Hot Glue Guns

[Gina]

I feel a bit daft asking this but... Is the glue used in hot glue guns fully waterproof and weatherproof? I've assumed it is and I'm sure I've seen examples of it used outdoors but I've Googled like a mad thing and can't seem to find the answer. I'm assuming the dual-melt sticks sold for home use are all the same material but I'm particularly interested in the Stanley 4" x 11.3mm dual-melt sticks, having just bought these (24 pack) and a Stanley heavy duty gun. This is the gun http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000 ... ss_product

[keithatrochdale]

It is, but I wonder why you asked this question.

Also depending on the answer, you might be better off using silicon sealant.

[beteljuice]

The beteljuices experience of glue sticks is ... messy, mostly unrepeatable and certainly not weather proof, nor suitable for any changeable environment.

... but then again even normal staplers don't behave for the betejuice

[Gina]

It is, but I wonder why you asked this question.

Also depending on the answer, you might be better off using silicon sealant.

I'm making a (mainly) wooden Stevenson screen and thinking of using hot glue as a quick assembly method.

[hills]

I have a hot glue gun and tried to use it for wwodwork once with very little success. By the time I had laid a bead of glue onto the wood it had already gone hard before the 2 pieces were put together. I only use it on metal where both surfaces are preheated before application of glue.

I always use aquadere and screws on wood.

[Gina]

The beteljuices experience of glue sticks is ... messy, mostly unrepeatable and certainly not weather proof, nor suitable for any changeable environment.

... but then again even normal staplers don't behave for the betejuice

A bit of a difference of opinion, it seems... I have a number of other uses, mostly indoors or in a weatherproof housing, where the usual slower setting glues are difficult.

[Gina]

I have a hot glue gun and tried to use it for wwodwork once with very little success. By the time I had laid a bead of glue onto the wood it had already gone hard before the 2 pieces were put together. I only use it on metal where both surfaces are preheated before application of glue.

I always use aquadere and screws on wood.

I tried it on some wood joints with reasonable success. No positioning time, just quickly apply plenty of glue to one half and slap it together (quickly but accurately). But there are no second chances! I think I'll go back to PVA wood glue and screws for woodwork

[keithatrochdale]

Don't forget to use waterproof PVA and brass screws. You might also consider a glue called Cascamite.

http://www.technologystudent.com/joints/casca1.htm


Glue and screws would be my recommendation too.

[Gina]

I remember Cascamite now you mention it That takes me back - didn't know they still sold it.

Those wood joints I tried with hot glue failed after some time though they seemed quite strong for a while. Maybe it's a matter of technique, but I shall not be trying to join wood with hot glue from a gun in the future. Proper waterproof wood glue and screws for me.

[Charlie]

Hot glue should not be weakened by water, but something encased in it may get wet over time if completely immersed due to molecular migration. I have not had a lot of luck with wood, but I have found it useful for things with large coarse surface areas (like cloth) or places I used to use 5 minute epoxy like the back of an LED to hold it into a panel. Like solder, it has far more strength in shear than in tension, and for its uses, it's a lot more like caulking than glue.