The Sculpting Tool works extremely well. The thin wire allows me to follow my sketched contours well. I tested and found that the wire is instantly cool once the power is off, thus allowing me to set the tool down immediately after use.
The following are tips about my cutting observations. I prepare my stance so that I can cut continuously once I start. I brace at my elbow and let my arm, wrist, and fingers give me the finesse to follow my sketched outline. If I find I need to shift my elbow to move my cut further or nearer, the shift shows up as a jitter in my cut. Just thumbing off the switch while in the cut is not much help. The wire is then frozen in the foam. It does allow me to reposition, but I have to begin moving immediately when I turn on the power.
Suggestions for documentation:
1) Indicate that the tool is cool to the touch immediately.
2) I worried about wrapping the wire around the arms of the tool since the instructions talked about not letting the wire be shorter than 5 or so inches. But it seems the wrapped ends don't overheat.
3) Reiterate that if you feel drag when you cut, then slow down and let the foam melt instead of forcing the wire through the foam.
4) Note that once the wire is bent, if you want perfectly straight cuts, a tensioner is needed. I am able to use my other hand and spread the arms to increase tension, but I don't know if that would be recommended due to safety concerns.
5) I'm still unclear about cleaning the wire. I pass a paper towel over it quickly, but worry that the wire will just burn it and deposit more material on the wire. Please make cleaning instructions a little clearer.
6) If you cut horizontally, note that the melted upper surface may reseal on the melted lower surface and render your cut somewhat moot.
7) Reiterate, again, to cut in a ventilated area as the fumes make me nauseous and are probably dangerous.
The Hot Knife worked well. I had hoped for a slightly thinner cut with the 1mm thick wire, but the cut is about three wire thicknesses. I was getting wispy hairs immediately, but I was cutting dense foam, and that's noted.
Suggestions for documentation:
1) Indicate the tool's cool down period. I found after turning the tool off that the wire was cool in about 15 seconds. The brass crimp holding the wire IS NOT cool and takes about a minute to cool. This information is important so you know when you can put the tool down or when you need a cradle.
2) I'm still unclear about cleaning the wire. I pass a paper towel over it quickly, but worry that the wire will just burn it and deposit more material on the wire. Please make cleaning instructions a little clearer.
3) If you cut horizontally, note that the melted upper surface may reseal on the melted lower surface and render your cut somewhat moot.
