Electric rope cutter :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

Electric rope cutter

yelkenli1

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 31, 2011

Last visit: Dec 17, 2023

Posts: 126
Posted: Mar 07, 2021 - 04:50 PM

Does anyone uses these and does anyone have recommendations on brands? Murray's has a hand held unit for $60. There is a bench model on Amazon for $160.

Thanks!

Edited by yelkenli1 on Mar 07, 2021 - 05:53 PM.

--
Ted
Hobie 16
South Carolina Lake sailing
--
cmiles3

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jun 19, 2002

Last visit: Oct 01, 2023

Posts: 15
Posted: Mar 07, 2021 - 05:13 PM

I'm using this one. It's slow, but it works. $20, but $16 if you use the 20% off coupon online.
https://www.harborfreight.com/130-watt-hot-knife-60313.html

--
Chuck Miles
1978 Hobie 16
1991 Hunter 23.5
TsaLaGi Yacht Club, Jackson Bay Marina
Fort Gibson Lake, OK
--
jonathan162

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 03, 2006

Last visit: Jun 04, 2025

Posts: 278
Posted: Mar 07, 2021 - 08:40 PM

The Murrays one looks like the old Wen soldering gun. You should be able to find one of those or a Weller 8200 soldering gun for a couple of bucks (like, less than $5) at a garage sale or thrift shop, then get a rope cutting tip for it for a few more:

https://www.amazon.com/We…ting-Black/dp/B0002BSQR6

Hey, look... there's the Murrays one for $40 under the name Seachoice.

Edited by jonathan162 on Mar 07, 2021 - 09:58 PM.

--
Southern Alberta and all over the damn place.
*
1981 SuperCat 20 "Roberts' Rockets"
1983 SuperCat 19
TriFoiler #23 "Unfair Advantage"
Mystere 17
Unicorn A-Class (probably made by Trowbridge) that I couldn't resist rescuing at auction.
H18 & Zygal (classic) Tornado - stolen and destroyed - very unpleasant story.
Invitation and Mistral and Sunflower and windsurfers w/ Harken hydrofoils and god knows what else...
--
gahamby

Rank: Mate

Registered: Feb 05, 2011

Last visit: Jun 15, 2021

Posts: 575
Posted: Mar 08, 2021 - 09:32 AM

I have the cutter tip for my Weller soldering gun. Works fine. I wrap the cut in electrical tape and cut through the middle.

--
'82 Super Cat 15
Hull #315
Virginia
Previously owned: '70 H14, '79 H16, '68 Sailmaster 26, '85 H14T
--
BigWhoop

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jun 27, 2006

Last visit: Nov 09, 2021

Posts: 71
Posted: Mar 08, 2021 - 09:33 AM

I built mine from an electric soldering gun from Princess Auto (Harbor Freight). Took the hot end off, pounded it flat with a hammer on the back of a vise, all set to go.

I sail a Wave

Charles
charlescarlis

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 30, 2018

Last visit: Feb 12, 2025

Posts: 601
Posted: Mar 08, 2021 - 09:46 AM

If you're going to drop the coin, a little more gets you a proper "Romech" hot knife, but it's double at about $65-$80. But, I planned on cutting rope, bungees and lots of cloth. I tried using an old, cheap soldering gun from HF, but that didn't work so well. I'm sure the Weller stuff is much different.

I have a Harbor Freight hot knife and don't like it. It's more for cutting styrofoam; doesn't have good heat control and is way bulky. It's probably 6-8 years old now, so maybe changed but I doubt it.

I like the hot knife, especially for cutting Dacron and Sunbrella, plus rope.

--
Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
--
rch701

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jul 06, 2009

Last visit: Nov 01, 2024

Posts: 395
Posted: Mar 08, 2021 - 11:29 AM

My buddy loaned me a pen-style soldering iron with a semi-sharp "paddle" on it. It's not a knife and I cannot locate it online, but let me say, my life changed this weekend after using it. It blitzes through dyneema, sta-set, and shock cord. Would be nice to have a gun with a trigger instead of leaving it on all the time. I have been using AccuCut pliers on all line and they are amazing, but you have to go back and burn the ends.
https://www.amazon.com/Cr…d=pla-442004968983&psc=1

--
FYC, Nacra 5.2 "Chris's Flyer" & Nacra Playcat & Farrier Tramp
Previously owned: Trac 14, H14, H16, H18, N5.0, G-cat 5.0
--
shortyfox

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 07, 2017

Last visit: Jun 17, 2025

Posts: 380
Posted: Mar 08, 2021 - 11:41 AM

Don't see the need for one unless you're cutting a lot of line. Wrap tight with masking tape, make your cut with a real sharp knife against a piece of wood holding it firmly where it doesn't move. Heat with a lighter till it melts and then quickly press the cut firmly against a piece of flat metal. Peel off the tape. With a little practice it will look like you did it with a cutting knife.

--
Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
--
charlescarlis

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 30, 2018

Last visit: Feb 12, 2025

Posts: 601
Posted: Mar 08, 2021 - 05:13 PM

True-the old tried and true works just fine.

--
Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
--
rattlenhum

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 01, 2002

Last visit: Jun 16, 2025

Posts: 430
Posted: Mar 09, 2021 - 08:48 AM

A lot of the modern lines with dyneema or such in the core don't fuse well with a lighter. The outer material melts too much quicker than the core.

After wrapping with electrical tape and making a nice clean cut, try fusing the end with super glue.....works great!

--
Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
--
klozhald

Rank: Chief

Registered: Apr 19, 2011

Last visit: Feb 19, 2025

Posts: 1462
Posted: Mar 11, 2021 - 03:00 PM

shortyfoxDon't see the need for one unless you're cutting a lot of line. Wrap tight with masking tape, make your cut with a real sharp knife against a piece of wood holding it firmly where it doesn't move. Heat with a lighter till it melts and then quickly press the cut firmly against a piece of flat metal. Peel off the tape. With a little practice it will look like you did it with a cutting knife.

Agreed.

rattlenhumAfter wrapping with electrical tape and making a nice clean cut, try fusing the end with super glue.....works great!

Great for the newer stuff.

--
Sheet In!
Bob
_/)_____/)_/)____/)____/)_____/)/)__________/)__
Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
--
colinress

Rank: Lubber

Registered: May 31, 2015

Last visit: Apr 21, 2022

Posts: 13
Posted: Mar 14, 2021 - 10:07 AM

I have been using the rope cutter (~$ 60) sold by Murrays marine for years! It works for just about every kind of line PERFECTLY and quickly. If you have a catamaran and sail frequently you will use it. I can't stand frayed ends so for me the price was not an issue. It does not work with Kevlar rope. For Dyneema I use first the fancy scissors (cost ~ $60). That's also worth it. I make my own soft shackles in dyneema and the rope cutter is ideal to "round" the lanyard knot to a smooth ball.

--
Colin
Hobie 14, Hobie 16
Gcat 5.7, Gforce 21
Falcon F16
sailing Connecticut Fishers island sound
--

Edited by colinress on Mar 14, 2021 - 11:43 AM.
gahamby

Rank: Mate

Registered: Feb 05, 2011

Last visit: Jun 15, 2021

Posts: 575
Posted: Mar 18, 2021 - 12:47 PM

https://www.cableorganizer.com/hot-knife/

--
'82 Super Cat 15
Hull #315
Virginia
Previously owned: '70 H14, '79 H16, '68 Sailmaster 26, '85 H14T
--
waiex191

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 07, 2020

Last visit: Feb 29, 2024

Posts: 359
Posted: Jun 24, 2021 - 02:28 PM

jonathan162
Hey, look... there's the Murrays one for $40 under the name Seachoice.Edited by jonathan162 on Mar 07, 2021 - 09:58 PM.

I bought the SeaSense one from Amazon for under $30.
https://www.amazon.com/dp…yo2_dt_b_product_details

The purpose of the hobby is to buy tools. I really like this one. I've cut rope, string, and bungees with it.

--
Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
--