Whether you are a cosplayer or cosplay costume maker, you need to work with EVA foam. Especially when you make armors, you deal with different types of EVA foam with different thicknesses. And it is common that you make curves and odd shapes with the foam. But it is tough to hold the shape without heating. So, it is mandatory to heat them before bending.
But for warming the EVA foam, which heat tool would be perfect? The answer is a heat gun. You may be thinking about a hair dryer, but a hair dryer can not produce as much heat to warm an EVA foam perfectly. Then, the question is, what is the best heat gun for EVA foam? As there are plenty of heat guns in the market.
So, today I will talk about some of the best heat guns that help you in the cosplay work and regular jobs.
Best Heat Gun For EVA Foam
Rank | Heat Gun | Temperature Range (0C) | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Seekone Heavy-duty Heat Gun | 50 – 650 | Check Price |
2 | PRULDE HG0080 Hot Air Gun | 400 – 600 | Check Price |
3 | Wagner FURNO 700- Digital Heat Gun | 52 -705 | Check Price |
4 | BLACK + DECKER – Dual Temperature Heat gun | 399 – 538 | Check Price |
5 | Genesis GHG1500A Dual Temperature Heat Gun | 300 – 538 | Check Price |
Seekone Heavy-duty Heat Gun
Specifications
Weight: 1.98lb
Size: 9.76 inches x 7.56 inches
Working voltage: 110v
Cable Length: 1.6m
Dual Temperature mode.
Well, do you prefer heat guns that get heated faster and provide more substantial power? Then your wait has got Its end, with the Seekone Heat gun. It’s possible to heat it quickly with dual temperature mode.
In the low-temperature mode, you can set the temperature between 50 – 450 degrees Celsius. And in the high-temperature mode, the range is 50 – 650 degrees Celsius.
So, you can adjust your temperature according to your need. Moreover, you can choose any temperature among these ranges. You can also adjust the airflow.
Seekone heat gun has a very good ergonomic design. So, goodbye to musculoskeletal disorders. When you hold it, you will feel like you are holding nothing.
Bring versatility to your works with the four different additional air reduction nozzles it offers. You can use this heat gun for different types of work, along with molding EVA foam for cosplay.
Pros
- Provides faster and more robust service
- Effortless in controlling
- Reduces hand fatigue
- Offers four various nozzles.
- Built-in overload protection
Cons
- Airflow is slightly low
PRULDE HG0080 Hot Air Gun
Specifications
Weight: 1.87 pounds
Size: medium
Dimension: 9.06 x 3.15 x 7.87 inches
Voltage: 120 volts
If you want to do heavy work and craft, this heat gun can be a good option. The Prulde heat gun has dual temperature mode, which allows using of this heat tool in almost every heat work.
They provide four types of nozzles for different use. So, you can apply heat to the work area precisely and efficiently. Moreover, the ergonomic handle design will help you to work for a long time without fatigue.
You can use this heat gun to thaw a frozen pipe, bend plastic, wax skis, form EVA foam, and plaster.
Moreover, this heat gun has ETL safety certification. So, this heat gun is safe to use, and it’s durable too.
Pros
- Versatile application.
- Dual Temperature control.
- Provide four different nozzles.
Cons
- Sometimes it creates white smoke in high-temperature mode.
- Air flow is a little bit low.
Wagner FURNO 700- Digital Heat Gun
Specifications
Weight: 2.72 pounds
Size: 6 x 11.2 x 13.5 inches
Working voltage: 120v
Dual Temperature mode.
This heat gun allows you to set the temperature precisely. And the best thing is, you can see the temperature on the LCD. Its temperature goes up to 705 degrees Celsius from 52 degrees Celsius.
For adjusting temperature Wagner has provided two push buttons. So, you can set any temperature in the range. Moreover, you can also control the fan speed. They have introduced five different fan settings in this heat gun. And you do not need to switch the heat gun to cool down because this heat gun has a cool-down mode. You only need to push that button.
This Wagner heat has many households uses because of its variable temperature feature. You can do regular crafts work, and home improvement works flawlessly.
The heat gun is ETL listed and follows the UL and CSA safety standards. So, there is less chance of any damage and accident.
Pros
- Variable Temperature settings with LCD.
- Included cool down button.
- Versatile usage.
Cons
- Takes a long time to turn off.
- To switch between modes, you need to use another hand.
BLACK + DECKER – Dual Temperature Heat gun
Specifications
Weight: 1.63 pounds
Size: 9.38 x 3 x 9.63 inches
Working voltage: 120v
Dual Temperature mode.
Lightweight and with a compact design, the Black and Decker HG1300 heat gun is an influence device that can match snugly into most toolboxes and cabinets but provide a few of its bigger rivals’ versatility.
A built-in stand permits protected, quiet-down, and hands-free use, whereas its ergonomic deal guarantees a safe grip, even throughout prolonged initiatives.
An easy-to-operate rocker swap signifies that even a sizzling air beginner can management this unit with confidence. And, incorporating a six-foot cable, it ought to liberate you from the confines of energy outlet tethering.
Moreover, you can use this heat gun for professional jobs along with DIY jobs.
Pros
- Compact for simple storage and dealing with
- Integrated stand
- Perfect for both professional and household jobs
Cons
- No further nozzles or equipment
- Relatively noisy
Genesis GHG1500A Dual Temperature Heat Gun
Specifications
Weight: 2 pounds
Size: 8.75 x 8.5 x 2.75 inches
Working voltage: 120v
Cable Length 6.5ft
Dual Temperature mode.
Genesis heat gun has a powerful 12.5-amp motor with dual temperature mode. This gives the tool versatility. You can do small DIY works, craftworks as well as professional work. The temperature range is 300 – 538 degrees Celsius which is pretty much okay except for heavy-duty jobs.
Genesis also has attached a stand with the heat gun. So, you can work hand-free. Moreover, they provide two deflector, one reflector, and an air reduction nozzles. These extra nozzles will help you to apply heat perfectly. Moreover, this heat gun is ETL certified
Pros
- Provides 4 types of nozzles.
- Powerful motor
- Integrated stand
Cons
- Doesn’t have any cool off setting
How to Pick the Best Heat Gun for EVA Foam
When choosing a heat gun for your cosplay project, you should look for some important features like temperature settings, weight, power cord length, power, etc. From them I have picked three critical features. I hope this will help you to pick the best heat gun on the market.
Temperature settings
To make armor for cosplay, you need to deal with different EVA foam with different thicknesses. And so, you have to apply different heat. That’s why a heat gun with variable temperature settings or dual temperature settings will be perfect.
Cord length
Cord length is important to look at as sometimes the work area is a little further away from an outlet. Moreover, when you work with EVA foam, you need a place with good ventilation. So, a long power cord is necessary for cosplay work.
Usually, a 1.5ft cord is enough, but more than this will give you extra flexibility.
Power
A powerful heat gun means a durable one. It’s a must to choose a powerful heat gun product because it can perform for a more extended period and gives you the exact service you want to have.
Why do You Need to Heat EVA Foam For Cosplay?
Eva foam has tiny holes in the surface. Because of the porous surface, EVA foam doesn’t feel smooth. But if you apply heat, the tiny holes will be sealed and will give a smooth surface.
Another reason for heating is, giving EVA foam a nice shape. When you try to curve or give any shape without heating, you will see that it gets back to its original flat shape.
But if you curve the foam just after heating, the EVA foam will hold its shape because it is a mouldable heat foam. So, making odd shapes or curves for cosplay, you need to heat the foam perfectly.
How to Heat EVA foam
Heating EVA foam with a heat gun is a little bit tricky. At first, you need to separate the thick and thin foams. Thin foams are usually 2 to 3 millimeters in width. And above this range are called thick foam.
For thin foam, switch on the low temperature. And switch on the high temperature for thick foam. If you use high-temperature mode for thin foam, this will burn and shrink the foam from inside. On the other hand, if you use low-temperature settings for thick foam, you can not heat the foam evenly.
Move the heat gun evenly around the foam; otherwise, the heat will burn the foam. Heat the foam until the edges of the foam form a curve shape. This is an indicator that the EVA foam is perfectly heated.
After that, make the shape according to your cosplay costume and hold it for a while. When the foam becomes cold, you can release it then. Usually, the thin foam gets a normal temperature quicker than the thick foam.
Safety Measures
- Heat the foam in an open place and make sure that the place has good ventilation.
- Wear heat-resistant hand gloves. Because sometimes you need to heat small pieces.
- Wear a mask as sometimes EVA foam makes toxic smoke.
Conclusion
The perfect heat gun for EVA foam comes with variable temperature mood, long power cord ergonomic design, and concentrated airflow. And these key features are important for creating an excellent result.
However, picking the best heat gun for cosplay in this situation is time-consuming work. Moreover, the selecting and comparing process may distract you from your main purpose. That’s why I have tried to sort out the best heat tools for you. I hope this article will help you a lot.