Ryobi recently launched a new 18V cordless heat pen, PCL916, which can best be described a heat gun without a handle.
The new Ryobi 18V heat gun features a tethered power source and cradle, where you don’t have to hold the weight of the battery during use.
It can be used for tasks such as applying heat shrink tubing, removing adhesives, or removing decals from hard surfaces.
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Ryobi says that their cordless heat pen is compact and allows for precision heat applications where traditional heat guns won’t fit.
Features include dual temperature settings, on-board accessory storage, a stand integrated into the battery attachment, and it comes with 2 removable nozzles.
Features & Specs
- Dual temperature settings – 450° and 750°F
- 90-second heat-up time to 700°F
- Includes deflector and spreader nozzles
- 300W, 3100 BTU heat rating
- 6 CFM air volume
The kit comes with a charger and 2Ah battery.
Price: $60 for the tool-only (PCL916B), $99 for the kit (PCL916K1)
Ryobi’s cordless heat pen is available exclusively at Home Depot.
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First Impression
Ryobi says that their 18V cordless heat pen can be used “where a traditional heat gun would not physically fit.” Such as…?
I bought a mini heat gun for applying heat shrink tubing a few years ago. I don’t recall the price, but it’s currently $15.
Not to mince words, I’m not a big fan of the tool; I’ve had much better experiences with full-size heat guns and the like.
My corded tool delivers 300W of power, and is advertised as reaching “somewhere around 250°C,” which would be ~482°, or close to the lower 450°F setting of the Ryobi tool.
The Ryobi tool can reach a higher temp and also offers cordless convenience.
I’m not running out to buy the Ryobi heat pen, but I like the concept, and am filing it away as a “good to know it exists” type of product.
Ryobi has a 4V Max cordless hot glue pen ($50 at Home Depot). I’d be sold on a cordless heat pen powered by Ryobi’s USB Lithium platform.
That’s not to say that the 18V heat pen is unappealing, but I’d want something that does away with the power cord entirely. Being tethered to a battery pack is better than having to find a wall outlet, but isn’t as convenient as completely cordless solutions.
Ryobi deserves credit for continually expanding their 18V cordless power tool system one specialty hobby tool at a time.
Robert
I’d be curious how hot the body of the pen gets.
Steve
I’m sure they’ve engineered this well enough where the body doesn’t get too hot. The applications for such a product seem really limited to me. Maybe some hobbyists might want one, but I can’t think of a time I could have used one..
Robert
One would hope so. But look at Flex batteries. And Consumer Reports has a page of recalls each issue.
Jared
It’s an interesting addition to their already expansive line of tools, but like you I’m struggling to see where this would be needed over a regular heat gun design with the battery attached.
I could see some tabletop applications where you’re doing a lot of precise work – but then the convenience of cordless seems less advantageous.
Tarik
I have a niche use for this. I plan on using it to do cell phone repairs on the go. Where I would usually need a plug in heat gun I could use this battery powered one.
Bonnie
There’s a bunch of these cordless benchtop tools of theirs that I like the look of… But would actually just prefer a corded version. Especially any of the ones that have a battery-powered cradle. Why not have an option to plug that cradle into the mains rather than constantly having to swap out batteries?
Bob
“Ryobi has a New Cordless Heat Pen”
Looking at the pictures, it’s not exactly what I would call “cordless”. There is a cord from the heat pen part and the battery pack/stand.
Perhaps we need a new word for this, like “mobile heat pen”.
I wonder if Milwaukee will do an M12 heat pen product that would be cordless.
Nikk
I totally agree. I get that it’s still cordless, as in battery powered. But wouldn’t it be like getting the power inverters from your given brand, and running all corded tools from it. “cordless”… Your still tied to a cord, doesnt matter if it’s a cord to a battery or a cord to a wall/extension cable… It’s still a cord.
Liam
with the narrow tip on single conductor with heatshrink: that is great for working under cars, dashboard and in the engine bay.
Wayne R.
Yes – but then that cord might be a real limiter for that scenario. Does that base have a magmount? Or hook?
Using it on a vehicle is what I’m thinking too, but then that base might be a real problem.
Koko The Talking Ape
Yeah, auto use was what I was thinking too.
Sure, the cord might get in the way, but if the alternative is a full-sized heat gun that won’t fit at all, then I’d take it. I don’t think there’s a little heat gun with the battery in the handle (and if there is, I’d wonder how long it could run and how hot it could get.)
I was thinking idly about a propane or alcohol-powered heat gun, maybe with a catalytic burner like those Zippo handwarmers. Greater energy density than a battery. But then you still need to power the fan somehow. Fuel cell?
Randy
If my calculations are correct, 3100BTU on the 2Ah battery in that kit would be under 3 minutes of runtime. If it takes 90 seconds to heat up before getting 90 seconds of usable heat, that doesn’t seem very useful.
Peter Fox
I agree something does not add up here.
At 3.412 BTU per watt that be around 900 watts which is quite high compared to other cordless heat guns. While possible defiantly not practical on a 2AH battery as the current draw would be in 50 amp range.
I really wish that cordless tool manufacturers would actually publish the wattage of their heat guns. Yes the numbers won’t be impressive compared to corded one but knowing what they are realistically capable of is important. My guess would be that it is probably in the 150 to 300 watt range.
Stuart
I included the wattage in the post – 300W – but not in the bulleted list (something I just remedied).
Peter Fox
Those numbers still do not make sense.
You can either have 3100 BTU or 300 watts, both cannot be true.
Stuart
Yep. I’d say trust the wattage.
Randy
Seems like most numbers from manufacturers are disingenuous at best. It would be nice to have an article from you explaining of all these numbers like vacuum “HP”, ladder “feet”, breakaway “torque”, etc. There’s no way I could figure all that out, but maybe you could.
Stuart
Shop vacuum HP is pretty bogus, but can be used for comparison purposes – a 6.5 peak HP shop vacuum should deliver higher performance than a 5.0 peak HP shop vacuum, despite neither ever achieving those levels of performance.
Ladder sizing tends to be based on reach, with most reputable brands providing charts that show max reach as well as max height/extension/length.
A-frame ladders are free-standing, but extension ladders have different rules when it comes to structural support and similar. You also can’t stand on the last couple of rungs.
People like to complain about ladder sizing, but things make sense when you look at brands’ websites and look at their sizing charts.
Breakaway torque is more complicated and depends on the brand and type of tool.
MM
I can appreciate a small, pinpoint heat gun. I have pair of Weller WRS 1002s on my electronics bench. One is set up as a vacuum desoldering iron, the other is a “hot air pencil”. The handpiece is about the same size as a normal soldering iron so it fits into extremely tight spaces.
This tool confuses me a bit though. It doesn’t really seem like it would fit places that a normal heat gun couldn’t, it’s not much smaller it just lacks the traditional shape handle.
AV tech
I am an audio visual technician and have a vast number of sites that I manage the maintenance of av equipment, with the occasional upgrade or installation thrown in as well. I could see the advantage of something like this as I do work out of my mobile shop/ van a lot and not a lot is needed to apply heat shrink on connectors. It does feel a bit awkward however to still be tethered. I would much rather see a milwaukee m12 heat gun or someone do some black magic to make a USB C PD heat gun, but that’s lukely not enough power for a heat gun. I have a USB C soldering iron and love the thing, so maybe one day!
blocky
I have a similarly sized Worx MakerX 5 mini heat gun. It’s capable enough for heat shrink and label removal, or heating apart the occasional wood joint – small tasks. I’d say it’s 60% the speed of my full-sized gun, which is enough. It is probably made of less durable plastic than the ryobi, but the body doesn’t get hot at all bc of the internal blower. It has a built in wire stand that flips out, and keeps the tool angled slightly up, allowing you to use it hands free, but it lacks the interchangeable tips that the ryobi has.
A decent tool to have as a complement to my corded heat gun.
But a note about the cost/benefit — I purchased it as part of a 5-tool set that included a soldering iron, mini cut-off tool, rotary tool, airbrush, and battery.
blocky
At the time, late 2022, it was $118.
https://www.amazon.com/WORX-WX997L-MAKERX-Crafting-Deluxe/dp/B09BDBDGCW?th=1
John
What an odd tool. The ‘corded-cordless’ tool idea makes a lot of sense for some things like the soldering iron because it makes for a compact handle. But this is barely any smaller than a typical heat gun. It feels like ryobi has a division that just makes this type of tool and once they ran out of ideas they just kept going.
Hugo
I would want a mains adapter available too. No reason not to when you already have a connector for a cable to the battery pack. 300W (~17A at 18V) requires somewhat beefy cabling but nothing too crazy esp. if it’s only a short cable from the adapter.
Mike McFalls
For those occasionally soldering, shrink wrapping, and some crafting- the Dremel 2200-01 Versa Flame Multi-Function Butane Torch is a cordless option… albeit it’s not powered by a battery.
This is a small portable torch, with accessories to make it multifunctional, and reach’s temps between 1000-2000 degrees. That might be too high for some applications- although I suspect those advertised temps are right at the top and some temperature control can be attained through distance from the flame to the workpiece and the adjustable temp settings.
I’m also mindful that Butane might not be acceptable for use in some circumstances, but it’s readily available, so not a perfect.
Happy New Year to all
MM
Those little torches can be handy, which reminds me: Bernzomatic has made a few different micro butane torch kits in a “pen” style configuration that include a torch, hot air blower, soldering iron, etc. I have an older model, this seems to be the current one:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-Handheld-Soldering-Iron-Butane-Torch-Kit-with-7-Settings-and-Case-368600/304813553
Like you said, butane might not be appropriate for every task but that is a compact, highly portable option that works pretty well.
I do not smoke but I am a huge fan of the Japanese-made “The Blazer” torch-style lighters. They are extremely rugged and handy to have around for simple heat shrink jobs, lighting bigger torches, lighting the grill, camping, you name it.
Richard Kephart
Lots of sites will not allow butane without a burn permit.
Koko The Talking Ape
Thanks for that!
Checking that guy out, I came across their FirePoint, which might be interesting. Billed as a “creator” tool, it’s a micro torch but in a pistol grip with a hose and a stand for your own tank, kind of like that corded cordless Ryobi! I guess it’s intended for longer working periods which would drain those little pencil torches. It has a locking trigger but no accessories I can see.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-FirePoint-Creator-Torch-for-Map-Pro-and-Propane-Fuel-with-41-in-Flexible-Extended-Hose-and-Fuel-Cylinder-Stand-BZ8360T/319944665
Stuart
I feel that something with “creator tool” in the name is going to be marked up extra.
Wayne R.
Those little torches rock, but they can get super hot too, so more care is needed with those things – especially fingers near the exhaust port.
Jerry
I have the Ryobi cordless heat gun. While this one is more compact as far as the handheld part, it comes tethered to the power pack. For general use I think I would as soon have the older one as it has more heat settings and I think it gets hotter. That said I’m sure there are niche uses where this one would be better, and the smaller nozzle would make it more precise. My cordless works about as well as a low end corded heat gun, I’d assume this one would be similar. It is a battery hog, but one bigger battery is enough to bend a 2 inch PVC conduit and heat shrink the cables inside (barely). If I remember right that pretty much drained a 4a battery (18v).
Nate
Yep, I have the existing Ryobi heat gun, the P3150, and it seems vastly superior to this new thing. One hand holds both the controls and the power so there’s no cord to snag on things, I got a hook/shield nozzle thing for it which improves its efficiency on heatshrink, and it heats up way way faster than 90 seconds. (That sounds bonkers to me anyway.)
I run mine from a 4AH HP battery or a 6AH HP battery, and it’s never felt underpowered. I won’t go near it with the small batteries, that just seems abusive to the poor things, though it does nothing to prevent users from doing just that. I get plenty of runtime, an afternoon on the bench with shrinking a whole bunch of connections here and there, probably 10-20 minutes total runtime.
I don’t see the problem that this new one solves.
Wayne R.
My BMF Milwaukee heat gun is a fine tool, but it’s too big to get into tight spaces under a hood. There are a lot of “mini” corded heat guns available, and a cord can be plugged into a lot of different sources. As usual, I’m put off by the gibberish company names, though <$20 isn't a real stopper.
I wouldn't mind seeing recommendations for non-POS mini guns if anyone's got experience with them…
Jim Felt
PRULDE Mini Heat Gun, 380W 2-Temp 480°F-850°F (250°C-450°C) Fast Heat Hot Air Gun with 6.56Ft Cord & Reflector Nozzle for Crafting, Vinyl Wrap, Embossing, Shrink Tubing/Wrapping, Epoxy Resin https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QRB9YHD
This rather inexpensive little “tool” has been very useful for quick setup and ease of use.
Maybe in its own way as handy as my line voltage German made guns and the Milwaukee battery model I also use.
Wayne R.
Thanks for that. For heat-shrink though, a wrap-around doodad is advisable (what are they called, anyway?). While that’s small potatoes, I don’t want to try to make one, I think.
jayne erin defranco
Seems a bit gimmicky to me . I have a corded Wagner heat gun and I use it to remove paint. Would not consider this one though I think Ryobi is very innovative.
eddie sky
This would be perfect for auto and boat wiring work. You can repair a wire and shrink on a boat without torch or flame, or fear of electrocution. And plop that power pack on floor hump and shrink those audio wires or underdash repairs.
While a short run, cordless would be ideal… that could do 50-80 shrinks on a charge, I can see this on some Youtuber channels like auto repair, that need to replace sensors, lights, splices, corroded wiring on cars/trucks and such.
JR Ramos
I like this idea and can see where it would be quite useful in a number of applications, but probably not so attractive vs. other options unless you’re already invested in Ryobi tools/batteries. It’s a shame they did that right-angle mold on the plug, though…would seem better for a variety of uses with it just coming straight out the back like normal…probably nice for bench work though.
Flashlight enthusiasts might take to this for reflowing LED emitters…not the best but it’s better than several diy methods people already use, and that slow ramp up time would actually be of some benefit there.
Losing the battery weight and gaining both user comfort and tool maneuverability is a great idea but I’m not sure Ryobi got it quite right here.
Since a lot of folks seem to live on the smallest battery packs, I wonder how this tool performs on the tiny 2Ah and if it will throttle down on 2/4 amp like some other regular models do. And whether the particular cells Ryobi uses are really up to this task for cell health and longevity. Resistive heat takes a lot of juice and will drain packs fast even on lower heat settings.