Heat gun for straightening cane shafts?

[bawana bowman]

I'm looking to purchase a heat gun for straightening cane. Any recommendations as to best temperature for the gun? Will a dual setting do or should I go with a variable temp?  

[Benjy]

Hal, I just buy the cheap ones from Harbor Freight for around $15.00. If you drop it it, you will have to go buy another one. I use the low setting.

Have fun!

[Pat B]

I'd go with a $30 from Lowes or Home Depot. I have heard bad things about the harbour Freight heat guns.
  I use our kitchen stove for my cane straightening but I know guys that use a candle and get the same results.

[neuse]

I rescued a hair dryer from the trash. Set to high and hot and it works great.

[Benjy]

Pat, I do unplug it and lay it in the middle of my concrete floor after I use it!  

[trick00]

I use the harbor freight model on high setting, but it will scorch cane if your not careful.

[NoCams]

I used to Rep a heat gun company called Master Appliance. Made in Racine, WI, best of the best and will get up to 800F I think. These are the tools used by industry and will last more than a lifetime. You can buy at places like Grainger, MSC, etc, etc. Several models, features, and price points to choose from.

As others have said above.... a candle works well too.

[bawana bowman]

Thanks for the replies. Wife won't go for the stove option. I don't want to keep buying candles. Use to use hot rocks, worked great, not many rocks in Florida. A good heat gun with a stand just seems to be the way to go, now I have an idea as to amount of heat. Will probably go with a Milwaukee, have never had any tool made by them fail me.
Thanks again.

[Benjy]

Hal, I forgot that you are in Florida, just through them up on your roof! That should heat them up in July

[bawana bowman]

Benjy,

The roof idea sounds good, can get mighty hot up there. However, I have a sprayed on industrial foam roof on my house. I can walk on it barefoot in August, and it feels like an exercise mat in an air conditioned gym.
But..... my neighbor has black shingles..... bet the ridge of his roof would be perfect for straightening cane! (If I can stand the heat!!)

[AkDan]

have you seen Tom D's video (listed in primited archer mag)?   Shows a pretty slick system for heating bamboo I'm sure would work well on cane.   Its been awhile, I remember one was using coal with basically what looked like fire bricks.  The second was an oven with a tube to keep the direct heat off the shaft, dont remember what he used to heat it up with.   I also made the tool he used out of a dowel.  it works well but watch the grain or the tool itself will snap.  

Either way its definatly an interesting video.