Hot Melt Glue...Anyone Use It?

darita

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Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
462
I'm wondering how many people use hot melt glues and how they use them and for what jobs?  Once the cartridge is in the gun, how long can it stay there in storage?  Clamps, nails, screws?  Honestly, I've had a gun sitting in storage for years, but have never used it.  Tell me what I'm missing.
 
I use it for templates and jigs, quick and easy, but nothing permanent.

The glue seems to last forever if it isn't melted. 
 
I'm talking about the PUR hot melt glue and gun.  They are polyurethane and supposed to be "...stronger than the wood..." bonding. 
 
I have used them. Not sure I can say definitively what job, make the decision as I go along.  

The glue seams to need more cure time than one would think, cooled does not mean set.

Put the cap back on the cartridge for storage, it will reheat.

Can't tell you what your missing.

The other hot glues, just like Vin, it makes a great "extra" hand.

Tom

 
I use mine for quick jigs and joints which aren't subject to a lot of stress. For example, most of my model railway layout is held together with hot melt glue- tunnels, bridges etc. It's also good for holding things in difficult positions alongside PVA glue whilst you put the clamps on, and when you need a fast drying time.

Worth having, but I went for years without one. Glue seems to last forever.
 
I have had the PUR gun for about 8 years. In the past i used it for crown molding and wainscot panel molding, the only thing i use it for now is on crown molding for cabinets that are shy of the ceiling, i put some one inch beads on the back side for more support and i only do that because i have some left.

I have since moved on to 2p10 and a good pin nailer which work much better.

It is a toss up on the life of the tubes once they are open, i had some that lasted a few months and some that lasted less than a week. They do last a long time unopened.

Depending on what kind of work you do you are not missing out on much by not using it.
 
I have a PUR gun, and am happy to sell it to anyone interested, as I don't use it anymore.  I use to use it for prefinished moulding joints, mainly.
The cartridges have an expiration date after you open them, as I understand it.

These days, I do keep a 3M hot melt gun in my nailgun kit for templates and temping things together.  For moulding joints, I use the Titebond Moulding & Trim glue - it's a little tackier/thicker than TBIII, and dries clear.
 
I use my Hi Purf gun frequently.  Sometimes it's the best solution to preassemble something. I have had problems with expired glue still in the foil package and as others have said reheating older tubes can be a crap shoot.  I order glue only when I need it from Amazon (i figure their stock probably moves a bit faster than others) and keep very little back stock. I read somewhere that even unopened the glue has a one year shelf life.

It's another trick in the bag. Very handy when used as a clamp while other adhesives cure on jobs with a no visible fastener spec.
 
I use a hot melt gun extensively for templates, jigs, etc But predominantly to stitch/hold strips and parts together, whilst a more permanent adhesive sets up.
I originally bought it to build a strip plank canoe that was clear finished with no fastenings whatsoever. The methodology is extensively discussed on the Laughing Loon Website. Since then I have found 1001 uses....
You tend to reach for what's comfortable and once you become comfortable and confident with HG... Well there's more things you 'think' to use it for....
 
I use mine all the time had to use it last time to glue some aluminum to plexiglass. We canglue tack strip to concrete and many other great uses when you dont want to use a mechanical fastener
 
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