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What are the Best Hot Glue Gun Sticks in 2020?
The only way to know for sure that you have picked the right hot glue stick is if it matches the hot glue gun you have, melts on heating, and produces glue that bonds well. If you’ve read this buying guide, picking a hot glue gun stick that can produce a super-adhesive bond without causing damage to the materials to be attached together wouldn’t be that difficult. So, let’s quickly delve into the review.
Our Top Choice
Have you been experiencing frustration with your adhesives? Check out the AdTech Multi-Temp Glue Sticks for effective results. They’re versatile, dry fast, and can be used on any surface or material and the price is just right! If you want a smaller size and need large quantity, we recommend the
Ad-Tech 14ZIP50 Multi Temp Glue Stick.
Adtech Multi-Temp Glue Sticks – Bulk Packaging, Available in 3 Size Lengths
Features
Adhesive Technologies, Inc., also referred to as AdTech, was established by Peter Melendy, a chemical engineer/inventor, and two of his colleagues. For more than thirty years, it has consistently pursued its goal of manufacturing the most creative glue guns and similar products of topmost quality for the art and crafts industry. Presently, it is one of the leaders in the market and proudly ships to more than forty countries worldwide. Its products come in various shapes and sizes, making them fun to use for professionals, amateurs, and youngsters. Its philosophy and vision centers solely on giving its customers unforgettable crafting experiences with its products. For it, customer satisfaction is top of the priority list.
Have you been frustrated by the results gotten from the glue you’ve been using for your craft, repair, or other tasks? Do you want a product that would work effectively on any surface or material that you use for your projects? Then look no further! The AdTech Hot Glue Stick is the answer to your problems. It’s a formula that’s tested and tried through the years and both professionals and amateurs attest to its efficacy.
This great product also comes with other features that include:
- Multi- temperature - This allows you to use the stick in both low- or high-temperature glue guns with excellent results.
- Opaque Color - The clear color enables you to see what you’re working on for accuracy and precision.
- Versatile Dimensions - This makes it compatible to almost any type of full-size glue gun.
- Multifunctional - Can be used for almost any kind of craft or repair work, and on any surface or medium.
- Fast Drying - This makes it ideal for quick and urgent projects.
Purchase these hot glue gun sticks in one of three size options: 4-inch Mini Size, 10-inch Full Size (featured), or 25 lb/10”.
Best Value
The Vastar Hot Glue Sticks give you superior results that are durable. They’re versatile and multi-functional, ideal for all kinds of projects, and also come in handy for little repairs around the house. Are you looking for a complete set of glue gun and sticks? The
Vastar Hot Glue Gun with 30 Pieces Melt Glue Sticks is highly recommended.
Vastar Multi-Temperature Glue Sticks for Hot Glue Gun - 0.27 Inch Diameter, 4 Inch Length
Features
Vastar is a part of the ALIZON TECH CORP, a specialist in ingenious electronics and accessories. One consistent thread runs through every product from Vastar and that is enhancement of a stress-free lifestyle for all. It continues to innovate so as to manufacture products that are simple and easy to use. Further, it values feedback from customers and is attentive to ideas that would lead to the improvement of its products and services.
It’s an established fact that every workman is as good as his tools. If you want your DIY projects, crafts, or repairs to turn out well, you need good adhesives amongst other things. The Vastar Hot Glue Stick is ideal for your projects as it gives you superior results that are durable. It’s versatile and multi-functional; you can use it for all kinds of projects, both professional and amateur. It also comes in handy for little repairs around the house.
This wonderful adhesive comes with some other great features that include the following:
- Safe and Easy to Use - There are no complicated instructions for use; all you need to do is insert the stick into the glue gun and it’s ready to use.
- Versatile Dimensions - The size allows you to use it for almost all full-size glue guns.
- Multi-Temperature-Compliant - You can use it in hot glue guns at varying temperatures.
- High Adhesive Strength - The high adhesive strength enables it to hold and stick materials effectively for a long time.
- Flexible - This allows you to easily fit it into any full-sized glue gun.
- Safe for Use - It adheres to SGS safety standards, therefore it’s non-toxic to people and animals.
The Solidbonder Economy Hot Melt Glue Sticks produce super-adhesive glue that can serve multiple purposes. They have high viscosity, a melting point of 178°F, and working time of 70 seconds. For the same hot glue sticks that come in a 7-pound pack with approximately 125 sticks, check out the
Solidbonder Hot Melt Glue Sticks 7\/16 inches X 10 inches.
Solidbonder Economy Hot Melt Glue Sticks – Full Size All Purpose 7/16" X 10" Glue Sticks, Bulk Packaging for Savings, 6 l
Features
Solidbonder, as the name implies, produces glue sticks with super-adhesive properties. It is a brand that is committed to providing its customers with craft supplies that can be used at home and in the office. Solidbonder ensures that its products are up to the required standard and are also affordable.
The Solidbonder Economy Hot Melt Glue Sticks are economy pack-sized glue sticks
(110 sticks), weighing 6 pounds. The glue produced is clear and super-adhesive. They can be used to bond both porous and non-porous materials, and produce glue with higher viscosity with a working time of 70 seconds. These economy sticks have a length of 10 inches and a diameter of 7/16 inches. These sticks have a softening point of 178°F and a viscosity/centipoise of 9500 at 380°F.
Following are a few other great hot glue gun sticks from Solidbonder you may want to check out:
- Solidbonder(TM) Economy Hot Melt Glue Sticks 7/16 Inches X 10 Inches 225 Sticks weighing 12.5 pounds and coming in a quality box for easy storage
- Solidbonder Economy Hot Melt Glue Sticks, 25 pounds, 450 extra-long sticks that produce super-strength adhesive glue
- Solidbonder(TM) Economy Hot Melt Glue Sticks 7/16 Inches X 10 Inches 360 Sticks 20 pounds bulk in a quality box for easy storage. It produces super-strength glue that bonds porous and non-porous materials
The Surebonder Mini Glue Sticks can be used in high-, low-, and dual-temperature glue guns. With a length of 4 inches and a diameter of 5/16 inches, this pack of 100 clear sticks works for any gluing project. If you want to prevent replacing glue sticks in the middle of your project,
the Surebonder DT-2010 is a longer glue stick with a 7/16-inch diameter and 10-inch length.
Surebonder 4" Mini Clear Sticks - All Purpose Mini Glue Sticks, All Temperature, 5/16"D Hot Melt Glue Sticks, Available in 3 Pack Sizes
Features
Surebonder designs and manufactures quality home and industry craft tools such as hot glue guns and sticks. Its products are preferred amongst professionals and homeowners because of their quality and affordable prices.
The Surebonder Mini Glue Sticks produce clear-colored, super-adhesive glue. With a diameter of 5/16 inches and a length of 4 inches, they can be used in high-, low-, and dual-temperature hot glue guns. They melt easily and the glue produced hardens almost immediately. These glue sticks come well-packaged in a pack size of 100 uniform sticks that are of high quality. They can generally be used for all gluing projects, especially art and craft projects.
Surebonder has other hot glue gun sticks that you might want to check out:
- Surebonder FS-12 All-Temp Fabric Glue Sticks, 4-Inch that is specially formulated for fabrics. It stays flexible and is machine-washable. Further, it can be used in high-, dual-, and low-temperature glue guns.
- Surebonder H-810R High Performance Acrylic Adhesive Glue Sticks, 10-Inch produce a clear adhesive that is strong and remains flexible. They are designed to adhere to a variety of hard-to-bond substrates.
- Surebonder 725R510 10-Inch All Temperature Glue Sticks, 90 Pieces can be easily installed and works in either low temperatures (230-Degree Fahrenheit) or high temperatures (380-Degree Fahrenheit). It bonds to porous and non-porous substrates.
The Gorilla Hot Glue Stick is a high-strength adhesive that is ideal for almost all types of DIY or craft projects. It offers excellent results that last five times longer than most glue sticks. If the full-sized sticks are more suitable to your needs, check out the
Gorilla 3034502 Hot Glue Sticks instead.
Gorilla Hot Glue Sticks – Multi-Temperate Glue Sticks Available in Mini and Full Size
Features
The Gorilla Glue Company has been in business for over twenty years and prides itself in consistently churning out products that are multi-functional and versatile. Due to the high quality of its products, Gorilla adhesives and allied products are in high demand. No product is put on the market until it has passed rigorous tests and found to be of the highest standard in the industry. Because of the value it places on family and its employees, Gorilla is committed to consistently creating a healthy working environment. This ensures that its employees also share the vision of creating products that guarantee customer satisfaction.
The Gorilla Hot Glue Stick, like its name implies, is a strong adhesive that gives you excellent results that last for long. You need not go looking for any other adhesive as this is just right for all kinds of projects and can be used with different glue guns as par size and instructions on the gun.
That’s not all about this product; it also has the following features:
- Versatile - It can be used on any surface, including glass and metal.
- Extended Working Time - This allows room for projects that are slow, enabling you to work without the glue drying out beforehand.
- Durable - It provides five times more durability than most glue sticks.
- Safe and Easy to Use - You can use them safely in both low- and high-temperature glue guns.
- Adjustable Temperature-Compliant - The high temperature can be used for bonding materials such as plastic, wood, glass, or metals; the low temperature is ideal for fragile materials such as fabric, foam, and the like.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Hot Glue Gun Sticks for Your DIY and Craft Projects
Let’s imagine you have several cases that need to be sealed or you are into home decor of floral and crafts, and you need to join two or more materials together. What if your kids are into arts and crafts that require joining pieces or you are into upholstery and other foam applications? These are real-life scenarios where super-adhesive bonds are required, and assuming you already
have a hot glue gun, the next step would be to get a hot glue gun stick.
In 1954,
George Shultz invented the first hot glue gun out of necessity as he watched factory workers burning their hands adhering glue to the soles of shoes. Since then glue guns and glue sticks have gone a long way in solving adhesion problems for several projects. For the purpose of this review, we will focus on hot glue gun sticks alone. A hot glue gun stick is a material that is simply loaded into a glue gun and the resulting hot glue produced is used to bond several materials together. It has found a lot of applications in the arts and crafts world, assembling and packaging units of manufacturing companies, the fashion industry, and the automotive industry.
Hot glue gun sticks come in different diameters, lengths, and pack sizes and they can only be melted by a matching hot glue gun. They usually have a long shelf life and do not require a long drying time unlike other solvent-based adhesives. Further, they don’t shrink and most of them are resistant to chemical attacks. The glue produced from the sticks can also be used on product assembly of different materials such as glass, plastic, metal, fiberglass, jewelry, paper, foam, ceramic, and china. These are delicate materials that would require you to put your nail gun and nails down.
So, the next time you’re trying to install a carpet at home or creating crafts and ornaments, remember that a hot gun glue stick can produce an adhesive bond that will keep your materials joined for the longest period of time. For another form of adhesive, you can also check out the gaffer tape. It also has strong adhesive properties and can be used in different applications.
Note that we couldn't fit all the great brands/products we found during our research in the following review. Take, for example,
Low Temp Foam Glue from Woodland Scenics (which is great for bonding foam). Also deserving of honorable mention is the brand,
Stanley - even though none of its products—unfortunately—made it into our top five this is a well known brand in the tools and projects arena.
Now let’s show you the important things to note before you buy your hot glue sticks.
Things to Do with Hot Glue Gun You May Not Have Thought Of
18 Awesome Hot Glue Gun Life Hacks | Courtesy of Morena DIY
Price
There are different factors that may affect the price of a hot glue gun stick, but from recent observations, a standard hot glue gun stick is very affordable. Most times, the size of a pack of glue sticks usually affects the price. A pack of 25 glue sticks would cost less than a pack of 100 sticks, but economically speaking, per stick, you tend to save more if you purchase a larger pack size.
If you’re buying a hot glue gun stick for small-scale use, you should know that for less than $10, you can get a good pack. But if you're getting it for industrial purposes or for large-scale use, there are several glue sticks that go for around $25 a package. Within the above price range, you should be able to get glue sticks that can produce the quality of adhesive bond you require. Keep in mind that the more glue sticks in a package, the more you will spend as a whole (regardless of type or quality) but with bulk buying you pay less “per stick.”
It is also important to note that the glue sticks we have featured are not low-quality, cheap hot glue gun sticks that aren’t user-friendly or don’t offer much value. We opted for products that are top-notch, even if that means they cost a little more. They’ll be worth every penny you spend on them!
Features
Choosing the right hot glue gun stick largely involves the hot glue gun to be used. It is also largely dependent on the type of material that the adhesive bond produced will be used on. We shall now list the important features to look out for and consider when choosing a hot glue gun stick. These features include:
- Stick Temperature/Melt Application
- Size
- Pack Size
- Material Type
Construction and Design
There are three things you need to take into consideration regarding construction and design when purchasing your hot glue sticks: stick temperature, size, and pack size. Let’s take a closer look…
Stick Temperature
As stated earlier, selecting the right hot glue gun stick depends on the hot glue gun to be used. The temperature of the stick to be used will largely depend on the temperature of the hot glue gun that will be used to melt it. There are 3 different types of glue sticks based on their temperature: the high temperature, low temperature, and dual temperature hot gun glue sticks.
The high temperature glue sticks can only be melted by high temperature hot glue guns, while the low temp glue sticks should be melted by only low temp glue guns as they would be degraded by high temperature. The type you choose will depend upon the type of project you are working on because some materials such as foams and plastics can’t withstand higher temperatures and can become damaged. There are also some sticks that are known as dual temp sticks and this simply means that they can be melted by both high and low temp melt guns.
Size
When we refer to the size of a hot glue gun stick, we actually mean the length and diameter of the stick. There are currently different sizes of sticks available on the market and picking the right one may sometimes be confusing. When it comes to the diameter, the 7/16-inch hot glue gun sticks are the most frequently used sticks, while the 5/8-inch sticks are larger and suitable for large-volume applications.
If you’re purchasing for industrial purposes, the 1 ¾-inch glue sticks are more suitable. The major lengths available are the 4-inch, 10-inch, and 15-inch hot melt sticks. Before selecting a hot glue gun stick size, please ensure that it matches the specification of sticks that your hot glue gun can accept.
Pack Size
Hot melt sticks come in different pack sizes, depending on your melting needs. Some pack sizes available include 25, 50, 100, 125, and so many other sizes, depending on the brand. For those who are purchasing for assembling and packaging purposes, it is advisable to go for large pack sizes. Not only is it economical, it would prevent running out of glue sticks during the gluing process. For home or school arts and crafts, depending on your gluing needs, you can go for either the large or small pack size. Further, most sticks have a long shelf life and do not degrade on storage, so you can buy any quantity for future purposes.
Performance and Ease of Use
To get the very best use from your hot glue sticks, you may want to pay attention to things such as color and applications, while also taking into account safety implications. We go into more detail on each factor below.
Color/Design
Due to the formulation material, glue sticks may sometimes have a clear or white color and can be used for a large variety of applications. There are also amber-colored sticks that are transparent and sticks of different colors. When purchasing colored glue sticks, please consider if the glue formed will be applied on the surface. If the colors don’t match, it could end up destroying the aesthetics of the material being glued. There are also glittering glue sticks that are widely fancied by children for use in their arts and crafts.
Applications
It is necessary to outline the applications that the hot melt stick would be used on before purchasing it. This is because some glue sticks may adhere to some materials more than others. The glue sticks that would be used on aluminum and woodwork would definitely differ from those that would be used on paper and foam. This largely has to do with the temperature of the stick and the heating and liquefying time.
Most hot glue gun sticks usually melt between 30-45 seconds and should be applied once melted by the gun. If you're into crafting, look out for sticks that can adhere to difficult-to-bond materials such as steel, glass, and most metals. This is to avoid wasting so many sticks on them and achieving little success in bonding them.
Safety
Lastly, let's talk about how to
use a glue gun safely. Keep hot glue guns and sticks away from young kids unless they are closely supervised. When heated, the sticks produce hot glue that can cause severe burns. Ensure that the glue produced has finished seeping out and cooled before touching it. Always discard surplus glue sticks properly as they can become a choking hazard for both kids and pets.
Remember, it's not just the glue that gets hot, but also the tip of the gun that melts the glue. Always use the built in stand, or have something that won't melt to put under the gun if you are laying it on it's side. Better yet, if you are going to be using it regularly, invest in a
hot glue gun stand and/or a non-stick,
heat resistant glue gun pad to protect your table while working (a piece of cardboard will also work). They even make silicone finger protectors to prevent burns.
Top 10 Things NOT To Do With A Glue Gun
Glue Gun Safety - Using a Glue Gun for Beginners | Courtesy of MakerHigh
Get the Best Hot Glue Stick of 2023!
We know going through all these reviews can be quite exhausting. But you can rest assured that some of the best hot glue sticks are reviewed here and are of top quality from brands you can trust. We are highlighting just one product per brand, but rest assured that these brands have a wide range of offerings beyond the reviewed products and deliver products that give you value for every dollar spent. You can now make an informed choice while brimming with confidence.
Our Top Choice
Adtech Multi-Temp Glue Sticks
Best Value
Vastar Hot Melt Glue Sticks
Solidbonder Economy Hot Melt Glue Sticks
Surebonder Mini Glue Sticks
Hot Glue Stick FAQs
What is a hot gun glue stick?
Hot glue stick is a type of adhesive that comes in the form of cylindrical sticks where you use a hot gun to apply. The glue is thermoplastic in nature and melts when applying but quickly solidifies. It’s popular with crafters and is a cheaper option to resin casting.
Are hot glue gun sticks toxic?
If used at the recommended temperature, hot gun glue sticks don’t release any toxic fumes. However, there’s not much data to show the amount of toxicity in hot glue. The glue’s fumes depend on the formula, temperature, and quantity used. During application, hot glue is irritating but rarely toxic. But definitely keep it off your skin because it will burn and stick, potentially causing serious injury. Young children should be supervised closely.
Are hot gun glue sticks waterproof?
Yes, hot glue is weather-resistant and waterproof. However, certain types of hot glue may contain substrates of a porous nature causing the bond to fail when soaked with water. Also, just because hot glue is waterproof, that doesn't mean the project is. For example, if you are gluing wood or cloth and put it in water, the bond may fail because water soaks in causing the glue to pull away.
What will hot melt glue not stick to?
Hot glue will bond to just about anything, but that doesn’t mean it’s like crazy glue. For example, while you can use it on smooth, non-porous surfaces, when the melted glue goes on, there are no crevices for it to hang on to. Your item will stick, but you will also be able to pry it off (which may actually be a good thing if you are adhering something temporary). On the opposite end of the spectrum are things with a rough, loose surface. The glue will bond to what it touches, but may then pull away after time.
If you are working with glass, either use low temp glue and/or make sure the glass is at least room temperature. Hot glue on cold glass may cause it to shatter. If you are working with things that melt with heat, like plastics and Styrofoam, you always want to do a test first to see if it melts when you add the glue. It is likely that you will need to use low temperature hot glue sticks.
Are all hot glue sticks the same?
Hot glue comes in mostly two forms - hi-temp or all/low temp. In addition, glue sticks come in different diameters. It is important that you use the type of glue that will work with your glue gun. For example, if you try to put high temp glue in a low temp gun, it will strain the gun and may never even melt. There are also specialty glue sticks that come in different colors or have sparkles/glitter added. These are used when the glue is going to show and you want it to look nice.
