Note: This Bosch UK or EU product is not available in the USA.
Across the pond Bosch’s new cordless battery-powered hot glue pen is said to set new standards in hot gluing. The Glue Pen is designed for sealing parcels, light duty repair work, arts and crafts, and other everyday hobby, home, and office tasks.
The glue pen heats up in 15 seconds and back-draws molten glue when you release the feed button to ensure clog-free and virtually drip-free operation. Its small size allows for precise glue application, as well as easier maneuvering in tight spaces.
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The glue pen accepts 7 mm-diameter glue sticks, which is about standard for commonly available mini glue sticks (0.28″- 0.28″ x 4″ long). Bosch will be selling their own refills and recommends “Ultra Power” sticks for heavier use and transparent sticks for medium-duty and invisible gluing tasks.
The built-in 3.6V Li-ion battery is charged via a micro USB port and can melt up to 6 glue sticks per charge.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Battery | 3.6 V (Li-ion),1.5 Ah |
| Power | 5.4 Wh |
| Heat-up time | 15 s |
| Temperature | 170°C | 338°F |
| Glue stick diameter | 7 mm |
| Glue stick length | 15 cm |
| Max. use per charge | 6 glue sticks |
| Charging time | 4 – 5 hrs |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | ~170 x 40 x 60 mm ~6.7″ x 1.6″ x 2.4″ |
| Weight | 140 g | 5 oz |
MSRP is £40 including VAT, or about $48 USD excluding VAT. Bosch glue pens will be available in the UK starting in May 2013.
So will the Glue Pen set new standards in gluing as Bosch boasts? I don’t know, but it does seem like a great product and one I would definitely use. Ordinary hot glue guns – even mini ones – often drip out huge globs of glue. This one looks like it can glue with a lot more finesse, and it’s also pocket-friendly with separate on/off and glue advance switches.
Tomas
This looks realy neat. Although I only use a glue gun may be twice per year. I’ve found that with cordless items it’s not realy worth it if you use it as little as I do. As you’ll only get a handful of uses before the batter dies.
Still with Li-Ion, battery drain and overall capacity should be much better then nicad, so if I see the thing on amazon for $29 I may go for it.
Dennis
1) It’s green so that makes the “across the pond” statement redundant. Whenever I see something green from Bosch I know I’m about to say “Lucky Europeans, with their cool Bosch toys I can’t get here.”
2) You can sell me pretty much anything you want with a Bosch logo on it, but as soon as it goes under the Skil brand I start getting weary. I don’t know if that’s rightly so or not. Ultimately I love the Bosch gear that also has the words “Made in Germany” or “Made in Switzerland” on it, but nowadays those are getting harder and harder to find.
3) USB charging cable. Hooray standardization!
4) Seems like a neat little tool, that would be handy to have around. Also if it is truly less mess than a standard feed hot glue gun, then Bosch should shut up and take my money.
Stuart
1) It’s only redundant for the few that see Bosch green and recognize it means Bosch UK DIY tool.
2) I too am quite fond of Bosch Swiss-made power tools.
3) Agreed!
If it’s released in the USA under Skil branding, I’m thinking the target price would be $40. $30 would be better, $50 might be a tad high.
Mati
I’ll admit, coming from Bosch, this DOES seem to be a cool tool, assuming this tool would be used in a light duty setting. I actually own a very old glue gun that doesn’t have a on/off switch or trigger and is corded, but takes from what I can guess is the 1/2 hot glue sticks. Works well enough for me, but while I’ve heard great and seen awesome Swiss made and German tools, I strongly get the feeling this tool wouldn’t be made there.
$50 would be reasonable, provided the tool itself was made in Germany or Switzerland, but then again it’s a glue gun, so I am not sure. Heck, I am not even sure North America will ever see this product either.
Joy
I have seen demo’s of this, and as a crafter, this would be an awesome thing to have. However, you are right, with a $48 price tag it’s a bit steep. But if I chose to spring for it, would I be able to charge it here in the US? I know there are differences between here and Europe.