14 replies to this topic

[NevadaZielmeister]

Gentlemen,

 

You guys did a great job putting me onto a really nice soldering iron. It arrived yesterday and so I move onto my next tool: Glue Gun.

 

I was watching videos by "Make. Test. Battle" and he used a glue gun a lot. This is such a great idea, especially if you make a mistake or something. 

 

Which Glue Gun do you guys prefer/use? What kind of glue sticks do you guys use? I have heard of non-permanent sticks and regular. Which ones are which?

 

 

[Quack]

Gentlemen,

 

You guys did a great job putting me onto a really nice soldering iron. It arrived yesterday and so I move onto my next tool: Glue Gun.

 

I was watching videos by "Make. Test. Battle" and he used a glue gun a lot. This is such a great idea, especially if you make a mistake or something. 

 

Which Glue Gun do you guys prefer/use? What kind of glue sticks do you guys use? I have heard of non-permanent sticks and regular. Which ones are which?

 

 

Honestly I use a glue gun that I bought at a dollar store. Anything should be fine for regular applications. If you're planning on doing something like an integration, hot glue is good for the initial bond but use an epoxy or plastic weld for the main bonding agent. 

[Kilomona]

If you dont feel like springing for an adjustable temperature glue gun, low temp is better for dartsmithing. I haven't found any advantages to a high temp, other than its ability to heat up a bit quicker (in my experience). As far as sizes go, I use a small one. Large or industrial sizes usually flood out glue and are just large and unwieldy. For glue sticks, I just use normal clear glue- not a reccomendation as I have never used other kinds.

[TOTtomdora]

The larger, higher temperature hot glue gun (with a large, greyish stick to match) creates a much stronger bond, but takes more time to cure (as opposed to the small gun); it takes a good minute or two for it to even harden enough that you can release the objects, although I'd still be careful of them splitting at that point. I glued a stock to my C.L.E.A.R. this way and it's rock solid; I'm fairly certain I could bash someone on the head with it.
I can agree, though, that the small hot glue gun is better for dartsmithing. It's also good for paper and cardboard, or plastic bonds that don't need to last too long. I wouldn't use low temperature hot glue in a serious application.

[The2ndBluesBro]

Yeah, just buy the generic one from the dollar store. Don't ever count on hot glue as a structural bond, though. Using it to prototype is fine, but it'll surely break in a war environment. 

[ThatOneAsian]

Gentlemen,

 

You guys did a great job putting me onto a really nice soldering iron. It arrived yesterday and so I move onto my next tool: Glue Gun.

 

I was watching videos by "Make. Test. Battle" and he used a glue gun a lot. This is such a great idea, especially if you make a mistake or something. 

 

Which Glue Gun do you guys prefer/use? What kind of glue sticks do you guys use? I have heard of non-permanent sticks and regular. Which ones are which?

 

 

I currently own a low temp mini glue gun, which was priced at 12 bucks. Its more compact and not as bulky as a regular one.

 

Glue sticks that I use are 7 mm in diameter and they come in a variety of colors.

.

[Snoop Doggy doge]

I currently own a low temp mini glue gun, which was priced at 12 bucks. Its more compact and not as bulky as a regular one.

 

Glue sticks that I use are 7 mm in diameter and they come in a variety of colors.

.

A low temp one is great for dartsmithing!
Anything from the store you can get lots of glue for is fine though. Again, hot glue is for initial bond, it's not going to secure in place forever, it'll wear out

[DjOnslaught]

I use a dual temp hun by sure binder that I got at sears, but is also available on amazon.

[NevadaZielmeister]

Thank you guys for the replies and the information. Based on what I have read, I get the impression that a glue gun might not be the best tool for modifications. Maybe I am wrong here? 

 

My desire is to be able to install a high current switch in a space that might not have enough stock plastic support. I saw a video in which a hot glue gun was used. If the hot glue gun is not the best tool/application, which method would you guys recommend? 

[DjOnslaught]

The hot glue gun is great for testing mounting and should be plenty to hold your switch in, but if not then try epoxy.

[Kilomona]

Thank you guys for the replies and the information. Based on what I have read, I get the impression that a glue gun might not be the best tool for modifications. Maybe I am wrong here? 
 
My desire is to be able to install a high current switch in a space that might not have enough stock plastic support. I saw a video in which a hot glue gun was used. If the hot glue gun is not the best tool/application, which method would you guys recommend? 

A hot glue gun should be enough for your intended application, as long as the switch is not being toggled or pressed in a way that places a large amount of stress on the bond.
Edit: a hot glue gun is useful to have in general for modification and nerfing purposes as a primary bonding agent and as general use.

Edited by Kilomona, 11 January 2016 - 02:16 PM.

[Langley]

You're overthinking it. Glue guns are cheap, and don't vary much in quality. Go to a craft store or a dollar store and buy the first one you see. If they have one with a high/low temp switch get that one, especially if you ever intend to make homemade darts.

[NevadaZielmeister]

Great answers guys. Thank you so much. 

[Remzak]

For dart making make sure you get a glue gun that has an all metal tip. Sounds obvious, but many glue guns have plastic casings on their extrusion nozzles.

[The2ndBluesBro]

For dart making make sure you get a glue gun that has an all metal tip. Sounds obvious, but many glue guns have plastic casings on their extrusion nozzles.

Most of the time those can be removed by unscrewing the glue gun.