CHICAGO Electric 66788 Hot Wire Foam Cutter Instruction Manual

June 17, 2024
CHICAGO ELECTRIC

CHICAGO Electric 66788 Hot Wire Foam Cutter

Product Information

The hot wire foam cutter is a tool designed for cutting foam materials. It comes with an AC adapter and a replacement wire. The cutter operates at a cutting temperature suitable for foam materials and uses a 32 AWG wire for precise cuts.

Specifications

  • Electrical Information
    • Cutting Temperature
    • Wire Size: 32 AWG (0.008 Dia.)

Product Usage Instructions

Unpacking
When unpacking the hot wire foam cutter, ensure that all parts are intact and undamaged. If any parts are missing or broken, please contact Harbor Freight Tools at 1-800-444-3353 immediately.

Assembly and Safety Information

  1. Always wear ANSI-approved safety goggles, heavy-duty work gloves, and NIOSH-approved respirator when using the hot wire foam cutter. Do not touch the foam or hot wire with bare hands.
  2. Do not leave the hot wire foam cutter lying on foam or any combustible surface. Keep a hot pad or non-combustible surface nearby to place the cutter for cooling.
  3. Disconnect the cutter from the power source before inspection or cleaning. Allow at least 30 minutes for cooling before performing any maintenance.
  4. Use the hot wire foam cutter only for its intended purpose, which is cutting foam material. Do not use it to cut any other materials.
  5. Maintain product labels and nameplates as they carry important safety information. If they become unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.

Operation Instructions

  1. Put on ANSI-approved safety goggles and heavy-duty work gloves.
  2. Plug the AC adapter into a 120V power outlet. The adapter must remain plugged in while using the hot wire foam cutter.
  3. Press and hold the ON/OFF button. Releasing the button will turn it off. Note: Tampering with the button by using tape or other methods to hold it down continuously is unsafe and should not be done.
  4. Press the hot wire into the foam with gentle pressure to move through the workpiece. Allow the hot wire foam cutter to move slowly and avoid forcing the cutting action.
  5. When finished cutting, release the ON/OFF button. Unplug the AC adapter and place the hot wire foam cutter on a non-combustible surface to cool for at least 30 minutes (avoid contact with the wire). Wipe off any residue with a clean soft rag before storing it in a high location inaccessible to children.

Wire Replacement
Refer to figure 1 for the wire replacement process.

  1. Tie the replacement wire to Grommet (A) using a simple knot, then stretch the wire to and through Grommet (B).
  2. Thread the wire through Grommet (B) and attach it to the front of the spring.
  3. Hook the back of the spring into Grommet (C). Secure Grommets (A & B) to the cutting frame by tightening the grommet screws. Adjust the wire tension by sliding Grommet (C) over the cutting frame and tighten the screw. Avoid excessive tension on the wire.

Parts List
Note: Included with this Hot Wire Foam Cutter is a Foam Cutter (1), an AC Adapter (2), and one Replacement Wire (3).

FAQ

  • Q: Where can I find replacement parts for the hot wire foam cutter?
    A: For replacement parts, please contact Harbor Freight Tools at 1-800-444-3353.

  • Q: Can I use the hot wire foam cutter to cut materials other than foam?
    A: No, the hot wire foam cutter is specifically designed for cutting foam materials only. Using it on other materials may result in damage or unsafe operation.

  • Q: How long should I let the hot wire foam cutter cool before storing it?
    A: It is recommended to let the cutter cool for at least 30 minutes before storing it. Ensure that it is placed on a non-combustible surface during cooling.

Instructions and precautions

Distributed exclusively by Harbor Freight Tools®. 3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011 Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com.
Save these instructions. Read all precautions and instructions.

Copyright© 2009 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this document or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools. Diagrams within this document may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein. Tools required for assembly and service may not be included. For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.

Specifications

  • Electrical Information:
    • Adapter: 120VAC, 60Hz
    • Power: 7.5V DC, 1200mA
  • Cutting Temperature: 428° F (220° C)
  • Wire Size: 32 AWG (0.008” Dia.)

PARTS LIST

NOTE: Included with this Hot Wire Foam Cutter is a Foam Cutter (1), an AC Adapter (2) and one Replacement Wire (3).

  • Record Serial Number Here: __

Note: If product has no serial number, record month and year of purchase instead.

Unpacking
When unpacking, make sure that the item is intact and undamaged. If any parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at 1-800-444-3353 as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT ASSEMBLY AND SAFETY INFORMATION

  1. Always wear ANSI-approved safety goggles, heavy-duty work gloves, and NIOSH-approved respirator when using this Hot Wire Foam Cutter – Do not pick up, or touch with bare hands.
  2. This Hot Wire Foam Cutter gets very hot (428°), and is not a toy. Do not allow children to play with or near this item.
  3. Do not leave this Hot Wire Foam Cutter lying on foam, or any combustible surface
    • Keep hot pad, or non-combustible surface handy to lay Foam Cutter for cooling.
  4. Disconnect from power source before inspection, or cleaning – Wait at least 30 minutes to cool before performing maintenance.
  5. Use only for intended purpose – Do not use this Hot Wire Foam Cutter to cut any material but foam.
  6. This product contains or, when used, produces a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. (California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
  7. Maintain product labels and nameplates -These carry important safety information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.

OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Put on ANSI-approved safety goggles and heavy-duty work gloves.

  2. Plug Adapter into 120V power outlet. This Adapter must remain plugged in while you are using the Hot Wire Foam Cutter.

  3. Press the ON/OFF Button and hold. This Button will go to OFF position if released.
    NOTE: This is a safety precaution and must not be tampered with by using tape or other methods to hold down continuously.

  4. Press hot wire into foam using gentle pres-sure to move through the workpiece. Let the Hot Wire Foam Cutter move slowly. Do not force the cutting action.

  5. When you are finished cutting, release the ON/OFF Button. Unplug the Adapter and set the Hot Wire Foam Cutter on a non-combus-tible surface to cool for at least 30 minutes (avoid contact with the wire) before wiping off with a clean soft rag and storing inside, in high location, where children do not have access.

WIRE REPLACEMENT

Knobs for holding Cutting Frame to Housing. These are NOT to be adjusted.

  1. Tie Replacement Wire to Grommet (A) (with simple knot), then stretch Wire to and through Grommet (B).
  2. Thread wire through Grommet (B) and attach to front of spring.
  3. Hook back of spring into Grommet (C). Secure Grommets (A & B) to cutting frame by tightening the grommet screws. Adjust the wire tension by sliding of Grommet (C) over the cutting frame and tighten the screw (do not place excessive tension on the wire).

LIMITED 90 DAY WARRANTY

Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly, to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, criminal activity, improper installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event be liable for death, injuries to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special, or consequential damages arising from the use of our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY INSTEAD OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection verifies the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost of returning the product. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • 800-444-3353

For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

References

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