A while ago, Fred mentioned using 3M’s glue gun, and at that time it jumped ahead on my wishlist. It drew my attention earlier, but I dismissed it – $150 for a glue gun?
I started shopping for a new glue gun, and haven’t completely ruled out 3M’s. 3M’s hot glue gun, which they more elegantly name as a hot melt applicator, has some advantages.
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First, it has a palm-based glue stick advancement mechanism. It looks like their glue applicators were designed with a thumb-advancement mechanism, with a Quadrack converter and palm trigger being add-ons that came out later on.
The glue sticks for this 3M applicator style have grooves in them, which I imagine makes it easier to control how much glue is applied during use.
This also means that you can’t use any off-the-shelf gluesticks, you have to use 3M’s. 3M, being an adhesives specialist, offers a range of general purpose and special purpose glue sticks. So for specific applications, you might wan to use their glue sticks anyways.
But… some of their glue stick varieties are only sold in bulk quantities. Some are available in 1 pound quantities, most are only available in 11 pound increments.
So, assuming this glue gun is leaps and bounds better than lower cost models, there’s the annoyance of being tied into 3M’s system. Finding consumer-friendly glue stick quantities can be a hassle.
Right now, I found two glue stick varieties that could work for me – 3748Q for electronics work, 3792Q for general purpose use on wood and other materials.
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But it seems like a whole lot of money for something that will be used often but not everyday.
So… do you have a favorite glue gun you could recommend? What about glue sticks?
I have an Arrow glue gun around here somewhere, but I remember it being very drippy. Before realistically considering the 3M, I looked at the Surebonder Pro2-100. The Surebonder is a lot less expensive.
I’m also curious about Tec glue guns. They look to have some nice features too, and cost a bit less than the 3M. Plus, they look to take standard glue stick sizes.
Buy Now(3M Hot Melt Applicator)
Buy Now(Surebonder Pro2-100)
I’ve also been wondering – if you’ve got a glue gun, what do you use it for?
I intend to use one for fastening electronics in an enclosure where machine screws won’t work, as strain relief for some parts, and to add a stiffener to the bottom of some of the drawers I’m making.
Tom
I’ve been eyeing those for a long time too. Did you ever see the tested.com review?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxQfWGMdwno
Eric
My wife is big into crafting and uses a glue gun quite often, She was using one of those $5 no-name guns and I thought I would research a good quality one and ended up finding that there simply isn’t much difference between a basic cheap gun and a high end gun other than cost.
Cordless would be a big jump for her as the cord is what she seems to complain about the most. I would like to see a Milwaukee M12 Hot glue gun.
fred
I think in a previous post on Toolguyd there was mention of the Surebonder gun that uses the Ryobi LiIon battery.
Walty
I like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006IY359K/
I use it 2-3 times a month for different projects. I usually use it to keep low voltage wires in place on circuit boards or other small electronics projects.
Anson Maddock
tldr; Buy two of these one for regular sticks and one for the 707s. Then buy a 10w-mini for small stuff. The cordless are more of a gimmick than for real use.
You can’t go wrong with this one. It’s quite affordable and it’s never let me down.
Application wise
*10w High Temp Mini* – Electronics and small crafts. It sees about 1-2lbs a year. Tiny footprint for use/storage. I usually keep 2-3 lbs of glue with it. When kids want to help this is hot enough to warn them but not hot enough to blister.
*40w Adtech High/Low Temp Full Size* – Bought for less than $10 because I didn’t want to feel bad when I smashed it in the shop. Other than getting dirty it’s held up for over 6 years with no problems. It’s best at just under a 1lb/hr rate.
*100w Surebonder PRO2-100 High Temp Full Size* – They aimed low with the 2.5lb/hr rating. When I pull this out it doesn’t see less than 1lb of glue typically 3+lbs.
Surebonder 707 – These have seen use in place of PL glue with no releases. Only good things to say!
My wife and I tried cordless units thinking that with each one this would be the last but we got rid of all of them. They don’t heat as fast and the battery pack units were much heavier than the 100w glue guns and aggravated her wrist. Thermal mass units that you set back down on power couldn’t hold consistent glue heat.
A lightweight extension cord or ceiling mounted unit was always nearby and put less weight in my hand than a cordless unit.
The only cordless exception may be the 120W Surebonder/Ryobi combo, The 60W wasn’t worth it, but maybe this might do it but. Years of cordless glue guns says this is unlikely.
Nitsan
I love the Bosch glue pen.
Super versatile and convenient. No cords, ready in 15 seconds.
On the down side, pretty low glue output speed, so not good for large projects.
I definitely want a larger version of this. Bosch have a larger one but it’s the same voltage and glue output speed.
Stuart
Argh! I forgot about the Bosch glue pen! I wish I had added one to my recent Amazon UK order. Maybe next time.
Mack
What kind of glue do you use for your electronics work?
Stuart
Nothing now. But I have a bunch of projects coming up, and I’ve been racking my head trying to figure out how to mount certain things. Hot glue seems like the way to go.
Larry W
I like the DeWalt. Have used lots of others and this shines above them all.
https://amazon.com/DEWALT-Rapid-Heat-Ceramic-G/dp/B00FI6QWBM/
fred
I guess I was the one who recommend this gun. My wife is the main user – and probably now has enough glue to last a lifetime because – as you point out 3M sells their glue with an industrial or commercial user – not a home hobbyist – as their target audience. She seems to the high temp glue most often – but I actually like the low-temp stuff for temporary attachments when working on pieces.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Products/~/3M-Hot-Melt-Applicator-LT-Quadrack-1-per-case?N=5396762+4294877296&rt=rud
It would be nice if there were a secondary market for the glue sticks – with a source that was willing to break up the 11 pound packages into 1/2 pound increments to sell with a markup – but alas ..
I also note that Amazon says that each of the guns you link to – are “#1 Best Sellers”
Hang Fire
Need unbundlers? eBay is your friend.
And in our Country, every child is exceptional. Why not glue guns, too?
Farid
Fred,
McMaster Carr sells almost all the 3M glues in 1-lb (and 11-lb) increments). They may not have the best price possible, but if you need it fast….
They also sell nozzles and accessories.
Stuart
Yes, but they don’t carry the 1-lb amounts that other retailers don’t.
And in 1/2″ stick sizing, they only have 3750, which 3M says is a general purpose glue featuring Low viscosity for high flow rate, increased production. Good hot tack, quick grab for packaging and woodworking.
I went with 3792, which is said to be the go-to for woodworking applications. I plan to use it for some electronics work, but a lot more woodworking, and if it doesn’t work all that well for electronics I’ll consider one of 3M’s electronics or plastic glues (e.g. 3764).
I also considered 3M 3747 glue, but it’s substantially more expensive, and I think more aggressive too.
Farid
Did you mean ” …other retailers do”?
I did not know which type of glue Fred needed. They seem to carry the mainstream types. They don’t have the 3779, which is what I use.
We used to buy it through AESCO, but it has been a while as we still have a large stash of it.
You can always ask McMaster for items not listed in the catalog. I’ve been successful in getting a few items in the past that way. 3M products are a different story though, particularly specialty items. Items targeted towards automotive and high volume products are hard to come by in small quantities. I remember once we had to buy a case of a spacial tape just to use 2 rolls.
Stuart
No. Amazon and some other retailers carry some 3M glues in 1 lb packages. McMaster doesn’t seem to have any better 1 lb selection.
I guess I meant that they only carry the same small quantity options as other retailers. The double negative does make it sound confusing, sorry.
JML
In a regular size gun, I have a Steinel. Great high-temp European gun, with choices of tips. For glue, you need to match the glue to the material you’re bonding. For metal and plastics, I use a clear high-temp glue. I have stuff from AdhesiveTech and Surebond. For porous materials, such as wood, you have plenty of choices.
JML
The Steinel GlueFix™ 3002 is described at http://www.steinel.net/RelId/608343/ISvars/default/GF_3002.htm
fred
Their butane-fueled gun looks like an interesting alternative – when you need a cordless
https://www.amazon.com/Steinel-76000-Cordless-Butane-Powered/dp/B002NKM1RU
Daniel Reetz
Hate the 3M guns. I have had several of the 3M guns break. They are expensive to repair and if you don’t have a stock of sticks, you are stuck. I really don’t like them. They look impressive but really underperform. Look at the size of the nose of that thing. You can’t fit it into delicate assemblies, or even moderate-size corners.
I have two of the Adtech Pro 100. They are surprisingly great guns, come with useful accessory tips, and work with the best hot glue available – surebonder 707 black.
I have subsequently purchased a Pro 200 for closing cardboard boxes, which is a high-output application. I use that gun for that task exclusively, opting for the Pro 100’s for the majority of things that I glue.
JMG
I also dislike the 3m glue gun. When used for an extended period of time, it would leak hot glue out the side vent area requiring it to be shelved to cool off and then be cleaned up. Also, glue sticks were not always easy to source locally.
My favorite glue gun is unfortunately a discontinued model from a company that no longer focuses on hot glue as a primary product, so I will not mention brand or model, but I am looking forward to the cordless offerings that are bound to be released in the next few years when my existing glue supply finally runs out.
Graham Howe
Nothing to add but very interested in this thread. My cheap no name gun recently failed, broken trigger, when I was right in the middle of a time critical project. I had to try to finish the job by pushing the glue sticks through while holding the gun and the pieces together – I have one too few hands to do that again! I don’t use a gun enough to justify spending a fortune on one but I can justify paying a bit for reliability.
Satch
This is a very timely topic for me. I have been looking at glue guns on and off for awhile. I like to follow hacking and modding threads like you see at Instructables or Hackaday. It becomes apparent that like it or not, hot glue is the medium needed for down and dirty mods.
I have used the cheap $5 glue guns and frankly, they are the reason I currently don’t own one. The ‘thumb drive’ method of dispensing glue is tiring and inaccurate. And they always dripped constantly. I know Dewalt makes a 30-40 ish dollar model but I have never seen one. I also wouldn’t mind trying the Bosch glue pen. You don’t always need loads of glue, particularly for electronics works or gadget mods. I will be watching this.
chris parker
thank you for this post..this is exactly where i’m at in my shop, and this was the perfect reminder of a decision i just recently was thinking about..always great guys.
JML
Sorry for the third post. I agree about Surebonder 707 (I use the clear). I also use Adhesive Tech Formula 236.
Jimmie
Related question: Is there much difference between the various types of glue sticks out there?
Hang Fire
If you need the glue to withstand heat, have a strong tensile strength, or bind to difficult surfaces like smooth metals, it matters. If it is just decorating crafts, it doesn’t matter. Even cheap glue has the same or better shear strength as wood.
Richard G.
If you are planning to use it for some time you may consider such a package: proven by time Surebonder Pro ( I have 200W Pro8000A -$75) but you can go with 100w like someone already mentioned surebonder pro2 $35, and get your self a box of glue sticks. 25lbs would cost you $65 and this can be your one time buy. The good about this one, is that you can always buy an extra tips for it if various applications needed. Tips have a check ball valve, so these sure binders are very good regarding leaking hot glue so this issue is almost eliminated.
Senorpablo
Covered by a professional:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxQfWGMdwno
fred
I think that this discussion about glue guns has been very good and ToolGuyd providing the forum and stimulus for it is one of the reasons I like this site so much. But to me, anyway, it points to why reviews of tools can be so very subjective. As the saying goes, “one man’s meat is another man’s poison “goes further than that – and our like or dislike of a tool may go beyond personal preferences. We certainly have prejudices – some based on the very real way a tool feels in our hand – and maybe hand size, grip strength, arthritis etc. will have something to do with this. We also may put a tool to different tasks under different circumstances and usage patterns from one another. A light-duty or infrequent tool user may like a tool that a heavy duty or production user would find unacceptable. Our experience may also be colored (good or bad) by the individual tool that we bought. Perhaps we got a “lemon” or even a batch of them – or maybe the tool we bought was a “fluke” – being actually better made somehow than the majority of what the manufacturer normally produces. Maybe this says more about QA/QC in the factory than the design of the tool. Then our opinion may have been formed based on short-term use rather than how the tool holds up over the long haul. Other thoughts are that cost and practicality certainly plays into our opinions. It’s unlikely that any of us will purchase hundreds of samples of a tool from different sources over different timeframes to test them out by different users under varying conditions to come up with a ”best in class” a “best value” etc.
I suspect that some of these factors are why some reviews on Amazon are so positive while others for the same tool may say bad things about it.
With a tool as ubiquitous as a glue gun – with so many different brands sold in nearly every hobby store, big box store, online etc. you might think we’d see a review in Consumer Reports. But you can search the internet on “Glue Gun Reviews” or “Best Hot Glue Guns” and find some interesting reviews.
This gets down to my original mention of the 3M gun that Stuart cited as having gotten him thinking about this topic. My recommendation was based on one sample, used primarily by my wife in for her pattern and type of hobby use. My initial purchase of the gun for her (as a Christmas present in 2013 – after an old Stanley gun had failed – looked at a few options and picked one – albeit a high-priced one. She still likes it 2.5 years on – but maybe she would like something better if she did a side-by-side comparison. If she, not I were shelling out for the 3M glue sticks very good but expensive and hard to find in small batches (the Achilles Heel of this glue gun for hobbyist use) – she and I might also have chosen something else.
fred
BTW – I plan to check with my ex-compatriots – because they have (or had) one of the 3M guns in the cabinet shop – to see if they still use it and still like it.
Stuart
One of the great faults of online reviews, on Amazon and elsewhere, is that there’s often no context about how the tool is used, and little information about the user.
A pro trying a hobbyist tool might declare it as junk. A DIYer trying a professional tool might declare it as heavy or inconvenient.
fred
Exactly.
In this case, I had bought the 3M gun for my wife at the end of 2013 after I had queried and heard positive comments from my ex-compatriots who had bought one earlier that year. Their “context” was different than the use my wife was going to put hers to – and if I had thought about it more – especially the hard to find glue sticks – I might have done some more research and purchased something else that she might have been equally happy with – and my pocketbook would not have suffered as much.
Leif Gunderson
I love my Dewalt ceramic hot glue gun. $20, heats up faster than a non-ceramic model, temperature controlled so it is consistent and won’t burn your house down if you leave it plugged in, 50w, it’s awesome.
RC WARD
That is the one to get for most people I would think
Josh N.
I also like the DeWalt. I have 3 and they’ve worked great for over 2 years now, riding around in my work truck.
Brian Auerbach
I dont use a hot glue gun often, so I grabbed the $11 stanely off amazon and went on my way.
turns out, it works perfectly fine for me.
If I used it more, maybe Id worry about warmup time and all the rest, but I aligned the tool to my needs.
Mark
I have a Pamtite 220 now sold as a fastenmaster product. Great gun around $90 and glue stick are available in small packages
DaddyO
Just ordered the Black and Decker 20b lithium glue gun from Amazon! I ah r been waiting almost a year for this fun ever since hearing about it on Toolguyed and watching the you tube video a year ago. Was thinking they would have it on the market last Christmas but they did not!
Finally it is available for $79.99 with battery and charger. I have been using a Thermogrip rechargeable for over 7 years and it stays hot for only a short period of time outdoors! I am excited to try out my Black and Decker when it a arrives!
RC WARD
Cordless would be the only advantage over any run of the mill 20 dollar hot glue gun. 150 for a glue gun? Better have 150 to burn if you are buying that. And only uses their kind of glue? Wow.
Bill V
Don’t have an industrial level need. But found the cheap middle cost ones from craft store worked best in that it used. Off shelf glue sticks quick warm up. Good adhesion and solved my level of need. I find it hard to justify 100 plus purchase for a sometimes will use item.
Robert Tripp
I use a glue gun daily. And I have the scars on my hands to prove it. lol I have used them that cost from 10.00$ to 100.00$. I get about months of use out of them no matter the cost. Of course that could be me. The way I use a glue gun. I have yet to find a glue gun that doesn’t drip or a glue stick that doesn’t “web” for lack of a better term.
I buy my glue sticks in bulk, 25 lbs at a time from Glue Sticks Direct. Have for the last five years or so.
I am currently using HF glue guns. Cost about 20.00$ each. I get two months use out of them. Sometimes less and sometimes more.
I would be a camper if there was a glue gun out there that would last a significantly longer term.
toolPathy
This is $16 on Amazon and about $12 on eBay:
https://www.amazon.com/BSTPOWER-Adjustable-Temperature-Professional-Interchangeable/dp/B012FCDBJ2/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1471126192&sr=8-10&keywords=Hot+glue+gun
It allows you to set the temp from 100 to 220 Celsius and works great.
toolPathy
Here’s the same type for $11.79:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-240V-100W-BEST-B-F-Adjustable-Temperature-Electric-Heating-Hot-Melt-Glue-Gun-/122079808140?hash=item1c6c860a8c:g:ebUAAOSwLqFV9jZd
Michael
We had 6 or more many years ago. They were plugged it at the start of the shift and unplugged at the end. I had to work on them occasionally but at least half of the time it was from an impatient operator forcing glue back into the feed tube. I still have a scare from accidently laying my arm on fresh glue from one I had been working on.
Casey Dougherty
Never use hot glue. Cyanoacrylate and kicker is all you need. You can sand, cut and work with it just like wood. Get multiple kinds between super thin and super thick and you can adjust how it sets up with how much kicker you use.
https://www.amazon.com/Insta-cure-filling-Bob-Smith-Ind/dp/B0000DD1QQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471269130&sr=8-1&keywords=cyanoacrylate
PE
i have a Pam glue gun and a fasten master (same gun)
https://www.amazon.com/HB220-Adjustable-Temperature-UX8012-Adhesive/dp/B002YGTGWG
they work great. i order the glue in bulk. 2 different set up times.
i use them in conjunction with construction adhesive for back splashes, cove base and many other uses. The hot glue works great for a true “quick grab”
duncan
I work in a shop where we use hot melt glue guns all day everyday, and I’ve used a variety through the years. I’m firmly in the Surebonder Pro2-100 camp, those are our workhorse guns. At 100W they will stay hot under fairly heavy use, they are well made, use standard glues, have a good selection of interchangeable tips, and (most importantly) are cheap to replace. If you want to splurge, the Pro2-220 is even better. Though bigger, it has variable temp, 220w heating element, and a nice wire stand.
I’ve used those 3M guns in the past, and we keep a low melt around for specialty glues, but I’ve never been that impressed with them. They are probably great in a production setting under constant use, are really sturdy, and don’t have at trigger to break (the Achilles heel of most glue guns) but are overkill in most situations. Some people prefer the thumb feed, not me.
As for glues, there are some like Tecbond 7718 which are made for that purpose (and wood repair as well). Surebonder 707 as mentioned above, is a great all around glue. The 725 might be better for potting since it has a longer open time. It’s also a slightly more flexible glue which makes it grippier and less prone to peeling up.
I would recommend steering clear of the cordless guns, they don’t stay at temp for very long. Butane powered would be the exception, but you’re better off with a corded.
If you want a gun for smaller work and tighter spaces, the Surebonder H195 is surprisingly awesome as well. It uses the 1/4 sticks so you’re not going to be laying down a ton of glue, but the fine, narrow tip can get into some tight spots and you can have pretty good control over the amount of glue. More than enough of a glue gun for electrical work.
Farid
We use the 3M glue guns at work. We use them for some production activities and we have one in the engineering lab that has been around for over 20 years and it used often. We have an assortment of 3M glue sticks with different temperature ratings, for use on various materials. Most of the time, I use the highest temperature glue (Amber color sticks).
All I can say is that there are heavy duty and seem to last with no issues. Very expensive, and as you pointed out, hard to buy small quantities of the sticks as they are mainly geared towards industrial settings. They do drip!
Personally, I bought a Dewalt glue gun and have been very happy with it. I use the Stanley glue sticks (heavy duty glue grade or something like that). Probably not the highest grade glue gun, for the few times I use it, it does the job nicely. I think mine has a lifetime warranty?
Farid
In my haste yesterday (juggling too many things) I neglected a few important points. My apologies if I am repeating anything already said, as I have not read all the comments:
1- The nice thing about the 3M gun is the replaceable nozzle. If you need longer reach, there is an extended nozzle. We used to have a curved nozzle at one time. It also has a powerful heater.
2- Check the wattage and application rate. Higher wattage guns allow for faster melt and longer continuous application of glue without interruption. If your main use is to place little dabs of glue here and there, such as tacking wire or large caps onto proto-board, you can get away with the smallest hobby guns and low melt sticks. For furniture and heavy duty applications, you’ll need the longer sticks and bigger guns.
3- Some guns can only handle the low melt sticks, some can handle both low and high melt and some have adjustable settings. I believe it was a Stanley model I saw that had a dual setting switch. Determine your intended use and check the ratings. Some of the small hobby grade guns will melt higher temperature sticks but the temperature may not be sufficiently high to provide enough work time or proper adhesion on wood or heavier items.