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Best Small Heat Guns For Crafts

Best Small Heat Guns For Crafts

If you’re an artistic person or you’re into crafting hobbies, then you must have probably heard of heat guns. These small heat guns are one of the most versatile crafts tools for DIY’ers and other hand workers.

There are varieties of heat guns out there and picking the right one for your handicrafts can be overwhelming and confusing, but don’t worry, this article’s got you covered. We’ll be discussing factors to look out for when choosing a heat gun as well as some of the best heat guns out there and why we love them.

But before we delve into all that, let’s have a quick background on heat guns and their uses.

What Are Heat Guns?

In simple terms, heat guns are hand-held devices used to direct a stream of hot air to a small or confined area. The air released usually has a temperature of about 100 °C to about 500 °C. Although, hotter versions can release air with temperatures as high as 760 °C.

Heat guns have been around for quite a while, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s before they started becoming popular. We could say that heat guns are technological descendants of the early electric heaters and ovens.

Heat guns were first used in 1930 as a method of removing dry paint, it did this by softening it and making blisters of the dried paints which could then be scraped off.

The second version of heat guns was invented in 1936 and it was a slightly more advanced version of the previous one. It was used to melt frozen oils and in cars and pipes. The heat gun went through various technological development before finally becoming what we know it as today.

There are now different categories of hot guns, so let’s check out some of the main ones.

Types Of Heat Guns For Crafts

Based on their powering mechanisms, heat guns are mainly differentiated into 3 types:

1. Electric powered hot guns:

These are the most popular ones and they can be either corded or without cords.

2. Gas-powered hot guns:

They are not as popular as electric ones because they are more expensive and they need constant refueling. They use either butane or propane gases to function.

3. Infrared powered hot guns:

These are recently launched guns and they are powered with infrared. They are cheaper alternatives to electric hot guns.

Yet another type of hot gun are the Industrial powered hot guns.

The only difference between industrial hot guns and gas or electric ones is their size and what they are used for. Industrial hot guns are used for heavy-duty work and industrial works and as such, they have no precision and accuracy.

Factors To Consider When Choosing Hot Guns

When choosing the best hot gun for your crafts, these are some of the factors you should consider ;

Temperature range and control: These are some of the key factors you should consider when making your choice of hot guns. The temperature range and control of hot guns determine the type of you can use them for.

Hot guns with wide temperature and control range are used for industrial purposes and heavy duty jobs.

Those with a more narrow range are suitable for home use and crafts.

Nozzle and accessories:

The heat nozzles that come with the heat guns also determine the type of jobs you can use them for. You should go for heat guns with nozzles that are designed to provide accurate and precise flow of heat.

You should also consider the accessories that come with it. Some heat guns come with switches that go off by themselves after pressure has been removed, some also come with surface stands, and hanging hooks. Just make sure you go for heat guns that have accessories that will help make your tasks easier.

Other features:

Apart from the accessories that come with the heat guns, some heat guns also have some in-built features that make them more efficient. Some of these features are extensible cords, high temperature protection and so on.

Now that we’ve had some background knowledge on heat guns and what to look out for when picking one. Let’s now go check out some of the best hot guns for crafts.

The first on our list:

Genesis GHG1500A

This heat gun is one of the most versatile ones out there. It can be used for a variety of functions including : stripping of paint, removing adhesive labels, loosening rusted nuts and so on.

It has the following features:

  • High and low temperature settings
  • Powerful 12.5 amp motor 1500/750 watt
  • Three different noozles ; Deflector, reflector, and air reduction noozle
  • 3-Position Rocker Type Switch,

Pros

  • Economic and pocket friendly
  • Good temperature control
  • Easy to use
  • Has great energy efficiency

Cons

  • It gets easily gets hot , thus, there is high risk of burns

 

Homidic Mini Handheld Hot Air Gun

With its durability, practicality and versatility, it is no wonder why this hot air gun is one of the best hot air guns for crafts.

Check out some of its features:

  • 56FT long cable
  • Dimension – 9.44 x 1.97 inches
  • Voltage 110V
  • Power 300W
  • Built-in stand and table top

Pros

  • It has a long cable length which makes it ideal for crafting
  • It is compact and portable
  • Can be used for varieties of tasks like; heating shrinkable film, drying paint, DIY craft embossing

Cons

  • Its tip can reach 200 °C in seconds, thus it cannot be used for long amount of time. 10 minutes at max.

BLACK+DECKER Heat Gun, Dual Temperature (HG1300)

This is another of the hot guns in the market with perfect features to make crafting and DIY tasks easy and fun.

Let’s take at some of its features that earned it a 4.7 review on Amazon.

Features

  • Dual temperature settings, ranging from 750F to 1000F
  • Power – 1350W
  • 3 Position Side Handle
  • Built-in stand

Pros

  • It is light weight and compact making it easy to maneuver
  • Has various applications including : loosening rusted nut, thawing pipes and removing paints
  • Its side handle makes it easy to grip
  • Built in stand makes cool down easier and safer

Cons

  • There have been complaints of excess smoking when it the temperature is turned on high

Now that you’ve known some of the best options of heat guns for crafts, let’s finally discuss on how to care and maintain them so that they last long.

 

Proper Maintenance of Heat Guns

In order to fully enjoy your heat guns and make them last, practice the following steps regularly:

  • Always make sure you thoroughly inspect your heat guns before and after using them. Look out for features like power cord, the battery and so on.
  • After using your heat gun, set it down on a proper stand to avoid burns or damage to the gun.
  • Clean the gun periodically, don’t let dust settle on it.
  • After using the gun, give it some time to cool down before storing it.
  • When cleaning the gun, ensure that water does not come in contact with the heating element.
  • Store the gun in a cool dry place to prevent corrosion.
  • Service the gun after about 400 hours of use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the best small heat gun for crafts can significantly enhance your crafting experience by providing precision, versatility, and efficiency. Whether you’re working with delicate materials like shrink wrap or need to remove paint or adhesive, the right heat gun can be a game-changer.

By considering factors like temperature control, nozzle options, safety features, and portability, you can narrow down your options to find the perfect heat gun that meets your crafting needs. From compact designs for intricate projects to ergonomic handles for comfortable use, there’s a wide range of options available to suit various crafting styles and preferences.

Investing in a quality small heat gun not only ensures consistent and reliable performance but also opens up a world of creative possibilities in your crafting endeavors. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast, professional crafter, or hobbyist, the right heat gun can be an indispensable tool in your arsenal, enabling you to bring your creative visions to life with precision and ease.

With the insights provided in this guide and a better understanding of the features and benefits offered by different small heat guns, you’re well-equipped to make an informed decision and choose the perfect tool to take your crafting projects to the next level.

So, unleash your creativity, experiment with new techniques, and let your imagination soar as you embark on your crafting journey with the best small heat gun by your side.

I hope this article has been helpful and cleared any confusion you might have had regarding heat guns.

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