metal parts to help get press-fit bearings out, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some. It's handy to have around.

 

[Daedalus685]

At work the buggers are particularly useful for getting lenses out of tooling after I coat them and the odd one becomes stuck after it cools.

Most labs have one lying around for heat-shrink, the obvious intention of them.

Actually handy in other experiments I've had to set up to defrost various things.


For around the house use a hair dryer is pretty useful though.

 

[CZroe]

I use them for cleanly removing warranty/tamper seals, removing stickers and decals, shrinking heatshrink tubing around wire splices, reflowing solder, breaking down permanent threadlock, etc. Never used one for stripping paint.

 

[TheSlamma]

I've used mine for peeling up old linoleum tiles in my kitchen, it's good for heat shrink when you solder or crimp electrical wiring too. That's about all I use mine for.

I did try it on paint once and it just ended up bubbling the paint.. was a waste of time so I skim coated it instead.

 

[intogamer]

I haven't really come across the need to use power-tools, so I'm uninformed about the what's the best bang for my buck. I understand that "heat is heat", but if a more expensive gun isn't going to crap-out on me, then I'm all for paying the the initial investment. However, it seems that the case isn't true for heat-guns. heat is heat.

More importantly, I've been pretty much smacked by buddy and AT that my idea isn't going to work, so I guess I have to defer the purchase until I need one.

edit: How much temperature/time do I use for different applications?

 

[bobdole369]

The intended purpose of mine, is to shrink heat-shrink while wiring cabinets and sensor banks. It sat in my toolbag ever since a nice guy showed me that a torch is much more effective, faster, smaller, and needs no electricity.

TBH I originally had teh cheapest possible one, which failed within a couple weeks. Then I got a decent one with a name brand which did not fail. I couldn't tell you what name, or if it even still works though (I use strictly torch now and am no longer noob).

 

[uclaLabrat]

They're awesome. Used a wagner in grad school, lasted no prob through all kinds of lab abuse. Used mostly for developing TLC plates and doing small to reasonably large scale (50 g) recrystallizations.

 

[hanoverphist]

I have used mine for removing paint, heat shrink, remolding plastic, heating up metal parts to help get press-fit bearings out, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some. It's handy to have around.

heres some more! molding tint, quick bends on pvc conduit, heating up adhesive for tackiness, lighting smokes... theres a ton of uses for them.

 

[intogamer]

The intended purpose of mine, is to shrink heat-shrink while wiring cabinets and sensor banks. It sat in my toolbag ever since a nice guy showed me that a torch is much more effective, faster, smaller, and needs no electricity.

TBH I originally had teh cheapest possible one, which failed within a couple weeks. Then I got a decent one with a name brand which did not fail. I couldn't tell you what name, or if it even still works though (I use strictly torch now and am no longer noob).

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

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I use one for re-shafting golf clubs.