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
Chuck Miles
'77 H16
Jackson Bay, Fort Gibson Lake, OK
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
Shut up, sheet in, trap out.
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
Rob
"If at first you do not suceed, well, so much for sky diving"
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!
Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
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.
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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.