I've been using the Seekone heat gun and had no issues with it. It performed really well for my projects, and it's budget-friendly too.

Honestly? Harbor Freight. Just stay away from the low tier (Warrior and Chicago Electric). Bauer and Hercules are likely quite fine.

Have the Wagner. Got it at HD. It's fine.

All I know is that the Wagner ones wear out after serious. I'm a painting contractor and have gone through 4 in 2 years

top heat guns from various brands, evaluating them for user-friendliness, power, temperature range, value, and extra features. Check out https://bestentityhub.com/the-best-heat-guns/

You 100% need fine air flow and temperature control for electronic rework.

I'd suggest one of these in order of price. They are kinda the best quality/price options out there. I have the Quick 861DW and it's really nice.

https://www.adafruit.com/?q=hot+air&sort=BestMatch

Obviously, there are plenty of other options.

I found this question because I had the exact same Warrior heat gun, and it started smoking on the first use - before I was able to get any solder to melt.

What features are you after?

I second physical0's advice and add:

There's no midrange. There are the basic hot air guns ca. $25-50, good for hobby, occasional SMD work. These have a small fan in the handle and a thin cable connecting the handle to the station (or no station at all).

And there are the professional models ca. $100-$500, these have a pump in the station and a thick pipe for the air between the handle and the station. Comparison: video1, video2.

The 858D belongs to the first group. It has an infinite number of clones, they look similar because they are the same practically, with some differences in quality and controls. The "brand" doesn't matter much.

I wouldn't recommend any of the 858D-s though, it takes up a lot of desk space, but the case of the station is practically empty. Smaller models like the 8858 have the same features. Not a recommendation though, just a better compromise.

There are also portable ones without station (plugs directly into mains).

Also don't buy a 2-in-1 station, the soldering iron part is the most basic that exists.

Find reviews in this playlist. The Quick 857DW+ is ~$100 on aliexpress, that's favored by many and a great bang for buck (it's in the second category: professional rework stations). If it's within budget, you can't go wrong with it.

Due to the subtle differences however it is best if the user chooses.

I have a cheap one from harbor freight for 20 bucks that works great but It sounds like yours works great too

For paint removal or for drying mud? For drying mud I like a hair drier from goodwill.

Melts shit?

You can get cordless ones now but all the cordless ones ive see need you to hold the trigger for them to work

I upgraded mine recently, came in a case with different head to attach, that i barely use. Old one had 1 setting, new has 3

What more do you want it to do? I’m sure they’ve got some bullshit now that pairs to a smart phone, but yours works so run it.

A small heatgun would probably probably be best.

smallest possible, i personally prefer using a candle

Dude - a heat gun is a heat gun. They all have low medium high settings. You’re not gonna need that much heat, you’d honestly be fine with a hairdryer....if you don’t have one of those, just buy the cheapest one possible.

Going on 15 years here.

My friend, "Don't buy that shit. They're disposable tools, that's why they're so cheap."

I also got a reciprocating saw going on 20 years.

I have that same gun. vintage now haha. I applaude you repairing it even though you replaced it. I wish more people would learn to diagnose and repair things. We have a gluttony of stuff in the world.

Pre-meme tool harbor freighters rejoice ✊

Yoooo San Diego represent!

Nice

I have several, ranging from a $150 Weller that I use to re-flow micros and several cheap ones. I grab the harbor freight $10 version 90% of the time.

Cordless is pointless unless you need one in a lot of remote and random places. Even then I used an inverter plugged into my car with an extension cord and it worked perfectly.

For using it a couple times a year the harbor freight guns are pretty decent. I use them in my printshop every day and they are cheap and last until they don’t but so far the shortest is a year the longest is still going good 3 years on

Buy the cheapest harbor freight one, mines 5 years old and still works like new. I have a Makita and Milwaukee on the truck that get used weekly for hours at a time but for at home the harbor freight is fine

The cheap corded heat guns work fine. Cordless heat guns are $$$$ and go through batteries very very quickly.

What are you using it for?

why a heat gun? can you explain how you would use that for your snake? im legit curious. i've never heard of anyone using one.

You can find plenty of decent options sat the hardware store. I believe my local store kept them by studfinders, and a second set near voltmeters. I got a General brand one with a ring target which is light and seems work well, but there area variety of brands and target styles available which should work fine.

I have an etekcity from amazon. Costed like $15, works just fine.