Heat Gun

Heat Gun

Shaped like a gun, but instead of bullets, it sends out very hot air; therefore the simple name. The temperature of the air can be from 100 °C to 550 °C, some more powerful models can run up to 760 °C. A heat gun consists of a heating source and a blower, the heat source can be electronic and with some few models, there are gas-based heat sources.

Heat guns can have temperature dials on them but this isn't always the case, a lot of models just have a stock setting that cannot be changed.

A hairdryer is essentially a less powerful form of a heat gun.

Uses of a heat gun

Various heat guns, based on amount of heat and the shape of the nozzle, are used for different purposes. The uses include stripping paint, bending plastic pipes, shrink wrap packing, weld plastics, thaw frozen pipes, soften adhesives and more.

A lesser use is to test the overheating mechanism of a system to simulate overheating conditions.

In case one is removing paint that has lead in it the temperature should be below 590 °C, so as to reduce vapourisation. Lead is harmful to humans and a vapourised form can be inhaled, later causing health issues.

Comments

Given the temperatures a heat gun can reach, it needs to be handled with care as one could sustain serious injury. Do not operate one if you are sleepy or drowsy due to medicines. One should wear protective equipment if the specific situation requires it.

A heat gun can be bought at mid-range prices in Pakistan.