Foam Cutter Replacement Wire

Foam Cutter Replacement Wire, a replacement wire for a cutter (Woodland Scenics)

A replacement wire for a hot wire cutter for foam. It is a special nichrome resistance wire, which keeps an even temperature along its whole length while current passes through it, so a cut stays clean and the material does not melt out to the sides. The manufacturer gives a length of approximately 121 cm and a diameter of around 0.25 mm.

Use

• The wire is intended exclusively for the hot wire cutter of the same maker and does not replace an ordinary steel or copper wire.
• Before changing it, disconnect the cutter from the power and let it cool down completely.
• Cut the wire to the length needed and clamp it into the holders so that it is slightly tensioned; a slack wire bends and a cut breaks away.
• After changing it, check that the wire does not touch the metal parts of the frame anywhere.
• Keep the rest of the wire rolled up, so that it does not break and twist.

Who it is for

For layout modelers and builders of dioramas who shape terrain from foam boards and need working material for a cutter. The wire is a consumable part, it stretches and burns through in time, so it pays off to have a supply at hand before building a larger piece of terrain. Most often it burns through in the middle of more extensive work, when the terrain is in progress and buying a replacement holds the building up for several days.

A longer piece of wire moreover makes it possible to cut replacements as needed, so there tend to be several changes from one package. It is advised to change the original wire even when it has not yet broken but visibly bends and the cut stops being straight; a stressed wire heats unevenly and foam then melts out to the sides behind it.

When cutting foam, always ventilate well, work away from flammables and do not leave a heated cutter unattended. A hot wire causes burns.