User:Jstapko/EngLab/toolcerts/heatgun

Introduction
A heat gun is basically a hair dryer, consisting typically of nichrome wire on a mica form that has electricity flowing through it to make it hot There is also a high speed fan or air blower in the back. The blower pushes air over the hot wire, then out the nozzle and onto the workpiece. The blower cools the wire down enough to prevent it from melting the heat gun, and the hot air heats the part. For a detailed description of how a heat gun works, review its Wikipedia page.

Warnings

 * Burn Hazard - When in operation, and for some time after, the metal parts of the heat gun are HOT! Don't touch them, or you will get burned. This should be obvious, but we have had at least two students burn themselves with it after being told not to.
 * Solvents/Vapors Hazard - Do not use heat guns near volatile solvents or flammable vapors. The heat gun can ignite the solvents or vapors, causing fire, explosions, injuries, etc.  Read the Princeton heat gun advisory for some stories of what happens when this rule is not followed.
 * Smoke Hazard - The heat gun in many applications can cause the formation of smoke. Smoke can set off the fire alarm, which requires campus to be evacuated and the fire department to come.  THIS MUST NOT HAPPEN! To prevent this:
 * Stop what you are doing immediately if you notice ANY smoke being formed.
 * If more than a very slight amount of smoke is formed, quickly open the outside door, point the big fan out the door, and turn the fan to its highest speed.


 * Watch this short instructional video about basic heat gun safety.
 * Read this diydata.com page on heat guns for additional safety tips.

Quick Start Guide

 * 1) Review and understand the warnings in section 1, above
 * 2) As with all HCC power tools, use goggles when running this tool
 * 3) Depending on conditions, gloves may be appropriate for protecting your hands from burns
 * 4) Select a suitable heat gun for your work. There are several heat guns in HCC's lab:
 * A very small, blue one for tight spots and low temperature applications
 * A general purpose high powered black one
 * A DeWalt heat gun with several accessories/special nozzles
 * 1) Start heating your surface with the heat gun far away from the surface
 * 2) Heat up the area evenly, moving the gun around to stay on each spot in the area roughly equal amounts of time.
 * 3) move the nozzle closer to the work as you come up to temperature to bring it to its final temperature.
 * 4) The idea behind heating from far away, then close, is to avoid burning a small area before the other parts are heated, just like when cooking in an oven.
 * 5) Special tips are available in the DeWalt kit for spreading, pointing, heat shrink tubing, etc.
 * 6) Let the fan run with the heat off (if possible) for a few minutes before turning it off to prevent built up heat from damaging the heat gun.

links produced by search terms "using a heat gun"
(Google results)
 * 20 uses for the heat gun at all-spec.com
 * heat gun uses from the Chicago Tribune Mostly construction related uses, such as softening caulk. However, it does have a well written paragraph on safety warnings, and reiterates the warning, in the 6966 manual below, to run the heat gun on low before turning off.
 * Princeton lab manual describing heat gun accidents major lesson: don't operate heat guns around volatile solvents.
 * Instructables page on desoldering parts from circuit boards with a heat gun
 * wikipedia page on heat guns
 * Digi-Key heat gun handbook Includes pictures of all sorts of specialized nozzles.
 * operating manual for a Weller 6966 heat gun
 * stripping paint with heat guns at cableorganizer.com. Includes good introductory information and safety, in addition to paint stripping specifics.

Videos

 * Heat gun safety and heat shrink tubing
 * Bending acrylic
 * Removing surface mount electronic parts
 * Stripping paint
 * Soldering copper pipe
 * Removing bubbles from resin
 * Removing labels and tape
 * Using embossing powders
 * Bending PVC
 * Reflowing solder

Quiz
{What parts of the heat gun are too hot to touch while running or shortly after? -The handle +The nozzle -The cord +the metal heat shield just behind the nozzle +the part of the heat gun between the handle and the nozzle
 * type="[]"}

{What safety equipment could you use to reduce your risk of injury from the heat gun? -oxygen mask +leather gloves -synthetic fabric clothing +goggles -robotic manipulator +long sleeve shirt (made of non flammable material)
 * type="[]"}

{What are some hazards you should check for before running the heat gun? +flammable solvents open nearby +heat gun and cord are in good mechanical condition -metal parts nearby work area +flammable materials near work area (paper, wood, etc.) +other people getting too close
 * type="[]"}

{What are some things you should consider especially when salvaging electronic parts? +circuit board smoke is toxic- don't make smoke! -don't drip any molten copper from melted board traces on the floor +any smoke produced can drift into the red smoke detector, setting off an alarm and requiring campus to be evacuated +if you heat electrolytic capacitors, they can explode, and release LOTS of smoke +solder can contain lead, so special precautions should be taken to veny any fumes produced
 * type="[]"}

{What may you aim the heat gun at? -yourself +the thing you need to heat -your teammates -random objects
 * type=""}

{What might you use the reflector attachment for? -peeling paint +applying heat shirnk tubing -removing sticky labels +heating pipe for soldering
 * type="[]"}

{What might you use the spreader tip for? -heating pipe to solder +peeling paint -applying heat shrink tubing +removing labels or tape
 * type="[]"}

{What are some things you should consider when using an extension cord to power the heat gun? -the cord should have teflon insulation, for better heat resistance +the cord should be rated for carrying at a minimum the full rated current of the heat gun -the cord should have a twist-lock plug to ensure a secure connection +the cord should be as short as possible
 * type="[]"}

{What should you do if you burn yourself with the heat gun? -run around screaming for help +turn off the heat gun, then use the sink to run cold water over the burn for several minutes -ignore the problem and proceed with your work +report the problem to a professor or lab assistant
 * type="[]"}

{What should you do if you accidentally make smoke? +open the outside door -cover the smoking part with a fire blanket +aim the big fan out the outside door and turn it on +if possible, move the smoking object outside until it stops
 * type="[]"}