Choosing Hot Melt by Application
With so many different kinds of hot melt glue sticks to choose from, its important to do your due diligence before committing to a product. When deciding which glue stick to use, some factors are to consider are your substrates, environment, open time,and more. Luckily, a lot of these factors can be grouped together and simplified so you can shop by your application or industry. In this guide, we have grouped together similar adhesives by application so you can learn about the similarities and differences and ultimately choose the best product for your specific application.
Woodworking
Whether you're a carpenter, furniture manufacturer, contractor, or handy folk, your woodworking projects can really be elevated by choosing the right glue stick. One of the best general purpose glue sticks for wood to wood applications is the Infinity WoodTac. For applications that require high strength and may need to bond to a variety of surfaces the Power Adhesives TEC 1942 is great, though it still is best for wood to wood bonding. The Ad Tech 962-110 is another general purpose hot melt was design specifically for woodworking applications. It's viscosity allows for high delivery rates and a open time of 20-40 seconds.
Arts & Crafts
The Infinity Average Joe is easily our top selling general purpose. It isn't limited to just arts & crafts, but we find it being used as a go-to product for simple craft projects. We also see this hot melt being used in product assembly. Best part is we sell it in 5 lb, 10 lb. and 25 lb increments. For a little bit of color, we offer a variety of different colored 1/2 Inch glue sticks with our Infinity Colored Hot Melt Glue Stick Pack. Another general purpose glue stick we love is the Surebonder 725. we like these glue sticks simply because they offer more 'stickiness' than others. These glue sticks are clear when melted, but have a slight yellow tint when in stick form.
Templating
Counter templating requires a unique glue stick because it requires a specific viscosity. The Infinity Templator is one of our customer's absolute favorite hot melt for templating. Bond Luan plywood, cardboard, polystyrene and plastic sheeting with ease with this glue stick. The Power Adhesives TEC 213 is general assembly hot melt has been recommend by the manufacturer for this application and we have had positive feedback from customers.
Electrical Potting
Our best seller for electrical potting and it comes in the shades black and cola. This hot melt is also great for knot filling.
Packaging
Packaging is one of the biggest markets for hot melt, which means there are a lot of different products to choose from. Contrary to what you may assume, not all hot melt for packaging was created equal so you need to be sure you know you are getting the best product for the best value. One of our all time favorites and most versatile packaging hot melt is the Infinity Bond InfinityPack. This glue stick is low odor and high quality, and best of all, it performs just as well or better than some of it's more expensive counterparts.
One of the most tried and true formulations for packaging that we have been recommending for years is the Ad Tech 610-110. The Power Adhesives TEC 14 is another popular packaging hot melt that is fast setting and offers superior bonding to cardboard. The Surebonder 711 is another cost effective option and offers great results.
Plastic Bonding
Bonding plastic can be tricky because it tends to be a stubborn substrate. If hot melt isn't sticking they way you need it to, try the Infinity SuperTAC 500 It works well with PE, PP, PET, and PVC. The Infinity Tough Guy is so popular it's available in 1 lb, 5 lb, 10 lbs and 25 lbs. We are constantly finding new applications for this hot melt. We have yet to find something it doesn't bond this is our go to for difficult to bond substrates.
Dispensing Options for 1/2" Glue Sticks
Now that you have all the information you need about glue sticks, here is some information about how you should apply it! Our most basic glue gun is the Infinity Bond Mojo. It's lightweight and offers the est value to performance to ratio. The Mojo is best for light applications, like product assembly, home repairs, and crafts and hobbies.
One of our most versatile and budget friendly glue guns is the Infinity Bond Scout, which is designed for light industrial applications. For more demanding industrial applications, try the Infinity Bond Ranger PRO. It's able to dispense up to 7 pounds of glue per hour, has a super powerful 330 Watt heater and adjustable operating temperature. The Ranger PRO is our go-to for many applications like industrial packaging, product assembly and other higher volume applications.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right glue stick the first time around can save you money, time and prevent the hassle of going through the process twice. If you didn't see your application need in this guide or if you need a different glue stick size, fill out the contact form and one of our team members will reach out. Otherwise, give us a call at 877-933-3343 to speak with a glue expert.