Makita DHG181 Cordless Heat Gun Instruction Manual

DHG181 Cordless Heat Gun

DHG181 Cordless Heat Gun
Instruction Manual

WARNING

  • For users in Europe:
    This appliance can be used by children aged 8 years and above and persons with reduced physical, or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if they have been given supervision concerning the use of the appliance in a safe way and understand the hazards involved.
    Children shall not play with the appliance. Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.
  • For users in areas other than Europe:
    This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning the use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
  • See the chapter “MAINTENANCE” for the appropriate details of precautions during user maintenance.
  • A fire may result if the appliance is not used with care, therefore
    — be careful when using the appliance in places where there are combustible materials;
    — do not apply to the same place for a long time;
    — do not use it in presence of an explosive atmosphere;
    — be aware that heat may be conducted to combustible materials that are out of sight;
    — place the appliance on its stand after use and allow it to cool down before storage;
    — do not leave the appliance unattended when it is switched on.
    This is a battery-operated appliance. The battery cartridge is charged while it is removed from the appliance.
  • See the chapter “SPECIFICATIONS” for the type reference of the battery.
  • See the section “Installing or removing battery cartridge” for how to remove or install the battery.
  • When disposing of the battery cartridge, remove it from the appliance and dispose of it in a safe place.
    Follow your local regulations relating to the disposal of batteries.
  • If the appliance is not used for a long period of time, the battery must be removed from the appliance.
  • Do not short the battery cartridge.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: DHG180 DHG181
Rated voltage D.C. 18 V
Temperature 550 °C Ambient temperature – 550 °C
Air volume 200 L/min 1: 120 L/min
2: 200 L/min
Dimensions (L x W x H)
with BL1860B
168 mm x 79 mm x 251 mm 173 mm x 79 mm x 255 mm
Net weight 1.0 – 1.3 kg 1.0 – 1.4 kg
  • Due to our continuing program of research and development, the specifications herein are subject to change without notice.
  • Specifications and battery cartridges may differ from country to country.
  • The weight may differ depending on the attachment(s), including the battery cartridge. The lightest and heaviest combinations, according to EPTA-Procedure 01/2014, are shown in the table.

Applicable battery cartridge and charger

Battery cartridge BL1815N / BL1820B / BL1830B / BL1840B / BL1850B / BL1860B
Charger DC18RC / DC18RD / DC18RE / DC18SD / DC18SE / DC18SF / DC18SH
  • Some of the battery cartridges and chargers listed above may not be available depending on your region of residence.

WARNING: Only use the battery cartridges and chargers listed above. Use of any other battery cartridges and chargers may cause injury and/or fire.

Symbols

The followings show the symbols which may be used for the equipment. Be sure that you understand their meaning before use.

Warning
Do not use it in the rain or leave the heat gun outdoors while raining.
Read the instruction manual.
Hot surfaces – Burns to fingers or hands.
Only EU countries
Due to the presence of hazardous components in the equipment, waste electrical and electronic equipment, accumulators and batteries may have a negative impact on the environment and human health.
Do not dispose of electrical and electronic appliances or batteries with household waste!
In accordance with the European Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment and on accumulators and batteries and waste accumulators and batteries, as well as their adaptation to national law,
waste electrical equipment, batteries, and accumulators should be stored separately and delivered to a separate collection point for municipal waste, operating in accordance with the regulations on environmental protection.
This is indicated by the symbol of the crossed-out wheeled bin placed on the equipment.

Intended use

This cordless heat gun has been designed for various of heating applications such as heat shrinking of heat-shrinkable wrap or tubes, soldering or de-soldering electronic components, peeling-off self-adhesive tapes or stickers, loosening rusted nut or bolt, shaping plastic parts, drying, melting and unfreezing, etc.

SAFETY WARNINGS

General power tool safety warnings

WARNING: Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations, and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious injury.

Save all warnings and instructions  for future reference.
The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

Work area safety

  1. Keep the work area clean and well-lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
  2. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks that may ignite dust or fumes.
  3. Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical safety

  1. Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce the risk of electric shock.
  2. Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges, and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
  3. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
  4. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling, or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
  5. When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. The use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
  6. If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD) protected supply. The use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.
  7. Power tools can produce electromagnetic fields (EMF) that are not harmful to the user. However, users of pacemakers and other similar medical devices should contact the maker of their device and/or doctor for advice before operating this power tool.

Personal safety

  1. Stay alert, watch what you are doing, and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
  2. Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
  3. Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to a power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
  4. Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
  5. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
  6. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
  7. If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. The use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
  8. Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a  fraction of a second.
  9. Always wear protective goggles to protect your eyes from injury when using power tools. The goggles must comply with ANSI Z87.1 in the USA, EN 166 in Europe, or  AS/NZS 1336 in Australia/New Zealand. In Australia/New Zealand, it is legally required to wear a face shield to protect your face, too.
    It is an employer’s responsibility to enforce the use of appropriate safety protective equipment by the tool operators and by other persons in the immediate working area.

Power tool use and care

  1. Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate at which it was designed.
  2. Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
  3. Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or remove the battery pack, if detachable, from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing
    accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
  4. Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
  5. Maintain power tools and accessories. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
  6. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
  7. Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits, etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
  8. Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean, and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.
  9. When using the tool, do not wear cloth work gloves that may be entangled. The entanglement of cloth work gloves in the moving parts may result in personal injury.

Battery tool use and care

  1. Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.
  2. Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. The use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.
  3. When the battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws, or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
  4. Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts the eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.
  5. Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified. Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behavior resulting in fire, explosion, or risk of injury.
  6. Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or temperature above 130 °C may cause an explosion.
  7. Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature range specified in the instructions. Charging improperly or at temperatures outside the specified range may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

Service

  1. Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
  2. Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service providers.
  3. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories.

Cordless heat gun safety warnings

  1. Misuse of the heat gun could cause a risk of fire.
  2. Do not use this tool like a hair dryer.
  3. Never leave the heat gun unattended when it is running.
  4. Do not use the heat gun in humid, flammable, or explosive environments.
  5. Check the work area before operation. Do not use the tool if safety is not confirmed.
  6. Keep the work area with sufficient air ventilation. Poisonous smoke may be generated when working with some materials.
  7. While the heat gun is running or shortly after the heat gun is turned off, do not touch the nozzle or accessory attached to the nozzle as it has become very hot. Wait until the nozzle or accessory is cooled down completely.
  8. Do not look down into the nozzle of the heat gun when it is running.
  9. Do not allow the hot nozzle of the heat gun to touch any object or material that is flammable or easily melted or damaged by heat when the heat gun is running or shortly after turning off.
  10. When installing or removing the nozzle, allow the nozzle to cool sufficiently.
  11. After use, allow the tool to stand on its own or place the heating nozzle upward before cooling.
  12. Always turn off the heat gun, disconnect the power source and let it cool down completely before moving or storing.
  13. Never obstruct the air inlet or air ventilation in any way. Doing so could cause the heat gun extremely hot and damaged.
  14. Do not allow any object to drop into the nozzle of the heat gun. It may cause a short circuit or overheat.
  15. Never point the heat gun toward any other persons or flammable objects.
  16. Heat slowly while moving the heat gun up, down, left, and right. Do not apply to the same place for a long time.
  17. Clean the paint from the nozzle; it could ignite.
  18. When using the tool with it stands on its own, put the tool in the stable position.
  19. When using the tool with accessories, make sure that the accessories are attached to the tool firmly.
  20. Use Makita’s genuine accessories.
  21. Do not take the tool as a blower.
  22. Indication: Battery is partially charged when delivered. The battery has to be fully charged to ensure the battery power before first-time usage. The battery pack has to be removed from the tool for charging.
  23. The battery can be charged at any time which will not shorten its lifetime. Any discontinuation during charging will not damage the battery either.

Important safety instructions for battery cartridge

  1. Before using battery cartridge read all instructions and cautionary markings on (1)  battery charger, (2) battery, and (3) product using the battery.
  2. Do not disassemble or tamper with the battery cartridge. It may result in a fire, excessive heat, or explosion.
  3. If the operating time has become excessively shorter, stop operating immediately. It may result in a risk of overheating, possible burns, and even an explosion.
  4. If electrolyte gets into your eyes, rinse them out with clear water and seek medical attention right away. It may result in loss of your eyesight.
  5. Do not short the battery cartridge:
    (1) Do not touch the terminals with any conductive material.
    (2) Avoid storing battery cartridges in a container with other metal objects such as nails, coins, etc.
    (3) Do not expose the battery cartridge to water or rain.
    A battery short can cause a large current flow, overheating, possible burns, and even a breakdown.
  6. Do not store and use the tool and battery cartridge in locations where the temperature may reach or exceed 50 °C (122 °F).
  7. Do not incinerate the battery cartridge even if it is severely damaged or is completely worn out. The battery cartridge can explode in a fire.
  8. Do not nail, cut, crush, throw, drop the battery cartridge, or hit a hard object to the battery cartridge. Such conduct may result in a fire, excessive heat, or explosion.
  9. Do not use a damaged battery.
  10. The contained lithium-ion batteries are subject to the Dangerous Goods Legislation requirements.
    For commercial transports e.g. by third parties or forwarding agents, the special requirements on packaging and labeling must be observed. For the preparation of the item being shipped,  consulting an expert for hazardous material is required. Please also observe possibly more detailed national regulations.
    Tape or mask off open contacts and pack up the battery in such a manner that it cannot move around in the packaging.
  11. When disposing of the battery cartridge, remove it from the tool and dispose of it in a safe place. Follow your local regulations relating to the disposal of batteries.
  12. Use the batteries only with the products specified by Makita. Installing the batteries to non-compliant products may result in a fire, excessive heat, explosion, or leak of electrolyte.
  13. If the tool is not used for a long period of time, the battery must be removed from the tool.
  14. During and after use, the battery cartridge may take on heat which can cause burns or low-temperature burns. Pay attention to the handling of hot battery cartridges.
  15. Do not touch the terminal of the tool immediately after use as it may get hot enough to cause burns.
  16. Do not allow chips, dust, or soil to stuck into the terminals, holes, and grooves of the battery cartridge. It may cause heating, catching fire, burst, and malfunction of the tool or battery cartridge, resulting in burns or personal injury.
  17. Unless the tool supports the use of near high-voltage electrical power lines, do not use the battery cartridge near high-voltage electrical power lines. It may result in a  malfunction or breakdown of the tool or battery cartridge.
  18. Keep the battery away from children.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

CAUTION: Only use genuine Makita batteries. 
Use of non-genuine Makita batteries, or batteries that have been altered, may result in the battery bursting causing fires, personal injury, and damage. It will also void the Makita warranty for the Makita tool and charger.

Tips for maintaining maximum battery life

  1. Charge the battery cartridge before completely discharged. Always stop tool operation and charge the battery cartridge when you notice less tool power.
  2. Never recharge a fully charged battery cartridge. Overcharging shortens the battery service life.
  3. Charge the battery cartridge at room temperature at 10 °C – 40 °C (50 °F – 104 °F). Let a hot battery cartridge cool down before charging it.
  4. When not using the battery cartridge, remove it from the tool or the charger.
  5. Charge the battery cartridge if you do not use it for a long period (more than six months).

PACKAGE CONTENT LIST

Check that the items listed below are included in the package.

  • Cordless Heat gun
  • 1 Set of accessories (Some accessories may not be necessary depending on your purpose.)
  • 1 Instruction manual

NOTE: When parts are missing or damaged, please contact your dealer.

PARTS DESCRIPTION

► Fig.1

1 Heating nozzle 2 Front cover
3 Lock off lever 4 Switch trigger
5 Lock on button 6 LED light
7 Hook 8 Hook release button
9 Air volume switch (1/2) 10 Temperature dial

ASSEMBLY

Attaching and detaching accessories

The heat gun can use with accessories or without the accessories according to various heating purposes.

Attaching the accessory

  • Choose the appropriate nozzle according to the heating applications.
  • Push the fitting end of the nozzle onto the heating nozzle.

MOUNTING THE CORRECT ACCESSORY (IF APPLICABLE)

Shape and description Example
Glass protection nozzle
Protect windows when stripping frames
Drying the putty on the window flame
Removing putty from the window frame with the scraper (optional accessory)

Wide-slot nozzle For heating spread over a wider area

Heat packaging for heat shrink films

Reflector nozzle

Heat shrinking for heat shrink tubes
Bending of the resin tube

Reduction nozzle
For heating concentrated over small
area
Paint stripping with the scraper (optional accessory)

Overlap welding nozzle
(Optional accessory)
Patching a vinyl sheet with the pressureroller (optional accessory)

Solder sleeves reflector
(Optional accessory)
Heat shrinking for heat shrink tubes

Welding nozzle
(Optional accessory)
For heating concentrated over a small area

WARNING: Ensure the power tool is switched off and the battery cartridge is removed from the power tool before attaching the accessories. 
Attaching the accessories with a switch on or a battery cartridge attached may cause the risk of accidents.
WARNING: Make sure to attach the accessories securely. Otherwise, the accessory may fall off accidentally and cause burn injury.

Detaching the accessory
Turn the front cover in the direction of the arrow in the illustration, the accessory will be ejected. This allows you to remove nozzles without touching them while they are still hot.
► Fig.2

WARNING: Do not touch the accessory attached to or ejected from the heat gun immediately after use. Do not eject the accessory to any person or animal. The nozzle attachment gets extremely hot after use and causes a risk of burn injury.
WARNING: Do not eject the accessory to any surface that is flammable or easy to melt. The nozzle attachment gets extremely hot after use and causes a risk of fire or melting the surface.
WARNING: Use the identical accessories included in the original package or serviced by the dealer or service center. Using wrong or defective accessories may cause the hot air to flow backward and damage the tool and create a hazard.

Installing or removing the battery cartridge

CAUTION: Always switch off the tool before installing or removing of the battery cartridge.
CAUTION: Hold the tool and the battery cartridge firmly when installing or removing the battery cartridge. 
Failure to hold the tool and the battery cartridge firmly may cause them to slip off your hands and result in damage to the tool and battery cartridge and a personal injury.

► Fig.3: 1. Red indicator 2. Button 3. Battery cartridge To remove the battery cartridge, slide it from the tool while sliding the button on the front of the cartridge.
To install the battery cartridge, align the tongue on the battery cartridge with the groove in the housing and slip it into place. Insert it all the way until it locks in place with a little click. If you can see the red indicator as shown in the figure, it is not locked completely.

CAUTION: Always install the battery cartridge fully until the red indicator cannot be seen. If not, it may accidentally fall out of the tool, causing injury to you or someone around you.
CAUTION: Do not install the battery cartridge forcibly. If the cartridge does not slide in easily, it is not being inserted correctly.

OPERATION

NOTE: At first use of the heat gun, some smoke may emit from the nozzle. This is normal and will soon decrease.

Switching On and Off

Switching On

  • Pull the lock-off lever downwards and pull in the switch trigger to switch on the tool.
  • Press in the lock on the button on the left with your thumb to keep the tool running.

Switching Off

  • Release the switch trigger to stop.
  • To stop the tool from the locked position, pull the switch trigger fully to unlock. Release the switch trigger to stop.
    ► Fig.4: 1. Lock off lever 2. Switch trigger 3. Lock on button

Temperature setting (DHG181)

The temperature is adjustable by turning the temperature dial. The dial is marked 1 (lowest temperature) to 6 (highest temperature).
Adjust to a suitable temperature for your applications.
The following table suggests setting for different applications.

Setting Applications
1
(Ambient temperature)
Cooling the hot parts.
Cool the machines before changing the nozzle.
2 – 6 Drying paint and varnish.
Removing stickers.
Waxing and de-waxing.
Shrinking PVC wrapping and insulation tubes.
Thawing frozen pipes.
Welding plastics.
Bending plastic pipes and sheets.

Air volume setting (DHG181)

The air volume is adjustable by switching the air volume switch at position 1 or 2.
► Fig.5: 1. Air volume switch (1/2)

Using the tool with it stands on its own

This tool can be used in an upright position or with the heated nozzle facing up as shown in the figure.
When using the tool with it stands on its own, turn on the switch and then press the lock-on button to keep the tool running.
► Fig.6

WARNING: Only use the tool in either posture as shown. Turn off the switch before putting down the tool in other postures.
CAUTION: When using the tool it stands on its own, but the tool on a stable position.
Using the tool in an unstable place or a place with a slope, the tool may fall down and cause an injury.

Cooling down

The heating nozzle and accessories became very hot during use. Let them cool down before attempting to move or store the tool.

CAUTION: After use, do not touch the nozzle until it has had time to cool.
CAUTION: Do not leave the work area until the tool has cooled. Be alert for indications of concealed fire. Allow time for the tool to cool then clean and store the tool indoors out of children’s reach.

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

LED light

CAUTION: Do not look in the light or see the source of light directly.

Pull the switch trigger to light up the lamp. The lamp keeps on lighting while the switch trigger is being pulled. The lamp goes out approximately 10 seconds after releasing the switch trigger.

NOTE: Use a dry cloth to wipe the dirt off the lens of the lamp. Be careful not to scratch the lens of the lamp, or it may lower the illumination.

Hook

The hook allows you to hang the tool to your selected location.

  1. Press the hook release button.
  2. Swing the hook outside.
    ► Fig.7: 1. Hook release button 2. Hook

To store the hook, swing the hook to the original position, and then push the hook into the tool until it clicks.
► Fig.8

Tool/battery protection system

The tool is equipped with a tool/battery protection system. This system automatically cuts off power to the motor to extend tool and battery life. The tool will automatically stop during operation if the tool or battery is placed under one of the following conditions.

Overdischarge protection
When the battery capacity becomes low, the tool stops automatically. If the product does not operate even when the switches are operated, remove the batteries from the tool and charge the batteries.

Protections against other causes
A protection system is also designed for other causes that could damage the tool and allows the tool to stop automatically. Take all the following steps to clear the causes, when the tool has been brought to a temporary halt or stopped in operation.

  1. Turn the tool off, and then turn it on again to restart.
  2. Charge the battery(ies) or replace it/them with recharged battery(ies).
  3. Let the tool and battery(ies) cool down.

If no improvement can be found by restoring protection system, then contact your local Makita Service Center.

Indicating the remaining battery capacity

Only for battery cartridges with the indicator
► Fig.9: 1. Indicator lamps 2. Check button
Press the check button on the battery cartridge to indicate the remaining battery capacity. The indicator lamps light up for a few seconds.

NOTE: Depending on the conditions of use and the ambient temperature, the indication may differ slightly from the actual capacity.
NOTE: The first (far left) indicator lamp will blink when the battery protection system works.

MAINTENANCE

CAUTION: Always be sure that the tool is switched off and the battery cartridge is removed before attempting to perform inspection or maintenance.
NOTICE: Never use gasoline, benzene, thinner, alcohol, or the like. Discoloration, deformation, or cracks may result.

To maintain product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs, and any other maintenance or adjustment should be performed by Makita Authorized or Factory  Service Centers, always using Makita replacement parts.
The tool has been designed to operate over a long period of time with a minimum of maintenance. Continuous satisfactory operation depends upon proper care and regular cleaning of the tool.

Lubrication

No lubrication is needed for this product.

Cleaning

  • Keep the ventilation openings and switch trigger clean and free of foreign materials.
  • Clean the tool with a soft cloth periodically and preferably after each time of use.

If you need any assistance with more details regarding these accessories, ask your local Makita Service Center.

  • Nozzle
  • Pressure roller
  • Scraper
  • Makita genuine battery and charger

NOTE: Some items in the list may be included in the tool package as standard accessories. They may differ from country to country.

Makita Europe N.V.
Jan-Baptist Vinkstraat 2,
3070 Kortenberg, Belgium
Makita Corporation
3-11-8, Sumiyoshi-cho,
Anjo, Aichi 446-8502 Japan
www.makita.com