Hi all,
I'm using heat shrink more and more in my projects these days so I decided it's time to invest in a heat gun. ( I've been using the heat from the soldering iron until now and it doesn't heat evenly and always requires cleaning the tip afterwards. ) I wanted to know if you have recommendations for brands or features. I know that if I'm just using this for heat shrink tubing I probably don't need a fancy one, but I figured I might as well get a good one that will last me and might have enough power to do some IC rework, or for recycling parts from scrap boards.
Is variable temperature really worth it or should I just go for watts?
Is there a fundamental difference in the way heat is generated for different guns?
For instance a gun like this:
Vs. a more traditional gun like this:
Thanks Adafruiters,
- Matt
Heat Gun Recommendations
Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88093
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Heat Gun Recommendations
I've got a gun-style one that looks like a clone of that Milwaukee. As well as a smaller tube-shaped unit. The big one is overkill for most heat-shrink uses and takes up valuable bench-space. I get much more use from the small one.
- pburgess
- Posts: 4161
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:29 am
Re: Heat Gun Recommendations
I have a big ol' Makita heat gun that's handy for a lot of shop type uses (stripping paint, bending PVC, etc.)...but it would be major overkill if you're *only* doing heat-shrink. For that, I have a Marvy Embossing Heat Tool (ostensibly for scrapbooking) that I picked up at a local thrift store for a couple bucks. The effeminate styling is a bit over the top (some versions are purple with glitter), but it does work great with heat-shrink tubing!
-
- Posts: 307
- Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 6:48 am
Re: Heat Gun Recommendations
You might want to get a proper SMD hot air tool with temperature control, than a big heat gun. Less chance of cooking your ICs I think.
A cheap one, you can get on eBay: http://www.eevblog.com/2011/04/25/eevbl ... rk-review/
A cheap one, you can get on eBay: http://www.eevblog.com/2011/04/25/eevbl ... rk-review/
- neutron spin
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 6:11 pm
Re: Heat Gun Recommendations
Sparkfun sells the neatest little heat gun!...It is small and has insulated end to keep you from getting burned. It is the perfect size for most electronic heat shrink uses. Check em' out...I think they still sell it....Adafruit could sell gazillions of them...hint...hint!...
-
- Posts: 12151
- Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:21 pm
Re: Heat Gun Recommendations
we're evaluating some heat guns but there isn't one we're thrilled with yet.
cheers,
adafruit
cheers,
adafruit
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.