Does anyone uses these and does anyone have recommendations on brands? Murray's has a hand held unit for $60. There is a bench model on Amazon for $160.
Thanks!
Edited by yelkenli1 on Mar 07, 2021 - 05:53 PM.
I'm using this one. It's slow, but it works. $20, but $16 if you use the 20% off coupon online.
https://www.harborfreight.com/130-watt-hot-knife-60313.html
The Murrays one looks like the old Wen soldering gun. You should be able to find one of those or a Weller 8200 soldering gun for a couple of bucks (like, less than $5) at a garage sale or thrift shop, then get a rope cutting tip for it for a few more:
https://www.amazon.com/Weller-RCT-Rope-Cutting-Black/dp/B0002BSQR6
Hey, look... there's the Murrays one for $40 under the name Seachoice.
Edited by jonathan162 on Mar 07, 2021 - 09:58 PM.
I have the cutter tip for my Weller soldering gun. Works fine. I wrap the cut in electrical tape and cut through the middle.
I built mine from an electric soldering gun from Princess Auto (Harbor Freight). Took the hot end off, pounded it flat with a hammer on the back of a vise, all set to go.
I sail a Wave
Charles
If you're going to drop the coin, a little more gets you a proper "Romech" hot knife, but it's double at about $65-$80. But, I planned on cutting rope, bungees and lots of cloth. I tried using an old, cheap soldering gun from HF, but that didn't work so well. I'm sure the Weller stuff is much different.
I have a Harbor Freight hot knife and don't like it. It's more for cutting styrofoam; doesn't have good heat control and is way bulky. It's probably 6-8 years old now, so maybe changed but I doubt it.
I like the hot knife, especially for cutting Dacron and Sunbrella, plus rope.
My buddy loaned me a pen-style soldering iron with a semi-sharp "paddle" on it. It's not a knife and I cannot locate it online, but let me say, my life changed this weekend after using it. It blitzes through dyneema, sta-set, and shock cord. Would be nice to have a gun with a trigger instead of leaving it on all the time. I have been using AccuCut pliers on all line and they are amazing, but you have to go back and burn the ends.
https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-9-37310-3-1-AccuCut/dp/B007KHDVK2/ref=asc_df_B007KHDVK2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242037806074&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18150881530779964205&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012935&hvtargid=pla-442004968983&psc=1
Don't see the need for one unless you're cutting a lot of line. Wrap tight with masking tape, make your cut with a real sharp knife against a piece of wood holding it firmly where it doesn't move. Heat with a lighter till it melts and then quickly press the cut firmly against a piece of flat metal. Peel off the tape. With a little practice it will look like you did it with a cutting knife.
True-the old tried and true works just fine.
A lot of the modern lines with dyneema or such in the core don't fuse well with a lighter. The outer material melts too much quicker than the core.
After wrapping with electrical tape and making a nice clean cut, try fusing the end with super glue.....works great!
shortyfox wrote: Don't see the need for one unless you're cutting a lot of line. Wrap tight with masking tape, make your cut with a real sharp knife against a piece of wood holding it firmly where it doesn't move. Heat with a lighter till it melts and then quickly press the cut firmly against a piece of flat metal. Peel off the tape. With a little practice it will look like you did it with a cutting knife.
Agreed.
rattlenhum wrote: After wrapping with electrical tape and making a nice clean cut, try fusing the end with super glue.....works great!
Great for the newer stuff.
I have been using the rope cutter (~$ 60) sold by Murrays marine for years! It works for just about every kind of line PERFECTLY and quickly. If you have a catamaran and sail frequently you will use it. I can't stand frayed ends so for me the price was not an issue. It does not work with Kevlar rope. For Dyneema I use first the fancy scissors (cost ~ $60). That's also worth it. I make my own soft shackles in dyneema and the rope cutter is ideal to "round" the lanyard knot to a smooth ball.
--
Colin
Hobie 14, Hobie 16
Gcat 5.7, Gforce 21
Falcon F16
sailing Connecticut Fishers island sound
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Edited by colinress on Mar 14, 2021 - 11:43 AM.
jonathan162 wrote:
Hey, look... there's the Murrays one for $40 under the name Seachoice.Edited by jonathan162 on Mar 07, 2021 - 09:58 PM.
I bought the SeaSense one from Amazon for under $30.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XAD2IU?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
The purpose of the hobby is to buy tools. I really like this one. I've cut rope, string, and bungees with it.