The Historic District

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

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.

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

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.

Manalto wrote: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)

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

Manalto wrote: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

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

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

Lily left the valley wrote: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