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Lately I've been doing a lot of heat embossing on backgrounds. I was using my Ranger heating gun to start but I found it was a slow process trying to get the powder to melt. It's fine for drying ink and paint since it is cooler. I'm so glad I kept my Wagnor embossing gun. There is a difference in the speed of melting embossing powders. It will be my go to heating tool for heat embossing.
I also have a Wagner heat gun. It's not sold or marketed as an "embossing" gun but I find it works well. Higher heat (you do have to be careful, especially not to touch the heated tip) yet it has a low fan so the embossing powder doesn't blow away.
I've used the Ranger heat tool in classes, and I didn't like it at all. It took forever to dry and emboss. My Marvy heat gun has been going strong since 2002, and it heats and dries very quickly.
I have a Darice one I bought 17 years ago and it still works great. I'm sentimentally attached to it, too - I'd been wanting one for awhile and my husband took our (at the time) little girls to get me one for my 28th birthday. They were SO excited to give it to me because they knew how much mommy loved papercrafting. I can still see their beaming sweet faces!
I *think* I've heard Tim say that that gun is really only meant for drying, for heat embossing you need a gun with a much smaller nozzle. I've recently bought a new one from WOW!- the people who do the embossing powders.It has two heat settings, and does melt stuff much faster than my Ranger one. The main reason I'd bought ,my Ranger one was how quiet it was, at the time ,my youngest son lived here and worked nights, so was trying to sleep in the room opposite my craft room, and the other heat gun I had was pretty loud.The new one is loud too, but it's no longer an issue.
There are 3 different Wagner guns, 3 different heats. I would love to replace my Ranger but want to be sure I get the right one. Can you show a photo of yours, or does it say the heat numbers?
I meant this query for BohoDiva but must have forgotten how to get it there. Sorry.
Last edited by Bahb; 12-20-2020 at 03:05 PM..
Reason: More info.
I also have a Marvy heat tool that I've had for "umpteen gazillion" years (actually it is the first one I ever had and I've been stamping for almost 40 years.) However, I've seen reviews on the new ones that aren't that complimentary.
When I have to replace it I'll probably get one of the Wagner models. Or I'll check out the WOW one some more.
Bahb, I think you will enjoy your new HT 400. It looks like a nifty, lightweight, easy to handle model. I bet it will last you for years and years.
Mine is not a craft heat gun. It is the Wagner HT1000. For crafting, I use it only on the low setting. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Spraytech-0503008-Heat-Gun/dp/B00004TUCV
Advantages: Price point! I'm a cheapskate! LOL Heats up quickly and embosses faster than any craft heat guns I've used. Has a top hanger that makes it easy to store on a pegboard hook near my work area.
If I need to set it down, between uses, I can easily prop it up on my glue gun stand.
Disadvantages: The metal tip gets HOT! I can't just use it and set it down on my work area. I have to be careful that it does not touch plastic or skin!
I personally don't think it's safe to use around small children who might be tempted to touch the tip. (But since I'm old and have no grandchildren, I don't need to be concerned about that.)
Heat embossing guns
