ELMERS Xacto Precision Soldering Iron & Hot Knife Tip (X73780)

For the modest price advertized I frankly didn't expect much of a tool. However when it arrived I was surprised to find it a well made, perfectly functioning tool! It looks and seems to be as serviceable and nicely balanced as my 30 year old iron which is finally ready for retirement. I am well pleased with this purchase.

I bought this to work on a craft project. It is light weight and easy to use. I like the idea that when the tip gets dull you can replace it with another blade. The only drawback I can tell you is that is is EXTREMELY HOT. Do NOT use with small children around. This is very dangerous and should only be used by an adult.

I bought this item with the purpose of cutting foam. I make costumes and other things out of EVA foam, and i wanted a hot knife to cut with a decent amount of precision. As a whole, the product works pretty well. Pros: -When warm, it cuts through 3/4 inch foam well. -Precise enough for my needs (A few 90 degree angles, just a matter of pulling the blade out and re-inserting at the correct angle.) -Cord and handle stays cool enough to handle. -Included stand is a nice addition. It holds the iron well while the tip is hot. Cons: -Not very quick to warm up. (About 5 minutes to get hot enough) -No case. I use my own tackle case to store it in. -Tip cools while you cut, it does not stay at a constant temp. You get what you pay for, but overall it is a pretty decent hot knife.

PRICE WAS A GOOD DEAL. HOBBIEST TOOLS ARE EXPENSIVE. THIS TWO IN ONE WILL DO THE JOB FOR MY HUSBANDS TRAIN PROJECT.

I bought this tool not to use as a hot knife to help me with large cuts out of books for my altered book projects. It definatly does cut a lot faster than a standard Xacto knife. the tool gets very hot which is good but it also makes me nervous at how hot it gets. You have to use alot of caution when using this tool. It is certainly a tool for adults. the other thing is the blade; when tighening the blade into the tool if the blade is too far down it wont tighen enough on the tool at will come loose with use ( I had this happen and the blade piece fell off while i was using it and burned a small hole in the rug. YIKES! I had to run to the kitchen to get an oven mit to pick it up and get it to the sink where it could cool safely.) If you are going to buy this tool it works well but be careful when using the hot knife.

Work perfect for cut fabrics.

Had to cut through a 1/8" thick dashboard on car to do a repair (vs. removing the entire dash). The knife tip does NOT work. The very end of tip would leave a score mark but not hot enough to penetrate until many repeated passes later. Then, once the blade was embedded deep enough, the heat at that area just melted and fused together the "cut" that you were trying to make!!! VERY counter-productive.What should have been a 5 - 10 minute job took me 2 hours. Shortly after starting, the entire tip bent either from heat and/or pressure; by the end, even the base of heat rod was deformed and bent. They need to remove the word "Precision" from this product name/description - not! Had hoped to keep for other projects, but this is being returned.

The tool is good for light work as someone else mentioned. Perhaps more for soldering than using as a hot knife. I tried it to cut plastic and while it took me some time for the knife to warm up, it did cut eventually. However, it is not the best tool for cutting plastic with. The knife does not remain stable in the pin holder, it tilts back and this can be dangerous if it flies off suddenly. I do not feel safe using this hot knife, but perhaps it can work for others to do soldering. I will be requesting a refund as I went to exacto.com and did not see any others to exchange this one for.