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I need honest opinions on the SU! heat gun. I'm getting ready to make 400 invitations for an auction (all with embossing), and I really want to know if the SU! heat gun is better than the one I have (made by Marvy). Does it heat faster, more evenly, the same? Any and all opinions are welcome (and encouraged!);)
I have the Marvy so I can't help you. But, I tried out the Ranger Heat IT. Totally quiet and doesn't blow around as much. If I were getting another one, that's what I would get.
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I started out with the marvy, then bought the SU one when I became a demo. I can honestly tell you that the SU one is MUCH better. Heats up faster, hotter, and melts the powder very evenly compared to the Marvy. I'm the first to tell my loyal customers where they can cut expenses so they have more money for stamps, and this is the one accessory that I tell them NOT to buy elsewhere.
Yeah, I have to agree that the SU one is much better - it's actually a professional heat gun (made to strip paint, etc.), not just a cheaper model manufactured for the crafting market. And just a word of advice, too: if you're doing that much embossing, make sure it's a well ventilated area! I did about 50 at one time, and the fumes were getting to me by the end.
And just a word of advice, too: if you're doing that much embossing, make sure it's a well ventilated area! I did about 50 at one time, and the fumes were getting to me by the end.
I have to agree with Trish about the ventilated area. And if you're using a metallic, I would think about wearing long sleeves. We did 72 little gold embossed boxes (with In Full Bloom on the little SU diecuts - so cute!) and I had a rash on my arms for about a week afterwards. It may have just been me, but I don't ususally react to anything. I did all of the heat work (and guess what, Versamarks do still work OK even when they are saturated w/ gold ep!)
When I started stamping almost a year ago, I wanted to emboss & all that I had available to me at the time was a paint stripper from Canadian Tire.
There are so many other things that are on my SU Wish List beside a Heat Tool, that it keeps getting bumped as my Paint Stripper does what it needs to for me.
When I do a workshop with embossing, I usually take my mom's heat gun for the guests to use though as it is not as intimidating as my big ol' gun !!
I have a Marvy heat tool but have used a SU one at stamp camps. When I have to replace my heat tool I will buy a SU one. I used my Marvy to emboss about 50 cards for my sister's baby shower with it and once it was warmed up it worked just fine. I guess I'm a little frugal that way. If it ain't broke - don't replace it.
I started out with the marvy, then bought the SU one when I became a demo. I can honestly tell you that the SU one is MUCH better. Heats up faster, hotter, and melts the powder very evenly compared to the Marvy. I'm the first to tell my loyal customers where they can cut expenses so they have more money for stamps, and this is the one accessory that I tell them NOT to buy elsewhere.
Thanks for the advice. I actually used my Marvy to make 2 sets of 200 - 300 wedding invitations for my little brother and sister's weddings. It worked okay, but I'd like to make this go even smoother!
I have a Milwaukee heating tool that I bought years ago at Michael's. It seems to work fine, but it's noisy, sounds a lot like a hair blow dryer. Has anyone heard of that brand? I wonder if the SU heat tool is better? I've bought a lot of items from JoAnn's and Michael's that were similar to SU's products and have found that the old adage "you get what you pay for" is true. Now I buy almost everything from SU; in the long run it pays, because I earn hostess benefits and get stamps and other merchandise as a kickback.
Has anyone heard of that brand? I wonder if the SU heat tool is better?
Milwaukee is a company that makes power tools (like DeWalt or Black & Decker.) It is my understanding that the SU Heat tool is made by Milwaukee and they put the SU logo on it - much like SNAIL is Tombow's MonoAdhesive with the SU logo.
Milwaukee heat tools ROCK!!!!! I bought my original Milwaukee Heat tool 9-10 years ago for $32.95; SU! sells the tool for less than that, so I think the price is very competitive/reasonable. I own both. And, as mentioned, it was my understanding that Milwaukee makes SU!'s heat tool.
If I ever should have to replace either, I will reinvest in this brand tool.
While I have no personal experience with other brands of heat tools, I have had customers in the past that had less than stellar performance from Marvy heat tools and in some cases had to return them 3x as they broke after less than half a dozen uses? Of course, this hasn't happened to EVERY customer that has invested in a Marvy, but it happened to enough people I know, that I decided it was a brand I would not rely as far as heat tools go.
Marvy makes that tool for "crafters". . .
Milwaukee builds their heat tool for men who need high quality, durable, reliable, tools.
Tools manufacturered for the hardware industry, however, are generally much higher in quality; yes, they'll be more expensive, but, when it comes to power tools, I've discovered you really do get what you pay for.
JMHO, don't expect everyone to agree with me.;)
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
I also have the Milwaukie from years ago. I got it at a stamping store. I love mine. I had friends over recently to stamp and they used mine and said it was much hotter than the Marvy they owned. I have only used the SU one a few times and it worked good, but I didn't notice a difference from that to mine. Now I know why since it is the same company.
Thanks for the info on the Milwaukee. It's good to know I invested in a great tool! I bought it years ago when my kids were small and I was helping with school projects. I will never buy Marvy products again. I made the mistake of buying one of their punches before buying the SU punches. The Marvy's are horrible! They do okay on thin paper, but terrible to use with CS.
I have a Marvy and it works just fine for me. I have used it to heat seal printer ink on Vellum, so I appreciate that it didn't get so hot it burned the paper--at least for that project.
Since you are doing so much embossing (you said 400 pieces) I'd seriously consider buying the embossing buddy as well! I swear by this stuff. It too helped me print onto vellum. (They were special Baby announcements that had adorable pre-printing on them. We added our daughter's birth info and viola -- MUCH cheaper announcements than ordering custom done!)
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