Thread: Heat Gun - what's hot and what's not!

I bought a 2 heat setting Matabo heat gun a little over 30 years ago, and it was worked hard for most of that time.

Then about 6 months ago the two speed switch failed and because of it's age, I could not get a new switch.

I rebuilt the switch but it now only runs full on.

I was in Masters a few weeks later and found a $20 two speed heat gun and it has worked fine so far so I bought another one so I don't have to keep moving them from one work spot to another.

For $20 I don't care how long they last as they get worked hard in my workshop.

Originally Posted by bee utey

You could buy a second hand Makita, then you have quality at a good price. Example:

Makita HG1100 Thermocouple Heat GUN 1100 Degree in Botany, NSW | eBay

If I was in the market for one I wouldn't be able to get this quick enough.

Originally Posted by d2dave

My XU1 was in perfect working order when I threw it away. This was for a number of reasons.
Had one battery that would take 3 hours to charge and then last five minutes. Didn't have a two speed gearbox.

At around the same time I also purchased an XU1 240 volt drill. I was drilling a piece of half inch thick steel and it got that hot it caught fire.

GMC.
10 years ago I purchased a GMC nine inch grinder. ($150) As I don't use the nine inch that often I thought it would last.
I had to do a small cutting job on some concrete. The blade jammed and I immediately removed it. Game over.

It was about three years old, still looked new as it had done such little work.
Out of warranty so stiff.

Not long after this my 6x4 trailer got hit up the arse and bent the draw bar. I needed another grinder.
At the time GMC had a return policy, from memory 14 days. You could return a used tool no questions asked

So I decided to buy one, use it and take it back. Bunnings did not have a 9 inch but they had a 7 inch so I reckoned it would be big enough.

By the time I finished removing the draw bar the gearbox in the head was stuffed.

My last 18 volt cordless drill was a GMC from their platinum range. These are the heavy duty ones. They did last better but have not come close to my Makita 18 volt.

Now I know you can buy a handful of cheapie's for the cost of a quality drill so over time the cost is similar, except with a quality drill it will usually be more ergonomic and lighter.

A lot of my cheap drills have actually out lasted the battery in which case it is cheaper to buy a new drill.

My Makita recently had a battery die. The drill is still going strong and it was worth getting a new battery.

For my 9 inch grinder. I went and spent $300 on a Metabo. I expect it to last long enough to be able to hand it down to my son when I fall off the perch.

So this is my take on power tools. Have had a few and come to the conclusion that quality is better value.

Dave, I think you're confusing heat guns with real power tools. If the OP was asking about drills/grinders etc I'd completely agree with you.

Heat guns are little more than a fan forced toaster - a heating element, fan and switch
Expensive ones have better heat control which is great - if you need it.
For the OP's purpose of doing a bit of heat shrink etc that fine heat control isn't required. IMO the $$ saved would be better put towards a decent cordless drill/driver or other tool where quality definitely IS worthwhile.

They're also a tool that is so cheap that I don't think its worth the risk buying a used one. I think you're better off with a cheap new one with warranty (even the Ozito is 3 years), than an second hand "quality" one that the element could die tomorrow and you've done your dough.

Steve

Originally Posted by steveG

Dave, I think you're confusing heat guns with real power tools. If the OP was asking about drills/grinders etc I'd completely agree with you.

Heat guns are little more than a fan forced toaster - a heating element, fan and switch
Expensive ones have better heat control which is great - if you need it.
For the OP's purpose of doing a bit of heat shrink etc that fine heat control isn't required. IMO the $$ saved would be better put towards a decent cordless drill/driver or other tool where quality definitely IS worthwhile.

They're also a tool that is so cheap that I don't think its worth the risk buying a used one. I think you're better off with a cheap new one with warranty (even the Ozito is 3 years), than an second hand "quality" one that the element could die tomorrow and you've done your dough.

Steve

Yeah, you are probably right, I did get a bit carried away. Was just trying to point out though, the difference between cheap and quality.

My apologies for sort of hijacking the thread.