Hot glue gun that doesn't ****?

[vpd66]

Like the title says..Is there a hot glue gun that doesn't ****??? I have 2 cheap ones and everytime I use them they seem to leak big blobs of glue on the bench. It seems like they waste more glue then I need to use. Turns out to be total mess! So is there a decent brand that functions like it should?

 

[RMERR]

Mine has a small wire stand (it's also a common "cheap" brand). Yeah it oozes some hot glue in between uses while it's on, but I kinda accept/expect that when I'm using it. I just set it on a piece of cardboard to catch the drip while I'm using it. The glue sticks seem cheap enough that I don't really worry about the waste. Now maybe for extended use it could be a problem, my use is usually pretty short.

 

[ecotec]

I have been considering buying the off brand one on Amazon that uses Milwaukee batteries.

 

[Dave455]

Steinel.

All they make are glue guns and heat guns, and they’re decent.

Different nozzles are available. Cordless too, if you want it.

 

[ecotec]

Steinel.

All they make are glue guns and heat guns, and they’re decent.

Different nozzles are available. Cordless too, if you want it.

I thought that they only made heat guns. I had no idea about the glue guns.

 

[neophyte]

Steinel.

All they make are glue guns and heat guns, and they’re decent.

Different nozzles are available. Cordless too, if you want it.

Steinel makes more than heat guns.
There’s some corporate video on youtube that explains the company.
In addition to heat guns, which Steinel makes for a number of other brands, Steinel also does design work on products and electrical components.
Steinel also has assembly plants, were they make and/or assemble products for other manufacturers. I believe Karcher may have been one. The COO on the Fein vacuums makes me wonder if Steinel is assembling or manufacturing those.
Steinel also seems to manufacture sensors and lighting systems for buildings.
I can’t find the video with the corporate overview though.

Steinel GmbH

Impressum: http://www.steinel.de/de/Impressum/ Datenschutz: https://www.steinel.de/de/datenschutz/ Willkommen auf dem offiziellen Youtube - Channel von STEINEL Wir produzieren intelligente Technik für Menschen - hochwertige Produkte für mehr Komfort und maximale Energieeffizienz. Steinel...

m.youtube.com

 

[Dave455]

Steinel makes more than heat guns.
There’s some corporate video on youtube that explains the company.
In addition to heat guns, which Steinel makes for a number of other brands, Steinel also does design work on products and electrical components.
Steinel also has assembly plants, were they make and/or assemble products for other manufacturers. I believe Karcher may have been one. The COO on the Fein vacuums makes me wonder if Steinel is assembling or manufacturing those.
Steinel also seems to manufacture sensors and lighting systems for buildings.
I can’t find the video with the corporate overview though.

Steinel GmbH

Impressum: http://www.steinel.de/de/Impressum/ Datenschutz: https://www.steinel.de/de/datenschutz/ Willkommen auf dem offiziellen Youtube - Channel von STEINEL Wir produzieren intelligente Technik für Menschen - hochwertige Produkte für mehr Komfort und maximale Energieeffizienz. Steinel...

m.youtube.com

Fair enough!

The only tools I’ve seen with their name are the heat guns and glue guns though. If they are assembling for Fein, that’s even more in their favour I think.

The heat guns seem to be pretty “industry standard“ in the electronics assembly world. Certainly here in the U.K.

I’ve been planning to upgrade mine sometime, and it will be a Steinel.

A woodworking friend has one of their glue guns, and uses it professionally. He’s never complained about it.

He’s complained about everything else now that I think about it, so I guess that’s some sort of endorsement!

 

[Steve_P]

I have this generic one from Amazon for DeWalt batteries. I don't use it very often, but it works fine for me. It definitely doesn't feel up to the quality of a DeWalt 20V tool, which would cost 3X+ as much, but for $30 it's functional. Glue guns seem to be geared more towards the craft hobby and it's mostly cheap generic stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LYCQHZD?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kbuhagiar]

As an aside, other than for arts & crafts, what benefits are there from hot glue? Is it a particulary strong or flexible bond? I've seen plenty of uses in arts & crafts where, quite frankly, it didn't hold up well at all.

I've never known anyone who has used hot glue for anything that I can remember, particulary around the garage or for automotive uphlstery, etc.

Not saying it's bad, just curious as to the most appropriate uses for it.

 

[GeoBruin]

As an aside, other than for arts & crafts, what benefits are there from hot glue? Is it a particulary strong or flexible bond? I've seen plenty of uses in arts & crafts where, quite frankly, it didn't hold up well at all.

I've never known anyone who has used hot glue for anything that I can remember, particulary around the garage or for automotive uphlstery, etc.

Not saying it's bad, just curious as to the most appropriate uses for it.

It's usefulness to me is that it is not a particularly strong bond. I treat it more like a temporary adhesive that I can apply when I need something held in place but want to be able to remove it later. It also leaves no residue when it's removed. You can quickly pry up a corner of the glue blob, then pull and it will come off in one piece rather than having to meticulously scrape it off.

I know it's used for auto body dent removal. It seems to be sticky enough to allow you pull the dent out where you can't get to the back side but comes off without damaging the paint or leaving a residue.

 

[redwrench60]

 

[humber2]

Like the title says..Is there a hot glue gun that doesn't ****??? I have 2 cheap ones and everytime I use them they seem to leak big blobs of glue on the bench. It seems like they waste more glue than I need to use. Turns out to be total mess! So is there a decent brand that functions like it should?

I use the cheapest guns. To minimise leakage when work is paused I pull the stick back out a tad to take pressure off the nozzle end.

These guns are not designed with any feature to park them hot, often I’ll park them with the nozzle over an upturned jam jar lid.

YMMV

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

My wife does a lot of arts & crafts, During the last 4 years she has tried 3 or 4 glue guns and keeps going back to here dads 80s or 90s Craftsman glue gun with removable cord. She still has the box and glue gun stand.

 

[WWheeler]

I have been considering buying the off brand one on Amazon that uses Milwaukee batteries.

Same here, except with Dewalts. I like that they look like they will stand up on their batteries. Every other hot glue gun I've ever used came with some crappy little stand of some sort that was worse than useless, too easy to wind up getting glue where I don't want it, and potentially dangerous.

I've held off though because I only have one other tool that uses my Dewalt batteries and that's a soldering iron (a glue gun of sorts!) that works great , I luv it, BUT I left a battery on it while it was powered off and wasn't used for weeks and it drained the battery down too low to take a charge any more. Though I was able to jump start it using the apparently controversial method, I'm now a lot more leery to buy anything else using one of my Dewalt or Milwaukee batteries that isn't a genuine Dewalt or Milwaukee tool. I haven't ruled out getting one. Kinda waiting to see what someone else who already has one (that's not an Amazon review) has to say.

Anywho, speaking of my hate for glue guns because of their lack of a reliable stand, here's someone who agrees with me and found one that doesn't **** (it is pricey though):

As an aside, other than for arts & crafts, what benefits are there from hot glue? Is it a particulary strong or flexible bond? I've seen plenty of uses in arts & crafts where, quite frankly, it didn't hold up well at all.

I've never known anyone who has used hot glue for anything that I can remember, particulary around the garage or for automotive uphlstery, etc.

Not saying it's bad, just curious as to the most appropriate uses for it.

I've used the cheap art chain store ones for projects with my kids and they were super easy and fast compared to any other method I could think of.

But the main thing I've used them for is to temporarily attach templates for routing on my router table or bandsaw. A couple dabs holds the template better and cheaper than double sided tape and removal and cleanup is easy.

I've also used hot glue to hold magnets and LED strips in several projects. It's almost instant and strong enough for those uses and less messy than glues.

I also can keep glue sticks and glue guns around for long periods of time at the ready. A bottle of glue on the other hand? lol. IF by some miracle it's still where I left it and the wife or kids didn't use it, it's often dried up. Wanting to use regular glue winds up being a trip to the store almost more often than not.

 

[RTM]

I have a Craftsman 40W from the 80s, works well, but holds several glue sticks, so a ***** to change flavors.

I have several cheap crafty type that only holds one stick, which is more than usually needed.

None of these leak more than a drop or two when heated or in use, but I still use them on a cardboard or other scrap.

I have never used these on a Wood work project, but on many craft projects for the kids and now my MLW. The CMan is listed as being for caulk, but I prefer a ratcheting gun dispenser.

 

[dscheidt]

As an aside, other than for arts & crafts, what benefits are there from hot glue? Is it a particulary strong or flexible bond? I've seen plenty of uses in arts & crafts where, quite frankly, it didn't hold up well at all.

I've never known anyone who has used hot glue for anything that I can remember, particulary around the garage or for automotive uphlstery, etc.

Not saying it's bad, just curious as to the most appropriate uses for it.

I make scale models of furniture i'm thinking about building, and hot melt glue makes it pretty easy to stick things together, decide that's ugly, or the legs need to be at a different angle, and take it apart to put it back together again. This is particular useful when I'm just noodling with a piece of cardboard and some wire, to get a shape, proportion, or angle sorted out.

I bought it originally to make a cat structure for the cats, which might be arts and craftsy. I bought the cheapest one at Menards, where we got the rest of the stuff for it -- some carpet and a sonotube. (I'm pretty sure the lumber was all scrap.) One of the perches (big sonotube, cut in half) broke, because I didn't properly reinforce the mounting pipe, but the carpet and rope are held in place with only hot glue, and the glue has held up better than the stuff it's holding in place.

I find I use it more if it's out, for little random things you need to stick together. two examples that pop to mind:

I hot glue a magnet to a carpenter's pencil, and stick it on the electrical panel in my garage. When the pencil is used up, I cut the magnet off and glue it to a new one.

I had one of the plastic ear extensions on my (otherwise metal) glasses fall off. (and amazingly, my wife found it on the sidewalk outside a busy resturant an hour later....). When we got home, I went into the shop and thought what would be the right sort of glue for this. It was clearly molded in place, it doesn't have to adjust, but it needs to be reasonably flexible, so epoxy was clearly wrong. The glue gun was out and was the obvious choice. plug it in, wait, wait some more, squirt some glue in the hold, stick the frame in. wipe up the squeeze out.

 

[vpd66]

As an aside, other than for arts & crafts, what benefits are there from hot glue? Is it a particulary strong or flexible bond? I've seen plenty of uses in arts & crafts where, quite frankly, it didn't hold up well at all.

I've never known anyone who has used hot glue for anything that I can remember, particulary around the garage or for automotive uphlstery, etc.

Not saying it's bad, just curious as to the most appropriate uses for it.

Look into PDR (paintless dent removal)

 

[vpd66]

Mine has a small wire stand (it's also a common "cheap" brand). Yeah it oozes some hot glue in between uses while it's on, but I kinda accept/expect that when I'm using it. I just set it on a piece of cardboard to catch the drip while I'm using it. The glue sticks seem cheap enough that I don't really worry about the waste. Now maybe for extended use it could be a problem, my use is usually pretty short.

I started doing some PDR and there are all sorts of different glues with different strengths and they are not cheap. So wasting more then I'm using is what I'm trying to avoid.

 

[WILD-BILL]

I do have one and about the only use I've had for it so far in upholstery work is re gluing wiring and air ducts back in place on the backside of a headliner I'm recovering.

Not sure if that's how the OEM's did it but the end result looks the same.

 

[Ohio Andy]

In 2012 I purchased a

3M Hot Melt Adhesive Applicator, AE GEN II, Light Duty Robust and Easy to Use, 120V, Self Regulating Heater, Built-in Stand, Adjustable Output and Precise Control

The model name is the same but it looks different than what I received. And when I purchased was used. It was used I believe at Amazon to help build boxes. And I have to say I have used this with certain types of glue sticks, industrial glow sticks, two build boxes for shipping when I need to ship things that do not have a box with inappropriate size.

This thing is a beast and it works really well.

I own a lot of glue guns cuz I also use them for melting wax. When I teach certain calligraphy classes and we use wax seals. It's much easier to melt wax that way than most of the other wax seal methods. This particular glue gun I never use for wax seals.

Problem is it's really expensive.

if mine broke I would order another one immediately today. I'm at this current price shows $114 for a glue gun.

Amazon.com: 3M Hot Melt Adhesive Applicator, AE GEN II, Light Duty Robust and Easy to Use, 120V, Self Regulating Heater, Built-in Stand, Adjustable Output and Precise Control : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: 3M Hot Melt Adhesive Applicator, AE GEN II, Light Duty Robust and Easy to Use, 120V, Self Regulating Heater, Built-in Stand, Adjustable Output and Precise Control : Tools & Home Improvement

a.co

I will add that my wife borrowed it once and took it to where they were doing a play or something, I don't exactly know what they needed to do with it, but apparently everyone was wowed by it and wanted to use it for whatever they were building

 

[kbuhagiar]

Thanks guys, I have a new appreciation for glue guns, hot glue & it's applications!
Might just have to get me one!

 

[Kscardsfan]

As an aside, other than for arts & crafts, what benefits are there from hot glue? Is it a particulary strong or flexible bond? I've seen plenty of uses in arts & crafts where, quite frankly, it didn't hold up well at all.

I've never known anyone who has used hot glue for anything that I can remember, particulary around the garage or for automotive uphlstery, etc.

Not saying it's bad, just curious as to the most appropriate uses for it.

I'd argue that more a function of the adhesive than the glue gun itself. I know they use it in automotive trim applications and for veneer and laminate work on some woodworking projects. I'm sure there are millions of others I'm not aware of.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I'd argue that more a function of the adhesive than the glue gun itself. I know they use it in automotive trim applications and for veneer and laminate work on some woodworking projects. I'm sure there are millions of others I'm not aware of.

I tried to use it with any of my glue, guns and any of the hot glue that I own to level aboard on a surface thicknesser.... I don't own a jointer so I use my planer. Problem is all the glue guns adhere so strongly that I was destroying my planer sled.

I literally use one of the guns to build shipping boxes and they do not come apart.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have a couple ryobi cordless ones, been working great for a few years,might even get a dual temp one.

RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Glue Gun (Tool Only) with (3) General Purpose Glue Sticks PCL921B - The Home Depot

Make your household projects easier with this durable Ryobi ONE plus Cordless Full Size Glue Gun. Offers a great value for cutting the cord.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Kscardsfan]

I tried to use it with any of my glue, guns and any of the hot glue that I own to level aboard on a surface thicknesser.... I don't own a jointer so I use my planer. Problem is all the glue guns adhere so strongly that I was destroying my planer sled.

I literally use one of the guns to build shipping boxes and they do not come apart.

That is some damned fine glue.

 

[Ohio Andy]

That is some damned fine glue.

This is one link on Amazon that takes you to the high strength glue

Amazon.com

Notice that from there they have different types under the same sale such as,

General purpose, laminate (for example, countertops), Wood (this is what I probably should have tried while using it to stabilize wood going through the surface planer on a sled because hot air should remove it, but, not sure how to get hot air under there if I use it to stabilize wood), And carton (think cardboard).

So especially formulated glue sticks for different applications

 

[CN Spots]

I ordered this one from Uline for work. The first one we got was over ten years ago and I finally broke the tip off after dropping it on the floor a thousand times. I ordered a direct replacement immediately. It drips when set over 300 degrees (mine is set at 380) but I'll sacrifice that over not being able to run a long bead. I design and build corrugate displays and go through over 100 yards of glue per year and this thing has been an indispensable beast.


We have 2 of the Fastenmaster HB220 guns on standby but I've yet to use them and can't comment on their performance. I requested the Uline one but there was some sort of accounting issue with Uline so they subbed the HB220s. Both the Uline and Fastenmaster have excellent, integrated stands and appear to be of the same build quality.

Our corrugate vendors use the same orange 3M one as Adam Savage is using above. I didn't like the small sticks and the thumb feed. (Some of the beads we run are 4 feet long and burn through a 15" stick pretty fast)

 

[johninct]

What is good glue to get? I bought a package about 30 years ago and the glue really stuck good. I finally used up the package last year and bought some at the hardware store that I would only rate as fair/ok.

 

[Ohio Andy]

What is good glue to get? I bought a package about 30 years ago and the glue really stuck good. I finally used up the package last year and bought some at the hardware store that I would only rate as fair/ok.

What size glue gun and how hot does it get? it makes a difference of course. I use this I have a few different types from this link

Amazon.com

 

[W-Cummins]

I have 3, 3m pneumatic hot melt guns. They work very well but just the glue costs 30X more than most are going to pay for a whole cheep glue gun. They make about 14 or maybe more types of glue for them, the carton closing is the cheapest stuff they make and it comes in 22lb boxes ( 1"X3" sticks that load into a magazine) The $$$ stuff electronics potting adhesive, is like $900 per 22lb box!

 

[johninct]

What size glue gun and how hot does it get? it makes a difference of course. I use this I have a few different types from this link

Amazon.com

I have a cheap one I got at a hardware store like 30 years ago that I always leave on high. I am guessing the sticks are a little bigger than 1/2" and about 6" long. I don't know how hot it gets but if you get hot glue on your hands, it hurts a little.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I've been using the Ryobi 18v glue gun for a few years. Love that thing. Bought it for a few crafting projects but I use it in the garage a lot more than I'd anticipated. Super useful for woodworking projects.

My only two Ryobi tools are that and the hedge trimmer so I just use them with an adapter and my Milwaukee M18 batteries.

 

[DrinkMan]

I have a couple ryobi cordless ones, been working great for a few years,might even get a dual temp one.

RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Glue Gun (Tool Only) with (3) General Purpose Glue Sticks PCL921B - The Home Depot

Make your household projects easier with this durable Ryobi ONE plus Cordless Full Size Glue Gun. Offers a great value for cutting the cord.

www.homedepot.com

My wife does the PDR on our cars and also does a lot of crafts. She loves hot glue guns but the Ryobi cordless are her favorites. She has the mini and regular size stick versions. I bet she has at least 8 different hot glue guns - some cordless, some corded but Ryobi is her go-to for PDR and the others for crafts and temporary bonding.

 

[Ohio Andy]

My wife does the PDR on our cars and also does a lot of crafts. She loves hot glue guns but the Ryobi cordless are her favorites. She has the mini and regular size stick versions. I bet she has at least 8 different hot glue guns - some cordless, some corded but Ryobi is her go-to for PDR and the others for crafts and temporary bonding.

I have two cordless ryobis, they work fine.

 

[vpd66]

So after a lot of online research and pretty much educating myself on hot glue and the different types I settled on the Ryobi P305. Since I already have the Ryobi tool batteries it made the most sense. So far I've been very happy with the glue gun. I also found out that Surebonder is the company that makes the Ryobi glue guns and they sell interchangeable tips that fit the Ryobi gun that come in different sizes. I haven't received the tips yet but being able to change the size of the tip for the project should be a plus.

 

[Ohio Andy]

So after a lot of online research and pretty much educating myself on hot glue and the different types I settled on the Ryobi P305. Since I already have the Ryobi tool batteries it made the most sense. So far I've been very happy with the glue gun. I also found out that Surebonder is the company that makes the Ryobi glue guns and they sell interchangeable tips that fit the Ryobi gun that come in different sizes. I haven't received the tips yet but being able to change the size of the tip for the project should be a plus.

And a couple. And I think they each came with three or four tips, but I might have bought a kit. I don't remember. It's been a while... And I haven't needed to change the tip... But I thought for sure I would use different tips

 

[alinc100]

Timely question as the Mellif glue gun off Amazon ,in my case for Makita batteries came out of the box yesterday for the first time. I've used a co -workers before , mine had stayed new. Yesterday while having to install a whole house fan and secure cardboard shields around the fan box this gun worked great, no drips, fast melt/heat. The only complaint could be their cheap, included glue was a bit stringy. Having the freedom of no cord, in a hallway without a receptacle, standing on a painter's scaffold, was great. In the garage I have one of the $50-60 Arrows from HD ,only complaint there was the base kept coming off, until I glued it.

 

[SRSemenza]

I have had good results with the Arrow GT300. There is a small amount of dripping while at rest but not bad. Has a decent removable stand / base.

Seth

 

[gte718p]

Timely question as the Mellif glue gun off Amazon ,in my case for Makita batteries came out of the box yesterday for the first time. I've used a co -workers before , mine had stayed new. Yesterday while having to install a whole house fan and secure cardboard shields around the fan box this gun worked great, no drips, fast melt/heat. The only complaint could be their cheap, included glue was a bit stringy. Having the freedom of no cord, in a hallway without a receptacle, standing on a painter's scaffold, was great. In the garage I have one of the $50-60 Arrows from HD ,only complaint there was the base kept coming off, until I glued it.

I have the same on as I'm already in the Makita cordless ecosystem. I love mine.

While we are discussing the gun, quality glue is as important as a good gun. Like anything you are going to pay for quality, but if you use glue often ie serious crafting, PDR, etc. It is worth it to buy the good stuff.

 

[johninct]

I have the same on as I'm already in the Makita cordless ecosystem. I love mine.

While we are discussing the gun, quality glue is as important as a good gun. Like anything you are going to pay for quality, but if you use glue often ie serious crafting, PDR, etc. It is worth it to buy the good stuff.

What is the good stuff?