Below is a buyer’s guide and review type information for the best hot wire and also the best hot knife foam cutters.
They are for hot cutting – specifically, they can be for cutting and shaping styrofoam and thermoplastic materials.
The good thing about these cutters is that they can be used by almost anyone – from architects, to designers, decorators, hobbyists, artists, teachers & more.
The hot wire cutters come in three main types – a table cutter, hand cutter (with horizontal wire), and hand pen cutter with a parallel pen wire.
A good hot knife foam cutter might be much more stronger, reliable and better performing option than a handheld hot wire foam cutter.
We take a look at both below
Let’s look at them now …
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Best Hot Wire & Hot Knife Foam Cutters
Hot Wire Foam Cutters
Table Hot Wire Foam Cutter – View the Proxxon 37080 Hot Wire Cutter THERMOCUT on Amazon
Hand Hot Wire Foam Cutter – View the Woodland Scenics Hot Wire Foam Cutter on Amazon
Hand Pen Hot Wire Foam Cutter – View the GOCHANGE Pen Hot Wire Foam Cutter on Amazon [currently unavailable]
Hot Knife Foam Cutters
Hand Hot Knife Foam Cutter (strongest hand foam cutter) – 200W Nordstrand Pro Electric Hot Knife Styrofoam Foam Cutter Tool on Amazon
Below we have assessed the Nordstand hot knife, which is mostly designed for commercial and industrial use, but could be used at home too.
If you are looking at cutting harder foams and you want a reliable foam cutter, this one could be good for you.
Best Hot Wire & Hoot Knife Foam Cutters: Reviews
Proxxon 37080 Hot Wire Cutter THERMOCUT
What’s Good About It?
Can be used by architects, designers, decorators, hobbyists, artists, and teachers and for building architectural models, prototypes, as well as classic model railroad, plane and boat items
Can control the temperature – heats up to 210-390 farenheit
Will cut styrofoam and thermoplastic materials
Can be used by hobbyists, architects, designers and artists
Table measures 15 11/32″ x 11″
Aluminium overarm has a 13 3/4″ (350mm) throat, and is 5 1/2″ (140mm) in height
Working surface is Aluminium Cobond compound which is used to make pushing of work pieces easier
Work surface has a printed grid and protractor for referencing
The fence is lockable
The holder and wire coil may be shifted and adjusted along the overarm to enable miter cutting
Wire heats up in less than 1 second
LED light comes on when the tool is on – reminds you not to touch the wire
Wire coil is included – one spool of wire 98ft., 0.008″ diameter
110-120 volt tool
Weighs only 6.6 lb
What Could Be Improved?
Fence is a bit weak when working with bigger foam
Aluminium table scratches easier than a cast iron table would
You have to be careful when doing curved lines not to stop in one place so you avoid melting your foam in one spot
What Else Would You Get With It?
Replacement Wire – Woodland Scenics Hot Wire Replacement Wire 4′ WOOST1436 (on Amazon)
Where To Check It Out?
View the Proxxon 37080 Hot Wire Cutter THERMOCUT on Amazon
Woodland Scenics Hot Wire Foam Cutter
A handheld electric hot wire foam cutter.
It is used for cutting soft to medium foams.
What’s Good About It?
Can be used as a straight wire for straight cuts
Can be used with the Foam Cutter Bow & Guide for angle cuts
Will cut 4 1/2 in wide x 6 in deep
120 volt tool
Lightweight
RoHS Compliant
What Could Be Improved?
Might feel cheaply made – might not be very strong and might be unreliable in terms of heating (wire doesn’t alway get or stay hot)
Might be more of a hobby/cheap option cutter
Can be used only with special nichrome replacement wire.
To avoid the emission of toxic fumes, Woodland recommends using the Hot Wire Foam Cutter and the Bow & Guide on Woodland Scenics foam products only.
What Else Would You Get With It?
Replacement wire – Woodland Scenics Hot Wire Replacement Wire 4′ WOOST1436 (on Amazon)
Bow & Guide for Angle Cuts – Foam Cutter Bow & Guide (on Amazon)
Where To Check It Out?
View the Woodland Scenics Hot Wire Foam Cutter on Amazon
What It’s For
This is a hobbyist type handheld foam cutter mainly for home and hobbyist use – arts and crafts, modelling, decorations etc.
You might get it if you are looking for a cheap cutter you can use casually for recreation type projects.
We should note though this is perhaps not the strongest cutter in terms of how it’s put together.
The Woodland get’s the job done, but isn’t for heavy or thick foam.
If you want something stronger and extremely reliable, you might look at the Nordstrand hot knife foam cutter.
Accessories
Replacement wire
Foam accessories like foam glue, foam putty, foam nails etc.
GOCHANGE Pen Hot Wire Foam Cutter
What’s Good About It?
Precise – great for creating lettering, hobbyists and students
VERY lightweight
Cuts polystyrene foam and other types of foams
Will reach 300 farenheit in 10 seconds
100-240 volts
Included is the Foam Cutting Pen, and 1 x Electronic Transformer Adaptor
What Could Be Improved?
Not very strong – have to be careful with it
Only for light tasks. Will not work for fast or heavier cutting
What Else Would You Get With It?
Replacement wire – Woodland Scenics Hot Wire Replacement Wire 4′ WOOST1436 (on Amazon)
Where To Check It Out?
View the GOCHANGE Pen Hot Wire Foam Cutter on Amazon [currently unavailable]
200W Nordstrand Pro Electric Hot Knife Styrofoam Foam Cutter Tool
What’s Good About It?
Designed for use on hard foams like Styrofoam, Polystyrene (PS), PUR rigid foam, Neopor, Polyurethanes and PU foam
Suitable for home, commercial and industrial use
Heats up quickly
Can be used for architectural modelling, design and DIY projects
Comes with power cable, cutter body, case, 5.9 inch and 7.8 inch blades
Can cut straight or curved lines
Gets as hot as 932F
What Could Be Improved?
If using this knife for extended periods or at least consistently, you’ll need to take regular breaks as the knife gets very hot
What Else Would You Get With It?
Nothing
Where To Check It Out?
View the 200W Nordstrand Pro Electric Hot Knife on Amazon
Best Hot Wire Foam Cutter: Buyer’s Guide
What is a hot wire foam cutter?
A tool that includes a wire which heats up.
You either push the wire through the foam (with the hand models), or push the foam through the wire with the table model.
What types of hot wire foam cutters are there?
Table hot wire foam cutters
Hand hot wire foam cutters
Pen hot wire foam cutters
What is a hot wire foam cutter used for?
Cutting styrofoam and thermoplastic materials.
Specifically it can be used for making or building architectural models, prototypes, as well as classic model railroad, plane and boat items.
Who would use a hot wire foam cutter?
Hobbyists (e.g. arts and crafts), architects, designers, teachers and artists.
Really anyone that needs to cut foam and thermoplastic materials can use them.
Features and things to look for in a hot wire foam cutter
It depends on the model/type of foam cutter. Refer to the above reviews for information on features.
Hot wire foam cutter – bits and accessories
Replacement wire
Foam Glue
Foam Pins
Foam Putty
Best Hot Knife Foam Cutter: Buyer’s Guide
What Is A Hot Knife Foam Cutter
A hot knife foam cutter is a handheld, electric tool that cuts foam in both straight lines, and shapes.
What Are Hot Knife Foam Cutters Used For
They are used to cut standard and hard foams like polystyrene and styrofoam.
They are designed for commercial and industrial use, but can be used for home as well.
Features & Things To Look For In Hot Knife Foam Cutters
Something to note about hot knives is that they are much stronger and higher quality than the handheld hot wire foam cutters.
If you are having issues with your handheld wire cutter breaking or not performing, you might try a hot knife foam cutter.
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