Best heat gun for stripping paint?

[Manalto]

Do you have a favorite heat gun for stripping paint in old-house interiors?

[Lily left the valley]

Here's a thread on heat guns: http://www.thehistoricdistrict.org/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=12030

It's a bit buried so you might not have seen it at a quick glance of first page topics in this forum.

I also know from experience trying to search for "heat guns" is a headache because it doesn't like the gun part.

[Manalto]

Yes! There are DHS agents in my shrubbery as we speak. Thanks, I'll check out the link.

I looked into the infrared heat guns and learned here that people aren't terribly impressed with them, which is good to know since the price tag is a bit startling.

ETA - No consensus so I guess there's no obvious "best."


James

[1918ColonialRevival]

Pretty much all of them do the same thing. I'm no more impressed with the high end ones than I am the $25 special from Sears.

If you are new to stripping with a heat gun, practice on some scrap wood before starting in so you get used to the technique.

[Mick_VT]

Yes! There are DHS agents in my shrubbery as we speak. Thanks, I'll check out the link.

I looked into the infrared heat guns and learned here that people aren't terribly impressed with them, which is good to know since the price tag is a bit startling.

ETA - No consensus so I guess there's no obvious "best."


James

I have one of the Infra-red "speed heaters" It is ok for interior work and I also sometimes use it on things that are laying flat or are intricate (eg shutters) but by and large the heat gun is my favorite. I prefer one with a good range of heat settings. My current one has lasted longer than most (I have had it about 15 years)

[Manalto]

Mick, what kind of gun is your current one? (that has lasted so long)

[Mick_VT]

Mick, what kind of gun is your current one? (that has lasted so long)

It was / is a Sears Craftsman Industrial, but I don't think you can get them any more. If I recall correctly Casey said he has a Makita which has also lasted a long time and looks very much like my Sears one...

Edit: A bit of research reveals that the Sears one is now discontinued but was a rebadged Steinel unit

[Mick_VT]

spin_prod_206143801.jpeg (12.15 KiB) Viewed 484 times

1500W, Variable Temp (120°-1050°F)
- Steinel HL2002LE (temp range advertised as 120°-1100°F)
- Craftsman Industrial/Professional 927801

[Lily left the valley]

In case it's of interest to anyone, Sears sold their Craftsman line/brand to Black & Decker in January. Story about that here.

[Mick_VT]

In case it's of interest to anyone, Sears sold their Craftsman line/brand to Black & Decker in January. Story about that here.

It was only ever a brand... they rebadged other stuff and sold it as their own, just like they did with Kenmore, for decades