The heat gun is a powerful tool used in many different industries, for both professional and hobby projects. This handheld instrument, which bridges the gap between a blowtorch and a modern hair dryer, is surprisingly flexible and will serve you well whenever you require a safe, flameless source of consistent heat. Electronic repairs, refinishing, plumbing, surface preparation, glass installation and more may all be completed much more quickly with the correct heat gun in your toolkit!
What Are Heat Guns Used For?
Heat guns are powerhouses with a level of versatility that is often underestimated. In terms of shrink wrapping, heat guns are commonly used to shrink wrap products for additional protection during their transit, shrink wrap products for packaging, as well as shrink wrapping common objects such as outdoor furniture and boats during the winter months.
Besides shrink wrapping, heat guns are often used to shape other plastic materials such as paint. In fact, the capability of a heat gun to make paint removal much easier is worth the cost of a heat gun, in and of itself. Dried and worn paint comes off in tidy strips using a heat gun-- these strips can then can be carefully scraped off, leaving the surface clean and suitable for re-sanding. Heat guns can also be used to loosen tiles if you wish to preserve them and keep them intact during removal.
Heat guns are also useful for reshaping things like tar roofing hips and tarps, welding plastic sheets, and bending PVC pipelines and conduits. A heat gun is also useful in the garage for tasks like removing and reinstalling window tint and cleaning trim to restore its black glossy finish. Heat guns can also be used to defrost frozen pipes, dry out damp wood, close up shrink wrap packaging and shrink film, patch vinyl and leather, and reupholster furniture around the house. A heat gun is a gadget with numerous applications, and you may even come up with some new uses of your own!
Heat Gun Options to Consider While Shopping
Industrial or DIY
Heat guns, like other power tools, are designed for either DIY or professional use. In this case, DIY refers to someone who will only use the instrument occasionally, such as a homeowner peeling paint off their windowsills or an electronics hobbyist heat shrinking cable covers in their spare time. A professional user, on the other hand, is someone who utilizes the tool on a daily basis, such as at a packing warehouse or a garage.
An example of a DIY Heat Gun would be: Hot Shot Heat Gun
An example of an Industrial Heat Gun would be: Ripack 3000 Heat Gun Kit - Heat Gun, Case & Pressure Regulator
Electric or Propane
Electric heat guns are more typically used for paint stripping and drying, heating electrical tubing, upholstering or mending vinyl, and other tasks. Propane heat guns are meant to last longer and are better suitable for industrial applications such as shrink wrapping bulky objects.
Propane Heat Gun Example: Shrinkfast 998 Heat Gun
Electric Heat Gun Example: Industrial Electric Heat Gun HG 2620 E by Steinel
Electric Cordless Heat Gun Example: Mobile Heat 5 Cordless Heat Gun with 8.0 Ah Battery and Case by Steinel
Adjustable Temperature
Heat guns are often equipped with some kind of temperature adjustment control to allow them to handle a variety of jobs. Basic devices may have two or three fixed settings, whereas more complex instruments will have infinitely changeable controls that allow precise temperature control.
For a great heat gun with an adjustable temperature setting, see our Professional Electric Heat Gun - 120 to 1300 °F (In Plastic Case) HG 2520 E by Steinel
Fine Dust Filter
Professional devices, such as the Steinel HG 2220 E Professional Hot Air Heat Gun, include built-in fine dust filters; this is especially useful if you work on construction sites or in similar conditions where your hot air tool would be exposed to fine dust and debris from drilling, sawing, grinding, and sanding activities. Without this feature, dust would be pulled into the machine via the fan, causing it to accumulate inside the housing over time, potentially blocking and harming the internal components. A fine dust filter is a simple and effective method for preventing the bulk of these particles from entering the tool, and it is designed to assist the machine's performance, efficiency, and service life.
Learn more about our Steinel HG 2220 E Professional Hot Air Heat Gun
Airflow Control
When working with lightweight materials or near sensitive surfaces that you don't want damaged by heat, an adjustable airflow control allows you to reduce the force of the blast from the nozzle. Similarly, you can increase it to get more air speed and therefore faster outcomes. This, like temperature control, can be a series of fixed speeds or a continually adjustable dial for more extensive control.
A great example of heat guns with airflow control would be our Industrial Electric Heat Gun HG 2620 E by Steinel
Visual Displays
Professional users who operate to precise specifications may appreciate the advantages of an LCD or LED display, which can display visual information on temperature and airflow speed settings-- elements that are difficult to measure on machines with continuously variable settings. This allows for consistent outcomes and the confidence to work with more sensitive materials or jobs that necessitate precise heating settings.
One great example of heat guns with digital displays is our Professional Electric Heat Gun HG 2320 E by Steinel
Heat Gun Kits
In some cases, it may make more sense to purchase a pre-packaged heat gun kit for your specific need. Heat gun kits typically come with everything that you are going to need to get your project going, all in one kit. The types of heat gun kits vary from boat shrink wrap kits to roofing kits. Select the heat gun kit that is right for your project and take the guesswork out of what you'll need!
One of our boat wrapping heat gun kits: Single Large Boat Shrink Wrap Kit - Heat Gun, Tools & Accessories - Includes Ripack 3000
One of our roofing heat gun kits: Mobile Heat 5 Cordless Heat Gun Roofing Kit by Steinel
Accessories & Nozzles
When selecting a heat gun, the equipment alone is not always the only factor to consider. If you intend to use it for a certain purpose, it is worth investigating what nozzles and attachments are available to assist you with the duties at hand. Some manufacturers provide a diverse selection of nozzles and accessories that can be purchased separately, significantly improving the versatility and precision with which their equipment can be utilized. When you purchase a new heat gun, it will usually come with at least one or two nozzles, allowing you to do some of the most basic jobs right away.
View our Heat Gun Accessories
If you're looking for a new heat gun, either for yourself or as a present for someone else, take a look at the heat guns on our website! If you'd like some more specific advice on choosing the best tool for you, give us a call at 1-800-847-5290 and we'll help you to find the perfect solution for your specific heat gun needs.