Thread: Is there a decent hot melt glue gun out there ?

I've been using a Bosch one for years
And love it.
Sorry not near the shed at present.


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+1 for the Bosch, I use the long nosed one

+ another 1 for the Bosch

Also +1 for bosch...

Bosch here too, been going strong for about 4 years. Went through a few crappy ones first that didnt last.

I've had a Bosch myself for some years. Good for architectural modelling & the like, but just like the rest tends to get a bit "dribbly" at times.

But it's not really a Bosch. More of a badge engineered generic Slovenian?? tool that appears & has appeared in the past in many manufacturers' liveries. Metabo & Steinel spring readily to mind.

Speaking of the latter, there's a fantastic corded/cordless Steinel model that has very powerful heating elements for super rapid heat up that then transitions into a low "maintenance" current to maintain viscosity.

Its main convenience is based on the choice between plugging the cable into the handle base for continuous mains operation, or into the "base station" for intermittent, semi-cordless operation whilst maintaining fairly accurate thermostatic temperature control. Quite clever really.

There's also an expensive Steinel "PUR" model, which has also been marketed by Trend in the UK and also as a North American weird voltage version too under a brand name that I don't personally recall, but of colloquial historicity to that particular marketplace. Something the ilk of Sears, Wells Fargo or the like.

PUR in this context refers to polyurethane based adhesives which are uniquely two-part, tubular, stronger & more material specific than the rather weak & gutless standard hotmelt stick adhesives. Of the latter, my preferred choice are from Bostik, which are available in nicely useful 300mm lengths & offer reasonable performance. The 2 part PUR adhesives, whilst of considerably superior performance, strength & versatility, are just not cost effective in the roles & quantities that I personally require.

There's also several models of much more expensive commercial production predicated machines that are specific to continuous production line operation. I forget the branding, but I assume they're beyond the gambit of your specific requirements anyway, being more likely used in the upholstery, toy & electronics manufacturing spheres.

To return to the original evaluation of the Bosch & its clones I'm a fairly contented user myself, finding them pretty useful with an effective lifespan of a few months to a year or two when used intensively, which would probably translate to several years of intermittent use I suspect. A reasonable price/performance compromise for the occasional user. That I actually prefer the dual mode Steinel for modelling work is more a product of personal preference than a reflection of its suitability for this particular purpose.

These are a bit expensive but the range of adhesives is great and the guns are super reliable. 3M ScotchWeld Polygun LT Quadrack/Palm Trigger Low Temp Hot Melt Applicator | eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-Scotch-We...8AAOSwUKxYmhrW

Another alternative is the Dremel glue gun. I have had one for a few years. It is solid and has been reliable. Meant to be dripless, but none of the glue guns I have owned over the years have been so.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Happy with my Bosch also.

The Bosch guns seem to be well liked. Can anyone who has one and is happy with it confirm the model number please?

I think the long nose one is currently the PKP 18e. Is that the one people have.


Cheers
Arron

I'm pretty sure that is the one I have.
Sorry away from my workshop at present.
But Google pics say it's the one.


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The Bosch one you've mentioned is the "green" DIY Range....

This is the Bosch Blue Professional Range Unit - Bosch GKP200CE Glue Gun 240V

The nozzles are interchangeable across all the generic range of brands. They're easily unscrewed & replaced.

Remember, your Bosch green is your Steinel is your Metabo is your....