What are heat guns
Heat guns are electric hand tools which look and work in a similar way to hair dryers – operating a fan that pulls air into the body of the tool and drives it across an electric heating element and out through a nozzle. Heat guns are sometimes referred to as hot air guns.
Heat guns are lightweight, easy-to-use tools which are less likely than blow torches to scorch wood or crack glass when being used. This means they’ve predominantly replaced the old-fashion paraffin and bottled gas blow torch for stripping paint on timber.
The hot air flow of a heat gun is less dangerous than a naked flame but it can still cause flammable items to catch fire,
crack glass and cause injury if directed on to the skin
One advantage of this tool is the heat is almost instantaneous, so it can be switched off during pauses while working – whereas flame blow torches need to be relit if the flame is extinguished, which is less convenient.
While flames can damage the surface being heated and potentially cause a fire, the hot air from a heat gun is a safer source of heat. For most jobs, 399°C (750°F) is hot enough, and many heat guns allow you to adjust the temperature.
Heat Guns—Buying Guide
Hot air guns can come in many shapes and sizes and can differ in many ways, such as their power source or temperature range. A hobbyist’s or technician’s work can be so diverse, so there isn’t a clear definition for which of these types make for the best electronics heat gun. This buying guide aims to help both new and seasoned technicians determine what is the best heat gun for electronics they will encounter in their job or during their projects.
Types of Heat Guns
The commonality between any heat gun is its ability to blow out hot air without producing flames. This heat can be generated from a few different sources, each of which may offer more heat, power, or mobility than another. We go into a little more detail on the main types of heat guns available below.
Electric Heat Guns: Electric is the most commonly used power source for these tools. Electric heat gun technology relies on a power outlet or rechargeable battery to heat and power the tool. Most battery-powered options have a very short working time, as the heat gun must draw a lot of power to function. However, when working with electronics, a battery allows for a lot more mobility around the device and the option to work remotely. So for professionals that need to use their heat gun all day, a corded tool would be necessary, but for hobbyists that only need short bursts of hot air, a cordless heat gun is nice to have.
Gas Heat Guns: A gas heat gun attaches to a propane or butane tank to create hot air. Since it is powered by gas, it can often reach a higher temperature range and get the job done quicker than electric models. Although it isn’t as popular and requires replacement tanks, this type of heat gun can offer portability without sacrificing work time.
Infrared Heat Guns: Infrared heat guns are pretty hard to come by since their technology is quite recent, but it is starting to be used more in hairdryers and electric paint strippers. These tools can use lower temperatures than the typical hot air tool and cause less damage while also working faster, so they will be quite revolutionary to the electronics industry as they become more widely available.
Hot Air Station: These reworking stations are another type of electric heat gun, but what makes them unique is that all of their controls and mechanisms are stored inside of a separate box. This allows the design of the gun to be very sleek and thin for excellent accessibility to tight spaces and makes them comfortable to use.
Heat Settings
Each heat gun has different temperature adjustment options. What will make for the best heat gun will depend on the amount of versatility a user expects and requires from their tool.
Single Temperature Heat Guns: Although these tools only have one heat setting, if they are being used for a very specific project or task, it ensures a reliable and consistent temperature.
Dual-Temperature Heat Guns: These heat guns have two heat settings, both high and low. This option offers a little more versatility and is relatively common for most heat guns.
Variable Temperature Heat Guns: Heat guns with variable temperature adjustments have a larger temperature range that can be controlled within certain increments, by a dial or buttons. They are the best for professional electronic technicians that may see a wide range of situations or jobs that require variable heat levels. It is also the best option for anyone who just wants more control and versatility from their tool.
Other Considerations
Beyond these larger categories, there are a few other factors to consider. Some of which are based on personal preference or the requirements of a project and others are just must-haves in any electronics heat gun.
Size: The same large heat guns that are being used on frozen pipes could be used for electronics, depending on the task at hand. However, a lot of electronic work requires something smaller, like a mini or compact heat gun, to get into a circuit board.
Temperature Range: To avoid damaging electronics from excessive heat, while ensuring that enough heat is provided, it is very important to recognize what temperatures are needed to get the task done. For delicate pieces that require very little heat, the highest temperature setting is not important. Instead, buyers should seek out either a very low setting or heat gun models that have a large range. For more intense repairs and thicker material, users may be more inclined to get a heat gun that has a high maximum temperature.
Heating Time: The time in which it takes the hot metal nozzle to heat up is also an important consideration since the faster a tool heats up, the more efficient a job can be.
Safety: Similar to any other gas-powered tool, what could potentially make a propane heat gun harmful is the chance of a gas leak which is a major fire hazard. Although electric heat guns don’t use gas, the chance of the motor overheating can make electronic heat guns dangerous. The overheating of heat gun tools can cause fires, burns to the skin, and damage to the tool itself. That is why it is important to seek out safety features, such as overload protection or flame-retardant material, as well as always consulting the manual and handling the tool with caution.
Most common usage methods
Here are some of the most common ways people use heat guns:
Drying painted surfaces
If you just painted a wall or piece of furniture and the paint takes forever to dry, use a heat gun to speed up the process. Just point the nozzle at the wet paint and move it back and forth until the paint is dry to the touch.
Removing stickers and decals
Heat guns are great for removing unwanted stickers and decals. Just point the nozzle at the sticker and hold it there until the adhesive melts. Then, you should be able to peel the sticker right off.
Defrosting a car windshield
During the winter, it’s not uncommon for your car’s windshield to freeze over. To defrost it quickly, use a heat gun.
Loosening and removing rusty or stuck parts
If you’re working on a project that requires removing rusty or stuck parts, a heat gun can come in handy. Just point the nozzle at the part and heat it until it’s loose enough to remove.
Softening adhesives, caulking, and other materials before removal
If you need to remove caulking, adhesive, or another material, use a heat gun to soften it. It will make the removal process much more manageable.
Welding plastic parts
Welding is commonly done with metal, but did you know that you can also weld plastic? Just point the nozzle of the heat gun at the plastic parts you want to weld, and they should melt together.
Drying wet carpets or floors
If your carpet or floor is wet, use a heat gun to speed up the drying process. Just point the nozzle of the heat gun at an area of your carpet or floor and hold it there until it dries completely.
Stripping paint from surfaces
Use a heat gun if you want to strip paint from a surface. Just point the nozzle at the paint and hold it there until the paint begins to blister. Then, you should be able to scrape it right off.
Shrinking heat-shrink tubing
Heat shrink tubing is commonly used to insulate wires, but sometimes it needs to be shrunk down first. You can quickly shrink the tubing using a heat gun without damaging the wires underneath.
Thawing frozen pipes
If your pipes are frozen, you can use a heat gun to thaw them out. Just point the nozzle at the frozen section of the pipe and hold it there until the ice melts.
Soldering electronic components
Another everyday use for heat guns is to solder electronic components together. Just point the gun’s nozzle at the two parts that need to be joined and hold it there until they are melted together.
Arian khak companys’ Top Picks for the Best Heat Guns for Electronics 2022
Our list below has the best heat gun for electronics that are available to buy now.
Which heat gun should I buy?
When you’re looking for a new tool to add to your collection, you need to firstly consider what you’re going to be using it for. With heat guns, they vary in power, hot air flow and temperature control. People who use a heat gun regularly, for work or around the house, will benefit from a more powerful heat gun. We stock a range of heat guns with 240-volt power, perfect for frequent use.
Temperature control is also important to ensure safety and also to make sure that the heat gun can carry out all the tasks you need it to. Some heat guns come with a memory function for a consistent temperature, which is handy for frequent users.
Arian khak iranian, all of our products are high quality at low prices. Our selection of heat guns has something suitable for every purpose and ability. Any questions? Our friendly team are on hand to provide more information. Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
