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I tried searching...if there is a thread already please may I have the link?
I would like to get a glue gun. I am willing to spend a little more if it makes a difference.
What are you using/what do you recommend? I am thinking about cards mostly but I guess(?) one can use them on anything?
Are there features I should look for/things to avoid? I guess a stand for it while hot is good?
Are there differences in the glue itself-- and how universal are they? Is that by the gun or the glue? I would like to think I can get any cartridge to pop in (aside from size) but maybe you can not?
This is one where I have to say I have gone the ultimate in cheap and not regretted it. I think (and truly don't remember because of its age — or maybe it's my age) I paid about a dollar for it. No joke. I bet it is almost 30 years old and it still works as good as the day I bought it. I don't use it that frequently and can't say I've ever used it for card-making except for embellishments like those shown in the picture above.
Thanks Linda. This is why I am asking. I like tools so my natural inclination would be to get the fancy one. But I just sold my DHs power drill bc it was too much drill for me and it was a lesson. Sometimes less is perfectly fine.
I tried searching...if there is a thread already please may I have the link?
I would like to get a glue gun. I am willing to spend a little more if it makes a difference.
What are you using/what do you recommend? I am thinking about cards mostly but I guess(?) one can use them on anything?
Are there features I should look for/things to avoid? I guess a stand for it while hot is good?
Are there differences in the glue itself-- and how universal are they? Is that by the gun or the glue? I would like to think I can get any cartridge to pop in (aside from size) but maybe you can not?
I have regular one and small size but I also got one that is a “detail” one. Good for small projects without making too much of a mess
I’ve had one by Aleene’s for over 20 years that I love. It has various size tips to change out and it’s own carrying case and stand. I don’t recall mine having the removable cord though. It’s that old! https://www.michaels.com/aleenes-ult.../10259542.html
And do yourself a favor and pick up one of the glass cutting boards from Dollar Tree to use as a mat underneath. You can decorate the underside and then have a nice spot for the glue to drip that isn’t on your table!
That glass mat idea is great! I just have a piece of wood - adding a photo is going to be easier than describing it. I hot-glued the upright bit, and stapled part of a non-stick mat over the end to catch the drips...The upright was originally perpendicular , I stood on it one time, and I glued it back a bit crooked, but it's more upright than it looks.
My last one had an assortment of tips, and I regret that when I got a new one (I went for Bosch), I didn't go for another one that did, except that they were fiddly to change when there was set glue in them - why I didn't. Sometimes the finer tip is what you want. I keep considering getting one of those little cheap ones just for the times I do.
I think the glue sticks are pretty much interchangeable. But store them in the dark - they discolour with time but even more with light and time. And there are two standard diameters, so make sure you get the right one for your gun. I think the smaller ones are more geared towards the craft market, they are the ones I have seen in colours and glitter.
If any have the option of an automatic cut-out, that would be a feature I'd love. A couple of times I've forgotten to unplug mine, and only been alerted by the smell of the hot glue. I hate it in my iron, which is forever beeping at me, but this is one case where I'd love it!
One good idea was for them to have swiveling cords. (crafting for everyone blog)
I am thinking maybe I want a dual temp one? I saw one I liked-an Adtech 0443 -you could unplug it and go cordless for about 5 mins...they seem to be discontinued and the next model you can not unplug from. shoot. It was a good price too-only like 17 dollars...now I see only on AZ for 30...I am thinking about it....
anyone ever had one? thoughts?
I also saw stuff about an old Plaid glue gun helpers kit-which is still sold-with finger tips, some spreading type tools, etc-all in hot pink. Did anyone get those and get use of them?
I will preface the rest of this comment with this: regardless of price/features, as long as they melt the glue stick they pretty much all work. I have had expensive ones and cheap ones and the glue sticks themselves seem to matter more than the gun does (get reliable brands).
Having said that, I will now say this: I went looking after you asked the question, and I think that I am now in the market for a cordless glue gun with a stand and a trigger. This review is from June of this year and I will probably be getting one of these sometime soon: 7 Best Cordless Hot Glue Gun in 2020 – (Review)
I let my husband do the research and he felt this company was the best...? This is the model I have (not in stock now but I wanted you to see it) and I like the "head light", and finer metal nozzle.
Oh darn on the adtech. The ability to unplug and go cordless on a dual temp was attractive. Cordless dual temps seem hard to find.
Sue-it looks like all those cordless are hi temps and I keep reading we want low for paper and ribbon? But I like the surebond set up! built in drip thing and the stand.
Dini-why do I want the lights? Or is that a bell and whistle?
I needed a glue gun for one project, and my LSS owner told me hot is what is generally used for paper. That’s what I remembered too - lots of videos of glue guns and paper flowers out there. Warm is for extremely delicate material and for little kid safety, though it still gets hot.
Caveat emptor on review sites, since some aren’t unbiased reviews - they may be items that the reviewers have not tested, but get $$ for listing or they count on affiliate links so list many items. It’s sometimes hard to tell but googling the reviewer sometimes brings up what else they write about.
(I totally support bloggers who have affiliate links. They provide so much free information on blogs and videos, and I’ll go back later to use their links.)
A big gripe is them falling over - especially the minis - or fall over for a percentage of people even if they don’t for others. Several companies make glue gun holders - Totally Tiffany and Sizzix have more elaborate ones - I watched Tiffany demo hers.
If the one I ordered wants to fall, or more likely I manage to “try” to push it over, I’ll just get this simple stand, given the infrequent use it will get:
I have that exact one. Does not work. Tried it with several different glue guns. Tips over very easily. Best thing is to use a heat proof mat and if glue gun tips over and I am not ready to pick it up again I don’t worry about it.
Good to know, thanks! It has excellent ratings but maybe it partly depends on what part of the gun rests on it, like some reviewers said. Sounds picky. Gluing pennies on the bottom to stabilize it was a solution for others who said it tipped. I don’t want a big stand or tipping so might try it if my glue gun needs help.
Best glue gun?
