Do you need a reliable, portable heat gun for your next welding project but are not sure which one is the best? You came to the right place. 

Newer heat guns are more and more efficient. In fact, BAK, one of the main players in the welding machine industry, just released its newest battery powered heat gun. The BAK LiiOn battery heat gun is out right around the same time as Steinel released its newest model, the Mobile Heat 3 cordless heat gun. How do they both compare in the portable heat gun range and which one is the best?

Keep reading to find out which of the wireless heat gun or the battery powered heat gun is the best portable welding gun for your activities. 

Portability

Both the BAK LiiOn and Steinel Mobile Heat 3 heat guns are battery-powered. The main difference between the two is that the BAK LiiOn is a battery powered heat gun, including a portable and rechargeable battery pack, while the Steinel is a cordless heat gun, containing rechargeable batteries within the handle.

Another notable difference is that the BAK LiiOn is corded, whereas the Mobile Heat 3 is a cordless heat gun. The portability of both battery powered heat guns definitely makes them ideal for quick welds.

Although the BAK LiiOn requires a separate battery pack, it can be conveniently stored in a backpack—along with a battery charger and backup nozzle sizes. This OSHA-compliant backpack makes the heat gun more portable and eliminates the need to carry a line cord, a generator, or gasoline onto the roof.

On another hand, the Steinel Mobile Heat 3 is a fully wireless heat gun, meaning you don’t have to carry a backpack to operate it. We should note however that the batteries are located at the base of the heat gun and are actually quite heavy.

Because of this, Steinel’s cordless heat gun is not that easy to use, especially when you have to tilt it on the side and the batteries end up weighing your arm down while trying to weld. Not a good point in our books.

Welding Efficiency

Every welding job is a two-hand process. While inserting the heat gun nozzle inside the overlap seam with one hand, you must simultaneously use your other hand to fuse the heated membrane layers with a silicone pressure roller.

The Steinel Mobile Heat 3 only rotates 90 degrees, which requires you to reposition your arm mid-weld to work around corners and tight edges. With no free hand to help you reposition the tools and the membrane, this wireless heat gun model slows down the welding process. In addition, because of the weight of the batteries at the bottom, your arm becomes tired rather quickly, especially when having to tilt the cordless heat gun sideways.

The BAK LiiOn, on the other hand, produces more efficient welds. The 360-degree rotation of this portable heat gun allows you to complete a weld without repositioning your arm multiple times. This unique feature also reduces the risk of welding errors and injuries.

BAK LiiOn vs. Steinel Mobile Heat 3

So how do those 2 portable heat guns compare? While each of these models are representing respectively battery powered heat guns and cordless heat guns, we can see that they feature major differences:

Battery Powered vs Cordless Heat Gun – Conclusion

While Steinel’s cordless heat gun may appear more practical initially since you can carry the tool by itself, it becomes quite obvious that the Mobile Heat 3 is quite lacking in terms of both efficiency and durability. Not only can it be operated only for a very short time, the Mobile Heat 3 is also limited in terms of functionalities and ease of use.

On the other hand, the BAK LiiOn may appear less portable at first glance, as is it not totally cordless, but the OSHA-compliant backpack largely makes up for it, especially considering that you can operate it for longer, on more angles, and at a higher temperature.

BAK LiiOn – The New & Improved BAK RiOn

As the top Swiss brand for plastic welding tools, BAK produces the industry’s most durable and reliable heat guns—like the soon-to-be-released BAK LiiOn.

The BAK LiiOn is essentially a newer, portable version of the BAK RiOn and other similar products. Here are five features that make this new and improved model stand out from regular heat guns.

1. Optimal portability: The battery-powered heat gun can be stored in the BAK backpack—along with the battery pack, battery charger, and backup nozzles. The backpack also eliminates the need for a line cord, a generator, and gasoline on the roof.
2. 360-degree rotation: By allowing users to complete jobs without repositioning their bodies mid-weld, the BAK LiiOn increases welding efficiency.
3. User-friendly: This handheld heat gun is easy to maneuver and features simple on/off operation. Its ergonomic, soft-grip handle is more comfortable to use and provides greater control during every weld.
4. Safer to use: Equipped with constant airflow that initiates the cooling process, the BAK LiiOn has a lower risk of overheating than the BAK RiOn.
5. Versatile: The BAK LiiOn can weld both TPO and PVC roofing membranes. It comes with various nozzle options and interchangeable internal components that allow for more precise welds.

With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why a growing number of consumers are eager to get their hands on the new BAK LiiOn model.

BAK: The Market’s #1 Choice in Plastic Welding Tools

BAK has long been a reliable welding machine manufacturer, even when compared to other manufacturers such as Leister or Steinel. Made in Switzerland, BAK hot air heating tools are reliable, last a long time, and require fewer repairs.

The BAK LiiOn is BAK’s first-ever portable, battery-powered welder designed specifically for the roofing industry. If you’re ready to change the way you perform welds, get ready for the BAK LiiOn to drop in the Hapco online store in January 2023.

Hapco Inc provides the best plastic welding tools for commercial roofing, industrial fabrication, industrial heat source, and the oil, gas, and geotextiles industry.

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