Hot glue guns can be extremely handy tools in a woodworking workshop, especially if you are working on a large project that requires a lot of time spent gluing things with each other. Not only can such a device save your time, but it can also reduce the fatigue on your wrist and fingers that comes from manual gluing of materials.
Here is a list of the best hot glue guns for woodworking, followed by the most important factors you need to keep in mind before you select one.
10 Best Hot Glue Gun for Woodworking
The mini hot melt gun by CCbetter is an extremely durable product that is made from aluminum and plastic. It works at the power of 20 wards and can handle temperatures between 356- and 392-degrees fahrenheit. Because of its small size, this gun is perfect for DIY projects as well as professional usages. It takes only three to five minutes for the gun to get heated off, and you can use the toggle on-off switch for easy functioning of the gun.
It also has an LED indicator which lets you know when the tool is heating up, so you don't have to check over and over again. There's a flexible support bracket attached to the gun, which allows you to set it aside safely without damaging the surface underneath. It also comes with an anti-hot cover which ensures that you don't end up burning yourself.
The high-quality nozzle of the gun can withstand heat without wearing out, and the product comes with 30 glue sticks so that you can get started right out of the box.
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This heavy-duty model is meant for professional usage and comes with two 20 watts of heating power to handle all your woodworking requirements. The gun has a stainless-steel heater which comes with an adjustment temperature knob. You can change the temperature settings of the gun from 220 to 420 degrees Fahrenheit.
There's also an on off switch on the gun which is quite easy to use, along with a glue stroke adjustment screw which allows you to control how much glue is released from the gun. In order to ensure that handling of the gun is safe and it does not damage the underlying surface, a detachable wire stand is included.
You also get two nozzles with heat resistant covers and a double insulated grounded cold to make sure that you can work with the gun for hours on end.
Although the gun is a little bit expensive, it is designed for heavy duty handling and can deliver more than 5lbs of blue in just one hour. This makes this gun the best option for commercial usage.
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If the previous model is a little too expensive for you, or if you don't require that much power, this mini glue gun by the same brand will be the perfect match for you. It is a 20-Watt model and comes with an extended tip which allows you to do any kind of high detail woodwork. In order to increase the protection of the gun, the company has also included a safety fuse.
The detachable wire stand, and the side fins allow you to take the gun down on its side safely, without damaging the surface underneath. It also has an ergonomic rubber handle and trigger which ensures comfortable grip over the gun, without finger or wrist fatigue.
The gun is durable enough so that it can handle even heavy-duty usage. It heats up in just five minutes or less, and the dual temperature control feature is good enough for choosing between low and high temperatures, depending on what exactly you're doing.
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The Cobiz Glue gun has a unique feature that makes it stand out from all the other products on this list - an adjustable heating element which you can use to select between 60 and 100 Watts of power. It also comes with ceramic PTC thermal heating system and a copper tip which ensures that the gun gets heated up within 1-3 minutes.
The tool is designed in such a way that it is comfortable to hold for extended periods of time. The ergonomic manufacturing also ensures there is no fatigue at the wrists or fingers. It is a full-sized model, so it can be used by people with large hands as well.
The high-quality plastic used for making the gun can withstand extreme conditions like high temperatures, heavy duty usage, and pressure, which allows you to use this gun without breaking or deforming even in a professional environment.
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Built to last a lifetime, this mini melt gun has all the features of a premium product, without the hefty price tag. It has a patented anti drip feature which includes high temperature adhesive bonding and a silicone sleeve which creates a vacuum environment that prevents gripping of the glue.
The gun takes about 3 minutes to get heated and can maintain a consistent temperature of 329 degrees Fahrenheit. The nozzle is clog proof, and there's a silicone cover which further reduces the chance of damage to the gun itself. It also comes with a stand which gives the gun stability when you need to put it aside.
It runs at 50-watt power and the PTC keeping components of the gun allow it to gather up heat very quickly. There's also a smart temperature control feature, which allows you to control the rate at which glue stick is melted. This feature also prevents unnecessary mess.
The trigger of the gun is made of two different materials, and this allows the movements of this trigger to be smooth and silent. The gun comes with 12 blue sticks, and also has an LED indicator, an anti-hot silicone cover, and a power switch for complete control over its functioning.
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This glue gun by Ryobi is well suited for professionals as well as hobbyists. It has a four-ampere battery, which allows you to use the gun for more than three hours without needing to recharge. It also comes with an LED indicator which allows you to check whether the gun is active or not, and prevents any accidents or burns consequently.
The trigger of the gun is designed in such a way that it supports two fingers, which allows the user to have maximum control over the glue stream. The handle of the gun also comes with micro hex texture rubber grip, which ensures that you can keep your hold on the gun for a long period of time without feeling any fatigue. It also improves the maneuverability and precision control over the gun, even if you are working in wet or slippery conditions.
It should be noted that the gun does not come with batteries, and you will have to purchase them separately. But it is a cordless device, which increases ease of operation.
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This mini hot glue gun is perfect for people who do not want to carry a big tool in their tool bag. And while this gun may be small in size, that does not mean that it is not powerful.
It has a ceramic heating element, which ensures that heat distribution within the gun is efficient and 50% faster than other products. As a result, the glue gun has a high output design which allows heating off more than 50 glue sticks in just one hour.
The gun also comes with heat resistant silicone tip guards which not only protect its own structure, but also reduce the risk of burns and injuries. In order to prevent any mishappenings or damage to the surface underneath, the tool also comes with a rubber base and a fold out stand both of which are extremely strong and sturdy.
The materials and assembly of the gun are of extremely good quality, as can be expected from dewalt as a brand. Make sure that you use high quality glue sticks with this gun, otherwise the fast heating element may lead to improper feeding.
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If you want a glue gun for home and office improvement projects, this is the perfect tool for you. It has a 180-Watt powered output and this allows the gun to dispense more amount of glue every minute, compared to other products on this list.
The gun can be operated up to the temperatures of 380 degrees fahrenheit. It also comes with a heat resistant nozzle cover which prevents the hot glue from oozing and injuring or burning the underlying surface or your hands.
The gun takes only two minutes to heat up and you can use standard glue sticks ranging from lengths of 4, 10, to 15 inches with this product. There's also a stroke adjustment screw which allows you to control the amount of glue that flows with every trigger. As a result, less energy is required to operate the gun. It also comes with an extended metal stand which increases the balance and stability when it is set aside.
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The Gorilla Hot Glue Gun has two temperature settings, the lower setting for gluing delicate items, and the higher setting for stronger bonding with wood, glass, metal etc.
It runs on 12 watts of power and the highest temperature setting on the gun is 374 degrees fahrenheit, while the lowest setting is 311 degrees fahrenheit. It comes with a 4.5-foot-long cord, and has been crafted in such a way that it is comfortable to work with even for extended periods of time.
The trigger is easy squeeze, and the long-insulated nozzle allows you to reach even the narrowest of spaces. It also prevents burns, and the gun comes with an integrated safety fuse to prevent any kinds of accidents. The integrated stand also keeps the nozzle of the gun away from the surface underneath.
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This hot glue gun has a power output of 40 watts, which is enough to melt glue sticks in just two to three minutes, making it perfect for long term projects. Not only can you use this glue gun with wood, but it also works with a variety of different services, like, fabric, metals, paper, glass, etc.
This one comes with two temperature adjustments, high and low. There are several sizes in which this hot glue gun is available, but if you choose one with a diameter of 0.5 inches, it will be easier for you as it allows good flow of the glue.
Although the gun is corded, you can rest assured that with the five-foot cord, you can work comfortably, even if you are doing detailed work. The gun also allows you to keep working for up to five minutes if the cord is detached, so that you can reach tricky places or small and narrow spaces.
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Buying Guide
Here are the most important factors worth considering when you are buying a hot glue gun for woodworking:
How fast the gun produces adhesive is entirely dependent on how hot it can get. Some guns do not offer any temperature control at all, while there are others that allow you to change their temperature settings so that you can control the flow of glue according to your requirements. If you are going to be working with intricate work, you will need a gun that allows temperature control, otherwise it's not that necessary.
The wattage of the gun determines its heating power. Small guns that only have 20-watt heaters may be enough for smaller projects, but if you are going to need a glue gun for professional usage, or heavy-duty materials, you will need a gun that has at least 60-220 watts of power.
The design of the gun can be ergonomic depending on its overall weight and the type of grip the handle offers. The gun should be lightweight enough so that you can use it for long hours without fatigue, and the handle should have rubber grip which allows a stronghold on the gun.
A light indicator that tells you whether the gun is on or off is an essential safety feature. Not only can it prevent burns, but if you are working in a large workshop, and there are a lot of tools lying around, it can also prevent fires. If you are buying a gun that is battery powered, also make sure that it has an indicator that shows whether it is charging or not.
The metal stand increases the stability and balance of the gun, and precision nozzle allows you to work with accuracy.
Certain types of guns can only handle a specific size of glue stick, that is, smaller sticks that measure up to 12 mm or larger sticks that are 15 mm or more in size. Before you buy the gun, make sure that it is compatible with your preferred glue stick size, so that you don't end up with wastage of material.
FAQs
Yes, using a hot glue gun is great to be used for wood based projects like making cabinets,chairs, tables. Since hot glue dried pretty fast, it means your project will get ready quicker.
Surebonder PRO2-220 is one of the best hot glue guns to buy since it comes with practical features like adjustable temperature control and using a speciality nozzle so that using the glue becomes easier.
Superglue is stronger than a hot glue due to several reasons but depending on the nature of your project, you should decide on the type of glue you would like to use.
Conclusion
When you are choosing the best hot glue gun for your woodworking project, you will need to keep in mind a variety of factors, most of which are mentioned above. A hot glue gun for woodworking eases many tasks for you such as assembling a project together and fixing some broken parts without the need of using nuts and bolts. Depending on your unique needs and requirements, you can pick one of the products in the list above.
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