heat gun - which one?
05-01-2005, 01:16 AM
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heat gun - which one?
Okay, I've read Tom's Covering Techniques with Harry Higley and am convinced a heat gun is now a necessary tool to have when covering my new plane. With all the choices at Tower, seemingly the same gun from 3 different manufacturers, the question now is which one?
There's the Tower model for $12.99, the Hobbico version for $13.99 and lastly the Top Flite heat gun for $19.99. All have a one year warranty and claim to do the same thing.
However I'll just bet not all heat guns are created equal. Is this a matter of "you get what you pay for?" or can a guy cut corners and still get a gun that performs as well and as long as the others for less moolah?
What does the collective have to say to this?
Thanks in advance (TIA),
Dave
There's the Tower model for $12.99, the Hobbico version for $13.99 and lastly the Top Flite heat gun for $19.99. All have a one year warranty and claim to do the same thing.
However I'll just bet not all heat guns are created equal. Is this a matter of "you get what you pay for?" or can a guy cut corners and still get a gun that performs as well and as long as the others for less moolah?
What does the collective have to say to this?
Thanks in advance (TIA),
Dave
05-01-2005, 01:27 AM
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RE: heat gun - which one?
I have had the hobbico for many years and it works great.
Near as I can tell, the Tower and Hobbico are the same heat gun with a different label. I have no idea why the price difference.
By the way, I just looked on Tower's web site and the Tower gun is $11.99
Hope this helps,
Phil in MN[8D]
Near as I can tell, the Tower and Hobbico are the same heat gun with a different label. I have no idea why the price difference.
By the way, I just looked on Tower's web site and the Tower gun is $11.99
Hope this helps,
Phil in MN[8D]
05-01-2005, 07:12 AM
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RE: heat gun - which one?
6 of one and half dozen of another. You can use any of the guns that you mentioned with no problems. I have the Hobbico gun and have been using it for 8 years now, at least 9 or 10 planes built with it. And yes, the Hobbico and Tower gun are the same. Hobbico is the parent company and owner of Tower Hobbies so you'll see a lot of Hobbico products sold with a Tower label on them for a few dollars less.
05-01-2005, 07:27 AM
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RE: heat gun - which one?
After managing the LHS for five years, I can say a few Hobbico guns bit the big one, but they outsold Top Flite twenty to one. One customer went through two or three of them in short order, but he was making fishing rods commercially and using them twelve hours a day to quick-cure epoxy. He switched to a Top Flite and they held up MUCH better, even with the Hobbicos being warranteed. Of course, it all depends on how much use or abuse you give yours. Personally, I had one Hobbico fail on me in ten years, and it was still replaced at no charge. Jim
