Hot Glue guns - Thoughts and opinions

I purchased a 100W glue gun about a month ago online for under $30. My first use was for clump foliage scenery, and it did a nice job. The wax does get extremely hot and will still burn your fingers 10 or more seconds after application--as I found out the hard way. And care must be taken when releasing the glue trigger to avoid leaving tiny spiderweb strands of resin. For the price I think it's a handy tool.

I’m using a Stanley standard 2 temp glue gun

I really like it because it’s fast virtually no set up time 

Hot setting will really burn you so be careful

I think it was around 25 bucks

Suggestions

always leave it with scrap underneath cause it will drip and the longer sticks 10” seem to work better 

Im making a stand for it out of drape hardware

I like the Ryobi cordless one.

Easy to work on the layout and uses the same battery as my other cordless Ryobi tools.

Believe it or not, Home Depot has better pricing than ebay or Amazon on these

Don't apply to skin hot glue hurts.

I always buy cheap ones at honey lobby lasts for 10+ years 

@Lionelski posted:

I like the Ryobi cordless one.

Easy to work on the layout and uses the same battery as my other cordless Ryobi tools.

Believe it or not, Home Depot has better pricing than ebay or Amazon on these

I’m with you on this. I bought mine from the Direct Tools Factory Outlet in Greenville, SC. Believe me cordless is always better with a glue gun.

Scott Smith

I use hot glue at work for a variety of reasons. I use a Dewalt plug in and a Ryobi cordless. Know that the hotter the glue, the more strength. Also, there are 3 types of glue sticks: clear opaque general purpose, yellow slow-set for wood, and Arrow brand slow-set super strength. (and it is amazingly strong!!)

I’ve always used a cheap glue gun from a craft store that’s always worked fine. I may look into a cordless Ryobi I see how it may be more handy to use. 

Thanks to everyone for the tips and suggestions. Learned some valuable stuff today!

I do like the idea of cordless to break free from that annoying power cord. The larger 18 & 20 volt cordless are just a little too big for working in tight spaces but I am still considering one for other layout and general household use.  I have Black & Decker and Milwaukee cordless tools. Couldn't find anything for Milwaukee and the only Black & Decker model made can't be found anywhere. If anyone has a line of that Black & Decker cordless glue gun I sure would be interested: B&D BDCGG20C

Also looked at some of the cheapo USB rechargeable glue guns but there are so many, and they all look about the same. Reviews on them were all over the place. If anyone has personal experience, I'd like to invite you to share it here.

I did find this "semi" cordless model that runs on the mini glue sticks: Surebonder CL-195F

It's unique because you heat up the gun in the corded dock and once it is removed, you can use it for about 2 to 3 minutes before it needs to be heated up again.  The tip looks like it would also be able to get into some tight spots.

On the cheap side of things I found this Arrow dual temp gun: Arrow GT20DT

For 10 bucks it looks like it should be okay and i wouldn't be out much if it turns out to be less than desirable. However, the tip looks like it could really be the "Star Trek" of tips and appears long enough to reach those tight spaces.

@Lionelski posted:

I like the Ryobi cordless one.

Easy to work on the layout and uses the same battery as my other cordless Ryobi tools.

Believe it or not, Home Depot has better pricing than ebay or Amazon on these

Actually, that doesn’t surprise me. Amazon’s pricing algorithm can throw up some pretty surprising numbers, on occasion, especially for things in short-term demand 

I use the small ones most of the time as I'm usually inside a locomotive or rolling stock.  I typically buy one for $10-15, they usually last three or four years.  I bought my most recent one a couple years ago on Amazon, it's actually been a real find.  It almost never leaks, has a folding stand that really works, and gets into tight places.  I always keep one or two in the drawer in case of sudden failures I won't be stuck without any tool.   This is the one I speak of, I've been quite happy with it's performance.

TopElek Mini Glue Gun Kit

I'm going to try this one...might be too puny as to heat though.

https://www.amazon.com/TOPELEK...588256450&sr=8-2

I read the reviews and also my experience with small built-in batteries makes me leery of this little battery powered units.  My gun will be sitting energized for extended periods at times, and when I want glue, I want it now!   Any battery powered tools I buy I look for removable batteries for easy of replacement.

if you want to stick to anything wood, metal or Plastic I use  Steinel HiPur polyurethane hot glue.

Purchase in small amounts that you will immediately use because it has a limited shelf-life. 

However, there is nothing like it on the market. It is not hot wax at all. I fast dry it with an inverted  can of air compressor. 

You need to have the glue, gun and heater.

The Titebond HiPURformer glue gun PUR dispensing system complete with PUR glue gun, glue gun heater (base) and detachable power cord. PUR hot melt offers some distinct advantages over traditional glue sticks including a strong initial tack and a bond that continues to strengthen over time as the adhesive reacts with moisture in the air. Polyurethane hot melt is also good for bonds that need to be weatherproof and adhering difficult substrates.

Here's a pretty good overview of that Titebond system. Definitely best for specific projects in a timely fashion.

https://www.bing.com/videos/se...5B94EB&FORM=VIRE

Just remember I TOLD YOU ALL.....Short shelf life......

I though at $9 a tube, I'd keep a few around when I needed them. NOPE!

And sometimes the ones you buy from AMO-ZONNIE are old and not fresh. I've had better luck buying from wood-crafting stores.

Plenty of other solutions I think, stuff that has a short shelf life doesn't normally find it's way to me unless I have a specific application that I need it now.

The applications for glue guns are endless. I have a few bu prefer my newest two temp unit as it is also drip-less.

i use an arrow electro-matic my mom passed mine down to me when i was a kid, it’s not pretty, it’s bulky, heavy, and takes a while to heat up, but i love it. 

I never used, or even thought about, a hot glue gun until this year when I saw one at the home of a very good modeler. When I asked him about it, he told me how useful it is. He had an extra brand new Surebonder hot glue gun and sold it to me for 10 bucks.

I wish I learned about hot glue guns a long time ago. It makes gluing things together so much more fun and much easier because the glue starts to harden in a few seconds.  I highly recommend them. Arnold

@BruceG posted:

And care must be taken when releasing the glue trigger to avoid leaving tiny spiderweb strands of resin. For the price I think it's a handy tool.

What's the trick to avoid leaving the spiderweb strands?  

I have two cheapies floating around the house.  They are kinda like other hand tools - you can never find the one you know you have when you need so you end up with more than 1!

Anyway I used it most for glueing down landscape matting material.  As other have said, when you press something into the hot glue - it's still really hot on your fingers !

I’m very happy with my Dewalt that I bought about 6 months ago from Home Depot to replace my cheaper craft store one. The performance difference is significant.

I have a cheapie, hand me down from my mother-in-law. Takes a few minutes to heat up but it works well. It has a good stand and can fit in tight spots. Hot glue can be released with a shot from my heat gun too.

@Ward H- I hold the tip just above the spot I glued for a few seconds. This allows the strand to cool and break off instead of spider webbing. Not a perfect method but it does reduce the strings.

Bob

@Ward H posted:

What's the trick to avoid leaving the spiderweb strands?  

There is no "trick" that I know of, it's the major annoyance with using hot glue.  I just live with it and collect them when I'm done.

I use a cordless glue gun on the layout and for jobs around the house. I made a YouTube Video called: “RYOBI Cordless Hot Glue Gun • Tutorial for the Model Railroader”

Check it out & Thanks for watching. - https://youtu.be/gDbuQnAnQ0o

Gary 🚂

I tried  using one for building foam scenery - yikes it melts the foam!

@prrjim posted:

I tried  using one for building foam scenery - yikes it melts the foam!

for putting foam together get Glidden Gripper.  It's a white primer that won't eat the foam and it will set up when stacked between foam boards.  Lots of other adhesives either have the same problem you are describing or never set up because of the lack of air between the boards.  The stuff is great.  Also it doesn't make a really hard/brittle bond at the joints so you can still sculpt the joined pieces.

This is the one I have and like a lot. It works great for several of my scenery projects and other layout odds and ends. It was a big upgrade from my cheap craft store one.  

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DE...-DWHT75098/300208331

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I never used, or even thought about, a hot glue gun until this year when I saw one at the home of a very good modeler. When I asked him about it, he told me how useful it is. He had an extra brand new Surebonder hot glue gun and sold it to me for 10 bucks.

I wish I learned about hot glue guns a long time ago. It makes gluing things together so much more fun and much easier because the glue starts to harden in a few seconds.  I highly recommend them. Arnold

Arnold,

I love my hot glue gun - I use a wireless one (great for working on the layout) made by Ryobi. Highly recommend a wireless one.

One tip, DON'T try to wipe off a hot drip with your fingers -OUCH!

@trainroomgary posted:

I use a cordless glue gun on the layout and for jobs around the house. I made a YouTube Video called: “RYOBI Cordless Hot Glue Gun • Tutorial for the Model Railroader”

Check it out & Thanks for watching. - https://youtu.be/gDbuQnAnQ0o

Gary 🚂

BINGO Gary!

@prrjim posted:

I tried  using one for building foam scenery - yikes it melts the foam!

I have a dual-heat hot glue gun, and have used it, on the low heat setting, to glue my rubber roadbed to my foam base with no damage to the foam.

Ray

That Glidden stuff sounds like a good product for foam.

I had a Sears Hot Glue Gun, standard size,  purchased in 1980, whose heater failed about 2010.  I picked up the identical gun, named Mechanic Hot Glue gun from TrueValue Hardware on the lable, several years ago at a garage sale that still works.  The guns life must be determined by hours of use on the heater.

I also picked up a small glue gun at a GS for $ .75 that I have never used.

They are handy to have and quick to make a joint, that is limited in strength.

Charlie

@Ward H posted:

What's the trick to avoid leaving the spiderweb strands?  

There is indeed a trick to get rid of them.  After you're finished with the hot glue gun, and there are tiny strands everywhere, get out your hot air gun (or a hair dryer set on high), and wave it over the strands.  Hold the heat about 6 inches away and keep the hot air gun moving.  The strands will disappear quickly.  Don't hold the gun in one place, or you'll soften the glue itself (and possibly other stuff you don't want to soften).

https://www.harborfreight.com/...-heat-gun-56434.html

The hot air guns are available from lots of sources like Amazon, Wal-Mart, Harbor Freight, etc.

Not to steal the intent of the OP for this thread...

Several have said something to the effect of "there are bunches of uses for a good glue gun"

Pardon my ignorance, but what are you using them for? I haven't built a layout in quite a few years.

Paul

I mentioned in my reply that I fastened my roadbed to the layout, I have also fastened writing place in locomotives and rolling stock. Have used hot glue to fasten down lamp posts trees and shrubbery.

Ray

Has anyone used Woodland Scenics’ hot glue gun ?  

If yes, how was your experience with it ?

Great post !!!

Thanks to all contributors !!!

CB&Q Bill

@Railrunnin posted:

Not to steal the intent of the OP for this thread...

Several have said something to the effect of "there are bunches of uses for a good glue gun"

Pardon my ignorance, but what are you using them for? I haven't built a layout in quite a few years.

Paul

I recently used a hot glue gun on a Pedestrian bridge:

I originally glued it together with a traditional glue that was a PIA because it took a long time for the glue to harden.

Two nights ago, the bridge was hit by a passing train and came apart.

I put it back together in 2 minutes using the hot glue gun.

Six months ago, I bought a model of the Titanic from another modeler who put it together. It has a lot of little, fragile parts. Some of those parts came undone when I drove home with it. I used the hot glue gun to glue those loose parts back in place. Again, it was a very quick and easy job using the hot glue gun.

Arnold

I have used the Woodland Scenic's gun, and it's been going for 15 plus years.  I like it because all the train stores carry the glue sticks and I never have to worry about them not being available.  It is a nice small size too.