Whether you are a keep DIYer, a hobby crafter, a woodworker or even a contractor – a glue gun is a tool that you are going to find a million uses for! They will allow you to secure a range of materials together, such as plastics, textiles, wood, plastic, cardboard, paper and some types of metal! We would challenge you to find any other tool that is going to be able to work with all of these materials successfully! Glue guns are also going to offer you a much sleeker finish with many jobs, as you won’t need to worry about nails and screws being on show. But, not just this, there are some jobs where only a glue gun is going to do the trick and then you definitely need the right one for the task.
A glue gun works differently to other DIY guns, such as decorators guns, as it has to heat up the glue for it to work. Once you feed a stick of glue into the glue gun it will begin to heat up the stick. Then, once the stick has melted inside the gun, it will feed out of the nozzle to be applied to different materials. This heating and then harding of the glue is what makes the joins that you are able to create so strong! The fact that they are so easy to use also makes them perfect for any DIYers or woodworkers that love what they do, but struggle with the faff of holding the small nails in place – for example anyone who suffers with joint pain or arthritis in their hands and wrists!
So if you think that a glue gun is what you need to get the job done – or maybe you are just sick of dropping nails – then here are some of the best glue guns you will find!
Best Pick Glue Gun – Bosch 06032A2070
- The cordless hot glue gun GluePen - the fast and handy tool for all gluing jobs
- Ready to glue after just 15 seconds of heat-up time and the adhesive sets very quickly
- No drying out or clogging thanks to innovative hot glue technology
- One battery charge facilitates 30 minutes of work or processing of six glue sticks
- Items included: GluePen, micro USB charger, four glue sticks, cardboard box
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
In A Hurry?
If you are ready to get started but just aren’t sure how you are going to stick those two pieces of material together, or maybe you have a kids school project to complete and a glue gun is the only solution! Don’t panic! Here are our favourite glue guns and the key features that you need to think about!
Cordless or Corded
Probably the first thing you need to consider is whether you want a corded or a cordless glue gun. We really love the idea of a battery powered glue gun as it means that you are going to be able to use them wherever you go, so you can work in a shed, in the garden, anywhere basically – without restriction. Also, you don’t need to worry about any cables getting in the way and running through the hot glue making a mess of the project you are working on. However, they aren’t perfect – as you have to be prepared to deal with the longer heat up time and usually less power and heat as well. The main downside that we found to the cordless models is that the batteries are usually integrated to the machine – which means that as soon as the battery runs out you are going to have to stop work and hang up tools until it recharges. This means that it is vital you check how long the battery actually runs for!
Obviously, you aren’t going to have to worry about any of this if you decide to opt for a corded glue gun….it will be ready to work whenever you are. You will also usually find that they are more powerful and offer a quicker heat up too which is going to allow you to get the job done faster. Remember though, that you are going to be limited as to where you can work as you will need to be close enough to a power source to get the job done. We would recommend checking the length of the cable if this is going to matter to you – some are around a metre in length but there are other models that are longer!
Manual Feed or Trigger Feed
This is the different ways in which the glue stick is inserted into the gun.
A trigger feed is going to be your more expensive option but with good reason. These will feed the glue stick into the gun automatically when you hold in the trigger. This makes it much easier for you to work with and also means that the glue is spread more evenly over the materials that you are working with – so you don’t need to worry about waste glue or getting not enough on certain strips of materials.
The cheaper option is going to be a manual feed glue gun – which requires you to push the glue stick into the glue gun by hand. This is obviously going to require more work from you – and although it isn’t exactly strenuous work – it is going to require you to have an incredibly steady hand so that you don’t get uneven spreads of glue over the materials that you are working with. You also have the issue of actually getting the job done independently, as if you have one hand on the glue gun and one on the glue stick, you have no hands left to actually hold and move the materials!
Glue Gun Design Features
You might not think that the design of your glue gun matters, but actually it is really going to affect the quality of job that you are able to achieve and how long you can work for before becoming fatigued.
The first thing to think about is the handle and the trigger of your glue gun. Look to see the shape and size of the handle and the trigger – some can be quite small which is going to make them difficult to control for anyone with larger hands! Others are going to come with triggers that are specifically designed to be large enough for two fingers so that you will have more control when applying the glue. It is also worth checking the grip – some are going to be moulded in the shape of a hand to increase comfort whereas others will come with rubber and foam grips that will be much softer!
Once you have found a handle to your liking you need to remember to check the nozzle of the glue gun to see if this is going to be right for you. Most will be shaped in either a round or a flat design and which you choose really depends on how you want the glue to be applied. Some of the best glue guns will allow you to change the nozzle depending on the job that you are completing and we really like models that come with an extended “pen nib” style nozzle as this allows for really precise application in really hard to reach places!
TOP TIP: Don’t forget to check the size of the glue stick that will be compatible with the glue gun. Most glue sticks are going to be either 7mm or 11mm in diameter so you need to make sure that the glue gun is going to be able to hold these.
Best Budget Glue Gun – Mini Hot Melt Glue Gun
- CONVENIENT& EASY TO USE: Simply insert glue stick, heats up in 3-5 minutes, and you can get to crafting sooner rather than later.
- POWERFUL& SAFE: Featured a 100-240 voltage and 50-60Hz Frequency. Equipped with an adjustable wire stand that allows the glue gun to retain stable. Smart Temperature Control Keeps it at a Consistent Reliable Temperature.
- PUREST GLUE STICKS: Super clear transparency ensures the right amount of glue with every squeeze. Trigger propulsion device controls glue flow will help you save much more glue sticks.
- GREAT FOR CRAFTERS: Great for wood, metal, plastic, paper, leather, fabric, magnets, ceramics, glass, decorations, frames, DIY projects, school projects and more!
- Packing list: 1 pcs Glue Gun(about 5.7 x 4.7 x 1.1 inches); 80 pcs white Melt Glue (about 0.27 *5.9 inches each）
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Max Temperature and Heat Up Times
Both of these are really important to check for if you are wanting a good quality glue gun and you are planning on using it quite regularly. Some glue guns will literally heat up within seconds whereas others can take over 10 minutes to heat up – which is a considerable difference! Not only is this massively going to impact on how quickly you can get started on the job that you have planned, it is also going to impact on how cost effective and energy efficient they are! Imagine if you have a model with a battery life of 20 minutes that takes 10 minutes to heat up!
TOP TIP: If you are looking for the most energy efficient way to work your glue gun then look out for models that come with dual temperatures. These will have one setting to heat the glue quickly, then another cooler setting that uses less power just to keep the glue melted and able to be used!
You also need to look at the temperature that your glue gun is going to be able to work at, as this will determine how melted the glue is going to be (and therefore how easy it is going to be to work with) but also the types of glue that you are going to be able to use. Glue gun temperatures vary from around 100℃ up to around 200℃ which is quite a difference!
Additional Glue Gun Features
Wanting the best glue gun that money can buy? Already got a whole host of jobs lined up for your glue gun? Then you need to be looking out for these additional features so that you can find the best glue gun that there is!
- Anti-drip nozzles – As far as we are concerned this should be essential! It is the only way that you are going to guarantee that you won’t end up with glue damaging not only the job that you are working on but also your work surfaces and anything else lying around!
- Glue Gun Sets – We also really like models that come as part of a set. These will usually come with a case for your glue gun which is going to make it much easier to store, but more importantly, with glue sticks that are ready to go. Saving you money and also the hassle of having to purchase the glue sticks separately when you want to get started!
- Built In Stand – Some of the best glue guns are going to come with a small, metal stand that is attached to the main part of the gun. These can just be flicked out but are the best way to prop up your glue gun when you are not using it!
- Glue retraction – Whilst we are thinking about dripping glue, it’s worth us mentioning nozzles that come with glue retraction. These will retract the glue back into the device and when you release the trigger to avoid any wastage but also to avoid mess! This is the same for anti-drip nozzles that are designed to avoid any glue getting loose as soon as you let go of the trigger!
- Weight – If you suffer from arthritis or are planning on using your glue gun for a number of jobs then we would definitely recommend checking out the weight. Some are just over 100g which is going to be plenty light enough for you to use for as long as you need!
- Adjustable speeds and temperatures – This is the best way to achieve the perfect finish as you are going to be able to determine exactly how much glue you want to release to secure two pieces of material! It is also the best way to avoid wasting glue, which will save you money in the long run!
Best of the Rest
- The glue gun PKP 18 is a handy all-purpose gluing device
- Effortlessly glues wood, leather, carton, paper, textiles, cork and stone, as well as glass and metal
- Mechanical feed system for sensitive metering and targeted, rapid application
- Safe working thanks to the nozzle with heat shield
- Items included: PKP 18 E, 1 x extra-length nozzle, 1 x glue stick
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- RAPID HEATING: Adopting the most advanced multi-point speed heating technology, heat up takes only 1-2 minutes, and the built-in constant temperature module keeps your hot glue gun at a constant temperature to prevent the glue stick from dripping.
- SAFE AND EFFICIENT: The latest upgraded circuit board uses intelligent overheating protection circuit to completely eliminate dangerous situations such as overheating and leakage. Ideal for home, office and school, DIY crafts projects with metal, wood, glass, card, fabric, plastic, ceramics and/or more.
- EASY TO USE: Simply pop in a glue stick, warm up 1-2 minutes, gently pull the trigger and you are effortlessly gluing. The built-in bracket is more convenient to place, no additional bracket is needed,
- 30 PCS GLUE STICKS INCLUDED:30pcs glue sticks (7.0mm x 150mm each), with super-strong adhesive and easy cleaning properties to protect your health and items, A+ Grade, NO SMELL, SGS APPROVED.
- PP CARRING CASE: Keeps your hot glue gun and glue sticks safe, protected, and organised. Easy to store and carry, which is also the best gift choice for father and kids.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Fast and reliable - The practical hot glue gun adhesive reaches maximum strength just 2 minutes after application, allowing you to finish bonding jobs quickly
- Various materials - the strong glue bonds most materials including wood, metal and pvc and dries transparently, making it ideal for crafts, decoration, diy and repairs
- High temperature - the liquid glue has a high melting capacity and reaches a working temperature of approximately 190 ° c and features a heat-insulated nozzle
- Multi-purpose - the bonding adhesive features an easy-squeeze trigger for even application, making it ideal for smaller repairs such as fixing picture frames and wooden toys
- Practical delivery - loctite hot melt glue gun, hot glue gun for repairs and crafting on a range of materials and heat insulated nozzle, with 2 glue gun stick refills, 1x hot melt glue gun
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to clean my glue gun?
If you want your glue gun to be long lasting then you are going to need to clean it occasionally. This is as simple as removing any dried glue from around the nozzle of the gun either by hand or with soapy water, but is essential to avoid the glue clogging up the gun.
Do glue guns come with guarantees?
The average glue gun guarantee is between 1 and 3 years depending on the quality of the products that have been used. Just make sure that your glue gun has been well looked after and cleaned between uses, as if the damage is caused by dried glue clogging up the mechanism then you won’t be covered!
What can a glue gun be used on?
There is a massive range of materials that a glue gun is going to be able to fix together. These include; wood, plastic, some metals, card, textiles and glass (to name a few). Just remember to bear in mind that smoother materials, such as glass, aren’t going to hold as well as other materials, such as wood, which has more grains and bumps for the glue to stick into!
Be the first to comment