Hot knives are useful for cutting applications that require a clean cut with high precision. Hot knives are also used by artists and hobbyists for various applications that require fine cutting.

While interacting with the suppliers of hot knives you will come across various technical terms that indicate the types and specifications for these knives. This guide intends to explain the technical terms relating to hot knives such as hot wire cutters, burn-in knives and temperature scales.

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Hot wire cutters

A hot wire cutter is a tool for cutting styrofoam. This cutter consists of a thin wire that is heated with a low voltage power supply to slice (or cut) the foam.

I recommend: TerraGenesis, an online information resource, provides explanation about hot wire cutters.

Burn-in knives

A burn-in knife is an effective tool for repairing wooden articles and furniture. A burn-in knife is used to fill scratches or dents with epoxies or wax. The color of the filling material used is matched with the surface color.

I recommend: To learn more about the use of burn-in hot knives, read through an informative article at Wood Digest, a magazine for woodworking professionals.

Hot knife strip cutters

A hot knife strip cutter is useful for cutting materials into lengths of thin strips or ribbons. Hot knife strip cutters can be used to cut various materials such as elastics, rubber and synthetics.

I recommend: For more information about hot knife strip cutters, read through the description at Scan-Relation, a provider of cutting machines.

Hot cutter safety

Use of hot wire cutters requires certain safety measures to be followed in order to avoid any hazard. One of the major risks while using hot wire cutters to cut foam is exposure to toxic fumes.

I recommend: You can learn more about the risks involved in the use of hot knives and related safety measures at an informative website by Patrick Immel.

Temperature scales

Different applications require different types of hot knives with different heating temperatures. You should be well aware of the different heating scales and your temperature requirements.

I recommend: Colorado State University’s online education resource provides detailed information about temperature scales under the US metric system.

Watt

Watt is the unit to measure electrical power. Before buying any hot knives, you must have knowledge about the power requirements of the hot knife that you want to buy.

I recommend: You can read through the definition of watt at the glossary of technical terms at Tyco Electronics, a provider of electronic components.

When your project requires a clean cut every time, a hot knife is the best way to get the job done. The warm blade of a hot cutter is used to cut webbing, ropes, tape, cord, zippers, film and hose. Hot knives are especially useful when cutting foam because they make a neat cut that can't be duplicated with any other type of knife or saw.

Because hot knife cutters are so versatile, they are used by everyone from hobbyists at home to workers in factories. There are many types of hot knives available from hot knife suppliers, and they typically fall into three basic categories:

1. Handheld hot knives;

2. Manual tabletop hot knives;

3. Or large automatic electric hot knives.

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Purchase handheld hot knives

Lightweight handheld hot knives are great for small jobs and popular with craft enthusiasts. They are great for cutting foam, crafts, ropes, fabrics and plastics.

I recommend: Demand Products sells a wide variety of handheld hot knives, hot knife blades and hot knife kits. TL Marshall Company offers a large selection of some of the most popular handheld hot cutter knives.

Buy a manual tabletop hot wire knife

Whether you are a craft enthusiast or a company looking to add this piece of equipment to your production line, a manual tabletop hot wire foam cutter will help you complete most large jobs. These hot knives don't have all the bells and whistles that automatic hot knives have, but in most cases, they will serve your needs.

I recommend: Nova Tech International specializes in making hot knives and hot knife cutting equipment. The company even offers warranties for its products and stocks spare parts. Hotwire Direct makes and markets a wide range of foam cutting machines for businesses. The company's website offers hot knife supplies and products, including a hot wire tabletop cutter.

Get an automatic electric hot knife

Automatic electric hot knives can do it all. These industrial hot knives can measure, cut and seal at the same time. They make it fast and easy for you to cut a variety of materials and are best for heavy-duty use.

I recommend: John Howard Company offers a selection of hot and cold automatic cutting machines. The company also sells hot hole punches that can punch and seal a hole in one step. If you are looking for a large, heavy-duty hot wire foam cutter, check out Tekoa. For more than two decades, the company has been in business as an industrial design, manufacturing and engineering firm.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you purchase any hot knife or hot wire foam cutter, be sure to check the company's return policy. You may have to pay to ship the product back or even pay a restocking fee.

Hot knives are most commonly used for industrial foam and wire. The hot knives types and styles that are best for your business depend on the amount of time you will need to use a hot knife and the amount of cuts that the hot cutter will need to make at any given time.

Hot knives come in all sizes, from handheld models all the way up to large industrial cutting machines. The larger the machine, typically, the more advanced the controls. Research hot knives types and styles to determine which will best suit your foam and wire cutting needs.

1. Handheld hot knives are portable and small, but can only be used for a short amount of time.
2. Tabletop hot cutters can make many cuts at a time and still have an element of convenience.
3. Industrial hot cutters are ideal for a large volume of cutting and can be controlled by many settings.
   

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Purchase handheld hot cutter knives for crafts and small jobs

Small, handheld hot knife cutters are a good choice for use in crafting projects or for a few small cuts in another type of job. Handheld hot knives sometimes have a limited amount of time that they can be used before they begin to get too hot. Thus not only is the size better suited for small jobs, but the length of time it can be used is also a factor in these types of electric hot knives.

I recommend: Demand Products outlines one of the most popular types of hot wire knife. CableOrganizer displays hot wire cutters that have a different type of blade.

Use tabletop manual hot cutters for larger, longer jobs

Tabletop manual hot knives are a good middle-of-the-road hot wire foam cutter for any business. They are good for completing larger jobs then a handheld model, but do not have as many controls as a large industrial hot wire foam cutter. Although this type of hot knife is larger than a handheld, it is still fairly small in comparison to automatic industrial hot knives. This model can be stationed on a table or put away after each use.

I recommend: NOVA TECH International describes the features on a manual, tabletop hot cutter. Hotwire Direct features a portable-style manual hot cutter.

Invest in industrial automatic electric hot knives for commercial size projects

Automatic industrial hot knives not only have much more power to complete cutting jobs, but also have settings that can be adjusted to fit each job. The number of cuts, the temperature and other factors can be changed with each job, taking out almost all of the human element. Industrial hot knives are best for businesses that do a lot of foam and wire cutting and need to cut thousands of cuts at a time.

I recommend: The John Howard Company describes the many features of industrial hot wire cutters. Tekoa has a unique type of hot knives that have a contemporary design and function.