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I�m looking for a new embossing gun any recommendations would be appreciated. I have had mine for years now but wouldn�t say it got a ton of use. Sometimes it seems like it just isn�t doing a good job!
I would like to stay away from the ones at the big box stores
I use a regular 'ol heat gun (the kind the hardware store sells) and so far no complaints? It gets really hot very quickly, so I've never seen the point of getting a dedicated craft tool when we already have one.
I think it's a Black and Decker, thing's almost as old as I am and still going strong.
I use a regular 'ol heat gun (the kind the hardware store sells) and so far no complaints? It gets really hot very quickly, so I've never seen the point of getting a dedicated craft tool when we already have one.
I think it's a Black and Decker, thing's almost as old as I am and still going strong.
So do I...but actually I do see the point of a craft-version for embossing, because some are designed not to blow as much, and I think there's less chance of scorching the card which occasionally happens to me ;-). It's one of those things that is on my wish list but there are always other things to spend my money on. With the advent of oxide inks and the need to dry layers, it's moving up my list fast... though I suppose I could bring our spare hairdryer upstairs.
This is the one Jen McGuire likes. I have an old one and think when I am ready to switch I may go to this-it has a narrower opening and I like that idea. You also may find a better price on it.
I have the Wagner linked in the last post. I got mine online from Joann for quite a bit less. Often they have them with a coupon or on sale. Sometimes on the weekend they have free or very cheap shipping. I think I paid 24 for mine. I like it a lot, heats up fast, gets the job done.
Pros:
Heats fast
Has loop to hang out of the way when not in use
Cheap ($20 at Home Depot)
Free standing (can stand it on end while it's on so you don't have to hold it)
Long cord
Cons:
Because its free standing I really NEED to remember the tip is still hot when its off and move it away from me - I reached over it once and yes, branded myself. Really. So other than that, I really like it. lol
Thank you all for the replies! Just saw this and I had already ordered the heat tool from Stampin�up! Don�t know why I didn�t think to check out Jennifer McGuire!
I do like the idea of 2 heat settings that the SU one has.
I like both the SU and the Hero Arts tools, but if there are children around, I really do not like having that exposed metal tip. It gets VERY hot. My son decided to test me when I said "Don't touch! It's Hot!" He had raised blisters on three fingers and didn't stop screaming for a good 20 minutes.
I wound up getting (and still use!) the small Ranger one that looks like a little hairdryer. It's so quiet and there's nothing exposed that could burn. Just a thought...
Pros:
Heats fast
Has loop to hang out of the way when not in use
Cheap ($20 at Home Depot)
Free standing (can stand it on end while it's on so you don't have to hold it)
Long cord
Cons:
Because its free standing I really NEED to remember the tip is still hot when its off and move it away from me - I reached over it once and yes, branded myself. Really. So other than that, I really like it. lol
My Wagner is kept in a silicone holster that hangs on a table to my right (I’m right handed). It never falls off, but that may depend on the type of surface. It’s great on plexiglass (acrylic), glass and some other surfaces.
Note: do not leave the Wagner *on* when in the holster. It will over heat. But it’s fine to pop it back in as soon as you turn it off. So when I’m embossing, it’s turn it on, wait about 20 seconds, emboss, turn it off, pop into the holster, rinse, lather and repeat as necessary. (A full 20-second pre-heat is only done once unless I wait - sometimes after a a few minutes I’ll preheat for 5-10 seconds.)
It should also be possible to hang it from a hook that’s a few inches from the wall. I wouldn’t want it to touch the wall when still hot.
I love the Wagner and they stand by their products. I killed mine - my fault - and they offered to replace it anyway. I turned them down with thanks, but appreciated their fast, responsive customer service.
I also have a Ranger heat tool that has a wider nozzle and is much gentler. I like it a lot just for watercolor when I don’t want to move the color/water around. It would drive me crazy to use it for heat embossing.
Thank you all for the replies! Just saw this and I had already ordered the heat tool from Stampin�up! Don�t know why I didn�t think to check out Jennifer McGuire!
I do like the idea of 2 heat settings that the SU one has.
Looking forward to trying it out!
Thanks again!
I replaced my heat gun a few years back with the SU one. I like the 2 heat setting and use both. You will enjoy it!
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My SU heat tool is about 10 years old and works wonderfully. I think they were made by Wagner back then. I don't know about the new ones, but I know SU stands behind their products. Enjoy!
Sooooo you don’t want to invest in a heat gun lol. When I first started stamping and trying things what did I use for embossing......AN IRON!
I read it here and always put it on high temp and embossed from the back side of paper worked great. Over the years we start to invest in tools and I bought a Heat gun. I only mention this primarily for people that are just starting out...you don’t have to buy everything. This is what I tell students who think stamping is expensive and so many tools to buy.......Have you heard the one about using a rolling pin for your embossing folders if you don’t own a CB or BS.....read that here too��
I am still using my over 25 year old Marvy heat gun that I bought second hand some time around 1994. It works wonderfully and I don't know what I will do if it ever dies.
My SU heat tool is about 10 years old and works wonderfully. I think they were made by Wagner back then. I don't know about the new ones, but I know SU stands behind their products. Enjoy!
Actually, now I think they were made by Milwaukee.
I am still using my over 25 year old Marvy heat gun that I bought second hand some time around 1994. It works wonderfully and I don't know what I will do if it ever dies.
I have a Marvy I bought around 1996 or 1997 from Michaels and it's still great. Somewhere I read that these older tools were built better and last longer. OP, if you can find one in a thrift store or secondhand somewhere, I'd check it out.
I am raising the topic again because I JUST finally got a wagner (had a marvy forever) but then stumbled today across a discussion about the WOW one because it has a tip guard and does two speeds (for WC drying/embossing) and before I open this box...
I am wondering if anyone has that one and what they think about it.
Here is a link to a discussion about it on YT:
I never knew before that people were getting a second one (the small Hero from the comments) for WC drying. I would have have just put more distance between the wagner and the card surface for that.
Thoughts?
I can tell you that I was a dumb bunny and should have done more price shopping-even with the sale at SSS I paid more than I would have elsewhere by more than I care to think about. I got the HT400. I cant tell if this is the same one as what EH and Hero have because none of them show model numbers and now I learn there is more than one model of the wagner though they all look the same.
Embossing heat gun
