WTB: 900m series tip for foam-cutting... Will pay for custom tip creation - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Acecool
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2018, 10:12:13 am
content: I have been looking at prices for a foam cutter on eBay and around the net, and they're soldering irons with a long slim tip so why not use my decent soldering iron I have and get a tip for it...?The problem is, I haven't been able to find one.I would like a few - 5cm, 10cm, and maybe some with angles / curves... I am willing to pay to have them made, if necessary...These soldering irons on eBay are around $10, but they're slow because they're 15watt soldering irons... 1 inch per 10 seconds is too slow, especially in my condition. If anyone is able to help out, that'd be great....I do understand if a custom tip is made, it may not work because it'll be slim and a bit away from the heating element....I'm looking for the following approx:5cm - 2mm max thickness10cm - 2mm max thickness15cm - 2mm max thicknessI may also be interested in a few blades... As thin as possible, 5cm and 10cm, and as slim height-wise as possible.As for curves, if it is possible to create a tip which I can attach a paperclip to using a set screw to accept from the smallest to larger size clips, that'd work because then I can shape it exactly as needed... Honestly, maybe this is all I need...Give me a quote! Or if you know where I can purchase these styles of tips, great! I don't mind providing a small finders fee..

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 01:30:30 am
content: I don't know if this style of cutting would suit - but my son made a foam cutting jig which looked like scroll saw. It had a piece of nichrome wire in place of the blade and is powered by a suitable plug pack.This has the advantage of a very fine cutting edge with no minimum radius constraints and even heating along the full length of the cutting edge - which can be as long as you want (within reason).

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 06:22:37 am
content: The problem with using a long tip for a soldering iron is that it inevitably suffers from a huge temperature gradient when it's that long and thin. The typical approach to doing this is what Brumby says, using hot wire to cut the work piece. Another option would be to use a harder wire, bend it into a long U and push current through it.

author: Acecool
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 02:43:31 pm
content: I have looked into the wire methods, but the big issue with those that I see is you need to either cut the edge of the foam, or you need to detach the wire, stick it through, and then make the cuts before detaching again ( when cool )... This adds a lot of time to the process. The benefit is you'll have a straight cut, if that's what you need...I may go that route, but I'd prefer something I'd have more control over and where I wouldn't need to spend time on assembling, etc.. so I can just trace my outline and do it. I suppose, if I do just leave it assembled and cut through the foam I can just weld the break...

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 03:07:10 pm
content: Quote from: Acecool on June 05, 2018, 02:43:31 pmAgain, you could make a U-shape with a handle using an appropriate metal, push current through it and carve all you want.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 03:09:22 pm
content: A laser cutter could be fun....