Hot glue guns are a really handy tool to have on hand and makes quick and convenient bonds to just about anything, even dissimilar materials, making it a one of a kind tool.
Glue guns give you better control of your adhesive output, and the glue sticks are relatively safe compared to other adhesive agents, too.
Even though hot glue guns are relatively simple tools there are some variables that will pop up and you might be confused on some of the options. Here is what I found out...
How Does a Hot Glue Gun Work?
Glue guns take on the appearance of a pistol and most models are electrically powered tools that melt and releases hot glue, which you can then apply on a desired surface or joint. To use a glue gun, first, you have to load the feed or the designated loading area with a glue stick, one that is of the proper diameter and length.
After loading the glue stick into the feed, you pull the trigger and the stick travels further down (towards the tip of the glue gun) and inside a heating element that then melts a part of the glue stick into a hot sticky glue.
The feed pushing the glue stick into the heater also causes the glue gun to release the hot glue out of a nozzle that you can aim to apply the adhesive on the desired surface.
Keep in mind that the hot glue dries quickly and must be applied to the desired area in the right amount, before the adhesive hardens.
The (Three) Different Types of Glue Guns
There are many types of glue guns that are available in the market today, but the majority of them fall into three general types.
Just like with most tools, each of these variants of glue guns has their own advantages or features that could make them a better match for your project or general needs.
Your three choices are: low temperature glue guns, high temperature glue guns, and dual temperature glue guns.
High-temperature Hot Glue Gun
High temperature glue guns can melt glue sticks at around three-hundred and eighty (380) degrees Fahrenheit. This makes high temperature glue guns best suited for bonding heavier materials such as wood and heavy-duty plastics.
This makes high temperature glue guns the best pick for quick home repairs and simple DIY projects. On the opposite end of the spectrum, high temperature glue guns are not recommended for more delicate materials that can burn or become damaged from high amounts of heat and are not recommended for children, due to the risk of burns.
Pros and Cons of High Temperature Glue Guns:
- Is the best choice for quick repairs and excels in bonding heavier items that require a stronger bond.
- Can be much more expensive than low-temperature glue guns.
- Less common on the market and have limited accessibility compared to low-temperature glue guns.
- Can heat up much faster compared to low-temperature glue guns.
Low-Temperature Hot Glue Guns
Low temperature glue guns can still get quite hot, make no mistake about the name, use caution like you would with a high temp. model. That said, they are still capable of melting glue sticks with great amounts of heat that can get as hot as two-hundred and fifty (250) degrees Fahrenheit, which makes them a bit safer than high temperature glue guns.
Low temperature glue guns are the ideal choice when safety is a priority and they can be the best pick when it comes to arts and crafts type of projects that use materials that are more susceptible to heat and lighter weight materials..
Pros and Cons of Low Temperature Glue Guns
- Is the best choice for crafting projects and lighter weight materials.
- Much cheaper compared to high-temperature and dual temperature glue guns.
- Pretty common and available at most hobby stores, online and just about everywhere else.
- Safer to use than high-temperature glue guns due to its lower heat.
- They are usually smaller than other types of glue guns, thus making it more portable and easier to use.
Dual Temperature Hot Glue Guns:
Dual temperature glue guns have a heat setting that you can control which makes the rate at which the glue melts much more controllable. This comes in handy when you want to limit the pace that the glue comes out and lets be honest, everyone likes variable "anything" when it comes to tools.
The control is nothing special and is usually a high and low setting that can be set via a switch.
This type of glue gun is the most versatile of all three types, but is also rather uncommon compared to its counterparts (high temperature and low temperature glue guns) when it comes to availability. Looking online is your best bet if you want one of these.
Pros and Cons of Dual Temperature Glue Guns
- The most expensive of glue guns compared to other two types (High-temperature and Low-temperature glue guns).
- Is also the most versatile of all glue guns available to the market.
- Is also the most uncommon and harder to find.
- Although designs will usually vary these are oftentimes bigger than low and high temperature glue guns
Features and Specs To Look For When Buying Glue Guns
Like with most tools, it’s best to read up, do some research, and compare a few different hot glue gun models to each other before settling in on which one best suits your needs.
Manual Feed and Trigger Feed
There are two types of feeds, when it comes to hot glue guns and these are listed as manual feed and the trigger feed. Manual feed requires the user to push the glue stick to release melted glue using his/her thumb.
Trigger feed only requires one hand operation by making the user squeeze a trigger that would then release the melted glue. A trigger feed control offers less control when it comes to quantity, but it is also a lot easier to use.
Both types have their advantages and with a manual feed glue gun, the control of the amount of glue that comes out is greater but it is harder to do and may take more effort to get the glue to come out.
The trigger feed is easier to work but you do give up some control when it comes to the quantity of glue that comes out.
Design
Typically, mini glue guns have the advantage when it comes to design because these glue guns can squeeze and release hot glue into hard to reach spaces and corners, has better control in terms of the quantity being released and are pretty comfortable when it comes to grip.
Industrial glue guns, on the other hand, offers a larger amount of melted glue released, can heat up faster and can be outfitted with larger glue sticks compared to mini glue guns.
Voltage or Wattage
Glue guns can often operate in 100 to 120 watts, which is enough to do your task.
It is also a good idea to look for glue guns that have a power switch or button that turns the power on and off, instead of plugging in the tool and having constant power going to it.
The heat stored in the glue gun is enough to melt the glue sticks even without being plugged in (for a short period), always important to remember!
Nozzles
A good glue gun can use replaceable nozzles, given that a nozzle might end up being broken after constant use - the heat of the glue stick is a factor as well.
Changing out the nozzles on a hot glue gun can come in handy for a few different reasons but also allows you to clean them out if you feel the need to do so. Keep in mind that not all nozzles are made for high temperature glue guns.
Heating capacity
Most glue guns can heat up and melt entire glue sticks in about three to five minutes, but this may vary, depending on what kind of glue gun you are using (high temp, dual temp or low temp glue guns). Keep in mind that too much heat can ruin a glue gun, especially under sustained periods of time.
Cord Length
Having a substantial length of cord is important and can make your experience with a hot glue gun much more pleasurable. Shorter cords are frustrating and never seem to give you enough length to get that "perfect angle".
Glue Gun Stand
A good glue gun should always have an easy to use a stand that will keep the tip of the gun far from any surfaces. If the hot glue gun nozzle touches the surface, it might cause damage to the surface and will likely result in a mess.
Most of the stands for hot glue guns will be a small piece of metal that is mounted towards the front of the nozzle but other stands are made from plastic. It operates like a kickstand on a bicycle and has the same range of motion as well.
Price
A good price for a glue gun is, for the most part, a subjective consideration for the buyer. The choice of picking a cheaper or more expensive glue gun would also depend on the main purpose of the user.
The prices for hot glue guns can range but most of them are under $20, no matter the type. I have seen some models that are selling for around $50 that have temp settings, a drip-less nozzle, an over-sized handle and glue flow controls.
Safety Tips When Using a Glue Gun
Avoid skin contact with the nozzle or on the freshly released hot glue to avoid burn injuries.
- Always turn off or unplug the glue gun when not in use to avoid damage to the glue guns or the risk of fire.
- Always put glue guns away or far from the reach of children.
- Always plug the glue guns on compatible wall sockets to avoid shortages and fire risks.
- Always have something under the nozzle to protect the surface from the glue.
- Hand protection or even finger caps can be a big help in avoiding burn injuries while operating a glue gun.
- Always have the glue gun sitting on an even and level surface.
- Always make sure to use the right size and type of glue sticks for your glue gun. Some glue sticks are only suitable for low temperature glue guns while others are meant to be melted at high temperatures.
