There are many options for paint removal on your Old House. So which method is the best and what are the pros and cons? Here are a few:
1) Dry Sanding - easy, common, available tools but can create fine lead and toxic dust.
2) Chemical Strippers - good for dust control as the paint comes off "wet", but is messy, can be toxic, and requires extra cleanup to neutralize the chemicals to ensure that your new finish doesn't fail. Not a good option for milk paint.
3) Heat Gun - Uses super-high heat and convective forced air to burn the paint from the outside layer down to the base layer. Often exceeds 800°F and vaporize lead paint. Increased fire hazard.
4) InfraRed Paint Removers - uses lower work surface heat (280-400°F) so it does not vaporize lead paint. Infrared releases the paint from the base layer (wood, metal, etc) - inside/out. Less of a fire hazard.
Check out this Speedheater Cobra stripping a wood newel post...