Woodland Scenics Hot Stick

[Penn1974]

I am looking to purchase a foam cutter and saw the Woodland Scenics Hot cutter. Has anyone used this item and have any pros and cons? I will be using it to cut 2" foam in straight lines and then cut layered foam on angles for for scenery and streams.

[Len]

A bit pricey, but it works. The "Y" shaped yoke in the package is awkward in some situations, so you might want to also get what I call the "coping saw" frame add on. Spare heat wire comes in handy also.

I can't remember if it came in the package, or with the alternate frame, but there's also an add on guide for doing straight line cuts.

For angle cuts on layered foam, I prefer an old Stanley dry wall saw. The one with the relatively small teeth, not the new "Shark Tooth" version with the big teeth. It's a bit messier, but the blades easier to manuever, and you can use it to 'texture' a cliff face.

Len

[kewatin]

if you have a wellar soldering gun you can make a foam cutter out of it by shaping a thin coat hanger .i also have  the woodland scenic's hot wire and while good doesn't work a well as my wellar soldering gun conversion. you can also make varying widths of cutters.with the scenics cutter you can't be in a hurry /slow and easy does it , or you stretch the wire.a drywall saw and hack saw blade are also a good compliment when working with foam.
regards&later kewatin

[Penn1974]

Thanks Lenand kewatin.

[Marlec]

Micro Mark has a lot of Tools for the hobby... check that out...

[jbrock27]

Marlec, definitely a good place to buy a truck tuner if you go on to work on your Lionel HO cars.