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Heat Gun
HANDBOOK
HANDBOOK
German Quality
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Hot Air for Professionals
The Heat Gun Handbook
is designed to provide a
basic insight into the
virtually unlimited uses of
heat guns. This book
offers suggestions for
how STEINEL heat guns
can revolutionize the way
you do your job and
basic instructions on how
to do each task.
Wire Processing
Contents
Today’s heat guns
The STEINEL Quality Difference 4
Heat Guns in Industry
An overview of heat gun uses in industry 6
Adhesives
This is how it's done
Wire Harnessing 8
Heat Shrink, Connectors & Solder Sleeves 9
Activating & Deactivating Adhesives 10
Plastic Welding 12
Before attempting any
job, test the heat gun on
leftover material to
perfect the process for
yourself. Please
understand that we are
unable to guarantee
suitability to your specific
need or situation. All of
tips are based on
experience from industry
professionals.
We wish you the best of
luck working with your
heat gun.
Plastic Welding
Shaping Plastics
MRO
Medical
Fabric Welding
Desoldering
Medical 14
Shaping Plastics 15
Roofing 16
Tarps, Liners & Industrial Fabric Welding 17
Construction 18
Vinyl & Leather Repair 19
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul 20
Soldering & Desoldering 22
Packaging 23
Heat Guns and Accessories
STEINEL Heat Guns 28
Accessories 30
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Today’s Heat Guns
WHAT MAKES A QUALITY HEAT GUN?
STEINEL heat guns incorporate state-of-the-art technology to produce the most precise
durable tools available. User controlled temperature, airflow and the ability to reduce heat
down to a pinpoint are features that combine to ensure a perfect job every time.
Programmable Output with LOC™
Select tools feature four customizable preprogrammed
settings that allow a user to set the temperature and
airflow. Additionally, the output of these guns can be
locked-down, providing ultimate quality control.
Electronic Thermocouple Control
A temperature sensor in the output nozzle feeds information
to the on board microprocessor, which adjusts automatically
to achieve the desired air temperature output.
DuraTherm™ Heating Element
Coils are wound through a series of ceramic disks
achieving full encapsulation. This provides even heat
and added support helps to prevent coil breakage.
The pages that follow explain a number of basic
processes. The various tips are of interest to
professionals and tradesmen. Always follow
basic safety procedures.
For your safety
Fresh air
is important when working with hot air. Softening
up paint may release solvents, soldering
produces vapors from the additives used, and
vapors are also generated when welding plastic.
This is why you should always work outdoors or
with the window open if work has to be done in
small rooms.
Working in the presence of water
with electrical power tools is dangerous. When
using a heat gun, never work above or next to
uncovered water.
Testing
is the magic word when it comes to
experimenting with hot air. Therefore always
carry out a trial run first before attempting any
new application. Check the airflow rate,
temperature and compatibility of the hot air with
the material you intend to work on.
Safe Operation
Be careful to avoid personal injury. Air heated to
over 200°F (100°C) damages hair and injures
skin. A heat gun can reach up to 1300°F (700°C).
Never direct heat gun at hair, skin or other
unprotected body parts.
Interconnect Block Circuitry
Plastic is injection molded around the "wiring" to form a
solid block, which will not break or disconnect like
traditional wiring.
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Heat Guns in Industry
Aerospace
In the aerospace
industry temperature control is
critical in creating and repairing
wire harness and soldering and
desoldering circuit boards for
satellites, radios and other
communication devices.
STEINEL heat guns with LOC
technology and LCD display
provide the precision and control
these applications require.
Exterior composite work and
fabricating aircraft interior panels
are demanding applications
where a durable tool is
necessary. STEINEL heat guns,
tested to endure up to five times
longer than other heat guns,
provide the long life
expected by
discriminating
professionals.
Automotive
Automotive repair
shops use heat guns for a large
variety of tasks including leather
and vinyl repair, loosening
adhesives, plastic welding
bumpers and dashboards,
repairing wire harness and
installing electronics. STEINEL
offers heat guns to
accommodate a wide range of
temperatures and airflows as
well as accessories to help make
every job easier.
Electronics
Desoldering circuit boards is a job
that requires precise temperature
coupled with the ability to finely
control the stream of hot air.
STEINEL heat guns offer the
ability to specifically select
temperature in 10° increments
as well as the ability to control
airflow. The variety of STEINEL
reduction nozzles enables the
user to control the stream of
hot air in the most
sensitive of
situations.
Construction
Construction
professionals rely
on heat guns to
lap weld roofing
materials, install
flooring, sweat
pipes and to make
vinyl siding
workable in cold
temperatures.
These applications
require heat guns
that are durable
and easily repaired
in the field. STEINEL offers heat
gun models that have field
changeable parts and are the
most durably constructed tools
available in the industry.
Packaging
The packaging industry uses
heat guns to touch up shrink
wrap on assembly lines, activate
adhesives while fabricating foam
packing inserts, create gift
baskets, and to loosen and
remove packaging labels.
STEINEL offers
ergonomically engineered
heat guns for long term
comfort as well as the
longest lasting heating
elements.
Maintenance
Stripping paint, applying shrink
tubes and solder sleeves to
repair wiring, loosening seized
fasteners, bending and shaping
plastics, drying putties and
paints and activating and
deactivating adhesives are just a
few of the many uses for heat
guns in MRO industries.
STEINEL’s heat guns and
accessories simplify the job by
offering the ability to accomplish
all of these varied tasks with one
variable output tool.
Medical
The medical field uses heat guns
to shape orthotics and
prosthetics, plastic weld
dentures and for shaping large
frames in optical labs. All of
these applications require the
precise even heat
that STEINEL
delivers with the
DuraTherm™
heating element.
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This is how it's done
350 – 500°F (175 – 250°C)
Wire Harnessing
The automotive, electronics and aerospace industries use heat
guns in the manufacture of wire harnesses. This is done by placing
wire bundles into the appropriate sized tubing and shrinking it down
to hold the wires in place. Applying hot air at 350 – 500°F (175 –
250°C) will shrink the tube to the correct size. Precise and consistent
temperature is crucial in this process to prevent damage to the wires
and to prevent scorching or blistering the shrink tubing.
The 75mm and 39mm reflector nozzles are a popular choice for this
application because they direct hot air around a larger diameter
bundle of wires. Heat guns are also used in wire harness shops to
cauterize the ends of wire harness braids.
350 – 500°F (175 – 250°C)
Heat Shrink, Connectors and Solder Sleeves
In the electronics and MRO industries heat guns are often used to
make and protect wire connections. This is done by sliding a heat
shrink tube of the appropriate diameter over the connection and then
shrinking it on using hot air at 350 – 500°F (175 – 250°C) and a
reflector nozzle. STEINEL heat guns offer precise, even heat allowing
the user to effectively control temperature output and prevent
scorching or blistering the tubes and sleeves. The 9mm reducer is
recommended for repairs where a smaller diameter shrink tube is
being used.
Solder sleeves with an integrated solder ring or crimp
connection are available to ensure that a reliable electrical
connection is made. They are also available with an
adhesive coating on the inside for watertight connections.
The 14mm reflector fit solders sleeves well, making it a
great choice for this application.
Similarly the automotive and
aerospace industries use heat
shrink and solder sleeves for
repairing wire harness.
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This is how it's done
Can we get a picture of
aircraft lay-up work? Randy
might be a resource.
250 – 325°F (120 – 165°C)
Activating and Deactivating Adhesives
Almost any type of adhesive can be loosened using a heat gun. In the
autobody repair industry aluminum vehicle frames cannot be
exposed to flame; therefore, they must be dismantled and repaired
with a heat gun. A heat gun is used to loosen the adhesive at the
joints allowing them to be separated. Simply direct the hot air where
the joint is glued. The adhesive will soften and can then be pulled
apart without causing further frame damage.
Decals, stone guards, window tinting and stickers can easily be
removed from surfaces without the risk of damage. Hot air will leave
nothing sticking to the original surface. Direct the stream of hot air at
the area you would like to remove and when the adhesive softens
simply pull the material back.
In the aviation industry heat guns are used for exterior composite
work. Seams are sealed by layering carbon fiber mesh over seams
and heating them with hot air to fuse
them together until the seam is
filled. Heat guns are also used to
fabricate aircraft interiors. Fiber
glass composite is layered over
250 – 325°F (120 – 165°C)
jigs to create the desired shape for each part of the aircraft’s interior.
Heat guns are used to adhere each individual layer together until they
reach the desired thickness for the specific part.
The renovation and remodeling industries use heat guns for
removing glued-on coverings, building materials, wallpaper and
flooring. This is accomplished by heating up the adhesive and simply
scraping off the material. Attach a spreader nozzle and direct the hot
air between covering and the substrate layer. Joint sealing
materials are also easy to remove with the help of hot air.
In the flooring industry tile adhesive is stubborn and
difficult to get off. Heat softens the adhesive
which can then be removed with a scraper and
cloth.
Working adhesives with hot air is always an
advantage when you want to bond or release
large areas. The recommended
temperature for this is 250 –
325°F (120 – 165°C).
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This is how it's done
Plastic types:
Material Application types Distinguishing characteristics
450 – 725°F (230 – 385°C)
Plastic Welding
The flooring industry uses heat guns to weld plasticized PVC in
flooring joints and seams. Plastic welding is also used in the
automotive repair, MRO and orthotics and prosthetics industries to
repair plastics.
The materials being welded must always be the same composition,
the type of plastic must be identified before welding the two parts
together (see table for distinguishing characteristics). Select welding
rod of the appropriate material. Clamp work pieces in position. Clean,
degrease and, if necessary, bevel the seam. Now heat the seam with
hot air to 450 – 725°F (230 – 385°C) and offer up the welding rod via a
welding nozzle. For a strong weld, the work piece and welding rod
must turn to a "doughy" consistency. The seam can be validated
using a pull test which, if acceptable, produces stress whitening.
Rigid PVC
Plasticized
PVC
Plasticized PE
(LDPE)
Polyethylene
Hard PE
(HDPE)
Polyethylene
PP
Polypropylene
Piping, fittings, boards, building
profiles, technical moulded
components, etc.
Welding temperature
550 – 650°F (290 – 345°C)
Floor coverings, wallpaper,
hoses, sheets, tools, etc.
Welding temperature
550 – 650°F (290 – 345°C)
Domestic and electronic items,
toys, bottles etc.
Welding temperature
450 – 550°F (230 – 290°C)
Baths, baskets, canisters,
insulating materials, piping,
cellar shafts, transport
containers, waste bins, etc.
Welding temperature
550 – 650°F (290 – 345°C)
HT drainpipes, plastic chairs,
packaging, car components,
equipment housings, technical
mouldings, battery boxes, etc.
Welding temperature
450 – 550°F (230 – 290°C)
Incineration test: carbonizes in
the flame and extinguishes on its
own
Smoke odor: pungent, of
hydrochloric acid
Drop test: crashing
Incineration test: smoking,
yellowish-green flame
Smoke odor: pungent, of
hydrochloric acid
Drop test: silent
Incineration test: light, yellow
flame, drops continue to burn
Smoke odor: resembles an
extinguished candle
Drop test: dull
Incineration test: light, yellow
flame, drops continue to burn
Smoke odor: resembles an
extinguished candle
Drop test: crashing
Incineration test: light flame with
a blue core, drops continue to burn
Smoke odor: pungent odor of
paraffin
Drop test: crashing
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ABS
Car components, equipment
housings, suitcases
Welding temperature
625 – 725°F (330 – 385°C)
Incineration test: black, fluffy
smoke
Smoke odor: sweetish
Drop test: crashing
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This is how it's done
250 – 350°F (120 – 175°C)
Medical
Medical plastics used in orthotics and prosthetics can be shaped
and welded using a heat gun. Unlike open flame there is more control
over temperature output and less chance of scorching these
expensive devices. To achieve a custom fit the materials can be
heated with hot air ranging from 250 – 350°F (120 – 175°C) then
shaped and smoothed. In the case of foam materials temperatures
can be as low as 160°F (70°C).
Dental labs use heat guns to reshape, weld and repair dentures. It is
best to consult with the material manufacturer for the workable heat
ranges of these materials.
In optical labs eye glasses often need to be adjusted to
fit. Frame heaters are too small for large eye glass
frames, preventing uniform heating. A heat gun set up
as a bunsen burner and with a reflector
nozzle will heat them evenly.
325 – 425°F (165 – 275°C)
Shaping Plastics
The flooring and MRO industries use heat guns to make plastic
sheets, pipes and rods flexible without leaving burn marks. Plastic
sheets for making containers are worked at 325 – 425°F (165 – 275°C)
depending on material type. Folded edges are created by heating the
work piece with a surface nozzle. The heated material then can be
bent with ease.
Pipe and rod are evenly heated all the
way around using a reflector nozzle.
Once it has been heated it is easily
shaped or bent. Holding the piece in
the chosen position until cool ensures
it keeps the desired shape. A coil or
sand filling helps prevent pipe kinking.
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This is how it's done
775 - 1250°F
(415 - 675°C)
Roofing
Heat guns are used in the roofing industry to lap weld difficult areas
such as near vents and edges. To lap weld PVC a temperature of
approximately 775 - 875°F (415 - 470°C) is delivered with a angled slit
nozzle placed between overlapping sheets of PVC material until the
surface becomes soft and begins to stick together. Pressure is applied
with a silicone seam roller on the top of the PVC to ensure the two
pieces of material adhere securely.
Hypalon, modified bitumen and TPO are worked at higher
temperature ranges. Temperature requirements for roofing materials
vary. Consult the material manufacturer for specific temperature
ranges.
625 – 725°F (330 – 385°C)
Tarps, Liners and Industrial Fabric Welding
Plastic tarpaulins in the trucking & transport and tent & awning
industries as well as coated textiles in the marine industry can be
reliably welded using heat guns. This is done by overlapping two
layers of tarp or sheeting by approximately 3/4 – 1 1/2 in. (2 – 4 cm)
and holding the tarps taut. Then using a slit nozzle, hot air ranging
from 625 – 725°F (330 – 385°C) is blown between the overlap. The
material turns soft within a matter of seconds and is firmly pressed
together with a feed roller. To test your work tear the welded seam
apart with force at one end or on a sample piece. If stress whitening
occurs in the material, the seam is satisfactory. Otherwise,
temperature needs to be increased or speed decreased.
Common uses for these types of processes are to weld plastic
sheeting together to create pond liners or to create and repair tarps
for marine and transport coverings, tents and awnings.
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This is how it's done
325 – 425°F (165 – 275°C)
Construction
There are numerous ways heat guns are useful in the construction
industry. For example, in cold temperatures vinyl siding will crack
when you try to cut it or work with it. To prevent wasting materials and
allow siding contractors to work through the winter in colder areas, a
heat gun and spreader nozzle are used to quickly warm each piece of
vinyl siding before it is cut. This effectively prevents the material from
cracking. A temperature range of 325 – 425°F (165 – 275°C) works
best for this type of application.
Hot air is also useful in plumbing for fitting pipes. Simply heat the
hose or pipe end with hot air and push it on. As it cools it contracts to
create a tighter connection than could otherwise be achieved.
450 - 750°F (230 - 400°C)
Vinyl and Leather Repair
Vinyl and leather repair is common in the automotive industry. Heat
guns are used in the process of mending tears and removing wrinkles
in both of these materials. Tears are first cleaned of any stray threads
and covered in a compound that matches in color to the original
surface. Next it is covered with a textured cloth
matching the original texture of the material.
Finally, heat is applied ranging from 450 - 750°F
(230 - 400°C) to set and dry the compound.
The 14mm and 20mm reducer nozzles allow the
user to aim the hot air directly at the area that is
being repaired, speeding up the curing process.
Wrinkles in leather and vinyl upholstery are also
easily removed by applying heat.
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This is how it's done
350 – 1200°F (175 – 650°C)350 – 1200°F (175 – 650°C)
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul
Heat gun use in the MRO industry is abundant. Stripping paint,
loosening seized bolts and fitting metal components done at
temperatures ranging from 900 - 1200°F (485 - 650°C), are examples
of applications where heat guns come in handy. Thawing frozen pipes
is effectively accomplished by using a 39mm or 75mm reflector nozzle
directing heat at a temperature range of 750 - 1200°F (400 - 650°C)
around the frozen pipe.
Working with plastics is another popular application for heat
guns in this industry. Plastic welding can be accomplished
with a 9mm reducer, plastic welding tip and a temperature
ranging from 450 - 750°F (230 - 400°C) depending on
the material type. (See chart on
pg. 13) Plastic shaping is
also done at 450 - 750°F
(230 - 400°C).
Working adhesives, like removing decals, is yet another way heat
guns are utilized in the MRO industry. This is done at temperatures
ranging from 450 - 750°F (230 - 400°C).
Drying and melting compounds is done at a temperature of 450 750°F (230 - 400°C). At these temperatures wax can easily be melted
or softened. Industry professionals can also use the same
temperature and a 50mm or 75mm spreader nozzle to quickly dry
putties, paints and other compounds.
Applying shrink tubing is another practical application for heat guns in
the MRO industry. Using the 9mm, 14mm, 39mm or the 75mm
reflector nozzle and a temperature
range of 350 – 500°F (175 – 250°C)
shrink tubes and solder
connectors can easily be applied.
STEINEL’s Industrial and MultiPurpose heat gun kits offer a wide
variety of accessories that are
ideal for the MRO industry.
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This is how it's done
750 – 1075°F and 400 – 850°C)
Soldering and Desoldering
Heat guns can be used in the electronics industry to desolder
electronic components from damaged circuit boards. Hot air, 750 –
850°F (400 – 455°C) will loosen the solder joints allowing the
components to be removed. Concentrate the hot air on the solder
joint and remove the component with a special pair of pliers once the
solder melts.
The 9mm reducer delivers a precise
concentrated stream of hot air
that is easy for a user to
control on the surface of a
circuit board. This makes
it the ideal accessory for
the delicate task of
desoldering circuit boards.
300 – 925°F (150 – 495°C)
Packaging
The packaging industry uses heat guns to touch-up shrink wrapping
after it has been through a heat shrink tunnel. This is done by
applying hot air, about 825 – 925°F (440 – 495°C), through a surface
nozzle to any area of a package that is not taut.
Foam inserts for packing electronics are
customized to fit each product using
adhesives activated by heat guns. The
temperature to activate these adhesives
range from 300 – 600°F (150 –315°C). This
temperature range allows for the adhesives to
to sufficiently activate without scorching the
foam packing material.
The retail industry also uses heat guns to shrink
wrap gift baskets after they have been created
to seal in the contents and
create a decorative
wrapping for resale.
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The Heat Gun Product Range
Industrial Heat Guns
STEINEL Industrial Heat Guns are designed for production, roofing,
flooring, packaging and other rigorous applications where performance
and durability are key.
HG 5000 E
INTELLITEMP™
HEAT GUN WITH LED
TEMPERATURE
DISPLAY (230V)
HG 2300 EM
ERGONOMIC HEAT
GUN W/ELECTRONIC
THERMOCOUPLE
CONTROL
HG 4000 E
INTELLITEMP™
HEAT GUN WITH LED
TEMPERATURE
DISPLAY (120V)
Professional Heat Guns
These high quality durable tools are suitable for heavy-duty use in
industry and the trades. They provide powerful even heat with a
lightweight ergonomic design.
Electronic Heat Guns
This heat gun line uses state of the art technology to maximize
precision and durability. It incorporates new features responding directly
to ever increasing requirements for rigorous, formalized quality control.
HG 2510 ESD
ESD SAFE
PROGRAMMABLE
INTELLITEMP™
HEAT GUN
HL 2010 E
INTELLITEMP™
HEAT GUN WITH
LCD TEMPERATURE
DISPLAY
HG 2310 LCD
PROGRAMMABLE
INTELLITEMP™
HEAT GUN WITH
LCD DISPLAY
HL 1910 E
VARIABLE
TEMPERATURE
ELECTRONIC HEAT
GUN
UltraHEAT™ Heat Guns
Designed to combine high performance with exceptional value these
general purpose heat guns feature a reinforced heating element tested at
over twice the useful life of comparably priced tools.
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HL 1810 S
THREE STAGE
PROFESSIONAL
HEAT GUN
HL 1610 S
TWO STAGE
PROFESSIONAL
HEAT GUN
UltraHEAT™ II
SV 803 VARIABLE
TEMPERATURE
HEAT GUN
UltraHEAT™
SV 800 DUAL
TEMPERATURE
HEAT GUN
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Heat Gun Accessories ...
... for both professional and electronically controlled heat guns
50mm Spreader Nozzle
Spreads air over smaller
areas, such as for waxing
skis.
50mm Deflector Nozzle
Deflects to protect
overheating in narrow spots.
39mm Reflector Nozzle
For soldering pipes and
fitting heat shrink sleeves.
20mm Reduction Nozzle
For a focused jet of heat.
Popular nozzle for leather
and vinyl repair.
Seam Roller
This roller is designed for
lap welding, edging tape
and roofing applications.
75mm Spreader Nozzle
Distributes the air over a
wide area for drying, paint
stripping, etc.
75mm Deflector Nozzle
Deflects to protect
overheating in narrow spots.
75mm Reflector Nozzle
For directing hot air evenly
around materials such as
large diameter shrink tubes.
Wire Protection Tube
Prevents accidental contact
with hot nozzles.
Metal Heat Gun Stand
Offers the flexibility of hands
free operation.
... exclusively for electronically controlled heat guns
9mm Reduction Nozzle
Pinpoint source of hot air for
desoldering and welding.
9mm Reflector Nozzle
For directing hot air evenly
around small diameter shrink
tubes.
20mm Angled Slit Nozzle
For seam sealing, roofing
and lap welding in small
areas.
5mm Reduction Nozzle
Pinpoint source of hot air for
welding and soldering
applications.
90° Nozzle
For directing hot air into
corners and hard to reach
areas.
14mm Reduction Nozzle
Concentrated source of hot
air for desoldering and PVC
welding.
14mm Reflector Nozzle
For directing hot air evenly
around small diameter
solder sleeves.
40mm Angled Slit Nozzle
For seam sealing, roofing
and lap welding.
10mm Reduction Nozzle
Concentrated source of hot
air for welding and soldering
applications.
High Speed Welding Tip
For working with plastic
welding rod of up to 6mm
diameter. Fits on a 5mm
reduction nozzle.
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Phone: (800) 852-4343 Fax: (866) 388-5132
www.steinel.net sales@steinel.net
Reorder Number L-99943
© 2005 STEINEL America, Inc.
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