One of the most versatile tools to use in applications and places that require heat is a heat gun. What makes heat guns superior to other heat-producing tools is that they’re entirely flameless. Even though some heat guns seem to resemble blow dryers, you should never use them to dry hair. However, these multipurpose power tools are powered in a similar way. One of the key responsibilities of owning a heat gun is understanding how they work, and that’s where we can help. In this guide, we explain how heat guns work. We also take a closer look at the features and settings of an average heat gun, so you can identify the possible impact on performance or expand the capability of your new heat tool.
As we mentioned, a heat gun does operate like a conventional hair dryer – a fan pulls air into the body of the power tool, draws it across an electric heating element, and drives it out through a nozzle. Heat guns are operated in different ways depending on the task at hand. When stripping paint from furniture or other surfaces, the heated air from a heat gun is directed onto the painted surface, causing it to soften so that you can easily strip it away. Other heat guns are designed for benchtop jobs, so that both of the operator’s hands can be free to perform other tasks. Standard heat guns typically come equipped with one heat setting and one fan speed, but industrial-grade models may have two or more heat settings or even variable speed adjustment. If you need to reduce the effective temperature of a heat gun, simply hold it away from the surface or adjust the variable speed and airflow accordingly.
In addition to settings, there are also a variety of attachments and accessories to know about when preparing a heat gun for continuous operation. Spreader nozzles are attachments that are designed to spread heat over a broad surface while simultaneously concentrating the heat for full effect. Reducer nozzles are designed to prevent heat from spreading out over a wider area when you’re working in small areas. Flat nozzles are preferred when heat needs to be focused over a thin, broad surface without affecting other areas. Reflector nozzles utilize reflection to spread heat, which can be very convenient when working with metal pipes and fixtures. There are many heat gun accessories you can buy to make your tool even more versatile. If you have any questions about how heat guns work, please feel free to contact us today for more information.
