This is my favorite hot tool. It is so versatile, you can keep cutting without stopping for a break. You can cut while holding it or mount it to a stable surface and cut against the wire. I have used it the most of all my tools.
Love these tools!
It's worth noting that with the least expensive power source, there is a significant decrease in cutting speed when it's cold out or too much wind is blowing, which is a little crummy, but I've got a beefier power source on the way.
This stuff cuts through XPS and EPS like butter though, and I've been able to just keep a neat little pile of shavings to toss rather than the disaster that comes from cutting or rasping EPS.
The fumes from foam cutting are a bit of a hot topic-- I always cut on a loading dock with an industrial fan blowing the fumes away from me but sometimes I'll still get a headache. If you're worried about it, wear a respirator or at least a good filtering mask.
The long hot knifes cut pretty slowly, I would splurge for the industrial knife if you have a lot of cuts to get through, or do what I did and saw off extras, and use the sculping tool to even things out.
I am using your styroplast product to coat hot tub cover EPS foam panels. This product is easy to use and sets well. As you mentioned, I can sand the product once dry ensuring all corners are smooth. The product creates a hard shell on the foam making it much more rigid and waterproof for high humidity environments. Thank you again for your product advice.
I wasn't sure if I should get this or not...but read the other reviews and decided to. I'm glad I did. This is my first Halloween Village and first time constructing in foam. These tools have been great, easy, and fun to use. I watched some videos on youtube etc on tips for constructing with foam and some of them recommend "cheaper" alternatives such as saws and files from the hardware store. I tried this...they work...but wow, what a mess you get with foam beads all over the place. Yes, you're gonna have a clean-up no matter what, but when you use these tools from the Foam factory it heats them and cuts them so you're just dealing with excess foam blocks or shavings instead of tiny particles flying all over the place. Plus, these tools give you more precise options and are great for cutting through or out tracks or holes for your electric cords that go with your Village pieces.
