Looking for a good heat gun

[78C-10]

Hey guys and gals, I'm looking to purchase a heat gun for warming things up for removing decals, heat shrink tubing, etc. As with most tools I see a whole bunch of different ones out there. Does anyone have a heat gun that they like and has been reliable so far? Thank you for your input.

 

[jallyn]

I picked up the 1500 Watt dual temp one from Harbor Freight for $8 when it was on sale. It works fine. http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html

Then later when I needed to do some plastic welding I picked up the accessory kit. Also cheap from Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/9-pc-heat-gun-accessory-kit-68695.html

You can spend more on a heat gun but for my occasional use it has been fine for me.

 

[SK-Mike]

I use a Wagner brand purchased at Lowes, in the paint dept. Paid around $30 for it, after 1 year of use so far it has performed very well. Works great for shrink tubing, and I also use it for heating up Tungsten fishing weights prior to powder coating them.

 

[mcmtech]

Is be got the harbor freight one at work, has been fine the past 3-4 years

 

[Ericgst]

There are not too many differences between high end and crappy heat guns. The biggest feature to look for is it not shorting out and causing a fire. Performance wise you will not find much difference other than highest setting, lowest setting, and graduations. If that matters, typically you control the heat by how far you place the object from the gun.

I have the one below, but only because it was real cheap last year during a lightning deal and $20 off $100 Dewalt coupon last year. I could live with less.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003079A56/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Hot glue guns are similar. Not too many options.

 

[jfleisher]

Another vote for the Wagner, picked it up at Walmart.

 

[txvwnut]

I've been using a harbor freight heat gun for the last 7 years and it hasn't let me down yet.

 

[78C-10]

Thank you all so far, I was at our local ag store today and I saw a Genesis brand heat gun on sale for $10.99, I had it in the cart but then I saw the display gun and it felt light, and sort of cheap feeling. Am I being too critical, the heavier the gun the better it is, the lighter it feels the cheaper it is?

 

[stage20]

the cheap 7 dollar hf guns are decent. their commercial hair dryer style works good, but these will catch fire when used on a daily basis. use them for heating up vct tiles to cut around drains and door jambs and such. has a pad so its self standing. we leave them on. dont think they are meant for continuous duty.

homeowner use they would prob last forever.

 

[CJM8515]

I bought a cheap kawasaki branded one at pepboys in a pinch years ago, has honestly served me well.

 

[Ainsley]

Steinel if you want one that will last forever.

 

[ez-duzit]

Milwaukee makes a very excellent one that has given me trouble free service.

 

[matt01073]

I have used a master appliance heatgun for many years in a body shop application never any problems all metal case so no plastic to break

 

[ken w.]

A few years ago I had about $150.00 in Sears gift cards and bought a Craftsman Professional Adjustable heat gun. It was a bit pricey ( $ 115.00 ), but I have used it weekly on heat shrink tubing and other things without a problem. Would I have bought it without gift cards ? Not so sure. I also have a Milwaukee hair dryer style that also has worked well. The Craftsman has a smaller outlet tube that takes different shaped nozzles and has 2 settings for heat and no heat..

 

[rockinacummins]

Another $8 HF here. Works great, and I like how light it is. I've used it a lot and never had an issue.

 

[Diesel_Dave]

x2 on the Milwaukee. love it. lot of settings, good quality.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I have a cheap unit I got off ebay some time back, it works good but I recently got a wagner off amazon on one of their deals and man that thing puts out some heat. YMMV

 

[dwlock]

Master Appliance makes excellent models with a base plate so you can let it remain stationary and have two hands to maneuver your work.

Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRM2O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[DBendr]

I've got a 1500 watt Porter Cable I got for about $30.. These things aren't anything but a souped up hair dryer.Just get some recognizable name. Doesn't need to be Makita or Milwaukee or anything. $40 should get you all you require.
Just looked. Amazon is full of name brands. $20-30

 

[Bennylava]

Also have a porter cable that I think i got at lowes. Seems excellent. Would recommend to anyone.

 

[volunteers]

A heat gun is just a heat gun. I think hf should work


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[erty67]

I've been doing decal/vinyl sign work for 10 years now and the HF hear gun has always been good to me.

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

 

[MattPersman]

Yep cheap HF gun works fine it's no special technology. They make 100,000s of these so yeah a small percentage is gonna be junk just like anything but they are so cheap and generally very reliable

 

[Farmall 1066]

I like my DeWalt. Gets hot as hell, light, and has legs that fold up so it can be free standing.

 

[Davefr]

I have some higher end heat guns but I actually like this one from HF. I love the controls and it's done everything I've needed including some abuse:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-12-interval-heat-gun-430-800-570-1160-69343.html

 

[Zeke]

I have a Makita and the controls are really good. Been using it for over 20 years.

 

[djjsr]

I also have a Wagner and it seems like I've used it forever with no problems. I do not like using it for heat shrink tubing as it's a big too big for close quarters. I just ordered a mini heat gun from CableOrganizers that's recommended for heat shrink.

 

[mickeyone]

Have Bosch,Milwaukee,and Wagner all are decent.

 

[lilcraigford]

A few years ago I had about $150.00 in Sears gift cards and bought a Craftsman Professional Adjustable heat gun. It was a bit pricey ( $ 115.00 ), but I have used it weekly on heat shrink tubing and other things without a problem. Would I have bought it without gift cards ? Not so sure. I also have a Milwaukee hair dryer style that also has worked well. The Craftsman has a smaller outlet tube that takes different shaped nozzles and has 2 settings for heat and no heat..

I have a Craftsman variable temp heat gun as well, but with the "Craftsman Industrial" labeling. I got it for a steal on eBay; used and dirty but well cared for. I took it apart and, aside from some scuffs on the housing, it looks new. Sold by Craftsman, made by Steinel. Mine was made in Germany, however I have seen some marked as being Swiss made. You can look through the Steinel catalog for parts and accessories.

I've been happy with my Craftsman. Works great! When I was shopping around I kept an eye out for an older Milwaukee (also Steinel) or secondhand Master Appliance Pro Heat (USA).

 

[rice rocket]

Metabo

 

[AV tinker er]

We have these in our benches at work. We didn't buy them but there inst a better one out there IMO.

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

 

[rice rocket]

We have these in our benches at work. We didn't buy them but there inst a better one out there IMO.

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

The Metabos are rebadged Steinels...for $120 cheaper.

 

[AV tinker er]

The Metabos are rebadged Steinels...for $120 cheaper.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[rshadd]

I have a Master Appliance VT-750CK Variable Temp Heat Gun. It's built like a tank and should out last me. Made in the USA.

[/url]

 

[Cypherian]

Steinel if you want one that will last forever.

This ^

I have one and I also have their gas soldering kit with soldering gun and torch etc. Pricey yes worth it yes I have had mine for 8 years with use a few times a month no issues.

Cypher

 

[COSMOS]

My Master heat gun is hitting 25 years old, for longevity of the Master heat gun always switch to fan only to cool the element prior to shutting down. Mine still has the original heating element...

 

[78C-10]

Thank you everyone for your input, this site is awesome!

 

[cnc-me]

Get a Master Appliance they are built like a tank.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Thank you all so far, I was at our local ag store today and I saw a Genesis brand heat gun on sale for $10.99, I had it in the cart but then I saw the display gun and it felt light, and sort of cheap feeling. Am I being too critical, the heavier the gun the better it is, the lighter it feels the cheaper it is?

rural king? I have the genesis one from them. had it about a year, no problems so far.

 

[Mastermind]

I have a wagner, and an ace hardware one that's a twin of the wagner. Have lasted me 12+ yrs on the original that is in my toolbox.
Now, I have a friend who does window tint. His heat guns run all day everyday. He's killed them all. He uses the $8 harbor freight ones. Keeps a couple in the truck at all times. He likes the digital one for precision, but said they don't last much longer than the cheapies. He gets 3-6 months out of the cheap ones if they make it a week. So with that knowledge of I was in the market for a heat gun and not using it all day everyday it would be the hf.