Wireless Ultrasonic Cutter

[MunroIII]

I have seen advertisements for wireless ultrasonic cutters (knives). They seem somewhat pricy so I ask if any members have experience with them and if they are worth the price.

 

[POPEYE_DA_SAILOR]

I have seen advertisements for wireless ultrasonic cutters (knives). They seem somewhat pricy so I ask if any members have experience with them and if they are worth the price.

I've had many years of experience with wireless cutters, so I can't see much point in paying anything for an ultrasonic one. A sharp knife, chisel, saw, file, or other abrasive material has always done the job adequately for me. If cost were any consideration, I'd think my money would be better spent on some good sharpening gear instead.

Seriously, though, I think ultrasonic cutters promise some advantage if one is working with plastics. They would speed up the tedium of removing injection molding "flash" and fairing sprue attachment points on plastic model kit parts. I suspect that the ultrasonic cutters have come onto the market coincident with the increase in 3D printing which often involves a lot of "sprues" and "supporting structures" in the process. Generally, high-speed vibrations are more effective on rigid materials like plastics and less effective on softer, less rigid materials like wood. One drawback to working with high-speed tools on plastics is that they tend to generate a lot of heat which can melt many types of plastic. The other limitation with blades which vibrate with ultrasonic speed (a term of art, I'm sure, since I can't imagine they really move faster than the speed of sound) is that they necessarily dull a cutting edge at "ultrasonic speed" as well.

Then again, I'm a guy, so probably not your best authority when it comes to recommending vibrating tools.

 

[Bryian]

I have a hanboost ultrasonic cutter and it’s terrific. I use it for removing 3d printed parts. Initially I thought it didn’t work as it’s silent and doesn’t vibrate visibly, but when you touch it against plastic it cuts superbly.

 

[Kurt Konrath]

Popeye, what might you be implying?

 

[POPEYE_DA_SAILOR]

Popeye, what might you be implying?

Great minds think alike!

 

[RolandR]

I have a Hanboost and it does what it promised, even with 0.7mm wood strips. I cut the opening of the gun ports and it is not only much, much faster but there is a smaller chance the blade slips since you don’t have to put much pressure on the blade. The only reason I still use my Xacto knife is the size that makes it impossible in tide spaces.

 

[danielsje]

I have one and it works great. There are issues to keep in mind. You need to let the tool do the work...no pushing, twisting, rubbing, sawing, whatever. Just touch the vibrating blade where you want the cut and gently apply pressure. The blades will do the cutting. This is a tool I recommend for gine cutting and trimming of wood or plastic.

 

[Signet]

I bought a pretty expensive one from Micro Mark, and sent it back. It cut really thin material okay, but had real problems on anything a couple mm or thicker. Plus, you couldn't hold the part being cut in your hand because it heated up. I'm sure there are uses for them, and was hoping this would work for me, but not so much.

 

[Sailaway]

I have seen advertisements for wireless ultrasonic cutters (knives). They seem somewhat pricy so I ask if any members have experience with them and if they are worth the price.

I have a Hanboost ultrasonic cutter. I couldn’t have done these cuts without it. I was very impressed with it.