A hot melt adhesive applicator for receiving a continuous solid rod of adhesive hot melt material and dispensing said adhesive material in molten form. The applicator has a hot melt adhesive heated reservoir at one end of which is a ball spring nozzle assembly for discharging molten adhesive. A tubular canal means interconnects with the reservoir for passing a solid, continuous, elongated, hot melt adhesive rod forwardly to the reservoir and preheating the rod during passage. A split tube is aligned with the canal and reciprocal gripping means act within the split tube to grip a periphery of the solid rod and push it toward the reservoir. A reciprocal motion of the gripping means moves the gripping means away from the reservoir without substantially moving the rod but moving it only slightly rearwardly to relieve pressure in the reservoir. A stop means coacts with the gripping means to prevent substantial movement of the rod during return action of the gripping means. An insulating handle mounts the device for portable use. The gripping means is preferably actuated by pneumatic pressure through at least one double acting air cylinder.