Best Heat Gun

[Al Bundy]

Like the title asks, which one is the best? Do not factor in the cost, it doesn't matter to me. And nothing from Harbor Freight will qualify as the best. Ever.

 

[LB-1911]

Start here -

STEINEL
http://www.steinel.net/Professional-Heat-Guns

and

Master Appliance
https://www.masterappliance.com/heat-tool-products/heat-guns/master-heat-gun

 

[jloehlein]

Whatever you do, avoid the Dewalt heat gun (this one). I had one for about 5 years, used it occasionally (a few times a year) and the LCD and controller broke recently, rendering it useless. It was never dropped, always stored in the case, etc.

I replaced it with a Master Appliance heat gun and it's obvious that it's more robust. It's very simple, as well. A friend of mine has a Master Appliance heat gun that gets beat up all the time (farm use) and it's been kicking around for at least 10 years.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

We make one very similar, and private label it under tool truck brands as well

Astro 9426

http://www.astrotools.com/index.php/industrial-heavy-duty-heat-gun.html

 

[K-Dog]

My Matco one is at least fifteen years old and still works like a champ. Still gets super hot. I doubt it is an actual Matco though.
Just remember to put it in "cool off mode" when done.

 

[lilcraigford]

Start here -

STEINEL
http://www.steinel.net/Professional-Heat-Guns

and

Master Appliance
https://www.masterappliance.com/heat-tool-products/heat-guns/master-heat-gun

Can't go wrong with either of these!

At one time Craftsman rebranded two of Steinel's heat gun. One had three preset temperature settings and was sold under as Craftsman. The other was variable temperature and part of the Craftsman Industrial (later transitioned to Professional) lineup. The country of origin will either be Germany or Switzerland. Here is a quick cross reference:

1500W, Variable Temp (120°-1050°F)
- Steinel HL2002LE (temp range advertised as 120°-1100°F)
- Craftsman Industrial/Professional 927801

1400W, 3-Stage (120°/800°/1050°F)
- Steinel HL1502S
- Craftsman 911801

The Steinel guns listed above have been succeeded by newer models and the Craftsman versions have been discontinued.

That said, if you're open to secondhand items, I'd recommend a Steinel/Craftsman (or equivalent - I believe Milwaukee was another rebrand) heat gun. I was originally shopping for a Master Appliance when I purchased my Craftsman Industrial off of ebay for a song. It worked upon delivery but was pretty skanky. I took it apart, cleaned it up and it hasn't skipped a beat!

 

[scissorman]

I personally own a Hakko heat gun and it's done me good for the last 5 years or so I've owned it.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I have a Dewalt and it works fine..

 

[gdocktor3]

I have a Milwaukee. I'd bet any name brand will work.

 

[GTO]

Bosch makes a high end gun too.
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/specialty-tools-1942-26757-p/

 

[Fedwrench]

Best is pretty Subjective around here.

Wagner makes a great heat gun that's inexpensive too.

 

[turfgnome]

A hakko rework station would be the best, you can control temp and air flow. It all depends on what you want to do with it though.

 

[winlinmac]

Go with a Romanian-made Metabo or if you want cut down on cost, a variable temperature such as the Porter Cable is also a good option (well regarded by many folks that do auto-body work).

 

[Frank Dukes]

i have a variable temp Wagner and it's been great the hand full of times i've needed it over the years.

 

[DFB]

Either one of these I can easily recommend. We always used the guns like the 941 in the electronics assembly dept. I used to manage, They would run all day long and sometimes all night too if someone forgot to turn them off.


And I own one just like the 915 for my own use for many, many years now. With the 2 speeds and variable heat settings it is highly adjustable.

https://www.uline.com/BL_2451/Heat-Guns?keywords=heat


Funny I actually had one from HF to sell this summer Got it for $8.00. I tested it out before I sold it...and contrary to the many poor reviews it did seem work ok but obviously no telling how long it would ever last though.

 

[bcradio]

We make one very similar, and private label it under tool truck brands as well

Astro 9426

http://www.astrotools.com/index.php/industrial-heavy-duty-heat-gun.html

Astro never ceases to amaze me. I like that

 

[Davefr]

Start here -

STEINEL
http://www.steinel.net/Professional-Heat-Guns

and

Master Appliance
https://www.masterappliance.com/heat-tool-products/heat-guns/master-heat-gun

I pretty much agree but this one from HF really isn't bad. I prefer it over the Master Appliance gun:

 

[GTO]

I pretty much agree but this one from HF really isn't bad. I prefer it over the Master Appliance gun:

Obviously didn't not read the thread.......

 

[Ainsley]

Steinel was my choice. mine is the variable temp on the LCD model with 2 fan speeds.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have had my Milwaukee dual temp heat gun for over ten years now and love it.

Mike.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/corded/8975-6

 

[HAP]

If you want a great one, look on ebay and get something like a Raychem used in the aviation field industrial version. I bought two sizes and they are really nice!

 

[allenb12]

I have owned Master Appliance and they are good and very long lasting. The Makita I purchased in 2001 has been my favorite.

 

[skruft]

I have used various brands and have not had a problem with any, except with one of the light duty straight ones that was made by the "other" Milwaukee. The switch failed and I put a cheap in-line switch in the cord. Once I saw another one with a ceramic piece inside that had broken.

I have two that have stands to sit on a bench, which are very useful if I am doing something like making up cables.

 

[brook41]

I Have the Craftsman / Steinel for over 20yrs, Swiss made, still works great ,I paid about $50 for it.

 

[Al Bundy]

Wow guys! Didn't expect as many choices as I got responses. I was kind of drawn to Steinel, but the fact that they didn't offer them on their website was kind of a turn off. For what it's worth I'm looking for something very versatile to melt plastic, heat shrink, remove rustproofing, etc. I'm thinking a variable temp gun with a kit for all the various tips.

 

[Monte]

Leister
www.leister.com

 

[Trey T]

I have Wagner HT4500, previous generation digital control of their high-end model, that I used once to replace a window pane. I did some research and the Wagner brand is generally pretty good ... not sure about their new line-up though.

 

[Milton Shaw]

The biggest and hottest heat gun I have ever seen is the one marinas use to shrink wrap boats. Its got a flame about a foot long and you can feel the heat from probably 20 feet away. Very dangerous to use but the dealers I know around here have never burned a boat up. What gun you need depends on what you are trying to heat up. They normally do have someone on fire watch while this is going on, ready to put out a fire.

 

[OCJohn]

I've had the same Porter Cable for 20 years and it's never failed me. Donno if they make them any more, but it's a keeper.

 

[cashishift]

Whatever you do, avoid the Dewalt heat gun (this one). I had one for about 5 years, used it occasionally (a few times a year) and the LCD and controller broke recently, rendering it useless. It was never dropped, always stored in the case, etc.

I replaced it with a Master Appliance heat gun and it's obvious that it's more robust. It's very simple, as well. A friend of mine has a Master Appliance heat gun that gets beat up all the time (farm use) and it's been kicking around for at least 10 years.

I have that one - and it doesn't have an LCD on it, just a knob:

The higher ended one does however.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007X2ATZE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Toxictom]

Leister. They start at $350, but they are what the pros use when they need to use a heat gun all day everyday.

 

[Jonny4ort]

to be honest i don't think there is a huge difference between the low and high end guns. They do the same job. Iv got a Dewalt D26960K which has been solid for me. Just pick a trusted brand you can't go wrong... https://toolsfirst.com/best-heat-gun/

 

[nes999]

Steinel would probably be one of if not the best.

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[oldwino]

I have that one - and it doesn't have an LCD on it, just a knob:

The higher ended one does however.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007X2ATZE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Agree. This and an old decks crew driver have been the only DeWalt tools I have ever bought that were worth a damn. This one probably has 100 hours on it and still works fine

 

[dnschmidt]

Steinel. I've got the Milwaukee and it works to heat things up like heat shrink tubing but if you're looking for accurate temperature control Steinel is the best.

 

[DHCrocks]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LYFTKLG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

may not be the best but this one sure is convenient. it's small, heats up fast and is perfect for heat shrink tubing. I really like this one. its not a heavy duty all day use type of tool but the size and convenience is hard to beat for small tasks.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I LOVE my Steinel (rebranded as Craftsman Industrial) heat gun. It is a pleasure to use such a fine quality product.

 

[1cargarage]

I used to work in a shop where we used heat guns all day long. The best ones we had were the Eddy Heat Guns. The older ones were metal and made in USA. We had a few of the newer ones (plastic) and they worked fine. The Eddy guns are the best I have used. There were a handful of them in the shop that were 10+ years old. They get plenty hot and push a lot of air.

http://www.heatgunstore.com/eddy_products_1100plus_mark_iv_variable_temperature___variable_speed_electric_heat_gun-details.aspx

Advice on selecting a heat gun: Get one capable of running on fan only. Being able to turn off the heating element drastically extends the element's life because instead of just shutting off the gun (fan + heating element simultaneously) and letting the element cool inside the gun, you can cool off the heating element by running only the fan, thus not letting static air and heat sit in the gun while it "cools". Being able to run fan-only also speeds up the cool down, which is nice if you store it in a drawer or need to pack it up or handle it right after use.

 

[KM223]

I just bought this Steinel today. It's far superior to the Wagner heat guns I've been using.

 

[nes999]

I just bought this Steinel today. It's far superior to the Wagner heat guns I've been using.

What's the model number for that gun

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