More durable than your average craft store hot glue gun, an industrial glue gun is designed for demanding, high-output environments. They are commonly used in automotive manufacturing, woodworking, packaging, construction, and product assembly.
With proper maintenance and care, an industrial glue gun can deliver reliable performance for years. Without it, you can have serious problems impacting both the glue gun’s performance and the adhesive’s. In this article, our team of adhesive experts cover some safety, repair, and preventative maintenance tips for industrial glue guns.
Top Industrial Glue Gun Maintenance Tips
Proper maintenance helps extend the lifespan of your hot melt glue gun and ensures consistent adhesive application. Especially since industrial and bulk hot melt glue guns can cost a pretty penny, you want to protect your company’s investment. These tips on hot melt glue gun maintenance can help you keep your glue gun running longer.
Keep the Glue Gun Upright
Most industrial glue guns are designed to be stored and rested upright. Consequently, you should always use a stand if you have one. If you lay your glue gun on its side, it could cause the adhesive to leak or pool inside of the gun. Both can cause damage to the glue gun, either externally or internally, and ultimately impact the gun’s performance.
Shut Down After Use
If you do not plan on using the gun again for 30 minutes or longer, you should unplug it. Industrial glue guns are designed with heaters that maintain the adhesive at a constant temperature for consistent output. If the gun remains powered while idle, the adhesive can overheat, degrade, or char. This can lead to poor performance or blocked nozzles.
Follow Proper Shut-Down Procedures
While it is important to use the gun as intended, it is also important to take care of the glue gun after each use. Proper shutdown goes beyond just turning the gun off.
If there is still part of a glue stick or glue slug leftover, do not remove it from the back of the gun. Doing so could damage the feeding mechanism. The safest way to remove glue from a glue gun is to dispense the remainder of the glue through the gun. This step should be while the gun is shut off, but not before it is cool.
You should also only remove the hot glue gun nozzle with protective gloves when the gun is off but still warm. Shut down the gun and allow it to cool for a minute or two before removal. If you remove the nozzle when the applicator is cold, it could damage the threading systems as well as make it more difficult to change glue gun nozzles in the future.
Prep the Gun Before Use
Another important part of preventative maintenance for hot melt glue guns is prepping the gun before using it. When it is time for the next project, make sure to always insert the glue stick when the applicator is cold and before connecting to any power source.
Once the gun is turned on, allow time for the gun to heat up. The manufacturer’s instructions should outline how long this waiting period is. If the applicator is not warmed up completely before dispensing the adhesive, it could decrease the effectiveness of the adhesive. Also, trying to force adhesive into a cool gun could potentially damage the feeding mechanism of the gun.
Special Tip: You'll find that you will need to move some glue through the gun to get it ready for use. Factor this extra adhesive use into your estimates of how much you should purchase.
Proper Storage
Good care and maintenance of industrial glue guns also involve proper storage. The glue gun should be shut off and given time to cool before putting it away. Proper storage should include keeping the gun and any cords in a secure location where they are protected from accidental damage, and workers won’t have unnecessary contact with them.
Know Your Gun
Industrial hot melt glue guns come with different features and have different recommended instructions for maintenance, use, and storage. It is important to review your specific gun’s capabilities and the manufacturer's instructions to ensure safe operation, consistent performance, and long-term use.
How to Clean a Glue Gun
Another important part of hot melt glue gun care is cleaning. Maintaining a clean industrial glue gun is vital for proper function and to ensure the longevity of your gun.
At the end of every work session, you should clean the hot glue gun nozzle. Wipe all excess glue off the nozzle while the applicator is off but still hot. This should be done with the use of protective gloves (but not plastic gloves since they can melt if they come in contact with hot melt). Cleaning the hot glue gun nozzle prevents glue from building up and clogging the gun.
You should also gently wipe down the rest of the glue gun to remove any stray glue from the exterior. Always remember to keep the gun upright during cleaning.
Hot Melt Glue Gun Maintenance Safety
Before using your industrial glue gun, always make sure you have comprehensively read the instruction manual. Take note if anything seems out of place on your gun or if there are any dangerous signs of wear and tear, like a cracked nozzle.
After you have read the instructions, you can assemble the glue gun in the proper order and make sure to prepare the area where work will be done. With industrial glue guns, safety gloves and glasses should always be worn. Also, wear clothing that covers your skin to reduce the chance of burns.
Never touch the nozzle if your gun is connected to its power source. Use the stand when putting your gun down to prevent a major fire hazard, and always hold the gun in an upright position with the nozzle facing downward. Plugged-in industrial glue guns should always be supervised. An unattended gun puts your workplace at risk of fire.
Working with an industrial glue gun can be safe and easy if all the proper steps are taken. Educate your employees on proper industrial glue gun use to save your company the cost of having to replace guns frequently.
Hot Melt Glue Gun Repair
In the unfortunate event that your glue gun has become damaged, it is important to either get it repaired before trying to use it or to replace it. Some issues can be fixed without a specialist, like replacing a glue gun part, but others may need the assistance of a trained expert.
Depending on the extent of the damage and the glue gun model, it may be better to replace the gun versus trying to repair it. If you do try to fix the glue gun yourself, remember that some companies may not honor their warranties if the gun has been disassembled.
Need More Help?
Proper cleaning and routine maintenance of hot melt glue guns are essential to keeping them operating safely and efficiently. If your team needs replacement parts, troubleshooting assistance, or a new industrial glue gun, just contact us.
