5 Reasons you need a Hot Air Gun in your 3D Printing Toolkit - 2015

Did you know the Hot Air Gun is one of the most useful tools you can use for your 3D Printing Projects?

In this video I'll go through 5 ways you can use one to improve your prints.

1 - Supercharge your 3D Printer Preheating for better prints in Winter.
2 - Remove crazing and unsightly marks from 3D prints.
3 - Tweak and shape your 3D Prints after printing.
4 - Easily remove PLA cobwebs.
5 - Return colour to filaments which go white after Acetone Smoothing.

Let me know in the comments if there's any other ways you use a Hot Air Gun for your 3D Printing Projects.

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[MakersMuse]

I would love to know who's the singular person doing a thumbs down on most of my uploads haha, if I'm doing something you don't like it helps to tell me what it is! :D

[mica]

Nice tip!
I also discovered this by myself a few weeks ago and it's really useful.
I don't use a hot air gun but a Dremel Versatip that can work the same way and it's more precise (5mm diameter output), it's also possible to fill cracks or empty spaces by preheating some pla/abs wire that you put gently in it.

Hot air guns are definitely a great tool for 3D printing (and need a little of practice).

[andysutils]

This is one of the greatest 3d print channels ever, finally subscribed. Even after 5 years of me 3d printing, you come up with all sorts i never even knew about.

[clickticnic]

I've added a heat gun to my 3d printer tool box and it's really helpful. Best regards from Mexico.

[r.a.monigold]

Nice - a surprisingly informative video. Heat gun, go figure. I'm moving mine from the electrical kit all the way over to the 3D print area as I print more while heat shrinking wire ends less these days.

[DPrintingNerd]

My heat gun has rescued printed parts many times. MANY TIMES.

[neomage]

Thanks for the tip. I have a hot air reflow and soldering station sitting 2 feet from py printer and never thought to use the hot air gun on a 3d print.

[unimprezzedmclastname]

A case study: when I first got my 3D printer (I'm a newbie, go easy on me), I made some mistakes that lead to me snapping the feed tube to the hot end. The fact that the lubrication on the thread for the feed tube was pretty bad already, combined with the fact that I had already printed a calibration cube, meant that the threads for the nozzle and feed tube were both clogged with plastic, and I couldn't free them no matter what I tried.

A few weeks later, I have a similar problem. I had not screwed in the feed tube tightly enough into the replacement hotend, and thus had a volcano of molten PLA that trapped the feed tube to the heat block. Same story, couldn't free the parts no matter what I tried.

The day before the replacement parts are due to arrive, I look mournfully at the two perfectly good hotends, when I get an idea. Using a heat gun, a vise, and a pair of pliers, I was able to salvage both hot ends, and with a new nozzle and feed tube, I was back in business.

Long story short, never underestimate the utility of a heat gun and soldering iron. They can save you time and money if anything goes wrong with the hot parts of your 3D printer.

[Vilde]

Nice video! I'm planning to get my first 3D printer and I've been researching for atleast 8 hours about different stuff.. Your channel seems quite great for this so thanks xD

[kakaa]

I've always used a mini blow torch, you have to be quick/careful but does the same thing, basically flame polishing. We do this with wax at work to get a nice shine.

[JPTheron]

Awesome man ill definitely go and get one ASAP

[TheBludgutz]

I have got into building heat chambers for all my printers and I use a glass window door for all of them. I source the glass from photo frames and print the frames and hinges using magnets to lock it all into place. I have also found that using perforated aluminum as my bed plate allows for less heat warping at the base.

[moojuiceuk]

I've been meaning to get a hot air gun for a while (I've used a turbo torch lighter for heat shrinking cables for years, so got away with not using a hot air gun). Went out today to get one. 1st use - tidying up the finish on a 3D print. 2nd use today... drying out a chipboard floor after a pipe in the kitchen started leaking! It's saved the floor! :) They're worth the GBP 20!

[deeppurple]

I don´t know why, but in 3:48 the added "weee!" is the funniest thing on the internet, I´ve seen quite for a while. Actually this really made my day - if I hadn´t already liked the video / subscribed, I would have after that.

Thumbs up for all your really well done and enjoyable videos - I learned a lot and bought a Up! Mini just recently thanks to your recommendation!
(Btw: I´m really happy with it, except for a super loud cooling-fan)

[jaredhammel]

You got a thumbs up the moment I saw the Ryobi. :D But I would have thumbed up any ways by the end. Great video.

[davey]

I WAS WONDERING A TRICK TO GET RID OF THE WHITE FROM VAPOR SMOOTHING! I just happen to own a heat gun too! THX THX!!!

[RinksRides]

I've tried a similar technique where i was trying to get a PLA part some more gloss and ran my butane torch across the part and while it did bring a permanent shine to that test area, it quickly began to shrink. so that's a neigh on a butane torch/naked flame, even quickly.
A side note about the heat gun, the same technique goes for the raw plastics on your car/suv/bike. When they turn faded, dont bother with back to black or armor all, just nail them quickly with the heat gun being careful not to over do it. do this evenly across your rear bumper step pads or factory flares or even door mouldings (as long as they are not painted), they'll be looking like new in no time!

[Theeslickness]

Has anyone ever tried freezing a thicker PLA part. Then using the heat-gun to melt the surface beyond the normal quick swipe? Maybe having a cold core temperature will prevent warping the entire model.

[VinokDesign]

awesome!!!! especially the aceton vapour. had this problem! also noticed if you let the aceton dry slowly it doesnt get white

[ericawatts]

Ive used my soldering iron to the same effect (holding it close to the print :P) but i'm gonna go pick up a hot air gun this weekend :D