Heat Gun recommendations

O

orboater

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Any one do their own shrink wrapping?
If so what brand and model heat gun are the best to purchase?
 
To me heat guns are pretty much heat guns. They simply blow hot air. Mine has two settings: hot and hotter. I have had one for a 20 or 30 years and use it for many things other then shrink wrapping.

Without going out and looking I could not tell you the brand. The odds are that it is Craftsman because that is the tool line I prefer, but I really do not know on the heat gun.

George
 
I haven't seen shrink wrapping done in years but recall seeing propane heat guns being used. Perhaps in commercial use, electric would be too slow? They would just flash those propane guns and it was done.
 
orboater.

Do a google search on Dr Shrink. They sell not only the tools but all of the supplies as well. I have the Shrinkfast 998 Heat gun, but I do several boats a year, from 17' to 40'. They use to sell a much cheaper gun, but I do not see it on their web site anymore. I am sure the rapidshrink 70 would do just as well. If your boat is real wide or tall, i would suggest that your get the 3' extension as well.

The electric heat guns do not get hot enough, or cover a large enough area to shrinkwrap a boat.
 
I have done my own shrinkwrapping for the last 5 years. I don't remember who I bought the gun from. The gun that I have does not dispurse the flame. Some guns dispurse the flame over a wider area. The pros that I have watched have these guns and control the heat over a wider area much better than by cheapo model that just blows a center flame. However, I think mine cost a couple hundred dollars and I get by just fine vs. spending over $500. Worst case scenario is that I burn a few holes that I have to patch. Not as pretty as the pro's but does the job.
 
I have watched most of the videos on shrink wrapping on the net. Also researched Dr. Shrink Wrap's offerings. My biggest concern was the pro/cons of a $300 gun opposed to a $900 rig with extensions. Looking at shrinking 5 units this year. Appreciate all feedback.
 
The more "units" you wrap, the more you will appreciate a better gun. My first gun was an inexpensive gun the Dr Shrink use to offer, As Danielcooper9 stated it did not disburse the flame at all. I used to put a lot of hole (Still put some). The second problem I had with that gun, was it was not a one step ignition. You open the valve for a pilot light, pushed the lighter (Much like a grill), and the pilot burner lit. When you wanted to shrink the film, you squeezed the trigger, and you had heat. When you need to set the gun down, you had to shut off the pilot flame. Also to add an extension you need to break out the wrenches.

The gun I have now, squeeze the trigger and you have heat, To add extension push a button remove the head, and the extension. All quick and easy. Also the heat is spread over a larger area. Jobs are done quicker, and the job come out looking better.

If you were closer, I would say I would show you both guns, and let you play with both to decide for yourself. I still have the old one.
 
I still have my shrinkkfast gun withba 6' extention don't use it in fl
I have seenthe type of gun that has a constant flame and I would be worried about an accedent
 
If you are doing 5 boats a year, personally I would spend the extra money and get a better gun than I have. It will save you a lot of trime and aggravation.
 
Hi, mine came from harbor freight for under $30 then got a longer hose. It has worked great for the last 6 years.
 
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