Thread: Hot Knife or Hotwire cutter

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Any suggestion on which is better? I'm looking at buying one but not sure which. I'm going to be using them for prop/tombstone building.

hi alntupu, welcome to the forum!1also, I have not used a hot wire cutter, only a knife, but the best place to post this is either on general halloween or on the props section, you will get a bigger response!

I heard the hot knife because the wire has a tendency to break. I guess it also depends how how big of foam or the type of detailing you're using it for. Keep in mind, I do not own one, but this is from the research I have done because I also want to purchase this (both of them for different detailing).

9 times out of 10: Go with the knife. It's more stable to work with, although it is not as 'precise': meaning it makes thicker cuts than the wire. I think wire cutters are mostly used for rough-forming large blocks of Styrofoam into easier to use shapes, as it is more efficient at that task. Heat knives are great for adding detail and reductive work.

The good news is, most heat knives sold come with different cutting attachments for the task at hand, or have accessories available. You may have to work in phases because residue from the material can make a gummy mess on the blade, making it more difficult to cut. Let it cool enough so you can safely scrape it off with a razor-scraper. When they say it gets hot, they're not joking. Use on metal or non-painted surface. Wearing a respirator mask is an awesome idea: It may be non-toxic in it's cured state, but re-liquefying and melting foam while you're cutting may release hazardous fumes/vapors into the air. Work in well-ventilated space. Test material to anticipate scorching/shrinking/loss of material. Be Safe. Have Fun.

Hot knife for the small stuff and a hot wire for the really big pieces although, I haven't plugged in my knife since I built a hot wire cutter... I've broken one wire, but that's because I wasn't paying attention.

Just this last week, I found a foot on/off switch for a Christmas tree at Sears for $1.97. (Yes, our Sears still had a Christmas clearance section in the Craftsman area!) I wish I would have bought one of those a year ago! It's so nice being able to use both hands to guide the foam and step on the button to turn it off!

I own both and the above posts are absolutely correct. Just takes a little practice to find out what works best. I even use a soldering iron on my foam stuff also, just have to be very careful using this and always be aware of where the iron is in your hand.

I have a Hot Wire Foam Factory Hot knife, and I gotta say, I don't love it. It's not precise, it's too slow. I also have the Sculpting Tool, and it is much better, but somewhat limited in larger cuts. I broke the wire on the 4" knife, and am not going to even bother to replace. Chalk it up to experience. But you can steer clear of the same experience by steering clear of the 4" HWFF knifeand buy a jig saw instead.

I personally, use a hot knife to cut my tombstones. I make my stones with 2" blue insulation foam, and it cuts through it rather well. Raven is right though, you need to be in a well ventilated area, or preferably outside. I started using it to shape out my tombstones while I was inside my house in the kitchen and believe me, I will never do that again!

I do have a question I'd like to ask as well, though. When I cut my tombstones, I always end up with slightly unleveled cuts, and the edge towards the back will either stick further out or further in than the cut in the front. Plus, I end up with a "pocketed cut". I'll get these depressions in the edge that I cut where it melts slightly more in one area than another. Is there any way around these two problems?

may i suggest mounting the knife so you can use it like a scroll saw.

It really depends on what your going to use it for. I bought a Hot-wire foam factory kit with four tools & adjustable power supply. It runs circles around previous foam cutting tools that I've bought before from a craft store.