Kitebuilder.com

Bob R

Good Afternoon All:

Can anyone tell me the best temp for cutting .75 Ripstop. need to buy an iron and they all have different temps, some at 750 deg others at 900.

Thanks.
Bob R Very Happy

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 598 Location: San Diego

I believe trial and error are the best route.
Variables include the tip type and condition, age of cutter, surface under the fabric, straight edge or template material, etc. An aluminum straight edge will suck up heat, and cutting on glass, metal or masonite will change the amount of heat at the cut.
I try to set the temp for the cleanest cut and then mark the position of the knob on my home made dimmer switch box.

KiteSquid · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 11:55 am Post subject:

Most of my irons are 40 Watts or so.

You can always lower the heat of a soldering iron type tool by inserting a wattage controling device in line with it. Think UL approval too.....

I personally like the sailmakers hot cutter that steve sells or if you want a pencil type iron you can get the 5-in-1 hobby woodburner from Harbor Freight. It is normaly $10 but yu can get it for $5 on sale. Buy several so you dont have to change the tips and to save on shipping....
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

marty · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 128 Location: Arlington, MA USA

If you are going to do lots of hot cutting, then get the tool from Steve. I've burned out either the heating element or the tip of a bunch of soldering irons over time, so don't pay a lot for a "good" iron. You don't need the fine heat regulartion that the more expensive irons have, and if you do use a soldering iron, get a good stand for it, something that isn't easily knocked over.

I've got both tips, the pointy one and the long one, both are useful in different situations. the Pointy tip is good for curves, and the long one good for straignt lines.

I still use a soldering iron for burning round holes or extremely tight corner. I used to use a soldering iron to trip threads until one day I burned my fingers and poked a hole in a completed sail.
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Gentle breezes...

Marty Sasaki
Arlington, MA USA