Heat gun

This article is about the power tool. For the non-lethal directed energy weapon under development by the United States military, seeActive Denial System.

Example of hand held electric heat gun

Commercial heat gun kit

Flame heat gun for shrinkwrapping helicopter

Aheat gunis a device used to emit a stream of hot air, usually at temperatures between 100 and 550 °C (373 and 823 K; 212 and 1,022 °F), with some hotter models running around 760 °C (1,030 K; 1,400 °F), which can be held by hand. Heat guns usually have the form of an elongated body pointing at what is to be heated, with a handle fixed to it at right angles and apistol griptriggerin the samepistolform factoras many otherpower tools.

Though it shares similarities to ahair dryer,it is not meant as a substitute for the latter, which safely spreads out the heat out across its nozzle to preventscalpburning and has a limited temperature range, while heat guns have a concentrated element and nozzle, along with higher temperatures, which can easily scald the scalp or catch the hair on fire.

Construction

A heat gun comprises a source of heat, usually an electrically heatedelementor apropane/liquified petroleum gas,a mechanism to move the hot air such as an electricfan,unless gas pressure is sufficient; a nozzle to direct the air, which may be a simple tube pointing in one direction, or specially shaped for purposes such as concentrating the heat on a small area or thawing a pipe but not the wall behind; a housing to contain the components and keep the operator safe; a mechanism to switch it on and off and control the temperature such as a trigger; a handle; and a built-in or external stand if the gun is to be used hands-free.Gas-powered soldering ironssometimes have interchangeable hot air blower tips to produce a very narrow stream of hot air suitable for working withsurface-mount devicesand shrinkingheat-shrink tubing.

Focusedinfrared heatersare also used for localised heating.

Usage

Heat guns are used inphysics,materials science,chemistry,engineering,and other laboratory and workshop settings. Different types of heat gun operating at different temperatures and with different airflow can be used to strippaint,shrinkheat shrink tubing,shrink film,andshrink wrappackaging,dry out dampwood,bend and weldplastic,softenadhesives,and thaw frozen pipes.

Heat guns, often calledhot air gunsorhot air stationsfor this application, are used inelectronicstodesolderandreworksurface-mountedcircuit boardcomponents. Heat guns are also used for functional testing of overheat protection devices, in order to safely simulate an overheat condition.

Household use of heat guns is common. Heat guns and lighter weight hair driers are sometimes used to remove paint splashes and wallpapers. Heat guns are also used to make plastics such asPVC pipingpliable for the purposes of bending, to soften wax and adhesives such as that used in electronics, and to thaw out frozen copper pipes. There are also heat gun form factors friendly for food purposes such as melting hard candies, searing meats, or to start acharcoalfire or grill. Heat guns are sometimes used to upholster furniture and repair leather and vinyl goods.

For removinglead painttemperatures below 590 °C (863 K; 1,094 °F) are used to minimize vaporization.

See also

• Shrink tunnel

External links

• Media related toHeat gunsat Wikimedia Commons