[Nickp]

It's about time I got one...

Those of you that use hot glue guns, what do you recommend...?

Thanks in advance...Nick

 

[Stick486]

for what applications???
High or low temp???
dual heat???
mini or full sized???
what sized sticks???
what kind of output do you think you'll need???
DIY or industrial strength???
GP or fine tip???
multiple tips???
hard use or blue moon???
how many bases do you want to cover???

3M Polygun... it will outlast you and your grandkids...
TEC.. mid to upper level... good value... 805 or 820
Surebonder... GP...
BSTpower... versatile...
elcheapoes just don't last in a moderate to heavy use environment..
...

 

[kp91]

I have a cheap arrow gun..., it works pretty darn well (except it has a hard time standing up on it's own)

For under $20 it has held up for quite a while.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Arrow-Single-Temp-Glue-Gun/1095639

 

[DesertRatTom]

$209 seems a little steep for a glue gun for someone who is unsure of their likely uses. Looks like a number of decent ones are in the $30-$50 range. I'd buy this locally so you can get a stronger sense of what you're getting, how it feels, direct comparison of features.

 

[Nickp]

$209 seems a little steep for a glue gun for someone who is unsure of their likely uses. Looks like a number of decent ones are in the $30-$50 range. I'd buy this locally so you can get a stronger sense of what you're getting, how it feels, direct comparison of features.

Thanks, Tom...sounds reasonable...but I don't recall expressing that I was unsure of its likely use although it would have made sense to include my uses in the original post. For the most part it will be used in the shop and typical home gluing use. Probably to put together some unforeseen broken knick-knack or small crafts item...I typically buy locally just so I can put my mits on whatever it is I'm buying...

Certainly don't intend on using it for any heavy construction application...

I've never owned a hot glue gun and so I haven't missed it at all. But there is always some discussion about using hot glue here on the Forum that I thought I would buy one as I'm sure I will need another dust collector for the "unused tool shelf"...or I could leave it on the boat...

BTW, as long as I've got your attention, which one do you have...?

 

[JOAT]

I've got two. One larger, one smaller. Neither cost more than $10. Both work fine. I say that because I checked both to see that they work, and have never used either since. So you might want to start out real cheap, to see if you actually will use one or not. With me my fastening needs are well taken care of with Titebond II, crazy glue, duct tape, or nails. Can't think of a thing I would use hot glue for. Oh yes, mine were gifts - and I really wish people would ask me what I want before they buy me gifts.

 

[Cherryville Chuck]

I use mine occasionally when I need a quick bond that can be taken apart later or to hold something while a better glue hardens. For example when I make extra table saw inserts I hot glue the factory one to some mdf and use a pattern bit to route it to size. Same goes for quick and easy jigs. Hot glue them together and if you need extra hold add regular glue or brads or both. Get one and use it for a few things like that and you’ll probably start seeing other possibilities.

 

[Herb Stoops]

I have one and a whole bunch of different colored glue sticks that came in a batch of stuff I bought ,to get another item. I have never used it ,don't know what sticks to use for what. but with Sticks pdf I might figure out what and when to use it. thanks ,Stick for posting that.
Herb

 

[DesertRatTom]

My wife has one somewhere from her crafting days. I don't see a whole lot of use for one in the shop. Most of the time double sided tape does the job for me. Mostly I was reacting to that expensive one Stick suggested.

 

[Stick486]

My wife has one somewhere from her crafting days. I don't see a whole lot of use for one in the shop. Most of the time double sided tape does the job for me. Mostly I was reacting to that expensive one Stick suggested.

So go find it and tell us what you use..
if you investigate the listed brands theyare selling from 10/15 bucks to over a thousand...
the point being w/o knowing what Nick's needs were all bases were covered..

 

[MEBCWD]

Stick you missed plug-in or battery powered

 

[Stick486]

Stick you missed plug-in or battery powered

no I didn't...

 

[TwoSkies57]

I've had a Craftsman glue gun for don't know how long. Cost was probably around 20 bucks when I bought it. Nice thing about it, is that it came with a stand and the power cord can be disconnected when in use. You do have to plug it back in after the gun begins to cool down or just leaveit plugged in!!
With the addition of grand kids to the clan, it see's more use than ever, repairing dolls, cars, shoes and all manner of toys . Works very well in most applications.
Couple of down sides. Application nozzle usually over applies the glue. Glue typically turns yellow in time. Neither of which are a big deal considering what I use the stuff
for.
Its all about the glue sticks that you use!!!!!! Usually a couple minutes to heat up and then to cool down. All in all, not a bad addition to any shop.

 

[Nickp]

I use mine occasionally when I need a quick bond that can be taken apart later or to hold something while a better glue hardens. For example when I make extra table saw inserts I hot glue the factory one to some mdf and use a pattern bit to route it to size. Same goes for quick and easy jigs. Hot glue them together and if you need extra hold add regular glue or brads or both. Get one and use it for a few things like that and you’ll probably start seeing other possibilities.

..."build it, they will come"...

I think that's where it might wind up. Since I've never had one, I might find other uses other than small repairs. I like the idea of temporary use you mentioned. I might wind up with a mini for small jobs...

Thanks....

 

[TwoSkies57]

Nick...

alot of good general information over at hotmelt:

https://www.hotmelt.com/

 

[Nickp]

I've had a Craftsman glue gun for don't know how long. Cost was probably around 20 bucks when I bought it. Nice thing about it, is that it came with a stand and the power cord can be disconnected when in use. You do have to plug it back in after the gun begins to cool down or just leaveit plugged in!!
With the addition of grand kids to the clan, it see's more use than ever, repairing dolls, cars, shoes and all manner of toys . Works very well in most applications.
Couple of down sides. Application nozzle usually over applies the glue. Glue typically turns yellow in time. Neither of which are a big deal considering what I use the stuff
for.
Its all about the glue sticks that you use!!!!!! Usually a couple minutes to heat up and then to cool down. All in all, not a bad addition to any shop.

Thanks, Bill...good to hear...

I'm likely to see the same in using it. The important thing I see is picking the right one so that it works efficiently. This way I won't have a bad gun giving me results that will make me just want to throw it out... :smile:

I appreciate the feedback...

 

[honesttjohn]

I got just a cheap one - under $10. Main use I've found for it is for gluing shipping package material. Cheaper, stronger and neater than packing tape, but not really cheap overall. My stuff is all different sizes so I buy cardboard separators instead of a lot of boxes and wrap the item(s) accordingly. Have had comments on how "good" my packaging is. Don't use it much for other stuff, but when needed it comes in pretty handy.

The big cost is the glue sticks. I buy them by the case. They do not last long. Kind of like the cheap razor with expensive blades.

 

[Gaffboat]

I have one from Amazon that has worked very well. It has two temperature settings, heats quickly, doesn't drip, and the long nozzle makes it easy to get into tight areas. Best of all, it's only $25.
https://www.amazon.com/Nozzle-Premi...ts+and+Crafts&qid=1556980531&s=gateway&sr=8-1

 

[roxanne562001]

I have several under 20 bucks I use them for many different crafts what ever you get make sure it uses standard glue sticks. I bought one a while back it used a weird size and couldn't readily find sticks for it.

 

[Nickp]

I have one from Amazon that has worked very well. It has two temperature settings, heats quickly, doesn't drip, and the long nozzle makes it easy to get into tight areas. Best of all, it's only $25.
https://www.amazon.com/Nozzle-Premi...ts+and+Crafts&qid=1556980531&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Thanks, Oliver...I did see this on Amazon...

Do you find it will stand on it's own okay...? Or does it want to lay over...

The tip is what interested me most...