Glue Gun - recommendations, please

[Kevin]

One of those tools I've put off buying, but I'm now convinced that one might be a Good Thing.

But which one?

Is the Bosch PKP18E (£20) much better than a Titan TTB580HTL at half the price? And not quite as good as an Arrow TR550 from toolstation?

I'm only expecting to use it occasionally, but I hate chucking toy tools away.

While we're about it, any recommendations on Glue Sticks, which seem to vary in price enormously?

[Andy Burns]

I've got a little, old bostick one, takes the thin sticks rather than the fat ones, does the job, tends to dribble-on a bit after you let go the trigger, using el-cheapo sticks from Amazon.

[stuart noble]

The cheap one I had was a pain because the trigger didn't work well and the sticks had to be pushed. The Bosch has worked well for 5 years or so

[Roger Mills]

I've got one which I bought at Lidl a few years ago, and it works fairly well - although I've got nothing to compare it with. Can't remember how much it was, but I think it was less than £15 - complete with stand and carry-case.

The only two (minor) problems with it are:

1. It takes a long time to heat up before the glue will run (but maybe they all do?)

1. You can't remove a glue stick once fitted, and if you fit a new one towards the end of a job, there's too much sticking out of the back to get the gun into its case.

I've only ever used Lidl's own glue sticks - and I've got rather a lot! [I bought some more when they were on offer, forgetting that I'd already got an unopened pack!]

[misterroy]

after the angrinder there is the glue gun. Get the Bosch with the long nozzle.

[Peter Parry]

I've had both the Bosch and Arrow and both failed after a few years not particularly heavy use.

[misterroy]

the failure mode I have found is leaving it switched on by accident.