where to buy heat gun?

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NewfieDan

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
383
Winterized the boat yesterday but had trouble with the heat shrink. The electric heat gun works but takes a really long time. Tried the tiger torch but didn't have enough control over the heat.

I would like to buy a heat shrink gun for this but our Canadian prices are outrageous. Start at $450 plus tax and shipping. I have even seen one price of $1500. I find it really hard to pay that much money for a tool I use once a year.

Any idea where to get one at a lower price?
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,491
Re: where to buy heat gun?

Thats why I used to pay to have the boat shrinkwrapped
 
P

pckeen

Commander
Joined
Jun 20, 2012
Messages
2,067
Re: where to buy heat gun?

Menards if you can get to one or Ebay.
 
S

shrew

Lieutenant
Joined
Dec 29, 2006
Messages
1,309
Re: where to buy heat gun?

ShrinkFast is probably the more common brand. heatshrink guns use propane, but I've certainly never seen anyone use a regular propane torch like you'd use for soldering copper pipe before. That would take a ridiculous amount of time to complete the job.
 
T

TheAviator

Cadet
Joined
Oct 11, 2013
Messages
19
Re: where to buy heat gun?

Find you a local model remote control airplane shop, they should have them. THey are used to put monocote on model airplanes
 
oldjeep

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: where to buy heat gun?

Also look up weed burner - basically the same tool.
 
smokeonthewater

smokeonthewater

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
9,838
Re: where to buy heat gun?

btw the model airplane thing won't work... would take you about a week to shrink a jetski
 
R

rbh

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
7,939
Re: where to buy heat gun?

Dan ole man, you worked in the patch, tiger torch+ stove pipe.

Just whip up a holding bracket.
Air flow from the bottom, 3-4 feet of 2-4 inch stove pipe, super easy peasy.
 
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boatpoker

boatpoker

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 29, 2008
Messages
46
Re: where to buy heat gun?

I've been shrinking my 40' for about 20yrs. There are two common thicknesses of shrink on the market. 6mil and 7mil. Only the very experienced should even think about doing it with 6mil. You won't believe how much easier the 7mil is to work with..
 
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N

NewfieDan

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
383
Re: where to buy heat gun?

OK, so I got the bopat wrapped this past weekend. Found that the tiger torch had a leaky hose where it connects to to the handle. the hose itself was leaking. Went out and bought a roofer's torch. It gave me better control over the heat both in how much and where I wanted it.

To do it I set up three stands. One on the bow, one right behind the windshield that is about 2ft higher than the window, and one on top of the engine cover. A then tied a rope on to the anchor roller, went over top of all three stands and tied it to the tow eye, making sure it was tight. Then I strung another rope around the boat about a fooot below the rub rail. I used a trucker's hitch and a clevis to pull it tight. Next I placed a moisture absorbent in the cabin, leaving the door open for circulation.

Next came the shrink wrap. I pulled that from stern to bow, and had DW hwlp hold it in place. Tucked the wrap under the rope below the rail and used the electric gun to "tack" it in place along the entire length. I then used the roofers torch to shrink the whole thing. I did end up with a few holes, where I burned through but I used the shrink tape to patch.

I did basically the same last year and had no issues so it should work this year. Still have a little bit of shrinking to do, but in essence it is now complete.
 
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