In this tutorial I’ll show you the basics of how to use a glue gun. A glue gun is a great tool to keep in your crafting tools arsenal because it’s capable of strongly bonding many materials. And since it hardens almost immediately, there’s no lost time waiting for glue to dry.

I use my glue gun in many of my tutorials, and as such I’ve had several people request a glue gun tutorial. Not everyone is comfortable using a glue gun, but if you’re careful, it’s really nothing too daunting. (However, never leave young children with a glue gun; they could be very badly burned!)

There Are Many Options to Choose From

There are several options for glue guns, even a few that are cordless. Some also come with a rubber protector over the tip so it’s harder to burn your fingers on it. (I found said protector very much comes in handy…).

Once you’ve chosen a glue gun, you’ll probably want to practice how to use a glue gun on some scrap materials before you try it on an actual project. This will allow you to get the feel for your glue gun, know how to make smooth lines, and learn how much pressure to apply to your glue gun’s trigger. Once you’ve got the feel for it, dive into your projects!

Never Leave A Glue Gun Unattended!

As glue guns generate heat, they can also start fires if you leave them unattended. Sometimes there is a defect in a glue causing them to light on fire. I’ve had this happen twice. So always make sure you unplug your glue before you leave the room.

Hot Glue Is…well…HOT!

One thing you will find in using a glue gun is that you will get hot glue on your skin at some point. It’s inevitable. I don’t know anyone with a glue gun who has managed to never come into contact with the hot glue. Most often it occurs when you accidentally touch your project in the first few second before the glue has hardened.

If you do get hot glue on your skin, resist the urge to wipe it off with your hand. It will likely end up just making the burned area longer, and you’ll probably burn the wiping hand as well. Instead quickly douse it with cold water. It will harden the glue immediately and stop the burning. You’ll be able to peel the hardened glue off your skin then.

It will probably still be tender and sore for a while, so be careful with it. Rubbing a little aloe vera gel on it will help soothe the burn. However, this is just for minor, single burns. If you end up with multiple serious burns from a glue gun (rare, but it does happen once in a while), be sure to seek professional medical attention.

Eventually as you learn how to use a glue gun, you may find that your hands become immune to minor hot glue contact. They become accustomed to the temperature. (Not saying that’s necessarily a good thing…just saying that’s what usually happens. Or as cosplayers call it, reaching the “hot glue warrior” status 😉 ).

Video tutorial by Amber Reifsteck, The Woodland Elf

The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only. If you choose to rely on the information on this website, you do so at your own risk and you assume responsibility for the results. (Full disclaimer here)

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