where to find a fair priced hot knife

[jrcoltr]

Anyone have advice on who has reasonable prices on a hot knife?

[Wally]

Haven't checked prices, but Walter T. Kelley has great products and service. They stand behind what they sell.

[jrcoltr]

Thank you Wally. Will contact them.

[ski]

Hey jrcoltr,
There are three types of hot knives that I have found.
1. Hot knife with a preset thermostat
2. Hot knife with an adjustable thermostat on the knife. (allen wrench used to turn a set screw)
3. Hot knife with an in line control box to control the temperature.

I have number 2 and the temperature can be a bit hard to set, I think number 3 although more expensive would be better in the long run. However don't overlook the cold knife, I have not used one yet but have heard folks say they work just as fast and nice as a hot knife. I now have one and hope to give it a try this year, its also a nice back up if something does go wrong with the hot knife.
Kelly's is the only one that I have found that carries the hot knife with the control box.
Just some information I wish I had before I purchased my knife.

[Wally]

I think I have one each of #1 & 2. I plug them into a router control. I can easily adjust the temp in small degrees. The router control is 9.95 at harbor freight. I also use it for my bee vac when doing removals.

[ski]

Another great "Wally Tip" Router control from Harbor Freight $19.99 to control the temperature of hot knives.
Thanks Wally.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsea ... er+control

[Wally]

Mine is yellow and has number graduations from 1 to 10. They may have been on sale, or just a different unit.

[ski]

Stopped by Harbor Freight today and picked up a Router Speed Control. Looks like the one in the link above. Got it for $15.99.