How to Use a Glue Gun
The glue gun is a staple in arts and crafts projects. However, the improper use of a glue gun can lead to a messy project, or worse, a bad burn. Here’s how to use a glue gun properly and the safety precautions you must observe.
Choose your glue gun. If you’re going to use glue guns for delicate materials or around children, better stick with the low temperature kind. If you’re going to use it for tougher materials, opt for a high temperature glue gun.
Choose the kind of glue sticks you want to use. If you’re going to use it simply as glue should stick to the clear kind. Glittery or colored glue sticks can be used both for gluing and decoration.
glue gun
Make sure that the materials you intend to use the glue gun on are appropriate material. Use glue gun only on thick fabric, thick paper, Styrofoam, dried flowers, wood and plastic. Do not use it on thin papers, metal, thin fabric or ceramic.
Put the arts and crafts material together, or at least in the estimation of how they should be attached to each other. Glue sticks can let pretty fast, so knowing how you’ll work will cut away the extra time and prevent the potential mess of glue goop.
Insert a glue+stick in the empty glue gun and plug into the appropriate electrical outlet. If the glue gun already has a glue stick inserted, simply plug in the glue gun.
Some glue guns have a small device that helps keep the glue gun propped by itself. Otherwise, put the glue gun on top of a thick cardboard pad to prevent glue dripping onto the floor or the carpet.
Wait for a minute or two for the glue stick to heat up. Test to see if the glue has melted by squeezing the glue gun’s trigger ever so slightly. If glue comes out readily, then you’re ready to use it. Otherwise, wait for another minute before testing it again. Avoid touching the glue gun’s nozzle, as it is very hot.
Squeeze the glue gun and draw a thin line along the side of item you need to glue. Pick up the other material that you will glue it onto, and press it on the glue line. Keep pressing firmly for around 15 seconds.
To remove the excess glue, leave the glued items to set and for the glue to dry. Once the glue has reverted back to its solid form, scrape the excess off using your finger or any hard edge.