Debate: Is seaming iron temp really that critical or is it overhyped?

I've been installing for about 8 years now and I've always kept my seaming iron at a specific temp, like 400 degrees for nylon. But last month I worked with a guy who just cranks it to max and never bothers checking, and his seams look just as good as mine after 6 months. So is dialing in the exact temp actually mattering for longevity, or are we just wasting time fiddling with settings? Has anyone else seen a difference with seams failing from heat damage?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_wesley2d ago

I used to be in the same boat, always checking temp with a gun and dialing it in. But I worked with a guy last summer who never once looked at his iron setting, just cranked it and went. After a year I checked a few of his seams and they looked fine, no peeling or burn marks. It made me realize I was probably wasting time worrying about it. So yeah, I think it's overhyped unless you're working with real thin material that melts easy.

dakota_singh392d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, the guy never even checked once? Like not even the first time to see if that specific fabric needed something different? I mean I get being casual about it but I'd be scared to ruin a whole job by accident. I've melted thin stuff before just by lingering too long with the iron, let alone if it was cranked to max. But @the_wesley, that's wild that after a year his seams still held up with no burn marks or peeling though.