DESIGN TECHNOLOGY IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL

LOW TEMPERATURE GLUE GUNS
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS AND SAFETY ASPECTS

The low temperature glue-gun is a useful tool that may be used in schools to help pupils to assemble components in their technology project work, quickly and easily.

GENERALLY SPEAKING GLUE-GUNS ARE ONLY USED BY THE CLASS TEACHER.

Some LEAs do not allow these in the classroom for Health and Safety reasons.

Checks must be made with the LEA and the school authorities to find out whether or not they will allow the older junior school pupils to use the glue-gun. BUT THEN ONLY UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION.

They are a very useful tool for sticking paper, card, wood, some plastics, fabrics and most junk materials that will be found in the school resources area. The glue-gun can be used very successfully when you have several children waiting to assemble their work at one time.

It allows you to act as a technician fixing together some parts of their work like on an assembly line, before they lose momentum or interest, and become frustrated because they cannot easily do it themselves, but are still enthusiastic and want to get on to the next part of their project.

1. Plug the glue-gun into the mains supply socket, and switch on power. Glue sticks should be fed into the back of the gun.

2. WHEN NOT IN USE THE GLUEGUN SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE STAND AT ALL TIMES.
THE GUN SHOULD NEVER BE LAID ON ITS SIDE.

3. The glue-gun will take about 5 minutes to heat up to operating temperature to melt the glue-stick, and then light pressure should be applied to the trigger until droplets of hot glue begin to flow from the nozzle.

4. DO NOT USE EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE TRIGGER.

5. Reload the glue-gun with another stick when the glue ceases to flow from the nozzle. Make sure surfaces to be bonded are clean, dry and free from loose particles.

6. Apply glue to one surface only and bring surfaces together immediately to form a bond as the glue returns to room temperature and re-solidifies.

7. Adjustments can be made within 10-15 seconds, and the joint should be held together using slight pressure for a further 20-30 seconds. The bond is now made but will remain slightly flexible. Keep the nozzle clean to prevent glue building up, by wiping the excess glue away with a thick dry cloth or wad of newspaper.

8. DO NOT TOUCH THE NOZZLE AND AVOID SKIN CONTACT WITH HOT GLUE.
IF ACCIDENTS DO OCCUR SEEK FIRST AID AND TREAT AS A BURN.

9. To avoid overheating do not use the glue-gun for more than half an hour at one time, and immediately after use, switch off the power and store the glue-gun in a safe place out of reach of the children.

10. REMEMBER TO BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS AT ALL TIMES