ST100 - Styro-Cut 120 Hot Knife - 110W/110V (blades sold separately)

STYRO-CUT 120 HOT KNIFE

Styro-Cut 120 Hot Knife is a great tool for hobbyist, crafts, schools, colleges, universities, and shipping departments to cut polystyrene boards/blocks to help tightly secure products while in transit to the customer. The Styro-Cut 120 hot knife is also designed where you can purchase Nichrome band and bend/modify the band to your preferred groove shape and connect the two ends of the band into the Styro-Cut 120 hot knife to have your on custom groove blade. Insulation contractors love cutting polystyrene with heat because of the fast clean cuts and no dust compared to cutting with a saw. Works with the DSS60, DSS90, and DSS120 blades.

REPLACEMENT BLADES AVAILABLE: Yes

BLADE SIZE: See Chart Below

VOLTAGE: 110V

HEAT UP TIME: 10 Seconds

TEMPERATURE: 500°C (930°F) max.

Replacement Blades For Styrocut 120

DSS-120: To be used with the HSGM Styrocut 120 Hot Knife to cut polystyrene boards & blocks with ease and no dust. Approximately 4.72 inches in length.

DSS-90: 90mm blade for the HSGM Styrocut 120 Hot Knife; medium length (app.3.54 inches) makes it very manueverable. Can cut shapes or slide straight into the polystyrene board/block, such as when cutting electrical box openings. Glides smoothly through polystyrene with no crumbling and no discoloration. Like cutting through air!

DSS-60: HSGM DSS 60 Hot Knife Blade is approx. 2.36 inches in length. To be used with the HSGM Styrocut 120 hot knife to cut polystyrene boards & blocks with ease and no dust.

What Can I Cut With A Hot Knife?

• Foam (polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, & foam rubber)
• Styrofoam
• Most Plastics (Acrylic, Nylon, Etc..)
• Most Braided Sleeving Products
• Rope & Paracord Products
• Wax
• Rubber (Neoprene & Silicone)
• Synthetic Fabrics (Polyester, Acrylic, Dacron, Nylon, Etc..)

What Can I NOT Cut With A Hot Knife?

• Metals (Steel, Aluminum, or Copper)
• Glass
• Stone
• PVC Foam Board (This Releases Harmful Fumes)
• Vinyl (This Releases Harmful Fumes)
• Polycarbonate (This Releases Harmful Fumes)
• Cotton, Cotton Blend, & Wool

Bench Mount Vs. Hand Held Hot Knives - How To Choose

To determine which hot knife is best for your needs the first question you need to answer is should it be handheld or bench mount? Both types have their own advantages and disadvantages so here are some pros & cons of each to help you decide:

Bench Mount Hot Knives

These hot knives, as their name suggests, are mounted securely to a work surface (like a table or workbench) to reduce movement & increase cut accuracy. These hot knives usually offer a larger cut area than hand held options making them ideal for larger materials. Bench mount knives also allow for longer operating time without overheating making them ideal for industrial use. Some potential drawbacks to bench mount hot knives include decreased portability and an increased cost compared to hand held knives.

Hand Held Hot Knives

These hot knives are, you guess it, hand held! (You did guess it right?) These knives are lightweight and ideal for users who do not have a dedicated workspace and are always on the go. In addition to their portability they are also versatile in the amount of different materials they are able to cut. If that’s not enough perks, hand held hot knife varieties are often the most economical option for hot knife users. Unlike their bench mount counterparts, hand held knives require a bit more skill and practice for effective use because they are not as stable as mounted alternatives. This also means the cutting area is smaller than bench mount varieties limiting the size of the items you can cut. Hand Held hot knives are intended for brief, or intermittent use and if left on for extended periods of time can overheat requiring a cool down break.

Safely Using A Hot Knife

A hot knife is a very easy tool to use, but it’s also a very easy tool to hurt yourself with. Hot Knife safety is essential so follow these steps to prevent potential disaster:

Use Protective Gear: Wear heat resistant gloves & eye protection while using a hot knife to protect yourself against accidental burns or hot debris.

Keep Away From Flammable Materials: Using your hot knife next to your new curtains is probably not your best idea. To prevent fires, be sure you are using your hot knife away from any flammable materials including (but not limited to) loose fitting clothes and papers.

Use In A Ventilated Area: Always cut with a hot knife in a well ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes & gases released from the melting materials.

Use A Heat Resistant Surface: Place your hot knife on a solid sturdy surface like a silicone mat or metal table to avoid fire hazards.

Have Spatial Awareness: When using a hot knife be sure to use the knife in a slow steady motion. Be aware of the location of your fingers & hands as well as their proximity to the hot blade. Avoid sudden movements that could result in an unexpected burn.

Clean After Use The materials you cut with the hot knife likely left behind residue which can build up and become hazardous over time (in addition to making the knife harder to use). Once the hot knife is off, unplugged, and cooled use a wire brush, steel wool, or very fine sandpaper to clear the residue from the blade.

Proper Storage: After use, turn off, unplug, and allow the hot knife to cool fully before storing it in a safe place.

Setting Up & Using A Hot Knife

When you receive your new hot knife, mount the blade to the posts and tighten. When the knife is turned on for the first time, there may be some smoking while the manufacturing oils burn off. Leave the knife on for about 20 minutes and turn it off. After it cools, check the tightening screws on the posts and retighten if necessary. Your knife is now ready to provide years of trouble free service. Check the tightening screws periodically to ensure good contact with the posts.

Using A Hot Knife With Braided Sleeving

For specific information on how to use a hot knife to cut braided sleeving please visit our tutorial here.