How to use a glue gun

The market of household tools in Russia has recently been experiencing an upswing: more and more people are doing repairs in their apartments with their own hands, and therefore need practical, inexpensive and convenient tools at the same time. And these include glue guns, which are gaining popularity with the average buyer, which find their application not only in the field of repair, but also in the areas of needlework and design.

The popularity of glue guns is due to the relative inadequacy of these tools, coupled with a wide area of ​​their use; so, with their help, it is possible to glue a much larger amount of materials than with ordinary PVA glue or universal “Moment”.

Important: some difficulties may arise when gluing foam plastic, various substances containing polyethylene, and any objects with concrete or plaster.

Every modern person should know how to use a glue gun in order to be able to repair any thing quickly and reliably at any time, repair a small crack that has appeared, or temporarily connect the two ends of a broken wire.

The principle of the glue gun

This tool is obviously called a pistol due to the presence of a similarity in appearance with a gunshot “fellow”: the body that actuates one or another mechanism of the lever, the handle under the girth of the palm - all this very much resembles a military weapon. However, inside the glue gun there is a heating element, which, taking on the back of the "cartridges" special cylindrical rods, heats them to a predetermined temperature, thus melting them.

Important: the working temperature of the tool is, on average, 160-170 degrees, the melting point of the rods, on average - 125 degrees. Higher operating temperatures ensure faster melting and advance of the glue-like mass with the help of a metal screw forward to the nose of the tool. Professional builders advise to turn it off for a short time after each hour of use.

Since a high smelting rate provides a quick exit of the heated mass from the nozzle of the device, it is necessary to ensure that a special rubber protector is installed on its nose part, which is necessary to prevent burns.

On some models, a little more advanced than budget-class products, special special rubber bushings and inspection windows can be installed, the purpose of which is the possibility of establishing control over the movement of the glue stick in the device body. These components are necessary only if the glue gun will be used not only for the emergency gluing of any substances (for example, to create models of ships, etc.).

Manufacturers of glue guns also provide a choice of gun operation modes: there are also "stationary", working only from the network, and portable, in the case of which the battery is built-in, as well as professional ones that can work from the network and from a removable battery at the same time (in short like most screwdrivers).

Tip: if the glue gun is needed exclusively for domestic needs, then it is recommended to purchase one that works from the network. In most cases, such models will be significantly cheaper.

Use of glue gun

The glue gun belongs to the category of "popular" household tools, the technique of use of which is very simple and understandable to everyone. So, the first thing that is recommended to do is to prepare a workplace for gluing materials, for example, to lay an old newspaper or paper folded in several layers. Although the gelatinous glue is quite simple to remove from the surface, it can leave a small noticeable burn mark.

Tip: if the glue mass moves too fast inside the case, you can not keep track of its fall from the nozzle of the device and get burned; therefore, it is always recommended to work in special mittens.

The next step is to prepare the tool for melting. Glue cylindrical rod must be inserted all the way into a special hole on the back of the device; if it constantly drops out due to the long length, it can simply be cut into several smaller pieces.

Then the glue gun should be carefully mounted on a folding stand that either comes with the tool or is located directly in its case.After that, the device can be turned on and switched to active mode by pressing the corresponding button. Any glue gun needs a few minutes to heat up, the duration of which depends on the tool brand, class, and type of glue stick.

Important: you should always pay attention to the rod used for melting. The higher the temperature of its melting and, accordingly, the solidification - the better, since certain materials must firmly adhere and hold at any ambient temperature.

During the time that the thermoelement is heated, it is necessary to prepare the surfaces of materials for gluing: clean them from grease, dirt, dust, etc. The presence of any extra components will worsen the bond between the seam particles, as a result of which it will not be smooth, but curved; a large number of bends can cause it to break.

As mentioned above, the greater the force on the drive lever, the more intense the glue-like mass will “come out” of the nozzle of the device, because if the device is used for the first time, it is recommended to practice on things that are not too bad to spoil.

The process of gluing should proceed in several stages:

1. First, it is necessary to install the gluing surfaces as close as possible to each other, while firmly supporting them from two sides.
2. Using a glue gun, either draw a thin line or draw several points of gluing (depending on the area of ​​gluing). If it is necessary to glue together some narrow object, then it is recommended to use the first method, in all other cases - the second one.
3. When removing the line, it is necessary to maximize the intensity of the glue coming to the surface of the gluing, so that it does not have time to dry out a bit. If the drop method is used, then it is recommended to glue together gradually, pressing each section in turn. It is extremely important to pay attention to the joining of the two materials, so that later there is no need to remove the excess glue squeezed from the space between the glued surfaces.
4. After the two surfaces have been compressed, the gluing surfaces should be kept in a fixed position for at least 2 minutes, preferably 3-4 (as much as almost any glue is needed to cool and dry).

Types of glue

The cylindrical rods that serve as “cartridges” for the glue gun, as mentioned above, differ in several parameters, from which it is necessary to make a start when choosing. In most cases, the instructions for the pistol always indicate the recommended models, however, it is not recommended to trust the manufacturer, since the most fusible options are often indicated.

Hot-melt glue can vary in diameter and length of the rods: the classic version is 7 mm in diameter and 10 cm in length. If the latter parameter is larger, then it is often inconvenient to use, and the interfering part is cut off.

Cylindrical rods of various models and brands can be made of light and refractory materials, the melting point of which can vary in the range from 90 to 150 degrees. It is recommended to select those rods, the melting point of which is about 125 degrees.

Important: before buying a hot melt adhesive, it is imperative to familiarize yourself with the parameters of the glue gun, especially with the technical characteristics of its thermoelement.
The manufacturer must always indicate the maximum temperature that the device can reach.

It is well known that cylindrical rods are also different in color.And in this case, the color is not a whim of the manufacturer, but an indicator showing what this or that type of glue should be used for. For example:

1. The white transparent rod is universal and suitable for gluing any materials (like all painted transparent ones).
2. A white opaque rod should only be used for gluing metal objects and glass.
3. Yellow is used for gluing paper, cardboard and wood, often being the most fusible hot melt adhesive.
4. Black, gray and, less commonly, dark purple are used to fill cracks, voids and any holes, playing the role of sealants and, less commonly, insulating materials.

Finally

When working with the device, it is only important not to forget to observe certain security measures: the nozzle of an unused gun should always be directed downwards, it is recommended to install the tool on a stand in order to eliminate the risk of it falling and, as a result, ignition. When working, the hands should be protected with a thick cloth: gloves, gloves, etc., in order to prevent the occurrence of burns in case of carelessness or malfunction of the device.

Since a part of the glue, even a small one, will somehow remain on the nose of the gun, after the thermoelement and the body of the device have cooled, it should be removed so that it does not cause stagnation and accumulation of gelatinous mass in the future.

The glue gun can be used not only in construction and everyday needs, but also as a tool for creating decorative objects: with its help (as well as fusible cylindrical rods) you can combine natural and artificial materials, creating an original composition, collage and even toys.

Video: how to use a glue gun