Pro 2-in-1 6 Inch Hot Knife & Freehand Router Kit

These are not lightsabres from Star Wars. These are *not* saws or blades (or laser beams). They are hot wire tools. So, yes, they are a little flimsy BUT they don't need to be rugged. They melt the foam. I also own a heavy duty hot knife (from another vendor) that is "more rugged," but that doesn't make it more useful. A more rugged tool encourages the operator to be too aggressive and that makes for a lousy cut.Believe it or not, I think the "flimsiness" is an asset. It forces the operator to be patient and to avoid stressing the tool. This results in a better and more consistent cut.

The wire leading to the tool gets hot because its so thin. The tools don't heat up enough because all the power is disipated by the cables. Also the tools are made out of the cheapest materials they could find, you feel like you could crush it if you squeezed it too hard.

I purchased this kit a couple months ago for use on my model railroad and I've been pretty happy with it so far. Another reviewer commented on the build quality. While this isn't a heirloom hot wire foam set (not sure anybody makes such a thing) I am pretty pleased with it. The handles and wire mounts are sturdy. The wire leading to the handle does get hot, and that should be improved upon, but it doesn't seem to hurt performance too much.One thing I wish I had known before buying is that this tool is likely more intended for lightweight white styrofoam. On my railroad I'm using 2" pink foam which is very dense by comparison, so the cutting wires tend to bend while cutting. However, by shortening the length of the freehand router wire I am able to dramatically improve its willingness to keep its shape during cuts.A couple other areas for improvement: a power light so you know it's on, as well as a marking on the heat control knob so you can visually tell what setting it's on. You can add this yourself with a marker easily enough.Overall it's a nice set, and the carrying case is a nice touch.