June 11, 2025
Jump to:
- Types of Cartridge Guns
- How to Choose a Type of Adhesive Cartridge Gun
- Manual Cartridge Guns
- Pneumatic Cartridge Guns
- Electric Cartridge Guns
- FAQs
You have the adhesive, but now you need the right equipment to apply it. When it comes to structural adhesives, there are various options to choose from. Cartridge guns can be used to efficiently and easily dispense adhesives from cartridges, but which one should you choose? With over fifty years of experience in the adhesives industry, we want to help.
First of all, the different types of cartridge guns include:
- Manual
- Pneumatic
- Electric
Each kind of glue cartridge gun has its own pros, cons, and applications it is best suited for. We review these details in more depth to help you determine which one is right for your needs.
How to Choose A Type of Adhesive Cartridge Gun
When it comes to picking a kind of cartridge gun for your application, it can be overwhelming, especially if you do not have a lot of adhesive knowledge. To help you narrow down your choices, you should consider the following factors:
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Type of adhesive
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Workspace
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Production volume
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Production speed
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Open time
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Precision
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Budget
All of these factors can play a role in determining which kind of applicator gun will be best for your application. We will reference these specific factors for each type of glue cartridge gun.
Manual Cartridge Guns
Manual cartridge guns are handheld applicators that are used to dispense adhesives from cartridges by manually squeezing the handles together. They are the most basic model of cartridge guns and commonly used because of their ease of use. Different products are fitted for different size cartridges, and some are configurable to fit different ratios for two-part adhesives.
Pros
Some of the pros of manual cartridge guns include:
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Minimal training and setup are needed.
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They offer good precision.
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They are portable.
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They are usually lower cost.
Cons
While there are many benefits of manual cartridge guns, there are also some potential downfalls when comparing manual versus pneumatic or electrical cartridge guns.
Some of the cons of manual cartridge guns include:
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They may not be suitable for higher production speeds or higher volumes.
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The manual effort can be labor-intensive.
When to Use
If you are thinking about using one of these types of adhesive dispensers, you should review several factors first. You should consider using a manual cartridge gun in the following scenarios:
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The type of adhesive is a lower viscosity adhesive.
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The workspace is tight, or you need portable equipment.
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The production volume is lower.
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The production speed is slower.
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The open time is longer, and you have more time to apply the adhesive.
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More precision is required.
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Your initial budget is limited.
Product Spotlights
While you may have decided to go with the manual gun, there are still a lot of different products and brands to choose from. Fortunately, our expert team wants to help.
Infinity Bond S System Cartridge Gun
If you are specifically looking for a 50 mL S system gun, then this is the product for you. It has a design that is easy to load and use with a convenient setup for screw-on static mixers and a comfortable molded handle. This particular product is made for 10:1 two-component adhesives, but there is also another option for 1:1, 2:1, or 4:1 ratios.
Infinity Bond Versa Manual Cartridge Gun
If you are in need of a manual option for other specs, this gun is a great choice. It is configurable to meet 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, and 10:1 ratios and works with 200 ml to 490 ml cartridges in case you have multiple applications or your needs change. It is designed for both Sulzer C and S systems.
Not seeing exactly what you need? Shop our full collection of manual cartridge glue guns.
Pneumatic Cartridge Guns
Pneumatic cartridge guns are applicators that use compressed air to dispense adhesives from cartridges. This type of dispensing gun is powerful and often used in industrial settings. Like manual guns, they can be made to meet different cartridge sizes and adhesive ratios.
Pros
Some of the advantages of pneumatic cartridge guns include:
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They provide consistent and uniform dispensing.
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They are compatible with faster production speeds and higher volumes.
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Less manual effort is required.
Cons
Some potential disadvantages of pneumatic cartridge guns versus manual cartridge guns include:
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They require more complex setup, training, and maintenance.
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They take up more space and are not portable.
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They have a higher initial cost.
When to Use
A pneumatic gun may be right for you if your needs fit the following conditions:
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The type of adhesive is a higher viscosity adhesive.
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The workspace has more space, and you do not need to move the equipment around.
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The production volume is high.
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The production speed is fast.
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The open time is shorter.
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Precision is not your main priority.
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Your budget is higher to cover initial costs.
Product Spotlight
Infinity Bond Versa Pneumatic Cartridge Gun
A top choice for pneumatic guns, this product is made for two-component adhesives with 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, and 10:1 ratios and cartridge sizes including 200 mL, 400 mL, and 490 mL. It is compatible with Sulzer C and F systems. With an adjustable air regulator, a quick disconnect adapter, and an air dump valve to stop flow instantly, this gun is both efficient and versatile.
In need of something else? Shop our full collection of pneumatic adhesive dispensers.
Electric Cartridge Guns
An electric cartridge gun is a handheld applicator that uses a battery to dispense adhesives from cartridges. Like pneumatic guns, battery-powered cartridge guns are often used in industrial settings, but they are portable.
Pros
Some benefits of electric cartridge guns compared to manual or pneumatic cartridge glue guns include:
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They are portable.
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They require a low manual effort.
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They offer consistent dispensing.
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They are good for faster speeds or higher volumes.
Cons
While there are several advantages, some potential downfalls of electric cartridge glue guns include:
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Charging is required.
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They are a higher initial investment with the battery and charger.
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They may take up more space.
When to Use
An electric gun is not always necessary. You should consider an electric gun over a manual or pneumatic cartridge gun in the following situations:
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The type of adhesive is a higher viscosity adhesive that is hard to dispense.
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The workspace has more room, and your equipment needs to be portable.
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The production volume is very high.
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The production speed is fast or changes (but there is time to recharge the battery).
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The open time is shorter, so you need to work quickly.
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Precision may not be your highest priority.
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You have a higher budget.
Product Spotlight
Cox ElectraFlow Electric Epoxy Gun
If you are looking to go electric, this gun is a good product to investigate. It is made for 600 mL cartridges in a 1:1 ratio for businesses going through a lot of adhesive. The gun itself has a maximum thrust of 5kN and adjustable speed configurations. This product also comes with an 18V lithium-ion battery that is designed to not overheat.
Find the Right Cartridge Gun for Your Needs
Now that you know more about the different types of cartridge guns, you can make a more informed decision about your needs. At Gluegun.com, we carry a diverse collection of cartridge glue guns for sale online. This collection includes different kinds of cartridge guns from various brands for numerous needs and budgets.
If you are not sure which product is right for you, you can also contact us and speak with one of our team members to get recommendations and guidance.
