Soldering Iron for Cutting

[piedplus]

Has anyone tried cutting plastic with a soldering iron? I've been using scissors and a box cutter to cut holes in plastic lids to make hides. It's a pretty messy hole even after melting the edges with a candle. So I thought that using a soldering iron or some other kind of hot device might work better than cutting cold. Wha'd'u'think?

[adamsky27]

It works pretty good. I bought some plastic dog bowls that I used for hides. I tried to cut them with scissors, but they just cracked. I used the soldering iron and it worked fine. The edges are even nice and smooth from melting. I recommend doing this outside though, the burnt plastic sure doesn't smell very good.

[snake lab]

Soldering iron is a multi tool in everyone snake tool arsenal didnt ya know? Lol yea it works great

[Munizfire]

yea... in the past 5 years I have gone thru like 5-6 soldering irons... Why?
well, I use them for LOTS of things:
-Mainly soldering (guitars, pedals, amps, homemade circuits, blah blah blah)
-Making holes in plastic
-Cutting Plastic
-'Branding' Plastics
-Woodburning
-Arts/crafts
-Heating miscellaneous stuff...
-And many more I can't remember right now

But have a fan near you or something melting plastics smells like turd

[piedplus]

Looks like I'll be buying a soldering iron on my next trip to the hardware store. Thanks for the feedback!

[angllady2]

Even better bet is to go to your local craft store and get a Versa-Tool.

It gets hot, and has several different tips, including an actual heated blade. Works wonders on hide doors.

Costs about $20 and lasts forever.

Gale

[piedplus]

Even better bet is to go to your local craft store and get a Versa-Tool.

It gets hot, and has several different tips, including an actual heated blade. Works wonders on hide doors.

Costs about $20 and lasts forever.

Gale

That sounds great! I'm going to look for one of those.

[piedplus]

Even better bet is to go to your local craft store and get a Versa-Tool.

It gets hot, and has several different tips, including an actual heated blade. Works wonders on hide doors.

Costs about $20 and lasts forever.

Gale

Thanks for the tip about the Versa-Tool, Gale. It works great! Don't know how I got along without it. It cost somewhat more here, but that's San Diego for you, everything's more expensive.

[Mike.P]

Maybe I've just had bad luck with Versa Tools... Had three of them crap out on me. I finally bought a Snap On butane soldering iron. It also has the hot knife attachment. Works like a champ. Can run much hotter than the Versa too, so it cuts faster. It's expensive, think I paid like 120 bucks or so, but it's worth it... Made in the UK, very well designed. Plus lifetime warranty if it ever breaks. I use that thing all the time for various projects and fixes.

Here's a link:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

[piedplus]

Maybe I've just had bad luck with Versa Tools... Had three of them crap out on me. I finally bought a Snap On butane soldering iron. It also has the hot knife attachment. Works like a champ. Can run much hotter than the Versa too, so it cuts faster. It's expensive, think I paid like 120 bucks or so, but it's worth it... Made in the UK, very well designed. Plus lifetime warranty if it ever breaks. I use that thing all the time for various projects and fixes.

Here's a link:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

Nice! If my Versa Tool gives out, I'll buy the Snap On. Now that I've experienced cutting plastic with a hot knife, I could see paying $120 for a good one. I sure hope my Versa Tool keeps working though!