With the use of a very small reducer nozzle such as a 5mm or 10mm allows you to concentrate the blast of hot air over a tiny area of solder.  Air temperature should be set at about 800º F for best results.  For de-soldering the heat is directed at the existing soldered joint until the component being removed is freed.  The ease of use and instant readiness of a heat gun make it a great tool for this task.  You won't have to wait like you would when using a soldering iron because heat guns deliver instantaneous heat as soon as it is turned on.  With the high precision blast of heat attained by the reducer nozzle you can de-solder even delicate electronic equipment.  Heat guns are quicker than and just as easy to use for de-soldering as traditional soldering irons.

Just as you can use a heat gun to de-solder you can also use them for soldering two components together.  The method is similar to using a soldering iron but you don't have to worry about buildup that can occur on a soldering iron because the heat gun never comes into direct contact with the solder.

Heat guns equipped with reducer nozzles are highly accurate and perform well for soldering and de-soldering.  You can quickly and easily do both by directing the instantaneous heat produced by the heat gun at the component you are working on.  There is no waiting and no clean up needed when you use a heat gun for these tasks, making it faster and easier to use than traditional equipment.

Stripping Paint With a Heat Gun: Heat guns are very effective at removing paint from most surfaces.  Most heat guns have variable temperature settings to insure that the area doesn't become overheated and thereby damaged.  Paint can be removed from many surfaces but proper care must taken.

Read the instructions for your heat gun carefully, so that you know what temperature is correct for the type of material you are working with.  If you hold the heat gun too close or over an area for too long it can become too hot causing scorches.  Experiment on something you don't mind scorching before you begin stripping Grandma's heirloom chair to get the feel for the process.

The heat gun works to strip paint off of furniture by heating the paint enough for it to become pliable, and then it is scraped off with the stripping tool of your choice.  Be sure and direct the hot air away from your hands and wear some gloves for protection.  You will also want to use a stripping tool that is well suited for use with a heat gun, so make certain to choose one that can withstand higher temperatures.

Once you have heated some paint and scraped it off and feel comfortable doing so, it is time to start on your project.  Hold the heat gun the recommended distance away for the material you are working with and when the paint begins to soften you can begin gently scraping it away.  It is often useful to have an old towel to wipe the gooey paint off of the stripping tool. 

Heat guns are very efficient at removing paint from surfaces especially wooden ones.  With a little practice and patience you can remove even the thickest layers of paint.  Grandma's chair will be refinished and beautiful in no time with the help of your trusty heat gun.