Intro
There are times when using a hot air gun with just one hand is simply impractical. You are trying to bend a section of plastic pipe and need both hands to hold the pipe in position and apply steady pressure. You are soldering a joint and need one hand for the solder and the other for the flux brush. You are heat-shrinking tubing over a complex wiring harness and need to hold the wires, the tubing, and somehow also the heat gun. These are the moments when a third hand — or at least a reliable way to keep the heat gun aimed exactly where you need it — would make all the difference. A flexible tool holder with a secure mounting base solves this problem elegantly. It holds the heat gun at the perfect angle, leaving both of your hands free to manipulate the workpiece. The heat stays exactly where you aim it, the gun does not slip or tip over, and what was a frustrating one-person struggle becomes a straightforward, controlled operation.
Generalities
When considering a tool holder for a heat gun, there are a few things to look for. Stability is the most important — the base needs to grip the work surface firmly enough that the weight of the heat gun and any incidental tugging on the power cable will not cause it to shift or topple. A suction cup base works well on smooth, non-porous surfaces like a workbench, glass, or metal table, but it will not hold on rough timber or textured surfaces. Flexibility is next: the arm should be adjustable enough to position the gun at various angles — horizontal for heating a flat surface, angled downwards for soldering, or even vertical for shrinking tubing from above. Compatibility matters too — the holder needs to grip the specific barrel diameter of your heat gun securely. Steinel is a German company with a long history of making professional-grade heat tools and accessories, and their products are built to work together as a system.
This review covers the Steinel Flexible Hot Air Gun Holder with Suction Cup Foot, designed to hold compatible Steinel hot air guns in a fixed position for hands-free operation. We look at the stability of the suction cup base on different surfaces, how secure the gun grip is, the range of positions the flexible arm can achieve, and whether this accessory genuinely improves workflow for the tasks where hands-free heating makes the most difference.
Description
The Steinel 110037231 is a flexible holding arm with an integrated suction cup base, purpose-built to hold a Steinel hot air gun in a fixed, adjustable position. The suction cup foot attaches to smooth, clean surfaces — a workbench, a sheet of glass, a metal table, or a tiled floor — creating a stable anchor point. The flexible arm extends from the base and ends in a clamp designed to grip the barrel of a compatible Steinel heat gun securely. Once the gun is clamped in place and the arm is bent to the desired angle, the tool stays put — freeing both of your hands for soldering, bending, positioning, or any task that needs two-handed control.
The design is simple and functional. The suction cup base is made from a flexible rubber-like material that creates a strong vacuum seal when pressed onto a smooth surface — a quick-release lever or tab lets you break the seal instantly when you need to reposition. The flexible arm is a gooseneck-style design: a series of articulated metal segments inside a protective outer sheath that can be bent into almost any position and will hold that position under the weight of the heat gun. The clamp at the end is shaped to match Steinel heat gun barrels and tightens with a simple screw or quick-release mechanism. The entire assembly weighs just 257 g, making it easy to move between workstations or pack away when not in use.
In practice, the holder solves a specific set of problems that anyone who uses a heat gun regularly will recognise. Soldering copper pipe joints becomes a controlled, two-handed operation — the gun heats the joint evenly while your hands are free to apply flux and feed solder around the entire circumference. Bending plastic conduit or PVC pipe requires steady heat and steady pressure at the same time — the holder keeps the heat exactly where it is needed while both hands work the pipe. Shrinking heat-shrink tubing over a wiring loom or connector is easier when the gun is aimed from above and both hands guide the tubing and the wires. The gooseneck arm holds its position well, though very heavy heat guns or extreme angles may cause gradual drooping over time.
The suction cup base is both the holder's greatest strength and its main limitation. On a clean, smooth surface — polished wood, glass, melamine, or smooth metal — it grips tenaciously and will not budge unless the release tab is lifted. On textured, porous, or dusty surfaces — raw timber, painted drywall, brick, or concrete — the suction cannot form a proper seal and the base will not hold. This means the holder works brilliantly on a well-kept workbench or dedicated soldering station, but you may need to bring a smooth board or sheet to use it on-site or in less controlled environments. The holder is designed for Steinel hot air guns specifically — the clamp is sized for their barrel diameters and may not fit other brands securely without modification.
The Steinel 110037231 is a genuine Steinel accessory, manufactured to work as part of their heat tool system. It carries a 1 year manufacturer's warranty and weighs just 257 g, so it adds almost nothing to a tool bag. Customer feedback on Amazon.fr is minimal but positive, with 4.0 out of 5 stars from 1 review — the niche nature of this accessory means reviews are scarce, but the rating suggests it does its job well. At approximately 95.69 euros, it is a premium accessory at a premium price — this is not an impulse buy, but for professionals and serious hobbyists who regularly find themselves needing a third hand during heat gun work, the productivity gain can justify the investment.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Frees both hands for two-handed tasks — soldering, pipe bending, and heat-shrinking become dramatically easier when you are not trying to hold the heat gun at the same time
- Strong suction cup base grips smooth surfaces tenaciously — once locked down on a clean workbench, it will not shift under the weight of the heat gun or incidental cable pulls
- Fully adjustable gooseneck arm bends into almost any position and holds it — aim the gun horizontally, at an angle, or even vertically downwards for shrinking tubing from above
- Lightweight at just 257 g — easy to move between workstations, pack in a tool bag, or store in a drawer when not needed
- Genuine Steinel accessory designed to fit Steinel heat gun barrels precisely — secure clamp with no slipping, wobbling, or risk of the gun falling out during use
- Quick-release mechanism on the suction cup lets you break the seal and reposition instantly — no wrestling with a stuck base between different work areas
- Durable construction with a protective outer sheath over the flexible arm — resists the wear and tear of repeated bending and positioning in a busy workshop environment
Cons
- Suction cup only works on smooth, non-porous surfaces — will not grip textured timber, brick, concrete, or dusty worktops, limiting its usefulness outside a clean workshop environment
- At around 95.69 euros, it is an expensive accessory for what is essentially a flexible arm with a suction cup — the price reflects the Steinel brand premium rather than the material cost
- Specifically designed for Steinel heat gun barrel diameters — may not fit other brands securely, reducing its value if you use multiple heat guns from different manufacturers
- Only one customer review available, making it difficult to assess long-term durability of the suction cup seal and gooseneck arm under frequent use
- Heavier heat guns or extreme bending angles can cause the gooseneck arm to gradually droop over time — the arm holds position well within its limits but is not infinitely stiff
Use cases
This flexible heat gun holder is ideal for Steinel heat gun owners — particularly plumbers, electricians, and workshop professionals — who regularly need hands-free heating for soldering, pipe bending, heat-shrinking, and other two-handed tasks.
Copper Pipe Soldering
Soldering copper plumbing joints is far easier with the heat gun held in a fixed position, aimed at the joint, while both hands are free to apply flux, feed solder, and rotate the fitting. The consistent, hands-free heat produces cleaner joints with better solder flow and fewer leaks than juggling the gun in one hand.
Heat-Shrink Tubing for Wiring and Cables
Shrinking heat-shrink tubing over complex wiring looms, battery terminals, and multi-wire splices needs both hands to hold the wires and position the tubing. With the gun aimed from above or the side, you can rotate the workpiece through the heated airstream for even, complete shrinkage without burning your fingers.
Plastic Pipe and Conduit Bending
Bending PVC electrical conduit or plastic water pipe requires heating the section to be bent while applying steady pressure. The holder keeps the heat focused on the bend point, leaving both hands free to apply even, controlled pressure — resulting in smooth, kink-free bends every time.
Precision Electronics Soldering
Desoldering multi-pin connectors or reflowing SMD components on circuit boards is easier when the hot air nozzle is aimed at the target and both hands are free to manipulate the board, apply flux, and lift components with tweezers. The holder turns the heat gun into a fixed rework station.
Adhesive Softening and Scraping
Removing old flooring adhesive, decals, or stubborn labels needs heat applied continuously while you scrape with both hands. The holder keeps the gun aimed at the work area, letting you use a scraper in one hand and a cloth or solvent in the other — much faster than trying to hold everything at once.