Makita has started to promote a new 18V cordless heat gun, model HG181DZK, on international channels, although there aren’t any apparent USA launch plans yet.
There also aren’t any indications of an XGT 36V/40V Max model, and so this might just be an 18V-powered tool at this time.
The new Makita cordless heat gun is designed for tasks you would typically use a corded model for, such as paint and sticker removal, installing heat shrink tubing, bending pipes, softening plastic tubing ends, and drying certain materials.
There are 6 temperature settings, up to 550°C (1022°F).
From the Japanese-to-English translation, the lowest setting is “environmental temperature,” which implies that you can operate the blower fan without engaging the heating element.
This is also described as a “cooling function.” The sales sheet says that with the temperature adjustment dial set to 1 and the airflow setting set to 2 (the higher setting), the nozzle and “mating material” could be cooled.
The heating control setting is also said to have a stepless adjustment dial, which could allow for intermediate temperatures. It would seem that the adjustment dial, rather than a simple high/low switch, is what makes the ambient air “cooling” setting possible.
There are also 2 airflow settings, 120 L/min and 200 L/min.
Standard accessories include a flat nozzle, glass protection nozzle, curved nozzle, and round nozzle.
Several other nozzle styles are available separately.
Additional features include a built-in LED worklight, hanging hook, trigger switch activation, and the ability to rest the heat gun on its back for vertical operation.
Vertical operation can be beneficial for hands-free work. This would also mean there’s a lock-on button.
Price: ¥21,500 for tool-only (~$187)
Discussion
Many tool brands already offer cordless heat guns in the USA, here are the ones we’ve posted about so far:
New Dewalt Cordless Heat Gun
New Milwaukee M18 Cordless Compact Heat Gun
Milwaukee M18 Cordless Heat Gun (Review)
Kobalt 24V Max Cordless Heat Gun
Metabo 18V Cordless Heat Gun
Harbor Freight Hercules and Bauer Cordless Heat Guns
Craftsman Cordless Heat Gun
Although we have not posted about it yet, Ryobi also offers a cordless heat gun.
Makita is very late to the party. But, late is better than never. Hopefully Makita will bring this to the USA, but that remains to be seen.
It looks like Makita differentiates their tool from other brands’ cordless heat guns with its “stepless” temperature adjustment dial. The ambient temperature setting also seems convenient.
All of the cordless heat guns I’ve tried so far cool down fairly quickly, but there could be times when the “cooling function” comes in handy. And if not, maybe it’s one of those “better to have it and not need it…” types of capabilities.
Unfortunately, we could not find any published specs regarding the heating time.
