Master Appliance Heat Guns: Versatile Tools for a Variety of Flameless Heat Tasks

There's nothing like having a fully stocked toolbox. And whether you're a homeowner or a professional, having the proper tool handy helps to avoid those "uh oh" moments. Some fixes go beyond the everyday screwdriver or hammer, and having something like a heat gun in your toolbox could be a life-saver.

Master Appliance knows a thing or two about heat guns—having manufactured them for 55 years. They've provided homeowners, electricians, plumbers, and contractors with high-quality heat guns to meet a variety of tasks such as paint stripping, thawing out pipes, soldering, bending PVC pipes, drying paint, and more. Let's take a closer look at a few of these versatile, must-have tools.

MASTER APPLIANCE MASTER HEAT GUNS®

The original Master Appliance Heat Gun first released in 1958, the Master Heat Gun has been used by countless professionals for a myriad of tasks requiring reliable, flameless heat. Solidly built (double-protected heating element and die-cast aluminum housing) and powerful (its universal motor provides 23 CFM airflow with temperatures up to 1000°F) the Master Appliance Master Heat Gun offers durability and longevity.

Features and benefits of the Master Appliance Master Heat Guns include:

• High temperature and power ratings: 1000°F/540°C at up to 1740 watts
• Make quick work of heating tasks with a high airflow rating of 23 CFM at 3000 FPM
• Powerful high-speed universal motor
• Sturdy die-cast housing
• Adjustable non-slip stand
• Great for drying and heating parts, bending plastics, curing adhesives, shrink tubing, and more

MASTER APPLIANCE VARITEMP® HEAT GUNS

Master Appliance's Varitemp Heat Guns offer heavy-duty, professional quality with variable temperature control. Variable temperature is important for tasks such as thawing out pipes where you'd want to start at a lower temperature and increase the heat as you conditioned the pipes. Reaching temperatures up to 1000°F, Master Appliance's Varitemp models make such tasks quicker and easier.

Features and benefits of the Master Appliance Varitemp Heat Guns include:

• Up to 1000°F/540°C at 1740 watts temperature and power ratings
• Easy dial-in temperature adjustment from ambient with variable temperature control
• High airflow rating: 23 CFM at 3000
• High-speed universal motor
• Rugged, lightweight, and sturdy die-cast aluminum housing
• Heating element encased in a double-protected housing

MASTER APPLIANCE PROHEAT® HEAT GUNS

Master Appliance’s ProHeat Series include a number of heat gun models with options to make any job faster and easier. For instance, the ProHeat LCD Heat Gun offers LCD temperature and airflow displays, while the Quick-Touch provides a momentary contact switch, which turns the unit off if the switch isn’t held.

Features and benefits of the Master Appliance ProHeat Heat Guns include:

• A rugged thermoplastic housing provides protection and longevity
• High-temperature, flameless heat via the enclosed ceramic heating element
• The easy grip handle and protective hand & switch guard provide ergonomic protection and prevent operator fatigue
• Easy to hang and use with its convenient hanging loop
• Easily draws intake air through its protected, wrap around air intake
• A stable, built-in stand and 3-wire grounded cordset provide flexibility and hand-free use

Q Source offers an extensive selection of Master Appliance Heat Guns and accessories perfect for any task where fast, reliable, flameless heat is required. In addition to the Master, Varitemp, and ProHeat heat gun lines.

Meet OSHA LOTO Standards with Regular Periodic Reviews: Guest Blog

by Danielle Gallo, Product Marketing Specialist and Heather Marenda, Compliance Services Engagement Manager - Brady Corporation

Last October, OSHA published their annual Top 10 "Most Frequently Cited Standards" list for fiscal year 2012. Once again, 29 CFR 1910.147 - The Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout) made the list. This regulation has been in force for more than 20 years and consistently appears on this list. So what are employers and safety managers missing?

One area where many companies fall into trouble is the periodic inspection element, found in 1910.147(c)(6). According to OSHA, periodically means "at least annually." Do you look at your internal lockout/tagout (LOTO) machine-specific procedures at least once a year to determine if any part of that process has changed? And if your equipment or process has changed, do you have a process to update the procedure at that time, instead of waiting?

1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.

Part of this periodic inspection requires that an inspector review the procedure with "each authorized person." Authorized persons are those persons who perform the preventative maintenance, testing, calibration, or inspections of equipment. This review is a critical part of the Control of Hazardous Energy regulation, as well as your employee's safety. All inspections must be properly documented and recorded with the findings, as well as any action items must be addressed in a timely manner.

Not only are machine-specific LOTO procedures mandated by the OSHA regulation, but when effectively and visually displayed in a facility they can have drastic improvements in your workplace. Machine-specific procedures can:

• Reduce employee training time
• Reduce machine/equipment down time
• Increase the overall productivity of a process, and boost morale, by helping employees understand what they need to do to keep themselves and their co-workers safe

To make compliance with this portion of the regulation easier on yourself, incorporate a review of your lockout procedures every six months as part of preventative maintenance programs. By instituting these regular reviews you'll be meeting the minimum OSHA regulations, very likely following the equipment manufacturer's recommendations, and keeping your employees safe in the process.

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