Heat guns are convenient tools with a wide range of uses. Whether you’re an auto shop owner who wants to create quality vinyl car wraps or an electrical engineer who needs to assemble strong wire harnesses, a heat gun can be the appliance that brings your products together.
As helpful as heat guns can be, their efficiency and efficacy largely depend on which model you choose. A subpar heat gun may not have a long life span, may have heat settings that are difficult to control or may put out too much or too little airflow to properly perform the task at hand.
When you’re building out your collection of available tools for your shop, be sure you’re investing in devices that will last a long time and bring value to your business. Here are a few features to seek out when shopping for the right heat gun:
Temperature ranges
Each model has specific temperature ranges. Different projects call for different temperatures, so invest in a heat gun that can deliver whatever temperature range the job calls for.
Using too high a setting while wrapping a car, for example, could result in burned vinyl or a damaged vehicle. Conversely, too low a setting when post heating a vehicle wrap could prevent the adhesive from erasing its memory.
Before purchasing your heat gun, identify the ranges of temperatures you need based on the services you offer, then keep those numbers in mind while shopping. Some heat gun models operate effectively at several temperature points, such as the Master VT-750C from Master Appliance. This model has various temperature settings up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Air Flow
The standard way to measure airflow in a heat gun these days is in CFM’s. The higher the CFM rating the stronger the airflow. When choosing a heat gun, take a look at the CFM output. This can have an effect on how efficiently you get your job completed. For example, when working with surface mount components on a circuit board, you will be better off with a lower airflow heat gun like Master’s Master-Mite heat gun to avoid blowing small objects around. However, if you were drying a large area of paint you would benefit from selecting a heat gun with a higher CFM rating like Master’s Masterflow heat blower.
Easy-to-understand controls and displays
When you need a precise temperature, guesswork isn’t ideal. Some heat guns come with digital displays that show you the exact temperature the gun is giving off. The Proheat® 1600 & 1615 STC™ Heat Guns from Master Appliance take this one step further by also showing you the temperature of the surface at which the gun is pointed. This helps the user control the working environment and ensure the final product comes out clean and unharmed.
In addition to helping clearly understand the temperatures you’re working with, heat guns that are simple to adjust also go a long way toward getting your job done properly. Master Appliance heat guns allow operators to easily dial in temperature settings as well as airflow specifications. This functionality adds yet another layer of control over the entire project.
Choosing your heat gun carefully can make a big difference at your business. Contact Master Appliance to determine the best model for you.
