Things You'll Need:
- Mini hot glue gun
- Mini hot glue sticks
- Paper plate (not Styrofoam)
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Step 1
Gather the materials needed and place them on a flat surface near an electrical outlet. Examine the glue gun. Locate the metal rest. This is usually attached to the barrel of the gun and is shaped like a "W." Make sure it folds out and locks into place.
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Step 2
Locate the trigger. This is just behind the barrel on the underneath side of the gun. It should be a solid piece of plastic shaped like a slice of pie. Just above the trigger, is the barrel loader. This is where the glue sticks go into the gun. Inside the barrel loader there is a smaller round piece of plastic. This is what actually pushes the glue stick through the barrel. Pull the trigger and watch the piece of plastic move with it.
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Step 3
Pick up the electrical cord and examine it. Make sure the prongs are secure and not bent. Make sure the cord has no breaks in the outer lining and there are no frays at the base of the gun where the cord attaches.
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Step 4
Plug the glue gun into the electrical outlet. Allow the gun to heat at least 15 minutes so it reaches operating temperature. When the gun has heated at least 15 minutes, insert a glue stick as far as it will go without forcing it. Now pull the trigger until a small drop of hot glue forms on the tip of the gun.
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Step 5
Practice gluing on the paper plate. Pull the trigger until a ball of glue forms on the plate. Release the trigger and quickly press the tip of the gun down onto the surface of the plate and pull it to the side. This will break the glue and stop it from stringing out when you pull it away. Continue practicing until you get the right amount of glue you want for the object you imagine using. When you pull the gun away, there may be a small string but this will break off easily. When you have the perfect amount of glue and only a tiny string forming when you pull away, you are ready for your project.
