Episode 27 Hot wire cutter

9 Responses to “Episode 27 Hot wire cutter”

1. Divergent Reality March 4, 2011 at 8:17 pm #

   For the bit you were cutting to create the mold of the skateboard were you still using the really pebbly white foam?

   If not have you considered getting the denser pink foam? The one I am familiar with is the ‘Foamular’ stuff at Home Depot.

   The biggest problem I could see for what you are doing is sheet thickness.
2. Dave Spencer March 5, 2011 at 8:50 am #

   I used the white pebbly stuff because it is cheap and I had it lying around. As soon as you cover it with bondo, the texture doesn’t matter and I used 3/4 inch plywood on the backs of both sides to strengthen, hold and be able to clamp the molds together. If the sheet thickness is a problem you can stack sheets of foam on top of each other. You could carefully pin the sheets together avoiding the cut lines and glue them after. (which I have done before) or you could experiment with glues ability to cut with heat (avoid the fumes!)
3. Reality Bites March 28, 2011 at 10:47 am #

   This site has to be the weirdest one I have ever seen. Very bad craftsmen if you ask me, you are like a bad version of “Red Green”. Smarten up and make something that doesn’t look like it came from a junk heap.

   I have seen way better hot wire cutters for less money and better craftsmanship.
4. admin March 28, 2011 at 11:52 am #

   Awesome! So send us a video of you making this wire cutter that looks like a Ferrari and is the envy of all the neighbors and we’ll post it. Even send us some plans and maybe we will build it but can we try and be proactive and helpful instead of just hacking us? I dont walk into your house smoking a cigar, cursing, and piss in your fish tank. Don’t come to our blog and act like a jerk.

   Ben
5. Thomas March 28, 2011 at 9:09 pm #

   Well said.
6. admin March 28, 2011 at 9:15 pm #

   Thanks Tom!
7. Josh March 29, 2011 at 11:40 am #

   Reality Bites—we know there’s always a shinier, newer, better way to do things. This site is NOT a “be all end all” website. This is a site for everyday do it yourselfers who have limited knowledge and try to work with what is at hand. If you want to provide links and such to back up your comments, that’d be great, but I enjoy the site for what it is—a fun DIY site for the average joe. I’d invite you to make your own wire cutter and post it for all of us to see…anyone can be a keyboard cowboy, not many can back it up. Even Mythbusters has critics…
8. Darren Landrum June 12, 2011 at 9:39 am #

   I realize I’m late to this party, but I just wanted to lend my support to Dave and Ben and say that not everything has to be beautiful. Sometimes, especially when it comes to tools, it’s more important to be functional. And let’s face it, many of us love to do these kinds of cool things, but we’re limited to using what we have on hand or can get cheaply/easily. The real power of creativity comes from being forced to think past your limitations.

   As an aside, I looked up stainless steel TIG rod online, and it looks like one can order a pound of it for about $20. Not too bad, I suppose. I do live down the street from a tool and die shop, though, so I’m wondering if I might be able to trade him one of my homemade pizzas for a few of them.
9. Dan August 9, 2011 at 5:54 pm #

   Good job with the cutter, I might have to make one now…Thanks!

Leave a Reply