I bought the 24 inch table and two hand tools. I later ordered a 3rd tool. All work well.
The HWFF people were quite helpful when there was an error with the order. They promptly corrected the issue. Sam was on the ball.
I bought the table so I could cut layers of Formular foam together to make layered models for lost wax casting. I have found that if you cut more than 3 layers together that the wire is not stretched taut enough.. the cut becomes less clean and the cut wanders. I am using it to cut denser foam, and probably am impatient with the cut, but the inherent design doesn't allow a great deal of tension to be put on the cutting wire.
Another issue I found is that cutting circles can be difficult.. I want a clean outline, and it is not easy to get a circle where the starting point is not visible. The hot wire has a cylinder of heat around it. The faster you feed foam past the wire, the smaller in diameter the cylinder becomes. So a clean cut requires a steady feed rate. If you make circles, you have to cut in to reach the edge of the circle, then start pivoting the foam to cut the curve. The transition is difficult to do without a bobble or mar in the edge of the circle.
I like the tools in general, and perhaps my goal can be met by improving my cutting technique and building my own jigs.
Stacy Dennis (Australia)
Feb 14, 2024
I bought a full kit of tools and this Table as well.
It is by far the best item I use. It allows for Precise cutting, rotational cutting, has great accessories to help controll all kinds of cuts. Being able to set a precise angle witht he flat of the board and a protractor allows for amazing precise assembly.
The one improvement would be some parallel lines on the table itself for easier alignment. Even a grid imprinted into the table to make sizing simpler. I have scribed my own into the plastic.
Perhaps Feet the could be secured to a work bench too....
Tonie Jenkins
May 25, 2018
This customer purchased the item at our site.
This is such an awesome table. The design gives you so many options. I used to avoid working with foam at all costs, now I'm looking for things to make out of foam. I recommend you watch the video to see all the features this has. I just produced 12 monument type sculpts in just a few hours. It was so easy I even got brave and beveled the edges and I've never used hot wire tools before! I also recommend getting the Adjustable Sled Guide to go with it. It will allow you to mount your hot knife so you can cut out sections from the middle of your foam. I couldn't be happier with this product. The customer service is OUTSTANDING too!!!!!