Best Hot Knife to make cut for blend door replacement

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

I've read the other threads, and watched the you tube videos, but I'm curious if there is a particular hot knife that cuts better to access the blend door?

Many say they excel at cutting foam, but foam is far less dense than plastic.

Has anyone done this trying different ones and found a "best" option?

For anyone who thinks their blend door is broken, this is the easiest way to find out.



The best video I've found for the procedure.

[Wizard1183]

Dremel

[Moto-Mojo]

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Originally Posted by Moto-Mojo

Attachment 1123636

Yep that’s my vote as well. Post a video when you use it

[0stones0]

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

I've read the other threads, and watched the you tube videos, but I'm curious if there is a particular hot knife that cuts better to access the blend door?

Many say they excel at cutting foam, but foam is far less dense than plastic.

Has anyone done this trying different ones and found a "best" option?

For anyone who thinks their blend door is broken, this is the easiest way to find out.



The best video I've found for the procedure.

Great vids! Added to the database.
Blend Door Database

[joekono]

Originally Posted by Moto-Mojo

Attachment 1123636

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

Yep that’s my vote as well. Post a video when you use it

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by 0stones0

Great vids! Added to the database.
Blend Door Database

Thanks, I watched all of them I could find.

Here is an inexpensive boroscope I bought that works really well. It does take a while for it to charge, around 4.5 hours.

It's on Wal-Mart.com for $30

Tomshine-Digital-Industrial-Endoscope-Borescope-with-8mm-Automotive-Inspection-Camera1080P-High-Definition-Waterproof-LED-Light-4-3-inch-Screen

The only thing I think I could add is after applying the sealant around the cut, use Q-tips with the cotton end flattened out to remove all the excess and make the job look much cleaner.
Isn't really necessary but doesn't take very long to do.

I assemble actuators for a living, and this is what we do to remove the excess.

I guess I'll get a smallish hot knife, seems it would be easier to maneuver, and grind the tip down a bit, so I don't risk puncturing the heater core.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by Wizard1183

Dremel

I've seen a few videos of that used.
However, I have very little experience using one, and the gap left is much larger than the one from a hot knife.

Thanks anyway.

[camguynj]

Can’t go wrong with an X-Acto

[Tpimike]

I bought one on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wasn’t that impressed with it. The part that clamped the blade kept loosing up.
The plastic cutting was the toughest part.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by Tpimike

I bought one on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wasn’t that impressed with it. The part that clamped the blade kept loosing up.
The plastic cutting was the toughest part.

I bought a somewhat similar one from Walnut Hollow.

I'll reply back and let you know how it did.

It had a lot of good reviews, so we will see.

I saw one for $200 that looked very high quality, but being that I will probably only use it once, I couldn't justify 10x the cost.

It will probably take me longer than normal, because I will definitely grind the tip of the blade down to reduce the chance of damaging the heater core.

[Tpimike]

The absolute worst part is being on your back with your arms up in an awkward position. On the plus side is if it breaks again it will be a much easier job.

[camguynj]

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

I bought a somewhat similar one from Walnut Hollow.

I'll reply back and let you know how it did.

It had a lot of good reviews, so we will see.

I saw one for $200 that looked very high quality, but being that I will probably only use it once, I couldn't justify 10x the cost.

It will probably take me longer than normal, because I will definitely grind the tip of the blade down to reduce the chance of damaging the heater core.

Don’t think you have to worry if using a hot knife. It’s a slow cut and only the tip would touch the heater core frame at most not the coils so it really couldn’t cause any damage. Using a dremmel is a different story.

[blackswan]

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

I bought a somewhat similar one from Walnut Hollow.

I'll reply back and let you know how it did.

It had a lot of good reviews, so we will see.

I saw one for $200 that looked very high quality, but being that I will probably only use it once, I couldn't justify 10x the cost.

It will probably take me longer than normal, because I will definitely grind the tip of the blade down to reduce the chance of damaging the heater core.

Work?