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Hot Wire Cutter: Difference between revisions

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[[File:ClarkeHotWireCutter.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Clarke Hot Wire Cutter]]
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=====Description=====
 
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot-wire_foam_cutter '''Hot Wire Cutters'''] comprise a thin wire which becomes hot enough to cut through some plastic foams once a small low voltage electric current is passed through. The wire is usually [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nichrome nichrome] resistance wire.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot-wire_foam_cutter '''Hot Wire Cutters'''] comprise a thin wire which becomes hot enough to cut through some plastic foams once a small low voltage electric current is passed through. The wire is usually [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nichrome nichrome] resistance wire.


They are useful for cutting [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene#Expanded_polystyrene_.28EPS.29 expanded polystyrene] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrofoam Styrofoam] for model making or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost-foam_casting lost foam casting]
 
=====Features and Applications=====
 
They are useful for cutting [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene#Expanded_polystyrene_.28EPS.29 expanded polystyrene] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrofoam Styrofoam] for model making or '''[[Lost Foam Casting]]'''.
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<span style="color: red">'''Safety Point!'''
<span style="color: red">'''Safety Point!'''
The wire becomes hot in use and fumes from melting plastic may be harmful so should be avoided. Use Hot Wire Cutters sparingly in well ventillated conditions.
The wire becomes hot in use and fumes from melting plastics may be harmful so should be avoided. Use Hot Wire Cutters sparingly in well ventillated conditions.
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{{Plastics Forming Buyers Guide}}
[[Category:Primary]]
[[Category:Secondary]]
[[Category:Bench Top Equipment]]
[[Category:Working Plastics]]

Latest revision as of 20:52, 16 November 2016

ClarkeHotWireCutter.jpg


Description

Hot Wire Cutters comprise a thin wire which becomes hot enough to cut through some plastic foams once a small low voltage electric current is passed through. The wire is usually nichrome resistance wire.


Features and Applications

They are useful for cutting expanded polystyrene and Styrofoam for model making or Lost Foam Casting.


Safety Point! The wire becomes hot in use and fumes from melting plastics may be harmful so should be avoided. Use Hot Wire Cutters sparingly in well ventillated conditions.


Hot Wire Cutters can be made using thin guitar strings or perhaps fuse wire. Lantern batteries may provide a power source but experimentation is needed with regard to the wire length. A means of varying the voltage and some knowledge of Ohm's Law is also useful.


Safety Point! NEVER experiment with mains electricity - this can kill!


DT Online Buyers' Guide
Acrylic Sheet Plastic Weld Glue Cement Polystyrene Sheets Foam Board Acrylic Clear Hollow Tube Acrylic Round Rod Clear Hot Wire Cutter
Acrylic Sheet Plastic Weld Glue Cement Polystyrene Sheets Foam Board Acrylic Clear Hollow Tube Acrylic Round Rod Clear Hot Wire Cutter