Affordable quality heat gun

[Cantaloupeman]

So I've been looking for an upgrade to my 9$ HF heat gun. At work we use nice top of the line steinels but I don't need to spend that much money. I was thinking of maybe buying an older steinel, or steinel rebrand used, however these can be hard to come by.

If I'm going to buy new I was considering either the Chicago electric form HF or the Porter cable. The Chicago Electric is nice because its an older more simple design with 14 temp settings that you can see your exact temp. With the Porter cable it is just a dial from hot to cold. Is the chicago electric just as good quality as the porter cable? They are both the same price as far as I know so if anyone can chime in with some opinions on which is a better bet I'd really appreciate it.

Side note the new craftsman heat gun from lowes looks like an exact rebrand of the Porter cable correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[racinfarmer]

I bought the cheaper of the 2 Wagner heat guns Wal-Mart carries and have been very happy with it.

I think it ran around a 20 spot including the tax.

 

[RTM]

Are you sure the HF actually hits that temp, or is it just a guesstimate? If I really cared, I would test it on a thermometer, but I rarely do.

I have rather PC gun from a few years back, and it works for me. Not sure if the current line is the same.

 

[oldwino]

I let the smoke out of a couple HF heat guns. Went to Milwaukee and couldn’t be happier

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I have PC. Works great. No complaints. It pretty plain, has 2 speeds, variable temp and it will stand on its back.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/PORTER-CABLE-Heat-Gun/3341122

 

[brownbagg]

my buddy took my milawkee, so i got a cheap wagner and it works great, no issue, its a heat gun, its heat up, what can go wrong

 

[Formerjeeper]

I have the Astro Pneumatic 9426 and very happy for $70. https://amzn.to/2WVI5yr

 

[CAMMShaft]

I have the Porter Cable. I use it fairly regularly and it has held up well for about 5 years. Since I got it I never use my HF gun. I have been really happy with it.

CAMM

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[Don1357]

I have a programable Bosch heat gun, the programable meaning I can preset 4 temperatures/fan speed on the gun for fast recall. Not cheap but bullet proof, I have abused the living **** out of that gun for the last 13 years. It can go from as gentle as 120f to as high as 1,200f, with 3 fan settings. Bosch makes outstanding tools.

Heck I just realize how much it would cost me to replace it, I need to start being a tad more gentle with it...

 

[ChefRex]

I've had a Master for at least 25 years and it gets lots of use, you probably won't want to pay for new but another to be on the lookout used.

 

[ChefRex]

I have a programable Bosch heat gun, the programable meaning I can preset 4 temperatures/fan speed on the gun for fast recall. Not cheap but bullet proof, I have abused the living **** out of that gun for the last 13 years. It can go from as gentle as 120f to as high as 1,200f, with 3 fan settings. Bosch makes outstanding tools.

Heck I just realize how much it would cost me to replace it, I need to start being a tad more gentle with it...

LOL, I just had the same thought!

 

[no704]

Get whatever works for you, but UNPLUG it when not in use!! Buddy of mine had the Hf unit burn his shop to the ground!

 

[gjusername]

Get whatever works for you, but UNPLUG it when not in use!! Buddy of mine had the Hf unit burn his shop to the ground!

I had a garage fire that I blamed on an amazon heat gun. The insurance company sent an investigator to check things out because I guess they had other cases they were litigating that were blamed on heat guns with faulty triggers and they were thinking mine may have been the same thing... I'm still not sure how it started but later on a thought occurred to me that I may have laid it down on top of a metal flashlight when I was looking for a safe surface to place it on while it was hot, without thinking about the fact that the flashlight had a lithium battery inside which is sensitive to heat.

anyways... I still have not replaced my heat gun since that happened, but if Milwaukee comes out with an m12 version then I will be all over that.

 

[ecotec]

I had a garage fire that I blamed on an amazon heat gun. The insurance company sent an investigator to check things out because I guess they had other cases they were litigating that were blamed on heat guns with faulty triggers and they were thinking mine may have been the same thing... I'm still not sure how it started but later on a thought occurred to me that I may have laid it down on top of a metal flashlight when I was looking for a safe surface to place it on while it was hot, without thinking about the fact that the flashlight had a lithium battery inside which is sensitive to heat.

anyways... I still have not replaced my heat gun since that happened, but if Milwaukee comes out with an m12 version then I will be all over that.

The m18 is already not hot enough. It is probably the worst m18 tool. An m12 is going to ****.

I always go back to my $3 estate sale corded two temp Milwaukee.

 

[DLW875]

I bought the cheaper of the 2 Wagner heat guns Wal-Mart carries and have been very happy with it.

I think it ran around a 20 spot including the tax.

I have this one as well. I've used it for heating kydex and removing decals and it has worked well so far.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I have had excellent luck with the burgundy Chicago Electric one, as have two of my coworkers.

Milwaukee and DeWalt make corded ones if you want better. The cordless ones just don’t have the desirable run time, very battery hungry.

 

[kabinenroller]

If you want a quality tool and are willing to spend more try this company:
https://www.masterappliance.com/products/
They are local company so I support them, I have two of their heat guns.

 

[signcrafter]

anyways... I still have not replaced my heat gun since that happened, but if Milwaukee comes out with an m12 version then I will be all over that.

You will not want an m12 unless technology improves a ton in the near future. I have the m18 and while it's adequate, it's not the same as a corded one.

The m18 is already not hot enough. It is probably the worst m18 tool. An m12 is going to ****.

I always go back to my $3 estate sale corded two temp Milwaukee.

The m18 isn't as powerful as a corded version but it does get the job done most of the time. I bought it when I was doing vinyl cove base trim for going around corners. Worked great for that and loved that I could go all over without dragging a cord around. Usually a heat gun, at least for me, is only used for a short period of time. For heat shrink and other things. So for me the cordless version run time works good. Now if you needed to run it for 30 minutes straight then a corded version would be a better option. But I still like my m18 heat gun and would get another one if this one goes out.

 

[Formula]

I’ve had my harbor freight heat gun for about 7 years now and it’s had a lot of use. I’m surprised it’s lasted so long. If it ever dies I’ll buy another one. Can’t beat it for under $10

 

[MadTinkerer]

I bought a Steinel heat gun for work. It’s been a flawless tool for many years now. The digital display allows you to dial in the desired temp.


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[ForrestT]

Bought a used porter cable on eBay. Like $20 if I remember. Works great. Been a solid addition to my shop.


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