Proxxon Thermocut

Proxxon

I took receipt of a Proxxon Thermocut in February. This is a highly recommended hot wire table cutter, and the specific model I purchased can be found here.

I love this, it's a great tool and I am wondering why I didn't get one of these sooner!

I have been crafting for a long time, and whilst I am well versed in cutting with a knife and ruler, it is not easy to replicate parts in polystyrene, especially if you are wanting something with a straight or square edge that you originally cut a few days or weeks previously, and this tool really does make that job so easy. Cutting a thin sliver of polystyrene is also possible using a knife and ruler, but once again this tool makes it very easy. It is with all this in mind that I decided I really needed to invest in a hot wire table cutter.

I had bought some hot wire hand tools a few years ago, and these tools were my first foray into the world of hot wire cutting. I purchased the Hot Wire Foam Factory kit, and whilst I still use these in my projects, I was quite disappointed in the tools after buying them. They feel cheap and flimsy, especially for the (reasonably high) price I paid for them at the time.

I have used the hot wire hand tools for the past few years now, and these are quite good for freehand cuts and detailing, but it is difficult to get a repetitive straight cut with the hand tools. Before purchasing the Proxxon Thermocut, I used card and wood templates to give me straight edges with my hand tools, but this is more work than I would like, and sometimes things go wrong and you end up making a mess.

I didn't jump straight into buying a hot wire table, I did my research. I read reviews, visited crafting forums, and watched endless amounts of videos on using hot wire tables. The Proxxon Thermocut came out on top and I was not disappointed.

Pros and Cons

+ Easy to set up and use

+ On/off switch and variable temperature dial for fine control

+ Cutting table is large enough for all the trial work I have thrown at it so far

+ Hot wire angle can be adjusted so you can cut somewhere between 15° and 110°

+ The guide is easy to use and set-up

- The guide lifts off the table when tightened (although it can be easily held in place with one hand when cutting)

- The vertical gap (height) is only about 5 inches (so slicing down polystyrene is limited to this thickness / width - I would have preferred 8 inches or more)

- No adjustable feet so the table the Proxxon rests on needs to be sturdy and flat (my dining room table is uneven through wear and tear so the Proxxon rocks now and again)

- The guide is narrow and getting a square cut from thinner pieces is difficult (although accessories can be bought for this)

Accessories

Two of the Cons I have listed above are around the guide (not the actual hot wire cutter itself) - The guide lifts off when clamped in place, and the guide is too narrow to consistently hold pieces square against the table to make 90° cuts. Accessories can be purchased for the Proxxon Thermocut from Shifting Lands which will solve these issues, so I am not overly concerned about this part of the assessment of the hot wire cutter.

I am really happy with my new tool and look forward to the next few years creating new stuff for the gaming table.

J