Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Marc St Louis on August 03, 2014, 10:10:19 pm

Title: Heat-guns
Post by: Marc St Louis on August 03, 2014, 10:10:19 pm
Just wondering how many years of service you guys that have been heat-treating for awhile get out of you heat-guns.  I just burnt out my second one last week which puts their life span at about 5~6 years.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: mullet on August 03, 2014, 10:14:49 pm
I'm on my second in ten years.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: JoJoDapyro on August 03, 2014, 11:39:46 pm
I just bought my first. I can't run the AC in the garage and the heat gun at the same time.  :-\ Whats a guy to do?
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: Pat B on August 03, 2014, 11:47:48 pm
Mark, I bought mine at a garage sale for $5 many years ago. I keep waiting for it to die but it just keeps pumping heat. Granted I don't run it like you do. A half hour of hand held heating and I'm done.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: CustomArcher15 on August 03, 2014, 11:51:00 pm
Got a black and decker 5 years ago and use it a little bit pretty frequently. Still going strong!
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: okie64 on August 03, 2014, 11:57:13 pm
Im on my third gun over about a 5 year span. The first one was a harbor freight and only lasted a couple sessions, second was a bosch and it didnt last long either. The last gun I bought is a wagner and ive been using it for about 4 years or so.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: Eric Krewson on August 04, 2014, 12:26:34 am
My first Wagner lasted 10 years and would be still running if I hadn't dropped it on the concrete floor multiple times and broke the ceramic out of the element. My second Wagner is going strong after 5 years.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: rossfactor on August 04, 2014, 01:02:16 am
I bought a cheapo Ace brand 7 years ago. I've treated 40 to 50 bows with it and banged it up pretty good. The metal flu is bent, but its still working strong.

Gabe
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: mikekeswick on August 04, 2014, 02:53:55 am
I'm onto my second one. I bought a good un this time. :)
The key to getting them to last is letting the heat dissipate properly after use.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: Del the cat on August 04, 2014, 03:09:29 am
I'm onto my second one. I bought a good un this time. :)
The key to getting them to last is letting the heat dissipate properly after use.
Yup, melted my fancy temperature controlled one by leaving it lying flat. >:(
Gotta leave 'em standing 'em up with the nozzle pointing up. The wire stand/ support is often useless, so I nip mine up in the vice (the heatgun  :o )
Del
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: bushboy on August 04, 2014, 04:34:59 am
I have a black coloured Milwaukee I got from the paint section at home deport, 3 years and going strong!it has a built in cool down mode.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: Del the cat on August 04, 2014, 05:31:48 am
I have a black coloured Milwaukee I got from the paint section at home deport, 3 years and going strong!it has a built in cool down mode.
Sensible design! Whatever next!  :)
Del
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: blackhawk on August 04, 2014, 06:54:41 am
Good timing and funny ya bring this up Marc...my second Wagner took a crap on me over the weekend half way thru a bend..I use dry heat a lot..haven't had time to go get another yet,and the stave is still on the form under the clamps waiting to be finished yet  :laugh:
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: dwardo on August 04, 2014, 06:55:13 am
I bought a cheap one no-brand job and burnt out 3 in a year, all replaced under warranty until they gave me my money back and told me not to come back.

Bought a half decent one from axminster and its been going strong two years now.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: burchett.donald on August 04, 2014, 07:59:17 am
 Wagner 5th year...
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 04, 2014, 08:19:02 am
My Wagner has done maybe 100-120 bows that either were tempered or just manipulated. Its starting to cool off on the high speed and spit sparks, but still works.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: Eric Krewson on August 04, 2014, 10:14:54 am
I made this heat gun holster on the side of my work bench to prevent further rapid trips to the floor.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/heatgunholder.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/heatgunholder.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 04, 2014, 11:02:58 am
Over 10 years but I am sure you have used yours more than I've used mine, Marc. Jawge
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: Badger on August 04, 2014, 11:21:40 am
  I use a wagoner masters which is kind expensive. I buy parts for it when needed. Heating elements two or three times in 10 years, one switch, 1 new blower fan. I usually keep extra motor brushes and replace them durring routine repairs.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: Marc St Louis on August 04, 2014, 06:32:43 pm
The first one I bought lasted about 5 years then one of the wires burnt through so I took it apart and was able to fix it, it lasted another couple of years after that but it was never the same.  Then I got another that lasted 5 years as well.  I use mine mostly for heat-treating.  I went out the other day to buy another and was a bit shocked at how much they have increased in price.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: Fred Arnold on August 04, 2014, 09:38:59 pm
I've used 2 in the last 25 years. 15 yr old Makita is still working but has seen it's better days. I was in the leather and vinyl restoration business so they got extensive use and some might say abuse.
Still seems to be holding up but has a finicky rheostat which I'm sure could be replaced if the parts are available.

Forgot to mention, at the time they were high dollar tools.
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: nakedfeet on August 05, 2014, 12:12:49 pm
This is sort of on topic, but can anyone give me opinions on two different guns? I went up to Menards last night and looked what they had.

From what I've read here it seems Wagner is a pretty reliable brand. The two that I was looking at were the HT1000 and the HT3500. The first is $23 and has only two settings, 750 and 1000 degrees. The 3500 is on sale for $40 and has twelve settings between 250 and 1350 degrees.

How much would I benefit from the extra settings?
Title: Re: Heat-guns
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 05, 2014, 12:45:51 pm
Tony the HT1000 will do all you want it to do. Its easier to just move the gun closer or farther away than to try to find the perfect setting.