Why does your toolbox need a heat gun?
When you’re putting together all of the equipment you need for a complete toolbox, a heat gun may be overlooked. However, there are many reasons why it can prove to be a helpful addition. Heat guns are highly versatile pieces of equipment that can be used in a wide range of situations. Here, we’re going to take a look at some of those reasons, and you may be surprised to find yourself buying a heat gun for your toolbox.
Paint Stripping
Stripping paint off your walls can be challenging, but the process can be made a lot easier with a heat gun. Essentially, a heat gun works by melting old paint layers, allowing you to remove the layers much easier with a scaping tool. And bonus – heat guns apply heat to all the layers of pain so that you can peel off all the paint layers at once instead of one at a time.
As with any heating device, though, caution is needed regarding the heat level and not holding the heat in one place for too long.
Wallpaper Stripping
Closely linked to paint stripping, you may need a heat gun for wallpaper, which can swiftly take off the paper versus spending long periods of time just using a scraper. Also, there won’t be any harmful fumes because there’s no need for corrosive chemicals with a heat gun. Some say it’s a highly satisfying experience to strip off an entire sheet of wallpaper rather than removing it in small chunks.
Removing Stickers
Sometimes, stickers, labels, and decals can be highly stubborn things that are very difficult to remove by hand. Often, only the top layer of the sticker comes off, leaving the plain white backing. Removing the backing is a challenge, and when it does come off, there may be a sticky residue left over. Using a heat gun makes the removal of stickers straightforward and quick. A little heat will remove the sticker and any sticky residue left behind.
Thawing Out Frozen Pipes
One of the most frustrating problems that can occur during the winter months is your pipes freezing. A heat gun, though, can come to your rescue. By running the heat alongside the pipes, it will help get the water flowing as it should. However, please be cautious when leaving the heat in the same position for too long, especially over any solder joints. A reflector nozzle can help in the process of ensuring that the heat distribution is even.
Removing Rusted Nuts and Bolts
Removing nuts and bolts that have rusted in place will become much easier with the use of heat. When manually trying to remove them, if too much pressure is applied, the head of the nut or bolt could break off. But when you use a heat gun, the heat plays a significant part in breaking down the rust and expanding the nut or bolt, thus making it much easier to remove and replace the damaged piece.
Craftwork Projects
There are countless craftwork projects in which a heat gun can prove to be highly useful. Powder embossing is one of the most popular, but a few others can be added to the list include making soap, drying acrylic paint, creating canvas wax art, and softening clay. For these types of smaller projects, a smaller heat gun will work perfectly.
Drying Out Wood
There may be times when you need to dry out wood quickly. A heat gun proves useful for this type of project. Apply gentle heat and ensure to use a low setting. Glide the heat back and forth alongside the wood, and you’ll notice the wood quickly drying. Although using a heat gun accelerates the drying time, take your time using the heat gun to ensure no damage is done to the wood.
Heat guns are a versatile tool, and once you have one, you’re likely to notice all the different ways it comes in handy. Whether you have a large project like removing paint or a small project like removing a rusted bolt or doing an art project, a heat gun will make your task much easier. If you’d like to chat with us about our heat guns, give us a call. We’re happy to help!