Let us make a debate between heat gun and hair dryer. As both produce hot air, we may think to pick a heat gun instead of a hair dryer or vice-versa. Now, an obvious question arises heat gun vs. hair dryer: Which one should I use?
So, let’s make a head-to-head comparison and see which one is perfect for which work.
The primary purpose of the Heat Gun and the Hair Dryer
The heat gun is mainly made for industrial purposes. This handheld tool can generate an extensive range of temperatures (100 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius). You can use these power tools where you need high temperatures, such as removing wax, defrosting frozen pipes, removing stickers and labels.
Check this article: 16 great uses of heat gun [ here you will find some fantastic ideas about heat gun]
On the other hand, a hairdryer creates a mild temperature (highest 140 degrees Celsius). And the main purpose of it is to evaporate water from damp hair and shaping the hairstyle.
Our introduction is complete; now, let’s move on to the comparison part.
As you see, the heat gun’s temperature range is 100 to 700 degrees Celsius, and the hair dryer’s temperature range is 100 to 140 degrees Celsius.
So, there is a small common region of temperature between them. If you don’t need too much heat and need to heat for a short time, you can pick a hair dryer instead of a heat gun.
You can use a hair dryer instead of heat gun for these kinds of works-
- To remove stickers and bar code level.
- To remove candle wax droplets from furniture, walls, and floors.
- To Remove crayon.
But if you have a heat gun already, then using a heat gun will be the best decision. Because when you use a hair dryer for a long time, this machine will damage day by day and lose its functionality and performance.
Moreover, the hot air which comes from the hair dryer is scattered. So, a hair dryer is not much efficient for these works.
On the other hand, you can use a heat gun continuously for a reasonable amount of time. And heat gun nozzle helps to concentrate the hot airflow.
So, a heat gun is the best option for doing work efficiently, but if you haven’t one, you can use a hair dryer for instant purpose.
Where heat gun is the only option
Heat gun produces extremely hot air with a large range. When you need about 200 degree Celsius or above from this temperature, you have to go for a heat gun,
I have listed some works below where a heat gun is the only option-
| Works | Minimum Temperature ( degree Celsius) |
|---|---|
| Removing floor coverings | 355 |
| Removing paint | 750 |
| Frozen locks | 360 |
| Removing rusted nuts | 1150 |
| Drying paint | 260 |
| Bending plastic | 250 |
| Frozen water pipes | 1140 |
| Defrosting fridge | 250 |
You can never reach this temperature with a hair dryer, but it easy for a heat gun. Moreover, in a heat gun, you can control the temperature as most of the heat gun gives the temperature regulation facility.
Heat gun vs. Hairdryer: shrink wrap.
We can cover any object by shrink wrapping. But, first, it is to seal any object with plastic film. For sealing, we need to apply direct heat to the film.
And for perfect and smooth wrapping, we need a temperature above 140 degrees Celsius, which is above the highest temperature of a hair dryer.
You can use a hair dryer for shrink wrapping. But it will take a long time even if you set the temperature at the highest position. Moreover, you can not have a professional-looking.
On the other hand, the range of temperature of a heat gun is higher than a hair dryer. And the hot air concentrates in a point so that it can shrink wrapping instantly.
So, for shrink wrapping heat gun is perfect instead of a hairdryer. This logic is also true for the vinyl wrap.
Drying watercolor
Sometimes you need to dry your wet drawing instantly to put another color onto it. But it takes time to dry out properly. So now, heat gun vs. hair dryer: which one will be the best in this situation?
In this situation, a hairdryer is the best option. But why hairdryer is not perfect? The heat gun has a very high temperature for this purpose. This will burn the paper.
You can try a heat gun specially made for crafting. However, in this case, a hairdryer is the most suitable option.
It is a common problem that a hairdryer fades the painting. To avoid fading, you can blow air from the opposite side of the art paper. You can use a diffuser to reduce the intensity of airflow.
But in the case of drying alcohol ink, a heat gun is the best option. Because heat gun dries the ink quickly and you can make different types of shade while drying the color. And there are small and efficient heat guns for drying alcohol ink and watercolor.
Can I use a Hairdryer instead of a heat gun for epoxy?
When you pour epoxy resin to coat artwork, tumbler, or tabletop, you will see the air bubble rising. To resolve the issue, heating the resin is one of the best options.
Here, in this case, a heat gun is the best option. It is because a hair dryer cannot produce enough heat to vanish the bubbles. Moreover, airflow from the hairdryer is not concentrated.
On the other hand, a heat gun can produce more concentrated airflow and enough heat to pop bubbles.
Can I use a Heat gun for my hair?
The answer is no. Our hair’s heat resistivity is relatively low, and it’s below the range of a heat gun. So using heat instead of a hairdryer will damage your hair eventually.
Conclusion
So, you have seen the head-to-head comparison of heat gun vs. hair dryer. In this article, we have tried to pick up famous problems which people think to solve by these tools. In summary, we can say that if we need a high temperature and concentrated airflow, then a heat gun can be the best option. If not, you can try a hair dryer.
Basically, if you are going to start a big project where you need to heat up the objects for a long time, and you need quite a high temperature, then you should invest in a heat gun because a heat gun is more durable than a hair dryer. And you can use a heat gun continuously at a high temperature.
If you have not any heat gun and are confused about which heat gun is perfect for you, take a quick look at some of the best and powerful heat guns. We have covered almost all of the aspects of the heat guns. The pros and cons and the things which you should consider before choosing a heat gun so you can pick the perfect heat gun for you.