Cheap hot knife rope cutter - Duratool D03295 - £25

[wonkywinch]

I decided I could do with a hot knife for rope cutting but couldn't justify spending £150 on one of the usual suspects so I thought I'd try the Duratool D03295 from CPC for £25.

It just arrived and I'm pleased to report it does the job. It comes with two blades, this is the short one and it made light work of some 14mm rope. The blade is chunky enough to withstand some pressure or sawing action if needed although I added a spare blade (£1.42 each) to my order just in case.

It's 240v but just 200 watts max so our 700 watt inverter can power it easily away from shore power.

https://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d03295/hot-knife-tool/dp/TL19867

 

[dgadee]

It says you can cut foam, too. What kind of foam? Any idea?

 

[DownWest]

How long does it take to warm up? I used to have one that was only a few seconds, but more wattage.

 

[Refueler]

I bought recently a Gas powered Soldering Iron set ... it has knife .. Heat Shrink Tube tool .. as well as many different solder tips ....

Amazing tool ... wished I'd bought it earlier .... I'd post a link to it - but cannot find where I bought it online !!

 

[wonkywinch]

How long does it take to warm up? I used to have one that was only a few seconds, but more wattage.

Just a few seconds only (more info in the manual available on the page I linked to). The switch is a trigger rather than on/off toggle.

 

[dgadee]

Polystyrene it seems:

 

[Bouba]

I bought a cheapie soldering set for about €12 if my memory is correct.... I took the element from the trigger gun and bent and beat it into a blade....and it’s been cutting and sealing rope for the past several years

 

[wonkywinch]

I guess insulation foam/polystyrene etc?

 

[DownWest]

I bought a cheapie soldering set for about €12 if my memory is correct.... I took the element from the trigger gun and bent and beat it into a blade....and it’s been cutting and sealing rope for the past several years

Funnily enuf, it looks just like a soldering 'pistol' that I have. Heats up in a few seconds. The heat element could be reshaped for cutting ropes, if not too big.

 

[DownWest]

I guess insulation foam/polystyrene etc?

Takes me back to cutting foam with a DIY hot wire for surf boards. Bit of resistance wire around 60cm long on a wood frame, powered by a variable output motor controler. Around '73. Later, made something similar for cutting the wing ribs of a composite aircraft.
Local firm, recently closed, had a fancy CNC hot wire rig. They did moulds for composite stuff for clients.

 

[mogmog2]

I bought recently a Gas powered Soldering Iron set ... it has knife .. Heat Shrink Tube tool .. as well as many different solder tips ....

Amazing tool ... wished I'd bought it earlier .... I'd post a link to it - but cannot find where I bought it online !!

I second that. I bought this one (after a bit of research) and had it delivered to us at Haslar whilst we were away.
It coped with 2.5mm wire onto a plug terminal outside in the side deck with some breeze - I was very impressed.
IRODA SolderPro 70K Cordless Butane Gas Soldering Iron 4-In-1 Kit 25-80W

 

[wonkywinch]

I also ordered a gas soldering iron from CPC, should arrive over the weekend. After reading through reviews on this forum & eleswhere, I chose the Portasol SuperPro 125 Gas Soldering Iron Kit.

Retails for £85 but £55.70 from CPC.

https://cpc.farnell.com/portasol/super-pro-125-kit/gas-soldering-kit-super-pro-125/dp/SD01445

 

[thinwater]

The OP posted a foam cutting blade, For general use (fabric and rope) a much smaller blade is more accurate and useful.

I bought this one ~ 3 years ago. It hangs in a tube holster on my workroom wall, plugged in, and I use it frequently. Warms up in about 3 seconds, and will cut carpet fast on high. You set it lower for rope, and lower yet for fabric. $50.

Also very handy for shock cord, which is very hard to cut and seal any other way.