Replies

1. 
   McDesign | Feb 07, 2006 01:44am | #1

   I've got that Milwaukee, plus the big cast one with two ranges.  The digital one seems fine; Temperature is good and hot, maybe not as much Q or "volume" of heat; slower on a windy or really cold day. 

   I use the other one more, out of habit.  I got two for when two of us are working.

   Forrest

1. 
   BryanSayer | Feb 07, 2006 02:23am | #2

   I concur with Milwakee. They have several models, I like to have the adjustable heat control, and it is nice and light.If you can locate a Master heat plate, those are really good too, but I'm not sure they are still available. Wider surface area is great for baseboard and doors.

2. 
   andybuildz | Feb 07, 2006 03:49am | #3

   I've done more stripping in this circa:1680 house than all the dancers in all the flip flop houses east of the Pacific Ocean with that gun

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1. 
   m2akita | Feb 12, 2006 09:38pm | #9

   Andy,

   You got much more stripping left??  Have you looked into anything like this: http://www.silentpaintremover.com/spr/index.htm.  Heard some good things about it, but dont know anything personally.

   m2akitaLive by the sword, die by the sword.... choose your sword wisely.

1. 
   andybuildz | Feb 12, 2006 11:10pm | #11

   m2
   I looked into the original one back when I first started stripping but didn't feel as though it warrented spending $400 for a stripper (unless she did extra good lap dances...lol). I was concerned about the asbestos in the paints I was stripping off but from all I heard the heat guns don't allow much if any asbestos into your lungs due to the amt of heat they give. I figure I'm on borrowed time as it is with all the poisons I've inhaled over the years...lol...either that or immuned.
   I'd definatly stick with the $60 heat guns and good resperators.
   Thanks anyway bro...
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2. 
   andybuildz | Feb 12, 2006 11:18pm | #12

   Your from Charlottesville????????? Geezzz. Did I already ask you that before? I lived in Lovingston off rt 29 for some time a ways back...I think they still had slaves when I lived there...lol. Nelson Cnty. Way up a mtn back there. I worked in Charlottesville doing carpentry on a crew.One of my first carpentry gigs. I used to go to dances at the Appomattox Court house cause my forman's band played there...Lotta stories...wow.Stopping after work in the pickup my forman drove us all to work and back in....Friday after work...he'd stop at the bank to cash our checks then we'd all go to the ABC store and get drunk before we got home in the back of that pickup on peach brandy...echhhh...lol...course later those Friday eves before Kenny'd come to my farm to get me I'd have scored a Tropicana orange juice bottle of shine to really get a good buzz goin'...those were the daze...
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3. 
   BryanSayer | Feb 12, 2006 11:46pm | #13

   The silent paint remover gets very good marks from the Old House Crowd. I've never used one myself so I can't say.

1. 
   mrfixitusa | Feb 13, 2006 12:46am | #14

   I bought a makita heat gun about 10 years ago and was using it to strip many layers of paint on an old house & on the trimIt was a two story house and I was about 25 feet off the ground on a ladder using the heat gun and I dropped it and it fell and landed on the dirt and grass.I assumed I broke it and I climbed down and turned it on and it worked.I like it because the temperature is adjustable and also there is a high and low speed for the fan..++++++++++++++++
   -Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain-

1. 
   nikkiwood | Feb 13, 2006 06:29am | #16

   Over the years, I've used Bosch mostly. But they're fragile, even a small drop and you're probably talking about a new heating element.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

4. 
   McDesign | Feb 13, 2006 03:05am | #15

   I've got one of those Silent Paint Removers for personal use.  A client borrowed mine Friday to let her painter try it; he loved it, so she is now buying one for him to use on her whole 1890 house job.

   I like it if I take the time to set up the support framework.

   Forrest

1. 
   estacado | Feb 13, 2006 06:44am | #17

   Could you please elaborate about what is invloved in using these infrared strippers?

   Looks like a great idea, if it works and is fairly simple.

    

    

1. 
   catch32 | Feb 14, 2006 08:29am | #22

   The Silent Paint Remover (SPR) is an infared heat lamp. It heats the surface of the wood under the paint. I found it works great on multiple layers of paint.I have striped most of the exterior of my 1890's house with a SPR. Works very well on clapboard. Took all 8 layers of paint off at once.Just be carefull using heat on overhangs. I had an old birds nest behind a soffit that ignited. I decided to just replace all the soffits with new wood rather than risk another fire.

2. 
   estacado | Feb 15, 2006 05:15am | #23

   Thanks. Sounds ike it works well enough to seriously consider on my next large paint job that requires a loy of paint removal.

    

    

3. 
   nikkiwood | Feb 07, 2006 04:32am | #4

   I don't have any specific brand recommendations, but I have used many.

   At a minimum, I would suggest you get a gun that will run at two temperatures, and where the heat can be further regulated with the vent.

   Most important, be sure to get a gun that you can simply turn off without letting it cool down (on the cold setting). I have an older Bosch model, and it has a ceramic heating element; you have to let it run on the cold setting until the blown air runs cool (otherwise the element will break). This isn't a big deal, but I would think the newer guns use some other kind of element where this isn't an issue. But it's worth checking.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

4. 
   DanH | Feb 07, 2006 06:15am | #5

   Whatever you get, don't get one of the cheapie homeowner's guns.  They're specially made to avoid any possible liability issues due to setting a house on fire, etc.  Ie, they don't get much warmer than your wife's hairdryer.

   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

1. 
   BobS | Feb 07, 2006 03:38pm | #6

   How do I know if it gets hot enough - is there a minimum rating (BTUs or something of the sort)?

1. 
   DanH | Feb 07, 2006 04:08pm | #7

   Not really. They can be the same nameplate wattage as good ones but either blow too much air or switch the elements off and on so that things never actually get hot enough to do anything useful.
   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

2. 
   nikkiwood | Feb 12, 2006 07:42pm | #8

   I think most heat guns will give you a temp reading -- 1100 F is common, with 600 F when the vent is open.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

5. 
   Catskinner | Feb 12, 2006 10:05pm | #10

   Another vote for the Milwaukee. I leave mine in the back of the truck, weather has not hurt it yet, it gets used to thaw locks and other things on frozen tractors. It also makes an outstanding charcoal starter for barbecue.

   Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it. -- Mark Twain, author and humorist (1835-1910)

6. 
   jc21 | Feb 13, 2006 04:44pm | #18

   I've got the non- digital variable temp (140 to 1040 degrees) 8985 Milwaukee kit (8977-20 gun, case, nozzles) and like it. Stays cool in the hand, quiet, and the nozzles have proven helpful. Not inexpensive-$100+. That heat gun Home Despot is selling ain't no real Milwaukee- it's black and made by Wagner Spraytech......... not sure how they can use the Milwaukee name. That being said, hey for $30, why not?  Should get the job done and if it's not a tool you'll use often and long, pocket the difference. 

1. 
   BobS | Feb 13, 2006 06:04pm | #19

   That's what I'm thinking. $30 is reasonable and $100 is not really for a homeowner just doing a few projects. Really the vinyl/asbestos tiles are the only thing I really need it for - the window putty is mostly falling out on its own accord.

1. 
   mrfixitusa | Feb 13, 2006 09:19pm | #20

   Last summer I removed all of my aluminum storm windows and painted the windows and trim.The first storm window I removed I used a pry bar and broke a window. The storm windows were caulked and they had been in place for many years.I then took my heat gun and heated the aluminum window frames and as the caulking softened from the heat WALA they came right off with no more breaking glass..++++++++++++++++
   -Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain-

1. 
   Stuart | Feb 13, 2006 09:29pm | #21

   I regularly use my heat gun to remove the glazing from window sashes.  It gets nice and soft, and is easy to remove with a putty knife without gouging up the wood.  You do have to be careful to make sure the glass doesn't get too hot and crack (although if the glass is already broken this doesn't matter.) 

7. 
   MikeSmith | Feb 15, 2006 06:11am | #24

   heat guns are heat guns.. long as they're two speed , they'll do what's intended..

    both of ours came from yard sales.. about 50 cents each... we've used them both for about 3 years now 

   Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
8. 
   dustinf | Feb 15, 2006 06:57am | #25

   heat guns are heat guns.. long as they're two speed , they'll do what's intended.. I agree with Mike.  I bought the cheapest one they sell at Home Depot a few years ago, and it's been used/abused since without a problem.  I think it is a Wagner brand.