Nice review...I had the same experience with disappointment in the sculpting tool. I tried so hard to tighten the screws, tried holding it open with my fingers just like you mentioned. I'm glad to know the tensioner actually solves this problem, I'll have to order one.
I was looking at these guys but I did not really know what to get for my Model railway stuff (1 on 87) ... This video helped me a lot. About the router. You can prob. get more wires and bend them to standard shapes and swap those wires with having to re-bend then or straighten them out again. Only thing (on my budget) that is putting me off is the shipping cost of the tools to the Netherlands. And for the engraving tool I would love to see them make a swap-able hollow toolbit that you can shape yourself to do bricks (1 on 87 size) or some thing similar.
+Stryker Jenkins I think they have different tips on their pro stuff and I know they do spare wires, so bending myself might be the way to go. Know what you mean about the shipping, contact them and see if they can recommend a local stockist mate ;-)
Great review, Mel. I love those tools and have most of them. You pretty much covered the hand tools. I have the 3d scrolling table and it's great for cutting small sheets of foam to size. In the future if you want to cut out channels of foam, I recommend getting a slide accessory. It holds the router at a certain height and allows for controlled depth with a part you want cut out.
Thanx mel. First thing I did when I got my W.S. cutter was to duct tape the switch to "ON". lol The router looks like a winner. As long as the wire is stiff enough so as not to distort in the middle of cutting. STRAIGHTENING WIRE: You can lay it on your cutting mat and using a wooden block with double sided tape on it, ROLL it back and forth. The tape will provide grip and the block will roll the wire straight again. OR if you want to get nasty, there is the stretching method. Grab each end with a pair of pliers and yank them apart. Of course this has a high risk of breakage. I do this when making antennas and such.
+TheTerrainTutor Is it possible to just make a new bit of wire out of some appropriate gauge of chicken wire or similar? (with all due safety warnings, of course! do not try this at home!)
Nichrome wire; it's not difficult to find at the usual places. For more information, see this article (for instance): jacobs-online.biz/nichrome_wire.htm
I just got a set and appreciate any ideas & vids you provide! I used the flexible one to make a Harry Potter 9 3/4 front door cover for my house. Matched the existing brick very well. Really cool & easy! I agree the engraver doesn't work well at all for edging brick. I use the 1" = 5' and my castle walls looked like it had 1' mortar joints ....lol. Love your videos!'
While I agree with the limits of Woodland Scenics cutter, you can manage about a 33 degree slope, but when most 28mm figures require a 28 degree or less slope to stand comfortably its pretty academic. Nice vid mate, I have been looking forward to seeing a review by a terrain builder before buying these products.
awesome review i want some new hot wire cutters, i had one of those old janky ones that the handle felt like a cardboard toilet paper tube that you shoved a battery in. lol
get a cheap soldering iron and the connectors., make your 'standard set' of templates that can be swapped out by un-screwing the template on, with the next template that you made.
Considering the tip on the engraving tool. Could you wrap a smaller diameter wire around the tip for fine detail work? I think I'm going to try it with mine . I tried carving out a cobblestone walkway and the grooves between the stones was too big and awkward.
Really do mean this in the nicest way possible, but I got 14 minutes into this video until I got a headache from just how many 'Yeah's' there were. I understand it is a vocal tick but its just so distracting to me. I do apologise as it seems like an incredibly informative video and wish I could sit through it as I've always been interested in this particular brand, but a video editor to reduce them would go along way to making it come across more professional. Again, sorry for this and I hope you continue to keep making great videos.
@@TheTerrainTutor - in any editing program look for the wav pattern on the soundtrack. when the playhead hits the end of a sentence and you see the little peaks where you say "yeah" highlight the area and drop the volume to zero. (easier than deleting usually)
Hi Mel good video enjoyed it quite interested in the various cutters as a USA company I was wondering if you dealt with them direct or through a UK distributor
Hey Mel, for the engraver, do you think it would work better if you put it into the variable power supply and turn the power down? I've had the exact same issue you describe with mine, but I haven't had the $130usd to buy the pro power supply to see. My guess is it would help but I don't know for sure. Just a thought ;)
+Spencer Whipple The folks over at HWFF reckon so as I've spoke to them about it, I'm still not convinced as I think the tip of the engraver is too large and blunt for our sort of work mate
Hi Mel, long time fan, too broke to be a sponsor but would be if I wasn't! Any advice on massive scale terrain? Stuff like Dystopian Wars and the like? Would love to see your take on a tropical island board for such a game.
Great review, Mel. Really helpful. I've ordered a knife and router... but do I really need to buy their power supply, do you think? What's the spec (volts/amps) on it? Cheers!
+AJ Finch You'll need it for the router mate, as I said in the vid, the router has a different power attachment that only goes into the pro power supply
+TheTerrainTutor do you know what the power rating is on their pro power supply? One can always change the plug, after all, and they're asking 99 dollars for it + shipping. Thanks again. PS. Loving the D-Day board! ;)
+AJ Finch FYI, I've been using them with a bench power supply from Maplins. I am not an electrician, but they seem to be working fine. www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-36w-switched-mode-dc-variable-voltage-compact-bench-power-supply-l10br
I am very interested in these products. Can they cut polyethylene plank foam, micro cell foam, open cell foam, black charcoal foam or other types of foam?
These are just toys, if you looking for a proper tool look at proxxon router tool it too needs a power supply however it at least twice the power with heavy wire that just blast though booth Styrofoam and dense foam. It has a lot larger area to work with. I have built a whole swamp using this tool the review of the proxxon and hotwire tool is on my channel have a look I have made videos for my swamp for the creature all made out of foam using the proxxon tool take a look
This was really helpful. I really needed to hear from a terrain builder how they liked the tools.
Glad it helped bud
Nice review...I had the same experience with disappointment in the sculpting tool. I tried so hard to tighten the screws, tried holding it open with my fingers just like you mentioned. I'm glad to know the tensioner actually solves this problem, I'll have to order one.
+Black Magic Craft it makes a massive difference mate
I watched this video a week ago then when I was finished it then said it was private and then it disappeared from your videos! Glad it's back :)
+Skoo Zi scheduling ;-D
I was looking at these guys but I did not really know what to get for my Model railway stuff (1 on 87) ... This video helped me a lot. About the router. You can prob. get more wires and bend them to standard shapes and swap those wires with having to re-bend then or straighten them out again. Only thing (on my budget) that is putting me off is the shipping cost of the tools to the Netherlands. And for the engraving tool I would love to see them make a swap-able hollow toolbit that you can shape yourself to do bricks (1 on 87 size) or some thing similar.
+Stryker Jenkins I think they have different tips on their pro stuff and I know they do spare wires, so bending myself might be the way to go. Know what you mean about the shipping, contact them and see if they can recommend a local stockist mate ;-)
They came up with a flat rate shipping box or else buy the stuff in the UK or New Zealand.
Thanks for the quick response Mel
Great review, Mel. I love those tools and have most of them. You pretty much covered the hand tools. I have the 3d scrolling table and it's great for cutting small sheets of foam to size. In the future if you want to cut out channels of foam, I recommend getting a slide accessory. It holds the router at a certain height and allows for controlled depth with a part you want cut out.
+Stronghold Crafter Kev sounds like a nice bit of kit, thanks for the heads up
Thanx mel. First thing I did when I got my W.S. cutter was to duct tape the switch to "ON". lol
The router looks like a winner. As long as the wire is stiff enough so as not to distort in the middle of cutting.
STRAIGHTENING WIRE: You can lay it on your cutting mat and using a wooden block with double sided tape on it, ROLL it back and forth. The tape will provide grip and the block will roll the wire straight again. OR if you want to get nasty, there is the stretching method. Grab each end with a pair of pliers and yank them apart. Of course this has a high risk of breakage. I do this when making antennas and such.
+Bill D. in Iowa I'll be honest, I tried a few different ways, I could get close to straight but it was still wavey if you get my meaning bud
+TheTerrainTutor Is it possible to just make a new bit of wire out of some appropriate gauge of chicken wire or similar? (with all due safety warnings, of course! do not try this at home!)
AJ Finch
I'd be inclined but I think it's a special type of metal, someone didn't tell me what it was once
Nichrome wire; it's not difficult to find at the usual places. For more information, see this article (for instance):
jacobs-online.biz/nichrome_wire.htm
Great review Mel. The router and knife is on my wish list. is nice to see then in action. As always, I love the rambling!
+Tony Smith they're good bits of kit, you'll love them mate
I just got a set and appreciate any ideas & vids you provide! I used the flexible one to make a Harry Potter 9 3/4 front door cover for my house. Matched the existing brick very well. Really cool & easy! I agree the engraver doesn't work well at all for edging brick. I use the 1" = 5' and my castle walls looked like it had 1' mortar joints ....lol. Love your videos!'
+Monsters & Mazes by General Ketchup Awesome matey, and thanks!
Thanks as always for the review Mel always appreciated.
+ThePrefect You're very welocme mate
Great review Mel
+IDICBeer thanks matey
Wire Tensioner!!! THAT IS WHAT I NEED!!! Ordered. The question is: Why, if that is such a problem with the cutter, is this not included with the tool?
+Kurt Kier I have a feeling they may be considering it
While I agree with the limits of Woodland Scenics cutter, you can manage about a 33 degree slope, but when most 28mm figures require a 28 degree or less slope to stand comfortably its pretty academic. Nice vid mate, I have been looking forward to seeing a review by a terrain builder before buying these products.
+Ooittee I've always gone for a 1-3 slop myself but what's a couple of degrees between friends :-)
Brilliant review, you continue to inspire!
+HENRY ORTEGA thanks buddy!
awesome review i want some new hot wire cutters, i had one of those old janky ones that the handle felt like a cardboard toilet paper tube that you shoved a battery in. lol
+ta24u I had one of those, a certain store special, damn it used to eat batteries!
Lol right I always thought it would eventually blow up in my hand ha
Very helpful review Mel. Thanks.
+Hrothgar B glad it helped bud
First person I have ever seen that wasn't pissed the tenchener didn't come with it
Did I watch this video? Yeah!!
Great stuff. Thanks for the review.
+Mini Warzone no worries mate
decent and honest review - nice one Mel ty
+captainkavi no worries mate
Hello, nice video, but where can I get those kits here in the UK
Yeah!
I conclude the wire tensioners ought to come with the tools. I see other people draw the same conclusion.
+Forgotten Heathen I'd be surprised if they weren't seriously considering it
great review. video production has gone up on this one imo. be going for best director Oscars next 😆
+Steve Fletcher I'm a long way off that bud lol
get a cheap soldering iron and the connectors., make your 'standard set' of templates that can be swapped out by un-screwing the template on, with the next template that you made.
sbfarmer 8 _. Qq
Considering the tip on the engraving tool. Could you wrap a smaller diameter wire around the tip for fine detail work? I think I'm going to try it with mine . I tried carving out a cobblestone walkway and the grooves between the stones was too big and awkward.
Possibly mate, probably best to get a fine tip soldering iron mate
Mel can you please add suppliers on terrainiacs page of stuff you review or even a link in comments.
+Steve Fletcher they're all in the raw materials thread, link in the group description
Really do mean this in the nicest way possible, but I got 14 minutes into this video until I got a headache from just how many 'Yeah's' there were. I understand it is a vocal tick but its just so distracting to me. I do apologise as it seems like an incredibly informative video and wish I could sit through it as I've always been interested in this particular brand, but a video editor to reduce them would go along way to making it come across more professional.
Again, sorry for this and I hope you continue to keep making great videos.
+weemanling thanks for been honest, how do I edit them out?
@@TheTerrainTutor - in any editing program look for the wav pattern on the soundtrack. when the playhead hits the end of a sentence and you see the little peaks where you say "yeah" highlight the area and drop the volume to zero. (easier than deleting usually)
great video!
+kairus1 cheers
Hi Mel good video enjoyed it quite interested in the various cutters as a USA company
I was wondering if you dealt with them direct or through a UK distributor
+Paul Greenwood Recently direct but most of my tools were brought from uk stockists mate
Nice review - mega *business* you have going there ;)
+Colour of the Gods acorns ;-)
21.08 he's going to play with himself lmao
Hey Mel, for the engraver, do you think it would work better if you put it into the variable power supply and turn the power down? I've had the exact same issue you describe with mine, but I haven't had the $130usd to buy the pro power supply to see. My guess is it would help but I don't know for sure. Just a thought ;)
+Spencer Whipple The folks over at HWFF reckon so as I've spoke to them about it, I'm still not convinced as I think the tip of the engraver is too large and blunt for our sort of work mate
+TheTerrainTutor maybe you can grind it down a bit? Might be risky if you don't have a spare though heh
Hi Mel, long time fan, too broke to be a sponsor but would be if I wasn't! Any advice on massive scale terrain? Stuff like Dystopian Wars and the like? Would love to see your take on a tropical island board for such a game.
I should cover something like that soon!
I've just ordered one of their wire cutters. I got sick of the super crappy Styrosten battery powered one.
You'll love mains powered mate
Sadly mine didn’t come with a case at all. So I’m storing it in one of my boxes :(
Great review, Mel. Really helpful. I've ordered a knife and router... but do I really need to buy their power supply, do you think? What's the spec (volts/amps) on it? Cheers!
+AJ Finch You'll need it for the router mate, as I said in the vid, the router has a different power attachment that only goes into the pro power supply
+TheTerrainTutor do you know what the power rating is on their pro power supply? One can always change the plug, after all, and they're asking 99 dollars for it + shipping. Thanks again.
PS. Loving the D-Day board! ;)
AJ Finch
no idea mate but it might be in there tech specs
Thanks, Mel. I'm going to see if I can get a supply from Maplins to do the job. I'll post how I get on.
+AJ Finch
FYI, I've been using them with a bench power supply from Maplins. I am not an electrician, but they seem to be working fine. www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-36w-switched-mode-dc-variable-voltage-compact-bench-power-supply-l10br
I have no idea why the tensioner isn't included
yes got get me one might do more like em ;;;;;;]]]]]
+redgreen09 awesome
does the black tension insert come with the unit? I have been unable to find a place to order it online
Mail them mate
I am very interested in these products. Can they cut polyethylene plank foam, micro cell foam, open cell foam, black charcoal foam or other types of foam?
sorry I've never used that type of foam
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
These are just toys, if you looking for a proper tool look at proxxon router tool it too needs a power supply however it at least twice the power with heavy wire that just blast though booth Styrofoam and dense foam. It has a lot larger area to work with. I have built a whole swamp using this tool the review of the proxxon and hotwire tool is on my channel have a look I have made videos for my swamp for the creature all made out of foam using the proxxon tool take a look
I'll check them out mate, thanks for the heads up
I started with their tools, and then I found this. www.bigwebpages.com/members/candlecutter/foam.html For cutting 2" foam, it can't be beat.
+John McConnell that's heavy duty
But, this one goes to 11. XD
+Kurt Kier Love that film!
Please stop saying yeah after every other word it’s quite distracting other than that good video