FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Yes, we can special order you a voltage converter, whether you need to convert 110 Volt to 220 Volt or 220 Volt to 110 Volt. We can also provide different types of transformers too. Please contact our sales office in order to get a quote and the lead time.

Please contact us directly (888-854-4746) in order for us to better explain the requirements to become a reseller.

Fabric Cutting

Some of our cutting blades have a beveled edge, but they are not sharp. The heat is what cuts the material, not the sharpness of the blade that you're using.

We suggest that our customers cut on top of a 1/4 inch piece of glass that is formed fitted to their cutting table. We also recommend that they should smooth the edges of the glass for their protection. The glass doesn't absorb the heat like steel or wood, therefore all of the heat goes into the cutting process.
Note: This recommendation is for manual cutting, our slitter machine and some of our custom retrofitted devices have ceramic tubes that the material runs over while the blade slits (cuts & seals) the material.

We suggest that our customers use an anodized aluminum straight edge (the same material that screen doors are made of) because it doesn't pull the heat out of the cutting blade like a steel guide would do.

The simplest way to clean off your cutting blade is to get the blade nice and hot and brush the blade off with a brass wire brush. This will also extend the life of your blade.

The Green HSG-0's housing is made out of a polycarbonate plastic material and the Gray HSG-0's housing is made out of a polyamid nylon plastic material that holds up a little stronger when it is being used around harsh chemicals and fumes. Both are the same price.

Yes, we can have custom blades made to fit the exact application for our customers. Whether they need a circle, rectangle, oval, square, or triangle blade, we can get blades made to each customer's detailed specifications. If there is another type of custom blade that a customer requires, they would have to call and give us the dimensions and we will find out if it is possible for such a blade to be made.

No, we prefer to talk with our customers one-on-one to make sure we provide them with the very best customer service and heat cutting equipment specifically for their application.

The term, "Intermediate use", means that the trigger should never be pressed for longer than a few minutes at one time. This is because the transformer is inside the housing and if the trigger is pressed for too long, you risk damaging your unit. Releasing the trigger for a minute or two to let the transformer cool down is recommended.

When two or more pieces of synthetic material are on top of each other and are being cut with our heat cutters, they will seal together, but there is no guarantee how strong the seal is bonded together. We specialize in heat cutting one layer of synthetic material at a time and as you cut the material it will seal the edge so that it doesn't fray.
If you are wanting to cut multiple layers or seal two pieces of synthetic material together the proper way, give us a call and we can recommend a couple of different companies that specialize in welding synthetic materials together.

No, our equipment is meant to cut synthetic fibers that will bond together making a sealed edge while cutting with heat. Natural fibers like wool and cotton will only flame up, burn and not have a sealed edge.

Yes, our equipment comes with a one-year manufacturer's warranty that starts from the date of the original retail purchase and it covers any and all manufacturers' defects. This warranty does not cover any product that has been altered, modified or damaged, neglected, accidently dropped or improperly used. If any of the previous occurs, the warranty shall be considered null and void.

We normally tell our customers that the blades last around 3 to 6 months if they are being used correctly. No pressure is needed; the heat is doing the cutting. If a customer keeps the blade clean by using a brass wire brush while it's heated, it will extend the life of the blade. Also, if the customer isn't using the blade everyday, it will extend the life of the blade.

"We strongly suggest not using heat cutting when separating PVC coated materials because of the dangerous fumes that are emitted. Any type of incineration or accidental burning of PVC will produce large amounts of dioxin, one of the most toxic substances known, which can cause cancer and reproductive disorders if inhaled.
Note: We recommend an appropriate breathing mask and a well ventilated working area no matter what type of material you're cutting with HSGM products. Health and Safety comes first!"

We can not compete with the speed of a cold cut razor blade, in most instances, but we can compete with the quality of the cut. Razor blades leave fraying on the edges of synthetic material. Our heated blades cut and seal the edges at the same time eliminating fraying and stopping the need to hem the edges in another process, which in turn will save you money through man hours.

Polystyrene Cutting

The blades for the C-120 unit are not interchangeable with the other two polystyrene hot knives because they have flat legs that slide between two retaining plates. These plates squeeze together and hold the blades in position. The C-140 and HSG-G1-VW blades are interchangeable from the C-70, up to the C-140 and most all of the curved blades. The HSG-G1-VW is required to properly heat the C-180 and C-200 blades because of their extended length.

Yes, you can bend the polystyrene blades yourself, but it's recommended to heat the blade up first in order to make the laser cut blade more flexible and easier to shape. Please note that if a customer decides to bend or alter their blades, they do so at their own risk. HSGM, Inc. is not responsible for damages done to altered or modified equipment.

Yes, we have standard cutting tables or we can custom build you a polystyrene cutting table to fit your exact application(s). Please contact our sales office in order to get a quote and the lead time.

We would recommend that you purchase a blade that is only an inch longer than your polystyrene boards or blocks. That way your not wasting energy during the cutting process and it will also make your cuts faster. Plus it will enable your blade to heat up faster with less area to heat up.