Glue guns are the mainstay of the crafting world

Glue Gun

Where would a crafter be without a glue gun? Glue guns are the mainstay of the crafting world, making thousands of projects possible. They work with materials ranging from paper and lace to wood and metal. It’s inexpensive to get started, and with glue sticks readily available, using a glue gun could not be easier to use.

Hot melt adhesive (HMA), or hot glue, is a form of thermoplastic adhesive that is commonly supplied in solid cylindrical sticks of various diameters, designed to be melted in an electric hot glue gun. The gun uses a continuous-duty heating element to melt the plastic glue, which may be pushed through the gun by a mechanical trigger mechanism, or directly by the user. The glue squeezed out of the heated nozzle is initially hot enough to burn and blister skin. The glue is tacky when hot, and solidifies in a few seconds to one minute. Hot melt adhesives can also be applied by dipping or spraying. This was invented by Miles Kent in 1894. In industrial use, hot melt adhesives (HMA) provide several advantages over solvent-based adhesives. Volatile organic compounds are reduced or eliminated, and the drying or curing step is eliminated. Hot melt adhesives have long shelf life and usually can be disposed of without special precautions. Some of the disadvantages involve thermal load of the substrate, limiting use to substrates not sensitive to higher temperatures, and loss of bond strength at higher temperatures, up to complete melting of the adhesive. This can be reduced by using a reactive adhesive that after solidifying undergoes further curing e.g., by moisture, or is cured by ultraviolet radiation. Some HMAs may not be resistant to chemical attacks and weathering. HMAs do not lose thickness during solidifying; solvent-based adhesives may lose up to 50-70% of layer thickness during drying.

How Glue Guns Work ?

The glue gun is a hand held tool into which you feed a solid glue stick. A heating element in the body of the gun melts the glue, and the adhesive flows out the glue gun’s metal, cone-shaped tip. 

High Temperature or Low?

If you’re working with children or on delicate materials, choose a low-temperature gun, which melts the glue sticks at about 250 degrees. High-temperature guns, suited for bonding more substantial materials like wood, operate at around 380 degrees — a significant difference. Dual-temperature guns offer both options and usually cost just slightly more.

Trigger Feed or Manual Feed?

Another feature to consider is whether you want a trigger-fed gun or a push-fed model. With the trigger feed, you slip the glue stick into the hole at the back of the gun, and each pull of the trigger advances the stick into the heater and out through the nozzle. Trigger-free models are even simpler: You simply push the glue stick with your thumb.
Glue guns come in all sizes, from a mini-gun just a few inches long to industrial pistol-grip models. While some manufacturers offer battery-powered glue guns, most models operate off of standard home power outlets.

Advantages

Part of the glue gun’s appeal is its price: You can pick one up for literally a buck or two, and a large pack of glue sticks costs just a few dollars. A glue gun has almost infinite uses and comes in handy not only for crafting but also for home repair jobs. Using one is as easy as pointing and squeezing.
The glue is surprisingly strong and has great staying power, even out in the elements. It bonds immediately and cools to the touch relatively quickly. For people bored with the usual clear glue, the sticks come in different colors and even impregnated with glitter.

Glue gun specifications and usage

Glue guns come in low-temperature and high-temperature (hot-melt) versions. Low-temperature glue guns operate at approximately 250 °F (121 °C) and are well suited when high temperatures are undesirable, such as gluing lace and cloth. High-temperature guns operate at approximately 380 °F (193 °C) and produce a stronger bond. Dual guns have a switch for both low- and high-temperature use. In addition to bonding surfaces together, hot-melt glue can be used to fill gaps, but the properties that allow gap-filling (high viscosity, high toughness, and so on) keep it from forming an adhesive film as thin and smooth as is possible with other adhesives. (For example, a wood joint properly made with hide glue may be invisible, marked only by a difference in grain at the seam line.) Bonds must be made quickly before the glue has time to harden. Usually it must be applied accurately with the glue gun, as it can not easily be spread, but it is always possible at any time to melt and spread the glue with a heat gun or a household clothes iron, which helps when bonding larger areas. Surprisingly, hot-melt glue can be used to assemble and repair foam models as an alternative to foam-safe Cyanoacrylate or UHU POR adhesive. Due to the insulating properties of the foam the hot-melt glue remains sticky for much longer than when used on wood, metal or plastics. Another development of glue gun technology allows the user to 'spray' an area with a semi-pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive. Using compressed air to force the adhesive at a controlled rate through a specially developed glue gun nozzle, a spiral pattern of adhesive is applied. The tackiness of the adhesive / open time is limited to just a few minutes, after which the adhesive will lose its tack, so coverage is limited.

How to Use a Glue Gun ?

Using a glue guns can be simple if a few basic safety rules are followed. Anyone who is new to crafting or creating projects of any kind should know how to use a glue guns .

Steps to Use a Glue Gun

1. Inspect the glue gun for cracks in the handle and body. Make sure there isn't old glue clogging the nozzle. If you find any type of damage to the glue gun or to the cord, do not use it! 
2. Take the plug and insert it into an electrical outlet or wall socket. 
3. Place the glue gun on a secure surface such as a table. 
4. Place a sheet of paper underneath it to protect the surface area. 
5. Place a piece of aluminum foil under the nozzle of the glue gun to catch the over-flow of glue that will run out of the nozzle. Be sure to keep your glue gun away from open flames. 
6. Insert glue stick into the back of the glue gun. If there is already a glue stick in the glue gun, wait until the glue gun warms up and then gently squeeze the trigger. 
7. Once the glue gun has been plugged in for a few minutes, gently squeeze the trigger to see if the glue is hot enough to flow out of the nozzle. 
8. Now it's time to try it out. Have all of your materials ready when starting a project. Try gluing a shape (heart) from paper to a piece of card stock. Put a small amount of glue on the back of the heart and place the heart on the card stock and press firmly.

Tips to Use a Glue Gun

• The more pressure applied to the nozzle, the more glue comes out. 
• Try to purchase long glue sticks, they work best.

How to Make Your Own Sticker Glue

Make Sticker Glue 1

Materials:

• 2 tbs. vinegar
• 1 packet of unflavored gelatin
• 1 tsp. peppermint extract, vanilla extract, or any flavor you like

Procedure:

1. Boil vinegar in a small pan then turn the heat to low.
2. Add gelatin to the hot vinegar and mix until dissolved and add the flavor.
3. Extra glue can be stored in a tightly sealed jar for later use.
4. To use the glue again, place the jar in a pan of hot water.

How to Use:

To make stickers, brush glue on the back surface and let the paper dry. It may curl, but will straighten out when dry.

When the paper dries, cut out the stickers, moisten and place the stickers where you want.

This also works to make labels. Children love to label their things. 

Make Sticker Glue 2 

Materials: 

• Baby Powder
• Liquid Glue (Optional)
• Water
• Tooth Pick

 Procedure:

1. Find a work surface you don't mind getting messed up (paper/plastic plate, wax paper, cardboard; anything you can throw out after).
2. Pile up a lump of baby powder on your surface (as much as you want).
3. Wet the baby powder with water.
4. Mix powder and water with a tooth pick or fingers.
5. Add glue for extra gooiness; mix in glue (optional).
6. Add water, baby powder, and glue until you get the texture, thickness, and quantity you would like
7. Squish, squash, and play with the mixture of goo! 

Tips:

1. Wash hands or any Gooed-up areas after use
2. Start with small amounts and add more as you go along
3. Be sure to have fun!
4. Don't stick to carpet, windows, walls etc. ; stay clean and have fun!!
5. Throw out after use
    
   
   
   
   
    

How to Remove Glue, Adhesive, Sticker Stains, and Super Glue

Got a little glue on your shirt. It might be tempting to think that it will come out just fine in the wash. But if you aren't careful glue, adhesive, and stickers can be left permanently on your clothing.

To Remove Stickers

If you have a stubborn sticker that doesn't want to fully come off of your clothes, there are a few different things you can try. Start with an ice cube. This is especially effective if there is residue of the paper stuck to the clothing. Rub the sticker stain with an ice cube to freeze and loosen the sticky adhesive. If this doesn't work, you can try rubbing a little cooking or baby oil into the stained area to help loosen the sticker. Then fully rinse the stained area. Rub liquid laundry detergent into the stain and wash normally.

To Remove Glue and Adhesive

For glue and other water-based types of adhesives, use a spoon to remove any excess glue. Try rubbing petroleum jelly into the stain, picking out any pieces of glue that become loosened. Then to remove the petroleum jelly, rub dish soap into the stained area and rinse thoroughly with the hottest water that is safe for the fabric. Repeat until no more glue remains before washing in the washing machine with the hottest water that is safe for the fabric.  

To Remove Super Glue

Super Glue is a very strong, fast-acting adhesive that sticks to just about anything almost instantly, so it's easy to accidentally stick together fingers or drip it onto clothes or surfaces. Even though it sets up quickly and won't wash off, you can remove it with acetone.

Using Acetone To Remove Super Glue
How you apply the acetone depends on what you stuck together with the glue. Do not apply acetone to eyes or lips, but don't worry -- it's still possible to remove Super Glue from these areas.

• Removing Super Glue from Clothes
  Acetone will remove Super Glue from fabric, but it may discolor the material or alter its texture. Work acetone into the affected area from both sides. You can use a gloved finger or a soft-bristled toothbrush. The acetone will dissolve the glue and be rinsed away by still more acetone. Acetone evaporates quickly, but you'll still want to wash any fabrics that can withstand cleaning.
• Removing Super Glue from Glass
  Super Glue does not bond very well to glass, so you can scrape it off. It may help to soak the affected area in water until the glue is loosened. Acetone won't harm glass, but shouldn't be necessary.
• Removing Super Glue from Counters and Surfaces
  Acetone dissolves Super Glue on counters and surfaces, but expect it may harm varnish on wood, will 'cloud' some plastics, and may discolor some materials. Try to pry or scrape off the adhesive, using acetone as a last resort.

• Remove Super Glue from Skin
  For fingers and most body parts, you can remove the adhesive by soaking the skin in warm water and then slowly peeling away the glue. You can use a fingernail, credit card, spoon, or pencil to help push the skin apart. Don't aggressively pull stuck skin apart because your skin is more likely to tear than to detach from the glue using this method. If necessary, apply a small amount of acetone using a cotton swab. Since acetone is toxic, avoid using it if possible, and then only use the smallest amount needed to remove the glue.If you stick together lips or eyelids or Super Glue gets stuck on an eyeball, it's best to contact a physician. Do not use acetone! The cyanoacrylate adhesive bonds instantly to moist areas, so it's nearly impossible to swallow liquid Super Glue or for it to travel far into the eyes. That's the good news. The bad news is, you'll basically have to wait for your cells to lift away the glue on their own.
  Fortunately, eye and lip tissue regenerates very quickly, so the glue naturally detaches. If you get Super Glue on your eyeball or eyelids, you may wish to wear an eye patch or cover it with gauze. The glue naturally detaches from an eyeball after several hours. According to Super Glue Corporation, there are no known cases of permanent damage from this type of injury. It may take a couple of days to unstick eyelids or lips, although tears and saliva hasten the removal. People who have stuck their lips together tend to work at it with their tongue, but even if you leave the area alone, it will un-stick in 1-2 days.
  
  
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