I need a heat gun for heat shrink tubing (after solder splicing wires together - 22-10 gauge).

I was thinking the M18 cordless but the reviews aren't consistent - lack of heat for shrink tubing?

I was thinking cordless since I'm splicing outside sometimes. But corded isn't a deal breaker if there aren't any good cordless offerings.

Either way, any recommendations?

M18 compact heat gun good to go despite reviews? Other brand cordless? Corded recommendation?

If you're very careful, a throwaway cigarete lighter has always worked for me.

Tinyman

I got my from Harbor Freight for like $15. It has lasted for years.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I got my from Harbor Freight for like $15. It has lasted for years.

This. I use one to start my BGE.

A $5 soldering iron will work as well. Use the sides of the tip, not the tip itself. I use this method when I use to race r/c cars as a hobby.

I have a couple of super cheap plug-in ones that have been fine, and an M18 that I have only used a couple times but has been fine.

The one I actually use the most for heat shrink (it wouldn't work at all for a lot of other heat gun tasks) is this goofy little butane one that uses a lighter as a gas cartridge.

https://www.ancorproducts.com/en/702027

That's because I rarely need to shrink more than a couple pieces at a time, so the OK performance is compensated for by it being tiny and not needing to be plugged in or use a big heavy battery.

We use these at my company: https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-...0%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1

I have one of these at the house: https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-...0%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-3

Both are great and get hot as hell!

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I got my from Harbor Freight for like $15. It has lasted for years.

+1. Works for me!

I've used soldering irons/guns, cigarette lighters, and mini torches to shrink with. My favorite is the cigarette type lighters that have a torch flame. They put out plenty of heat to get a good shrink, and works on windy days. I've never tried a heat gun, but seems like it might be a bit cumbersome. Soldering irons & guns work, but seems to be slower than a lighter.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I got my from Harbor Freight for like $15. It has lasted for years.

Yep.

I've had really good luck with a couple of these; primarily for heat shrink on avionics wiring. $25 and a lifetime warranty!


https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Heat gun is the way to go for great results.

Cordless due to its portability and ease of use without a cord becoming cumbersome.

I have a Stanley corded heat gun, I've had it for 10 years and works great on on heat shrink tubing. I would think a heat gun uses too much energy for a cordless to last a long time between charges.

Weller butane soldering iron, also works to heat shrink. https://www.amazon.com/Weller-...n/dp/B000WOHSHM?th=1
Harbor Freight has their brand for less money. Used a Weller for many years when doing field repairs before battery powered heat guns.

My brother has a Milwaukee cordless heat gun and has said he doesn't like it, but I'm 99% sure it is also a M12, not an 18.

If you aren't working around flammable fumes like gasoline, the little butane torches work OK because you can direct the flame. Cigarette lighters suck because no matter how you hold them the flame can only go up. This can blow back on and burn you, if a breeze doesn't blow your flame out altogether. I use a corded heat gun from Snap-on (the "Blue-Point" brand), but I have them and other tool trucks come to my workplace. Interestingly - and surprisingly because so much stuff is made in China - it was made in Czech Republic.

These work great on heat shrink tubing as well as heat shrink covering for model airplanes. Not too expensive either:

http://hobbyproinc.com/Top-Flite-Heat-Gun-TOPR2000/

quote:

Originally posted by Tinyman:
If you're very careful, a throwaway cigarete lighter has always worked for me.

Tinyman

Or upgrade to a cheap torch lighter. You can heat a different angles, not just from below. And you can use it in a breeze.

I use a small kitchen butane torch.
Just don’t get too close.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
My brother has a Milwaukee cordless heat gun and has said he doesn't like it, but I'm 99% sure it is also a M12, not an 18.

Milwaukee makes an M12 soldering iron, but the heat gun is M18.

Thanks guys. I’m going to avoid the M18 although it may fit my needs. I’m not an expert obviously but seems like heat shrink only needs a temp of about 70C, also sounds like 10-22g wiring insulation starts to melt around 90C (seems like a low bar to me though). These temps are at the low end of any heat gun.

But I’ll keep with branded corded. Makita and Dewalt have well rated models (kit with case). Probably lean toward one of those.