Replies

1. 
   Sphere | Aug 23, 2008 03:31am | #1

   I bought the Handi-foam from Farmtek, and the cleaner. Good kit when the straw stays put.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    

1. 
   silvertip | Aug 23, 2008 03:43am | #2

   I know the cans are an easy way to go but if it were me I would invest the money in Hilti spray foam insulation.  It is on the pricey side but you can apply a bit at a time and you don't have to worry about wasting half the can when the straw goes hard.

    

    

1. 
   Shoeman | Aug 23, 2008 03:51am | #5

   I was considering Hilti, but I was just thinking the cans and guns they sell at Home Depot.

   Not sure what system you are referring to that doesn't use cans.

   I am just looking for filling gaps, not spraying whole walls.

   I am looking for a Re Usable gun for spraying foam from cans.

1. 
   JDLee | Aug 23, 2008 08:17am | #12

   I have the Hilti gun that attaches to the cans they sell at Home Depot (some types are in stock, but some, like the window and door foam, are special order).

   I bought the gun because I needed low expansion foam for windows I was installing.  The Hilti rep told me he'd give me the gun for free if I bought a case of foam.  The pricing was pretty close, so I bought a case.  I guess I'll sell off whatever I have left.

   One thing I didn't realize was that the gun must always have a foam can on it.  The techs I spoke to told me (and it's in the instructions, too) that you keep a foam can on the gun, and only use the cleaner when the gun starts putting out less foam.  Then you have to immediately put another can back on and spray out enough foam to purge the gun of the cleaner, which would otherwise eat up the seals in the gun.

   And, if it is something you don't use frequently, every few weeks you have to spray a little foam out and turn the gun all the way off again or I guess the foam might otherwise harden in the gun.  They told me that once you use the gun, there is no way to let the gun sit without foam attached.

1. 
   Shoeman | Aug 23, 2008 03:39pm | #15

   Thanks for the info.

   I had not heard about having to leave a can on the gun.  I thought you would use the cleaner and then leave the gun off any can for storage.

   thanks again

2. 
   Shoeman | Aug 23, 2008 03:48am | #3

   Not familiar with Farmtek.  Is that a local store in your area, or an online site?

1. 
   Sphere | Aug 23, 2008 03:50am | #4

   http://www.farmtek.comSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    

1. 
   Shoeman | Aug 23, 2008 03:52am | #6

   Pretty quick on the response there.

   I'll look at their site.

    

   Thanks

2. 
   craigf | Aug 23, 2008 04:55am | #7

   I've had a Great Stuff gun for over a yr now. It's more than paid for itself. Ive had some problems with the ball on the end leaking a little lately, other than that-no complaints. I always make sure I put it in a container when I put it back in the van to contain any leakage.

1. 
   Shoeman | Aug 23, 2008 05:43am | #8

   Good to hear - seems those are a lot less money than the Hilti

1. 
   basswood | Aug 23, 2008 06:01am | #9

   I have the Great Stuff Gun from Menards, works well.

1. 
   Shoeman | Aug 23, 2008 03:37pm | #13

   Thanks for the input

3. 
   DonNH | Aug 23, 2008 06:50am | #10

   Here's a copy of what I posted on another thread a few days ago:

   >>

   	107456.33 in reply to 107456.31
   	I've got the Great Stuff 14" gun (around $40).  I've used the Great Stuff orange foam, the Great Stuff yellow window & door (stays much softer when cured - both from Home Depot) and the Dow window & door normally stocked by Western Tool. I've let partially used cans sit on the gun for several months in between uses.  If I leave it that long, I sometimes have a bit of an issue with it sticking a bit -- have to open the flow knob fairly wide, pull hard on the trigger to get it started, then may have to crank the flow control knob down to shut it off.  After a few rounds of that, it has always smoothed out and worked fine. Normally, if it's only been a few days or weeks, I just rub off the dried-on foam that's covering the tip and the ball valve on the end against a handy board, then start foaming. Haven't pulled off a partially used can, though, so I don't know how that would work.  Might have a little trouble getting all the cured foam out of the valve in the can. Generally, I've either just immediately put on a new can and kept foaming, or rinsed it out with a can of the solvent (basically just lacquer thinner in a spray can which fits the gun) and then put it away. Very important to not let the stuff sit for more than a minute or two once you've removed the old can before you either purge with the new can or rinse with solvent. If you have a lot to do at one time, then it might be cheaper to buy the foam in the single-use cans, as they are often cheaper -- Can often find the single-use cans for $5 or so for 16 oz. vs $10-12 for 20-24 oz gun cans.  The gun, however, is much easier to control, less fatigue on the fingers, and clearly better for intermittent use. Nice to be able to grab the gun, squirt in a glob of foam, then set it down & forget it. One thing I've noticed, though about the resulting foam:  The regular single-use cans of Great Stuff I used before getting the gun seemed to give a noticeably finer-bubbled, more uniform foam than the gun foams (even the Great Stuff) I've used.  Not sure why.<<

   Don

1. 
   hartlandboy | Aug 23, 2008 07:54am | #11

   40-70$ will get you a good reliable gun.  Don't buy one with the plastic trigger.  Steel trigger will last longer.  No flex issues if the gun works slower over  time as mentioned.

   I never take the can off the gun until completely empty then immediately replace with new.  I also give the new can a good dose of vaseline.  All around the top ( threads and on the inside )  No sticking issues if you aren't quick on the exchange.

   Never used the cleaner either.  Every time you allow a little air into the nozzle you're slowly gumming it up..  Like us old carpenters...we're slowing down and eventually we're going to quit...

   I'm on my second gun.  First one lasted about 8 years.  I've done about 40 windows and doors so far this year and more to do in the fall.  Next year it may be 2.  Who knows.  Guns are the answer for me.

   Good luck

   Gary

    

2. 
   Shoeman | Aug 23, 2008 03:37pm | #14

   Thanks for the info

4. 
   UKchippie | Sep 02, 2008 11:38pm | #16

   i have tried cheap guns in the past, found them ok, borrowed a friends hilti gun WOW, fantastic gun, great lock, good control easy to use.

   So contacted my local hilti rep and ordered a case of foam and he threw the gun in.

   last year while running a large project with new guys i left the gun onsite with some of my tools, came back to work the next day and the can had been removed from the gun.

   No one would admit to removing the can from the gun, although i am sure i know who it was and he did not last much longer.

   If you buy the hilti, don't lend it out.

1. 
   Shoeman | Sep 03, 2008 12:29am | #18

   thanks for the input

5. 
   reinvent | Sep 03, 2008 12:08am | #17

   I have this kit and like it:

   http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/21_28_1268

1. 
   Shoeman | Sep 03, 2008 12:31am | #19

   thanks for the input

    

   I bought the Great Stuff Gun the other day - Menards had them on sale for $35.  Thought it would be worth a try, based on some of the responses I got here.