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Heat gun rec?

cptn_zippy

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Joined
May 31, 2013
Messages
365
Location
Denver, Colorado
GJ brethren -

Anyone got a recommendation on a decent, inexpensive heat gun? I was using SWMBO's old hair dryer...but it's done. And I've got a project coming up...
 
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kball

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Feb 8, 2014
Messages
774
Location
SoCal
We use a harbor freight one at work all the time. Works great and only $8 with a coupon.
 

4xdog

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Joined
Aug 18, 2012
Messages
5,620
Location
Santa Fe, NM
I have a Black & Decker and a Milwaukee. Both fifteen or twenty years old. They're fine, but then almost any gun will be fine. They're almost all interchangeable.
 

Ign

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Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
12,769
Location
Butte Peak ND
I've had a Wagner for about 12 years. In truth I don't use it that much, but it gets hot everytime I plug it in....
 

nicksnothereman

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Joined
Oct 19, 2013
Messages
3,608
Location
In the Mojave
Wagner cheapo (don't think it's made in the usa as someone else said though haven't checked).

Otherwise if you have harbor freight nearby the drillmaster really cheap one is good in my opinion if you can get it at or below 12 bucks. Can't remember what I paid for it.

I don't know about the temperatures though, don't assume the wagner one has more heat because it's not really intended for automotive. The drillmaster one really heats up. Looking at it the wagner low (700) is higher temp than the drillmaster low (500) but the wagner high (1000) is less than the drillmaster high (1100). Not sure if the measurements are trustworthy though.
 

skruft

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Joined
May 9, 2011
Messages
759
I never had a problem with any brand that was not broken when I got it, except that the switch failed on one of the phony "Milwaukee" (these re black in color and not made by the Milwaukee company here).
 

Askme42

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Joined
Dec 9, 2012
Messages
2,538
Location
Goreville IL
HF if you don't have too big of projects. I bought it to demold a truck and figured for $10 if it held up for that one job great. Few years later its still going strong.
 
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cptn_zippy

Well-known member
Joined
May 31, 2013
Messages
365
Location
Denver, Colorado
Thanks guys, I was looking at spending less than $50. I try to minimize the amount of HF stuff in the garage (not that I don't have any) so I'll give the Wagners a look when I go to Home Depot.
 

1cargarage

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Joined
Feb 16, 2014
Messages
409
Location
San Diego
If you can help it, go with something like this:

81r1sQKoLUL._SL1500_.jpg


This style of heat gun offers great air flow, low and high temp settings, and offers the user the option to turn off the heating element while keeping the blower on, which allows the internals to cool more quickly and reduces unnecessary wear on the gun overall due to standing heat. I have used both styles in the past (Wagner vs. this), and this style will outlast them all.
 

Greatbear

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Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Messages
1,702
Location
Columbia/Fulton, MD
For some extra coin, I recommend an adjustable, controlled heat heatgun. Dewalt makes two models, one with a simple dial, the other digitally controlled with readout, both for less than 100 bucks. These guns can go all the way to 1100 deg. F, but can be turned down to as low as 150 degrees. These guns hold the heat at the settings you select, and have two speeds. Having controlled heat makes certain work like shrinking tubing, forming plastics and drying much more consistent ans safer for the work itself. You can shrink he tubing without worrying about burning the wires, form plastic without scorching the plastic, etc. These are good for electronics work as well. I also have a Steinel ESD=safe gun with even more capabilities than the DeWalts for electronic work.

I highly recommend the DeWalt digital gun, best value out there in a controlled heat gun.
 

928'er

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Joined
Jul 26, 2012
Messages
756
Location
Wine Country, CA
The HF gun on sale for $8.99 works fine.

Of course, they tried to sell me an extended warranty - on a $9 tool. I respectfully declined....
 
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