What heat tool do you use, if any?

I spent a lot of money on other things but I think I'm going to need to get a heat tool. I have a feeling a hairdryer just won't cut it without blowing everything away so any ideas are welcome.

A hair dryer won't work. I've had a heat tool that I bought at HL years ago and only used it for one project so I suggest trying out the hear embossing using someone else's tools at first to see if it is something you'd like to do more than once.

It's actually not so much for heat embossing as for a few other techniques I've been watching on youtube. I don't know if I've got it in me to actually do heat embossing when I'm interested in so many other techniques already.

Oh, then I say go for it, buy one if you already have several techniques you want to try out.

do you know if any brand is better than another? I've been reading a few reviews and so far, all of them are below average.

I'm not home to check, but I think it's "Darice",,,I got it at J's for 20.00 and I used a coupon to get 40% off that price,,,,

cheap!!!! It works just fine, and has a little stand,,,,

I just started heat embossing, and frankly,,,,I love it! Don't give up on heat embossing, especially if you're going to have the tool for it It takes 5 minutes to learn and adds so much to cards and LO's,,,,,quick, simple, easy and CHEAPPPPPPPP

That is one that's on sale at Joanne's right now! But there wasn't anything great or even good said about it. I'm glad to know you have a positive experience with it. I can try it anyway.

Really??? Wow, well, I don't have any experience with anything else to compare, but I will say this,,,,,it's easy to use, and it does the job,,,,haven't had a single problem with it,,,,,it did smoke the first time I used it (after turning it off) but then I read somewhere that ALL new heat guns smoke the first time, regardless,,,,,

no problems since!

I have the Stampin' Up! one. It's made by Milwaukee. I've had mine for 3 years, and it was used when I got it. Still going strong!

I use the Marvy heat embossing tool. No problems with it.

I don't use one yet, but am interested in trying the heat embossing so my LSS has a ranger heat tool on order for me. It's the white one that looks like a tiny blowdryer.

I went to buy mine about a year ago, and M's was all sold out of them, but the guy who worked there brought me to the gift-wrap section (over close to the candy-making stuff and stuff in my store) and said the heat tools used for shrink-wrapping fruit baskets etc. are identical and a bit lower price. The one I got works great and it was $15 compared to the one in the sb section was about $25. Plus I used a coupon and got it for even less. Things are more expensive here in Canada, so it might be even less in the US.

• ncyankee Said:

I've had one of these for 7 or 8 years. It works well. And, yes, you are right a hair dryer won't work, they don't get hot enough.

a hair dryer wont work but a hair straightener will

I use DH's heat gun/paint stripper, since we already had one. I just need to be sure to use a lower temp, since it can get a lot hotter than it should for paper/embossing/etc.

I use a Paper Studios (HL brand) heat gun. I've had it for two years and it works beautifully. Use it all the time.

It's normal for them to smoke a little and smell the first few times you use it.

• ncyankee Said:

I use the same one and have for years. No problems, easy to use, and apparently long-lasting!

I also use the one Paper Studio brand one from HL--I bought the one with two temperatures and I use that to help my Glimmer Mist to dry a little faster.

I have a Darice, but I understand the one that Tim Holtz is very good.

I use the marvy too ....love it ....Ive had it for years!

How very interesting! I'll have to check into that! I live in a small town that has next to nothing so they have zilch heat tools, but they might have the shrink wrap tool. I usually order all my stuff online.

Wow, I would have never thought of that! LOL

I have a question on your glimmer mist - do you have any perfect pearls? I was just wondering if I used the perfect pearls in a mixture of water and reinker dye (a la youtube) if it looks very similar to the glimmer mist or if it's a totally different look.

Thanks everyone! I'd seen the Marvy on here, and it looked like it had positive reviews. Of course I can't find it anywhere else but here. I was hoping to tuck it into an almost completed Joanne's order. Anyway, I'll be deciding by tomorrow.

• ncyankee Said:

I love mine too.