Hot Glue Gun: How To Choose A Gun For Handicrafts And Household Needs, Which Rods Are Better, What To Do If Broken

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

Hot glue gun for needlework: which one is better to choose

The popularity of the glue gun among professionals and DIYers is only growing. Indeed, with a simple device in five minutes without noise and dirt, you can firmly glue a variety of parts or insulate the wire at the junction. When such an assistant is bought, of course, they expect to get a return on it. In practice, they notice with satisfaction: the resources of the tool exceed expectations. And the longer they use the thermo gun, the more they become convinced of this. Provided that a good device for needlework and household is not chosen.

Content

• 1 How the hot glue gun works

• 2 How to choose: criteria

  • 2.1 Tool class
  • 2.2 Power
  • 2.3 Power type
  • 2.4 Bar diameter
  • 2.5 Number of temperature modes
  • 2.6 Nozzle
  • 2.7 On / off switch
  • 2.8 Design features
  • 2.9 Reviews
• 3 What is the difference between glue sticks for hot air guns
• 4 Table: Relationship between color of glue sticks and working material
• 5 How to expand the capabilities of the device for handicrafts and household
• 6 Common breakdowns
• 7 Video: how to repair a hot glue gun
• 8 How to care
• 9 Video: how to clean the device
• 10 The use of a glue gun in everyday life: examples in the photo

The principle of operation of a hot glue gun

There are many glue guns on the counter. The question revolves in my head: how to decide? Similar, at first glance, models differ noticeably in price. I want it to be of high quality and not to overpay.

Regardless of the brand name, all of them fulfill the main mission: in the shortest possible time, they reliably connect the parts with hot glue. It happens like this.

• The device contains a melting chamber. A rubber ring separates it from direct contact with the plastic body.
• On the back side of the body there is a hole for installation, through which a special glue stick is fed to the heat chamber.

• When the device is connected to a 220 W network, the chamber heats up, the rod begins to melt under the influence of high temperature.

  

  The glue stick melts in the heat chamber and flows out through the nozzle

• When the trigger is pulled, hot sticky glue is emitted through the nozzle. Delivery does not stop while the trigger is pressed. Do this slowly, with even effort.
• The adhesive is applied to the bonding site on one side and the other is immediately applied to it. Immediately press firmly for 2-3 seconds, during this time adjustment is still possible. Final hardening occurs within 3-5 minutes.

If the gun has a temperature control function, a thermocouple is placed below the melting chamber. The sensor reads the temperature and transmits it to the control board, which is located in the handle. As soon as the set degrees are reached, the heat chamber is automatically turned off. Thus, the working temperature is kept constant, and the gluing process is as efficient as possible.

Hot melt glue gun for fast bonding of materials with hot glue

How to choose: criteria

A glue gun is not only glued. It is also used when it is necessary to fill the joints between cracks or tiles, to ensure tightness to various elements. When choosing, many characteristics and details are taken into account.

Tool class

The glue gun is no exception when they talk about the division into household and professional. For home use, household is enough for the eyes. It is cheaper, but the plastic case requires careful handling. At home, someone alone is often engaged with him, and it is not difficult to ensure accurate handling of the instrument. The time of continuous operation should not exceed 30 minutes, after which the thermo-gun must be turned off before it cools down.

For home use, a household grade hot melt gun is enough

For those who make money with it, use it regularly and for a long time, a professional version is needed. Structurally, these models are designed for long-term continuous use and rough handling. They are more expensive, but the speed of work is significantly increased, so a profitable purchase quickly pays for itself.

Professional hot glue gun withstands long-term continuous use

As a rule, such glue guns are provided with full functionality:

• electronic system for constant maintenance of working condition;
• automatic shutdown to protect against overheating if the device is not used for more than 5 minutes;
• automatic dosing system for economical consumption of glue;
• blocking drops.

Power

It depends on the power what temperature the device will withstand and how many grams of glue it will give out per minute of operation. The thermal gun is used by people of various professions. It is needed by furniture makers and carpenters, florists and repairmen. Needlewomen without him, as without hands. With the advent of the glue gun, it has become very easy and at the same time reliable to glue almost anything except cement, plaster surfaces and polished metal.

Power determines how much work can actually be done. It fluctuates in a wide range from 10 W to 500 W and determines the glue output speed of 5–35 g / min. The 10-60 W models are very compact, fit in the palm of your hand, weigh no more than 150 grams and require rods with an average diameter of 7 mm. They are preferred by needlewomen and craftsmen who deal with very small details. When performing precise bonding, it is important that the gun has a fine tip. The glue is applied pointwise, so a large yield is not needed and amounts to 5-15 g / min. Small models always have the right spout and handle complex jobs with a bang. The melting temperature of the glue in such guns does not exceed, as a rule, 110 ^oC, therefore the mode is absolutely safe when working with heat-sensitive materials - fabrics, PVC, balloons. Most often, they buy inexpensive Chinese devices like UHU Creativ, which in case of a breakdown are simply changed to new ones.

For needlework, use models with a power of 10-20 W

80-250 W hot guns are great for most types of household work. Output glue in the region of 16-25 g / min at the working temperature of up to 200 ^of C is sufficient to perform everyday tasks. Glue fallen off tiles, foam panels to the ceiling, glue a leaked plastic bucket or seal seams - no problem. By the way, about the sealing. The glue completely cures to the full depth of application. An example of such model - Bosch PKP 18E with adjustable power of 100-240 W and a maximum temperature of 200 ^of C. Remarkable embodiment, when it is possible to engage and small crafts, and high temperature housework.

Hot melt glue gun for home renovation

When choosing a thermo gun for a home, craftsmen recommend taking a model with a power reserve at least one step. Structurally, they are arranged better - for example, thicker plastic. If new tasks arise, the device is more likely to handle them. And with the temperature control function, the thermo gun will certainly work without a constant maximum load mode.

Models 250-500 W are classified as professional. With them, a maximum glue feed rate of up to 35 g / min is achieved. The hot mass dries and hardens quickly, and at low speeds it is impossible to join large parts. The high speed allows, due to the good yield of the adhesive, to apply it to large parts and connect them before hardening begins. Such heat guns are used for laying carpets, gluing baseboards, in furniture and joinery production.

Professional models of hot melt glue guns provide high working temperatures and allow you to work with large parts

Food type

Models produce the following modifications:

1. Network. They are still in the majority, since they are much cheaper. When choosing, you should pay attention to the length of the cord. For 15–20 W models, it often does not exceed 1 m, which is very inconvenient during operation. I use a professional networked thermostatic gun wherever a continuous process is required. The length of the cord in such models is around 3.5 m, so as not to restrict movement. It is better if there is a mains indicator on the body to see the gun's readiness for work.
2. Mains with a detachable cord. After disconnecting the cord from the device, it can still work for 10–20 minutes due to the special design of the thermal chamber. This adds mobility, saves energy and allows you to finish work without nerves in the event of a power outage.
3. Rechargeable. The absence of wires and complete mobility allows you to work in any conditions, regardless of whether there is electricity or not. One battery charge is enough for continuous operation for 30–45 minutes. Even small models have amazing possibilities. For example, Bosch PKP 3.6 Li. After installing the glue stick, the lithium-ion battery allows a baby weighing 100 grams to warm up in 15 seconds to 170 ^° C. One push of a button - and you can work without turning off for at least half an hour. Models that support an 11mm stem diameter can be charged for an hour without recharging. The disadvantages include the increase in weight due to the battery.

Cordless glue gun models are mobile to use

Bar diameter

Most often it is 7 mm for compact models up to 165 W and 11 mm for the rest. But the fact is that it is very profitable for manufacturers to produce and sell their own consumables. Therefore, you can find numbers with decimal parts: 6.7 mm, 11.1 mm, 11.2 mm and the like. When choosing a thermal gun, you should definitely pay attention to this. If 11.0 mm is inserted into the model with the recommended glue stick size 11.2 mm, the glue will flow out. When buying rods individually, ask the seller to show the markings on the packaging. Unfortunately, such small deviations in size are often taken quite lightly. Serious brands don't play with decimal places, their products are easy to find on the counter. And then you still have to look for a non-standard size such as 8 mm.

When choosing rods, pay attention to the exact diameter

Number of temperature modes

It is better if the model supports multiple modes of heating, for example, Dremel Glue Gun 930. Then at the low temperature of 105 ^to C perform various creative works, for example, decoration or color bonding on the glass. The high-temperature 165 ^° C is exposed to perform small household chores - glue plastic, ceramics or wood.

With a temperature controller, it is easy to change the temperature regime for different materials

Nozzle

Most models are produced with one nozzle. If the gun is turned on from time to time or for a specific type of work, this is not very important. And with professional use, sometimes one hole is not enough. For example, for gluing large areas around the perimeter, the glue is applied in strips with a wide-slotted nozzle. For work in hard-to-reach places, such as in the manufacture of furniture, the spout needs a long and narrow spout.

Different jobs require different types of nozzles

When connecting small parts, a precise nozzle is connected. If the gun tip is not replaceable, a different tool must be purchased for the new task. It is easier to buy a model with a set of nozzles, or at least with the probability of replacing them (it is not difficult to find individual fragments). As for the material, it is better to have a brass tip. Bosch has done it even better: it has released a heat-resistant silicone cap for the nozzle. It eliminates the need for further cleaning because the glue does not adhere to it.

In good models, silicon covers are placed on the nozzles to eliminate the risk of fire. If there is a blockage inside, the hot glue will not get onto the workpiece.

With blocking of drips inside the nozzle, no glue flows out during a break

In general, uncontrolled glue drips make life difficult, especially when working with small things. The viscous liquid is quickly poured out, the rods have to be refilled over and over again. Therefore, with frequent use of the gun, protection against drops is not at all superfluous. The result is clean, hassle-free work. Just do not understand that there will be no drops at all. To close the nozzle completely means to create an overpressure in the heat chamber. In order to bleed it a little, during the break of work, glue in very small doses still flows out.

On / off switch

At first glance, in small models, it is not really needed. But the button allows you to turn off the device with one click during breaks, and not remove the cord from the network. For working with small things, such a detail is very desirable. Many people get annoyed when they have to constantly reach for the outlet to pause work.

Off button allows you to easily turn off the device during pause in work

It is even better if an LED is connected to the button - you can always see if the gun is working or not. If there is no switch, it is desirable to have at least an operating status indicator.

Design features

To make working with a hot glue gun easy, it is advisable to pay attention to the external features of the model before buying.

• Stability, since the glue gun is sensitive to falls, and most importantly, during breaks in work, it must not be laid horizontally. Unfortunately, many users make this mistake. In this case, the device overheats, the glue begins to fill the insides of the gun, which causes its quick breakdown. In order for the device to maintain a stable vertical position, manufacturers have prepared different options:

  • Wire staple. In cheap models, especially 15-40 W, it is very thin, more for visibility. Users note that the pistols are not just unstable - they are generally impossible to deliver. This happens if the handle is not initially applied to the surface with its entire base. When choosing, you should pay attention to this. In models from 80 W, the condition is better, the loop is much thicker and provides a relatively stable position.

    

    Small wire staple does not stabilize the glue gun

  • Plastic leg. More convenient than a wire brace, as it is quite wide and does not heat up. It can be deployed manually or "shoots" by pressing the trigger, which is much more convenient. It is even better when such a stand is part of the structure.

    

    Plastic foot and a snug fit of the handle to the table surface ensure the stability of the glue gun

  • Special separate design for a specific model. Often on such a support there is a recess under the nozzle for possible drops. Very practical as the work surface is protected as much as possible. An additional plus - models without any legs are more comfortable to hold in hand. Many craftsmen remove the wire loops and make such a peculiar stand on their own.

    

    Special stand protects the work surface and fixes the tool tightly

• Soft trigger (trigger). They are carousel (swivel) or sliders. Users note that the carousel is more convenient to work and it is easier to dispense the glue feed. If you exert force at the same time, the hammers quickly break. Masters advise to insert the rod to check and, in the inoperative state, push it all the way. Hammer breakage affects models of inexpensive manufacturers, for example, Sparta.

  

  Craftsmen prefer carousel glue guns

• Observation window. When it is there, the state of the glue stick is visible. It is important to add the next one in time. When inserting the rod, it is easy to check whether it is in the groove or not. Otherwise, unnecessary force can be applied when pulling the trigger. As a result, the rod will not move, and the trigger will break.

  

  Viewing window allows you to see when to add glue stick

• The presence of a case. Professionals often have to carry the gun from place to place. It is better if he lies comfortably in a bed specially made for him than to dangle and get confused under his arms.

  

  The hot glue gun is conveniently stored and carried in the case

Reviews

Consumers unanimously commend the excellent quality of Dremel's hot guns. The Dremel 930 with double drip guard is especially recommended for handicrafts. High build quality, thickness of the case do not allow devices of this brand to overheat, the ergonomics of the models are up to the mark. The only limitation for those willing to buy is the high price. Bosch, Metabo, Skil maintain the reputation of manufacturers whose products are always at their best. There is a guarantee, it is easy to find service centers. Quite good reviews about the Caliber, Stavr and Styer thermo pistols.

Many people order devices directly from China. When checking the characteristics indicated on the label, consumers note that the temperature and power are lower than the declared ones by 5-15%. As a rule, no one has heard the names. But the cheapness of the models justifies the risks. Particularly successful was the 20W Glue Gun, which many ordered from Aliexpress. The baby heats up in 1.5 minutes, has a built-in switch and a thin metal nozzle. But the most striking thing is that it does not drip like most models without clan-tribe.

Miniature model has an off button and a long, thin tip

What is the difference between glue sticks for hot air guns

Hot melt sticks are made from polymer materials, most often ethyl vinyl acetate is used. Even when melted, they are non-toxic. If you do not take into account the actual quality of the rods, then they are conventionally divided into low-temperature (for heat-sensitive materials) and high-temperature. They can be easily distinguished by their color.

Glue sticks differ in color for different materials

Table: color ratios of glue sticks and working material

Bar color	t about melting	Connection type	Scope of application
Transparent	105-165	Elastic, viscous	PVC plastic, paper, cardboard, ceramics, textiles, glass
White	165-195	Elastic, viscous	Wood, PVC plastic, cardboard, ceramics, metal, leather
Yellow	165-195	Solid	Wood, cardboard, metal, sealing, roofing
The black	165-195	Elastic, viscous	Wood, metal, carpets, leather, metal, roofing
Grey	165-195	Elastic, viscous	Email appliances, cable ties, carpets, PVC plastic

For decorative work and handicraft, multi-colored rods are produced, including those filled with shiny materials. These are always low temperature adhesives. For low power gun with a maximum operating temperature of 110 ^for C is selected or them or transparent. There is no point in buying high-temperature rods if the device cannot handle them.

Black glue sticks are used to fill the voids.

The instructions for use from renowned manufacturers such as Bosch indicate the most common difficulties when working with glue:

• after filing it stretches or flows for a long time;
• constant uncontrolled drops without pressing the start button;
• begins to flow in the opposite direction;
• uneven feed.

The main reason for the difficulties is the use of non-original glue sticks with a low melting point. For a hot melt gun, especially without temperature control, it is imperative to buy the right refills. It's like refueling a car. No one denies that after filling up with cheap gasoline, the car will, of course, go. True, bad. The glue sticks for the hot air gun are the same consumable. If the minimum temperature in the apparatus 105 ^of C, and the low-temperature rods verified Bosch, Dremel, and others will not melt before reaching a predetermined number. This must be indicated on each package. On low quality rods, the information is limited to proud statements: for any surface. But they often begin to melt already at 80 ^oC, and for a device with the temperature, e.g., 165 ^of C is a real catastrophe, and all of the above "charms work" are inevitable. True, the needlewomen figured out how to cope: before using, hold the glue sticks in the refrigerator. For small jobs at home, the method is not bad, but not for long. The advice cannot be applied outside the reach of the refrigerator.

It is better to use glue sticks from well-known manufacturers who are responsible for their reputation and do not allow hack-work: Bosch, Matrix, Dremel, Kraftool, Stayer. It is much easier to work when you don't have to fight with your own gun for cleanliness and accuracy of glue application.

How to expand the capabilities of the device for handicrafts and household

Artisans love to improve things. In the case of a hot melt gun, they often try to reduce glue leakage and add more options to cheaper models.

• If the design does not provide a power button, install it yourself on the power cord or on the case. In addition to ease of use, this is how they deal with glue leakage. At the first signs of dripping, they turn off, after the case has cooled down, the device is turned on.
• If, when measuring the temperature of the nozzle, the figure is lower than the declared one, adjust the trimmer on the board. But such a modification is possible only in devices with a temperature control function.
• To prevent the glue from flowing in the opposite direction when using smaller rods, a couple of turns of thin copper wire are wound around the sealing gum. Then the turns are slightly compressed, the wire is twisted.
• If there is no temperature regulation, use a voltage regulator. When heated, set 220 W, with constant operation, maintain 90-110 W.
• When they want to increase the power, they work with a heating element inside the heat chamber. It is a Teflon or ceramic plate pierced with graphite filaments and is clamped on both sides by aluminum spacers. To reduce its resistance and increase heating, "remove" from the plate with fine sandpaper about 1 mm. Then the gasket is rubbed on both sides with a clean piece of tin and put in place.

Common breakdowns

One of the reasons for glue gun breakdowns is the wear of the rubber sleeve. It is attached at the entrance to the thermal chamber so that the melted glue does not get inside the case. The clutch can break both from time to time (rubber suffers from constant temperature drops when turned on - off), and when trying to pull back the rod. Glue gets inside the case, breaks the insulation of the wires and causes a short circuit. There is nothing you can do about physical wear and tear. But regarding the operation - you cannot pull the rod. If replacement is required, it is simply cut off and another inserted. When the trigger is pulled, a new rod will gradually push out the remnants of the old one.

If the hot melt gun does not heat up, a possible breakdown is the failure of the ceramic heating element. You cannot buy it separately. If the glue gun with an operating temperature no higher than 110 ^{on the} C, resourceful craftsmen offer a solution: buy and dismantle cheap "raptor". It has a similar carbon plate embedded in ceramic inside. It is used to replace a faulty one. True, they note that this is not for long, it is better to just buy a new instrument.

The heating element is a ceramic pad inside the heat chamber

Another option is when the heating plate fails. Wrap a Chinese ceramic resistor of 5 W with a resistance of 3.9 K directly onto the nozzle. They assure that it will be "reliable and indestructible."

The reason for the lack of heating is the breakage of the wires connected to the heat chamber. They just need to be soldered.

It happens that the rubber ring between the nozzle and the pistol body breaks. Craftsmen recommend cutting the same from a piece of silicone napkin.

Video: how to repair a hot glue gun

How to care

Caring for a hot glue gun is reduced to regular cleaning of glue residues. Even with proper operation, they are inevitable. And if the glue gun is filled with low-quality rods, sometimes the whole body is entangled in a frozen sticky web. Ethyl alcohol copes with this problem perfectly. They moisten a napkin with it and methodically wipe the body and nozzle. The glue becomes sticky and rolls off. While it is in this state, the area around the tip is cleaned with a regular toothpick. In addition to ethyl alcohol, acetone is used for wiping.

A piece of foil is applied to a small spot on the body, maybe from candy, and this place is heated with a hairdryer or a soldering iron. The glue softens, sticks to the foil, after which it is removed. The remains are removed with a napkin, preferably a silicone one.

To avoid clogging the outlet, the outside of the nozzle can be rubbed against the cardboard after each use. From the inside, it is not cleaned, the glue frozen there comes out the next time you turn it on.

Video: how to clean the device

The use of a glue gun in everyday life: examples in the photo

I glue the ceramic with a thermal gun

Cardboard structures are bonded with hot glue

With precise nozzle, glue can be applied to the smallest parts

Refractory rods are used to repair a car

Hot glue adheres well to the outsole to the upper

Floral mesh is easy to create with a glue gun

Transparent glue gun rods are suitable for handicraft

Seashell compositions are created using a hot glue gun

For each task, craftsmen are looking for a tool to solve. In the case of a hot glue gun, they notice: they literally "sit down" on it. Very little time passes, and the device becomes an indispensable assistant, without which, like no hands. And now, on the contrary: new tasks are found under the instrument, attracting the rest of the family. If you choose a reliable model, high-quality consumables and do not postpone care "for later", the device will work properly for many years.