how do I convert a soldering iron to a hot knife

[tudorsailor]

I have an old sodering iron lying around the garage. I thought it would be useful to convert it to a hot knife for lines. Is there a simple way to do this? What should I make the "blade" from

Thanks

TS

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I would have thought that any blade shaped piece of metal would be fine..it's hardly a Hi-tech application.
Come to think about it; I think I've got a spare soldering iron in my shed. Mmmmm.......Good idea.

(PS. I liked the spelling of "sodering"!

 

[Matrosen]

An instant heat soldering 'gun' from Lidl (Park Side). It comes with a rope cutting blade and costs around €12.

 

[SvenH]

If you already have the soldering gun, use some solid electrical wire bent in a U instead of the normal tip, hammer it flat after bending. Works a treat.

 

[tudorsailor]

An instant heat soldering 'gun' from Lidl (Park Side). It comes with a rope cutting blade and costs around €12.

Having never bought from Lidl previously I find the site incomprehensible. Is this deliberate so that one has to go to the shop not knowing what they stock?

A hot knife for £12 seems a bargain

TS

 

[Norman_E]

I converted a 75 watt iron to a hot knife some time ago, and posted photos, but honestly the cheap Lidl iron with a knife blade is much better.

 

[maxi77]

Having never bought from Lidl previously I find the site incomprehensible. Is this deliberate so that one has to go to the shop not knowing what they stock?

A hot knife for £12 seems a bargain

TS

I have two of the Aldi version one on the boat and one at home, same price and well worth the cash. You should try them both, there is a lot of good stuff in there

 

[davidpbo]

Trouble is they only have those items as specials. I bought 2 excellent 3w LED torches from Aldi and want another and will have to wait until they come in again.

 

[skyflyer]

If you convert the soldering iron, I suggest you only use a copper tip and ham,mer it flat into a knofe edge. I thought I was doing this with a copper rod, which turned out to be a copper COATED steel rod! It worked fine but the steel will not dissipate the heat as does copper and my iron element burnt out!