The heat gun is a electrical tool used to emit a stream of hot air. On the surface (both in shape and construction) it is similar to a hair dryer, but a heat gun operates at a much higher temperature. It is often handled within the fields of physics, materials science, chemistry, engineering, and other types of settings such as laboratories or workshops. The heat gun can be used to peel and dry paint, apply on heat shrink pipes, dry moisture out of wood, bend plastic and smooth. They are also used in electronics to desolder the components of a circuit board. Normally the air outlet is carried out at temperatures ranging from 100 to 550 ° C (200 to 1000 ° F), and in some models, even hotter reaching 760 ° C (1400 ° F).
Parts of a Heat Gun
Heat guns are usually pretty straightforward, and their parts are detailed below:
- Nozzle (which may vary depending on the product).
- Variable heat control that allows you to set the operating temperature from low to high.
- Some have a break, so they can be activated and placed on a work table, which frees the operator’s hand.
Heat guns can have nozzles that can divert air for various purposes, such as concentrating heat in an area or defrosting an unheated pipe.
Uses and applications of Heat Guns
As we said before, the heat gun is used for different tasks in different areas, so in this section we develop its usefulness a little more and recommend information for its care:
- To be able to remove the paint effectively, it is necessary to do it with a certain technique.
- In addition to being used as a paint remover, the heat gun is also used to soften floor tiles and linoleum, loosen heat-brittle adhesives, activate heat-shrink plastic materials, and defrost frozen water pipes.
Recommendations for use for Heat Guns
- The heat gun produces extremely high temperatures (up to 593 ° C – 1100 ° F). It must be used with care to avoid ignition of combustible material. Never allow liquids to enter the heat gun, or immerse any part of the heat gun in a liquid. Make sure intake openings and cover are clean and free of obstruction. If cleaning is necessary, clean the intake opening and cover with a soft, dry brush.
- Clean heat gun covers only with mild soap and a damp cloth. Do not clean the heat gun with household cleaners, as many of them have chemicals that can cause considerable damage to the heat gun. It should not be cleaned with gasoline, turpentine, hairspray, paint thinner, dry cleaning fluids, or similar products.
- Before storing the heat gun you should wait for the nozzle to cool down to room temperature. Over time the nozzle will darken due to high temperatures, this is normal and will not affect the performance of the nozzle.
Video Heat Gun: Application to vehicles.
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