Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a craft project and realize you don't have a hot glue gun? However, there is good news: you can build it easily with just a few materials in your home. Although this tool is not a 100% replacement for the professional one, it is a good temporary solution until you can buy a real gun.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Making the Tip
Step 1. Cut a soda can to open and make it into aluminum foil
Use a utility knife to cut off the base and top; open the tube obtained with scissors to reduce it into a flat sheet.
Make sure the can is clean. You need to wash it before or after cutting it
Step 2. Cut out a triangle from the paper
One side must be 8 cm long and the other 10 cm; you can trace the perimeter using a ruler and a permanent marker and then cut it out with scissors.
Step 3. Twist the rectangle to turn it into a cone
Hold it horizontally, roll the bottom left corner to the top right to close the sheet into a cone; check that the tip has a small opening.
If you can't keep the opening, you can cut off the tip with a utility knife and then use a pen or pencil to shape the hole
Step 4. Cut the flat side
By observing the conical object you can see that there is a flat edge left along one side and ending with a tip. Use a pair of scissors to cut it out and get a straight edge; in this way, it is easier to close the cone with adhesive tape.
Step 5. Secure the cone
Wrap a strip of electrical tape around the center portion and base; starts where you cut the flap and ends at the base. Do not bring the tape too close to the tip, otherwise you run the risk of burning it with the flame when you use the hot glue.
Part 2 of 3: Making the Handle
Step 1. Get a candle lighter
You can find it in many stores, near the shelves on which the candles themselves are displayed. It looks like normal lighters but has a long spout with a trigger on the end; look for a model with rigid and inflexible extension.
If you absolutely cannot find this tool, you can use a regular lighter, even if it is more uncomfortable to hold and use
Step 2. Put the cone on the spout
Lay the lighter so that the trigger is facing down and place the cone on the elongated end so that it is on the top. The tip of the cone must go beyond that of the spout; in doing so, when you activate the lighter, the flame heats the glue melting it.
- Do not insert the spout inside the cone as if this were a hat.
- If you are using a regular lighter, place the cone along the same side as the flame comes out.
Step 3. Secure it with tape
Put a strip inside the cone, halfway along its length and press the other end onto the spout itself; if necessary, wrap another strip around the base of the cone and the lighter.
Part 3 of 3: Using the Hot Glue Gun
Step 1. Insert the stick of glue into the cone
Keep pushing it until it reaches maximum depth; if necessary, hold it still. Try to use the thinnest cue you can find instead of one with a consistent diameter.
Step 2. Keep the lighter parallel to the table
Make sure the top of the cone is facing up.
Step 3. Activate the lighter and let the flame heat the glue
Keep the trigger pressed for a few moments until the adhesive starts pouring out of the opening.
Step 4. Release the trigger
When the glue begins to come out of the cone, remove your finger from the trigger to extinguish the flame; the hot glue is ready to be used.
Step 5. Use the hot glue gun
Draw a line of adhesive on the area you need to glue by proceeding quickly; gently push the stick into the cone to force the glue out. At some point you will have to reheat the substance by lighting the flame.
Advice
- If you can't find a can of soda, you can use any of the other drinks, including juice and beer.
- If you can't get any cans, try using very sturdy aluminum foil or a disposable tin of the same material.
- Don't even have aluminum foil? Use the tip of a pastry bag, choosing the one with the round opening.
