Fellow hot wire foam cutters, please feel free to weigh in.

[Taildragger]

For a 12", that should work based on what I am using. But keep in mind, electrical knowledge is a big weak spot for me. I went with an AC power unit, because, that was the first thing I saw online. I have a dimmer switch, & with a volt meter I marked the volts in increments of 3 volts for output. For running my 36" 28 gauge wire, it takes about 23v @ around 8a. This also makes for a hot wire to run quick cuts which I find is open to to bad cut errors . I could use less to move more slowly & be more consistent with ensuring the wire doesn't drift off the pattern or if I am not consistent with speed, I find a hot wire can leave deep divots. My 18" bow, as U would guess, take half of that in volts. If U R using and ESC with a servo tester type power supply, try testing different settings even if your first cut goes well on one setting to have comparison to what works out best. For me it was a lot of testing with volts, pull speed and just trying to get the hang of it in general & still learning.

I'm just going to go with windestal's suggestion to hang it on the foam and slowly increase the current until it starts to cut.

 

[FlamingRCAirplanes]

@cyclone3350 is a 2s lipo going to be acceptable to power a 12in hotwire bow? or should I just wait and test it later...

Oh yeah! That’s fine, I run my 10” now off of a 2s and I never have to run it above 50% power.

 

[Taildragger]

 

[Taildragger]

How do these look?
Good cut:

Bad cut:

 

[FlamingRCAirplanes]

The first one is amazing!

 

[Ligbaer]

How do these look?
Good cut:
View attachment 217863
Bad cut:
View attachment 217864

how did you do the hotwire setup?

 

[Taildragger]

how did you do the hotwire setup?

2s lipo, 10a amazon brushed ESC, stainless steel wire, and the bow was basically the same as in the FT vid

 

[FlamingRCAirplanes]

2s lipo, 10a amazon brushed ESC, stainless steel wire, and the bow was basically the same as in the FT vid

Almost identical to my setup. Only mine has an arduino in it for temperature control.

 

[cyclone3350]

Well done. I think U R going to enjoy doing your next build with it. Warning, U may find this foam cutting addictive. I know that as soon as this Gee Bee is up to the point of covering, I think I am going to cut another wing.

 

[Off-topic jes]

How do these look?
Good cut:
View attachment 217863
Bad cut:
View attachment 217864

Yeah it looks pretty good the first one!

 

[Off-topic jes]

I’m getting my 140 plans tomorrow! Should have the wings done by next week! I want to post but I don’t know how to🙁😃

 

[Taildragger]

 

[FlyingTyger]

I’m getting my 140 plans tomorrow! Should have the wings done by next week! I want to post but I don’t know how to🙁😃

To start a new thread, go to the forum you want to post in. For your build I would suggest either
Mad (Scratch) Builder's Corner if it is a foam model
or Balsa Builders and Breakers if its a balsa build.
Once your are in that forum, there will be a "Post Thread" button in the top box under the title of the forum.

 

[FlyingTyger]

View attachment 217890

Aww, such a cute little guy! All kidding aside, that does look really good. Looks like your cuts are nice and smooth. How high did you have the power turned up to cut?

 

[cyclone3350]

View attachment 217890

Wow!, U wasted no time to start putting your bow through it's paces & it looks like U got the hang of it. When do start on the Pa12?

 

[Baron VonHelton]

View attachment 217890

WOW! That's some seriously thick foam!!

 

[Taildragger]

Wow!, U wasted no time to start putting your bow through it's paces & it looks like U got the hang of it. When do start on the Pa12?

probably monday

 

[Taildragger]

WOW! That's some seriously thick foam!!

it comes in 2in too, double that!

 

[Taildragger]

Aww, such a cute little guy! All kidding aside, that does look really good. Looks like your cuts are nice and smooth. How high did you have the power turned up to cut?

barely high enough to cut through

 

[FlyingTyger]

barely high enough to cut through

I guess what I was wondering is how much power was left in your setup? Is there enough power available to cut 2" foam with a bow twice as long?