Hot Air Gun

[Q A's Revenge]

Anyone on here use one for plank bending?

[jud]

Search for curling iron, not a hot air gun but does use heat.

jud

[mtaylor]

There's a few as I recall. Takes some practice as the gun gets hot and can scorch the wood before you know it.  But then again, so can the electric plank benders.  I think the big problem is controlling the air flow and also what's behind the plank that gets hit with the hot air.

[Papa]

Anyone on here use one for plank bending?

I have used a hot air gun for bending planks succesfully.  It does get very hot--just be careful.

 

Ron Gove

Edited October 18, 2013 by ragove

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates

 

I have found heat guns very useful for planking. I do not use them very much for the initial bending but to do repairs or touch ups. For closing seams or fudging around already installed planks I don't think they can be beat. I use the non waterproof PVA glues which can be reactivated. The combination of water and heat allowed me to easily re-position installed planks making for a much better planking job. By using a brush and continually applying water you can protect the wood while heating it.  I also found it useful to dry the PVA in areas where clamping was difficult.

 

I use the hobby heat guns sold for RC aircraft shrink wrap which are hotter then blow driers but not as hot as the one sold for paint removal.

Edited October 18, 2013 by JPett

[Q A's Revenge]

Thanks for the tips, most helpful!