How Does a Glue Gun Work?

An old plate or leftover ceramic tile can make a great resting place for a hot glue gun,

Preparations

The first step is to plug the glue gun in and allow it to heat up. It can be a good idea to have some kind of heat resistant resting plate supporting the nozzle of the gun since an overflow of hot glue is likely to emerge. If necessary, an additional glue stick should be loaded into the gun by inserting the stick in the back of the gun. The gun will be ready for use within about ten minutes or less.

Application

Once the glue gun is ready, application of the hot melt adhesive can begin. By simply pointing the nozzle at the desired spot and gently squeezing the trigger, the hot glue is dispensed. Pressure on the trigger will propel the liquefied adhesive out of the nozzle as the remaining solid glue stick is moved further into the glue gun chamber.

Finishing

The artist will simply attach the item or decoration in the desired spot and the hot glue will hold firm, solidifying as it cools.

Warning

Glue guns are very hot and the melted adhesive can cause serious burns. For this reason, hot melt glue guns should generally only be used by adults. There are glue guns that operate at lower temperatures and may be safer for supervised use with younger hobbyists.

Resources

• Glue guns