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Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: phil myers on March 19, 2009, 11:14:48 AM

Title: HEAT GUNS what type to use?
Post by: phil myers on March 19, 2009, 11:14:48 AM

Hi folks, :## new to this game, can I use a DIY heat gun for heat shrinking plastic film, coz they're a lot cheaper or should I go for the model shop gizmo at twice the price. I'd be interested to know what other builders are using? (ps i did try the wifes hair dryer but its not hot enough, and she wasn't to chuffed either!!) LL~
 Phil

Title: Re: HEAT GUNS what type to use?
Post by: Randy Powell on March 19, 2009, 12:07:46 PM

I'm not sure what a DYI heat gun is. But I use an inexpensive job from Harbor freight. Has 3 heat settings. The highest would blow right through Monokote, but the low setting works quite well.

Title: Re: HEAT GUNS what type to use?
Post by: Mark Scarborough on March 19, 2009, 12:10:55 PM

Some of the DIY heat guns are VERY hot, and I would not use them, to hard to regulate the heat you need. the real deal is "designed" to put out the correct heat range and in the long run will be cheaper. You only need to burn a hole in your covered wing once and ruin 15 bucks worth of covering to make up any price difference. The real deal heat guns are not that expnsive, seems they are bout 15 - 20 $

Title: Re: HEAT GUNS what type to use?
Post by: Alan Hahn on March 19, 2009, 02:43:23 PM

Even an "official"Monocote Heat gun will blow through Monocote if your attention span is short!

Industry grade heat guns really are not a good idea---they can melt a charging elephant at 10 paces. They are good at stripping paint off woodwork--with some care. Also good for unsticking castor-gummed up Foxes too.

Make sure which one you have in your hand before starting to shrink! HB~>

Title: Re: HEAT GUNS what type to use?
Post by: Randy Powell on March 19, 2009, 08:39:38 PM

I'm no expert with iron on finishes, but mine seems to work fine.

I use the same gun (on high setting) to re-pitch carbon props.

Title: Re: HEAT GUNS what type to use?
Post by: phil myers on March 20, 2009, 01:22:49 PM

Thanks for the replies; looks like its the real deal model shop heat gun for me then!
They're about £22- £25 in the u.k.($35.00 ?) No its not a lot on its own, but when you're trying to get everything from scratch to build the first model, it starts mounting up.
Cheers Phil

Title: Re: HEAT GUNS what type to use?
Post by: john e. holliday on March 23, 2009, 09:11:56 AM

As someone has already stated, "Even with a model heat gun do not pause too long in one spot".   Don't ask me how I know.  DOC Holliday

Title: Re: HEAT GUNS what type to use?
Post by: steve pagano on March 23, 2009, 09:20:44 AM

     I use the Towwer Hobbies gun and i works great for me.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJD39&P=ML

                                       Steve

Title: Re: HEAT GUNS what type to use?
Post by: Bill Heher on March 23, 2009, 04:03:40 PM

I have a "Hobbico" brand and it works quite well, but before I got it I often used a salon style hair dryer,
( my girlfriend/wife's - my hair doesn't need one). It had hi-lo heat range and got warm enough to shrink evry type of covering i tried it on. I also used a small travel iron to stick down the edges, and shrink covering on solid surfaces.