Heat gun.

[Beerhippie]

Rubber cords are much more flexible than the plastic ones. Replace with a SJO or SJOOW cord instead...

I occasionally find real rubber extension cords in 12 AWG. I buy every one I find, as I use them for tool cord replacements. Generally cheaper than SOOW and a good quality plug.



I also hate short cords on tools.

 

[tjansson]

I have a Porter Cable PC1500HG. The cord is tolerably stiff, but can sit on its ****, nozzle up, for benchtop use. 6 or more years old, so may have changed, maybe even for the better.

Not small by any means, but gets the job done

I have the PC1500HG. Died on me a few weeks ago after 9 years. Not bad, though I am a bit bummed. Heat guns do seem to have more finite life than other tools.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Cordless heat guns are the absolute ticket for heat shrink.

I would consider buying one of small inexpensive battery heat guns on Amazon, if they had decent reviews !

 

[ecotec]

Really. How long has the BIC lighter been around?

Welcome to the twentieth century.

Do that in on a job site… you would not have a job for very long. You would have to get a burn permit… and have a fire watch for 30 minutes after you finish…

Would I do it in my garage… of course… if I didn’t have two heat guns an arm length from my workbench.

Welcome to the 21st century…

 

[Hohn]

Corded Steinel 2520 for me. It's not cheap, but I got a deal on it as a refurb.
Because it's industrial, every single part of the gun is replaceable and available as a service part. It's FANTASTIC the amount of control you can have with a gun like this. Digital readout of temperature and many different fan speeds.

STEINEL | Professional Heat Guns HG 2520 E in Case Case

HG 2520 E in Case Case - Experience STEINEL’s strongest pistol grip hot air tool. Ideal for construction site use, the HG 2520 is a precision tool featuring a powerful, extremely durable brushless mot

www.steinel.net

 

[Stick-man]

I too like using a heat gun for shrink tube. I always burn thru if I use a flame. So I just picked up the M18 version. It heats, but I haven't tried it yet.

 

[finn]

Right now, an Amazon battery powered knockoff is more appealing @ $35 than a genuine Milwaukee @ $150, considering how infrequently I will actually use it.

I generally don’t like knockoffs, but…….

 

[tarbellb]

Right now, an Amazon battery powered knockoff is more appealing @ $35 than a genuine Milwaukee @ $150, considering how infrequently I will actually use it.

I generally don’t like knockoffs, but…….

Do it! I've been threatening to buy the generic M18, would appreciate a review first

Something I would also consider getting a extended warranty on?

 

[vwpieces]

Every heat gun I have spent more than $30 on has died. The $8 warrior has outlived them all. Yeah cord suks but it sits on the bench and plugged in at all times. Cord has straightened itself over time and it stands upright.
I have another generic chinesiun in the basement shop that I got on an Amazon Fluke purchase for $0.99. It also has a petrified cord but has lived for a few years now.

I vote for the cord swap and would have done mine if they were not always on the bench ready to go. I should still do it... I changed out the cord on my New $20 Bauer 5in sander as soon as it took it out of the box. 12ft nice flexy rubber cord.

 

[david3921]

I have the CORDED HF Bauer heat gun. Works well. If I could find a reasonably priced Bauer to M18 battery adapter, I would buy the HF Bauer cordless one, especially since HF keeps sending me 25% of coupons !

I have both. The corded one has the multiple settings on the end. It also has a nice flexible cord.

1600 Watt, 12 Amp, 14 Temperature Dual-Speed Heat Gun

Amazing deals on this 1600W 12A 14 Temp Dual-Speed Heat Gun at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

The cordless one is great for heat shrink. I bought an adapter from Amazon for my PC batteries.

20V Cordless Heat Gun - Tool Only

Amazing deals on this 20V Cordless Heat Gun at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Hannahranga]

No. Just no.

If it makes you feel better I used to shrink heat shrink over a kettle's steam as a kid.

More on topic the cheap(ish) Makita corded one I've got came with a soft as hell cord, not sure what it's made of but zero complaints there

 

[Beerhippie]

If it makes you feel better I used to shrink heat shrink over a kettle's steam as a kid.

More on topic the cheap(ish) Makita corded one I've got came with a soft as hell cord, not sure what it's made of but zero complaints there

Jumping into cold water had a great shrinking effect, too.

 

[Beerhippie]

If it makes you feel better I used to shrink heat shrink over a kettle's steam as a kid.

More on topic the cheap(ish) Makita corded one I've got came with a soft as hell cord, not sure what it's made of but zero complaints there

My Makita corded tools--mostly over thirty years old--have fine, supple cords that also last well.

 

[ronkz650]

I got the cheap Harbor Freight gun about 13yrs back and can say for the $10 or whatever it was, one of my best purchases ever. Cord doesn't bother me. I made my own stand for it so it can idle happily when hot.

 

[andypress]

The cordless one if great for heat shrink. I bought an adapter from Amazon for my PC batteries.

20V Cordless Heat Gun - Tool Only

Amazing deals on this 20V Cordless Heat Gun at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I second the 20v cordless Bauer for heat shrink use; gets up to temp quickly and is well-built enough.

 

[Coach James]

I bought the HF Warrior about 15 months ago. I used it to clean on of one of our ovens. I turned on the oven to cook a pizza but forgot I had put a plastic cutting board in it to dry off. Not my brightest moment. The Warrior worked and we had our kitchen renovation started about 3 months later, so it all worked out.

Coach

 

[Jokester]

Corded Steinel 2520 for me. It's not cheap, but I got a deal on it as a refurb.
Because it's industrial, every single part of the gun is replaceable and available as a service part. It's FANTASTIC the amount of control you can have with a gun like this. Digital readout of temperature and many different fan speeds.

STEINEL | Professional Heat Guns HG 2520 E in Case Case

HG 2520 E in Case Case - Experience STEINEL’s strongest pistol grip hot air tool. Ideal for construction site use, the HG 2520 is a precision tool featuring a powerful, extremely durable brushless mot

www.steinel.net

Yep after having a few Master heat guns with variable temp, one which was really good and still working fine, I decided to get the Steinel 2620E. Use it specifically for a home built coffee roasting setup and I seriously doubt most heat guns can come the least bit close to what it's capable of... especially the consistency, longevity and repairability if needed.

 

[LopezBart]

Yep after having a few Master heat guns with variable temp, one which was really good and still working fine, I decided to get the Steinel 2620E. Use it specifically for a home built coffee roasting setup and I seriously doubt most heat guns can come the least bit close to what it's capable of... especially the consistency, longevity and repairability if needed.

This device clearly needs a post w/ lots of pictures... too bad no smell-o-vision as yet

 

[Beerhippie]

This device clearly needs a post w/ lots of pictures... too bad no smell-o-vision as yet

What I recall from pan-roasting green coffee beans was the AWFUL smell they produced for the first few minutes. After that, yeah, yum!

 

[Hohn]

Yep after having a few Master heat guns with variable temp, one which was really good and still working fine, I decided to get the Steinel 2620E. Use it specifically for a home built coffee roasting setup and I seriously doubt most heat guns can come the least bit close to what it's capable of... especially the consistency, longevity and repairability if needed.

That is amazing! Definitely agree with Bart-- we need a thread breaking down your cool setup.

I prefer the ergonomic format of the 2620, but since I was shopping refurb, I get what was available, and the 2520 is otherwise identical.
I'm fortunate to have a couple "best there is" type items, and this is definitely on of them IMO.

 

[hobie18]

My heat guns last a few days. At most.
A tool that needs another piece.