The hot air blower is very similar to a hair dryer, but should not be used as such! Its heated air reaches very high temperatures (up to 900°C), making it suitable for many tasks. It is used for professional and private purposes.
The uses of the hot air torches
The hot air torch is very versatile. Here are some of its uses:
- loosening rusty screws and bolts ;
- shrinking of heat-shrinkable film (containment, wintering, packaging, palletizing, etc.);
- Rremoval of stickers, including shop windows and signs;
- removal of wallpaper and linoleum tiles;
- paint stripping ;
- to thaw pipes ;
- bending and welding of plastic pipes for plumbing;
- accelerated drying of painted surfaces, etc.
The operation of the hot air gun
The hot air blower can operate on electricity or gas. For large areas, especially in shrinking, the gas cylinder can be connected by a hose and placed on a cart with wheels. For lighter work, the gas cartridge is included in the hot air gun.
When you start an electric hot air torch, the ambient air enters through the back of the housing and circulates through the device. Its metal tip contains a resistor that heats the air before expelling it through the nozzle.
If you need a multipurpose tool, it should have a thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature, between 100 and 900°C.
The hot air blower nozzles are made of plastic.
The other way to refine the use of your hot air torch lies in the choice of nozzle. You can use your tool for various tasks depending on its shape:
- flat nozzle: the large jet of the spray can helps to remove paint or wallpaper from large surfaces.
- deflector nozzle : The heat jet is more diffuse and adapts to the heating of plastic pipes for bends;
- round nozzle : its hot air is concentrated to allow small parts to be stripped and to loosen screws and nuts.;
- glass-protecting nozzle : Its protective screen allows you to strip the wood of the windows, without breaking the glass.
For stripping work, some hot air blowers are sold with an assortment of knives. They are used for paints and wallpaper, among others. Their shape helps to work flat or reach corners, as well as to treat concave or convex surfaces. If you have to strip wood, you need the right knives to avoid scratching the surface.
Starting up the hot air air torch is not very complicated.
Set your thermostat to the temperature you need. If you don’t know it, start at the bottom to make sure you don’t damage your substrate.
The heat gun heats up quickly and becomes operational instantly. Be careful not to focus your hot air on a fixed point for too long, so as not to damage the material.
Do not use plastic gloves, but rather use gardening or construction gloves. Do not direct hot air at your skin and be aware of your surroundings.
If you need to set down your hot air torch during your work or because you are finished, be careful to set it down on a heat-resistant surface.
Once you no longer need it, turn off your heat gun and let it cool naturally. Do not store it until it is cold to avoid damaging its case or electrical cord. AND of course, don’t put it in water to cool it down!
