Heat gun recommendations?

[Formerjeeper]

EDIT: Need temp/wattage recommendations more than brand. Thanks.

My old heat gun finally gave up and need to replace it. I found this thread:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=346089&highlight=recommend+heat+gun

which is helpful about "best" a few years ago, but hoping for thoughts on what specs/capacity to look for. I see Master heat guns on Amazon with temp ranges 200-300, 300-500, 500-750 and 750-1000. Some heat guns give watts instead of temp ranges.

My uses will be general: electrical connectors, changing blades on hockey sticks, debadging cars or toolboxes, stripping paint.

Any input on temp range or wattage to look for is helpful. Probably most focused on one of these three unless someone has a strong recommendation otherwise:

Astro: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MAB805Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

DeWalt: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007X2ATZE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Makita: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QJMH2F4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks!

 

[Jazzman442]

I have had several for general use. I now have 2 of the Cheap harbor Fright ones. They work as good or better than the really expensive ones.

 

[WhataTool]

Our 9426 has been running for years without issue save for the multiple burn marks now on the power cord from people setting the thing down on it.

 

[engineer2]

Master Appliance heat guns used to be the go-to brand if you wanted something that would last for years.

 

[Mike Folks]

The large Master heat guns seem to run forever, used that type at two different companies.

 

[brownbagg]

i had a milwakee heat gun and my buddy wanted it more than me, so it never came back. i got a cheap harbor freight and it does everything the high dollar ones do

 

[Wyoming09]

Master Appliance or Steinel.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I have the 1500 watt porter cable. It's way plenty hot for anything I've used it for and it's variable down to nil.

It was under 40 bucks.

I have done everything you describe except try to strip paint. I'm sure it would.

 

[C lectric]

My go to is Steinel, 1500 W that has heat output control so I can warm something or burn it. I got mine because I used them at work and they got worked. SO I bought my own. Not cheap but the one I bought is a good gun.
ALmost 20 yr old now.

I have another much older single wattage B & Decker which I leave on the boat and it does it's job. Heat shrink tubing for electrical work and warming plastic hoses for easier removal/installation. . It owes me nothing as it has done what I ask of it.

But the Steinel is by superior.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Steinel

Picked this one up: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00744E19Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

a couple years ago to supplement a Milwaukee (Czech made) one that served me well for a long time. I'm using the Steinel more for precision/electrical work and the Milwaukee is general purpose, rough and dirty.

 

[Steve_P]

20-25 years ago I worked at a factory where they were used all day on one assembly line - they used Milwaukee. I have an old HF and it's been fine for how often I use it, probably ~5X a year. Its 1500W, 630F and 1000F

 

[tool_scrounge]

The large Master heat guns seem to run forever, used that type at two different companies.

+1 on this. Good quality hot air guns