Hot Knives & Foam Cutters

Hot Knives

Whether it’s high-density foam or Styrofoam, our hot knives will let you quickly and cleanly slice through the thickest pieces in seconds. The heat also seals off the edges, preventing waste and edge fraying.

We carry several hot knives, from the budget-friendly handhelds with R-blades to tabletop models that let you work hands-free. With a hot knife foam cutter, you can easily cut through materials such as:

  • Webbing
  • Elastic
  • Nylon-based fabrics like Spandex
  • Boning
  • Hook-and-loop tape
  • Nylon rope

Automatic Cutting Machines 

Swift and efficient repetitive cutting for projects like belts, belt loops, webbing, strip tapes, purse straps, plastic zippers, elastics, and other parts are easy with one of our tabletop automatic hot-knife cutting machines. Our affordable New Tech Electric Hot Knife gets the job done and is easy to use, making it the perfect hot knife.

If you are looking for a manual machine, the JM-817 Belt Cutter (Cold & Hot) Cutting Machine can cut up to 35 pieces per minute. Accurate and easy to operate, it works best on soft, lightweight materials.

If you need something faster, our electronic cutters can cut between 90 and 120 pieces per minute. You can set them and forget them using the automated control board to cut according to your specifications and let it run. The machine stores the program for each cut piece even when turned off so you can use it to cut additional pieces later. They’re easy to operate and have automatic shut-off when the fabric runs out.

Foam Cutting Tools

Larger pieces of foam and rubber can be difficult and time-consuming to cut without the right tools. By using a foam cutting machine can easily cut through these larger pieces. 

Consew’s CFC Smooth Cut Foam & Rubber Cutting System uses a columnar saw blade to cut your foam the way you need it. Order the correct size you need. You can also buy additional column blades in different sizes to accommodate whatever size foam you’re cutting.

Our tabletop Hot Wire Foam Cutting Machine is a larger option for the bigger pieces. Faster than a hot knife, you can slice through and shape larger squares of foam and Styrofoam, as well as cut out shapes like circles.

Cloth Drills

Making a large number of holes quickly is a feat of engineering, and cloth drills get the job done with little effort.

Instead of heating the fabric, a cloth drill goes straight through a wide range of fabrics to mark a spot for:

  • Buttonholes
  • Pockets
  • Darts
  • Other markings or add-on spots

Both our models can drill holes through several layers of fabric quickly and easily. The telescoping drive shaft puts the holes right where they’re needed, every time. Each runs with a powerful AC motor.

Protection for Yourself and Your Shop When Using Hot Knives

While these cutters are fast and efficient, it’s also important to make sure your tables, work surfaces, and other shop furniture won’t be damaged by the high heat these machines produce. The same heat that makes quick work cutting through foam, nylon, and hook-and-loop tape can quickly do damage to your fixtures.

First—you can’t cut on a wood or plastic table. A plastic table will melt, and a wood table will be left with burn marks.

Second—the blades on all of these tools quickly turn red-hot, literally. Make sure that there are no children around who might find one of these items interesting. For the adults, make sure that anyone who uses them exercises extreme caution whenever they are plugged in.

Third—it’s a good idea to employ some eye, face, and hand protection when using these tools to protect users from burns and inhalation of smoke that some materials may produce when heat is applied. Our stainless steel mesh gloves are ideal for keeping hands safe.

Looking for Heat Cutting Tools? Goldstar Tool Has Just What You Need

From a bladed foam cutter to the latest in hot-wire cutting machines, Goldstar Tool offers a full line of tools to take care of every need, as well as spare parts like replacement blades.

When you need more than just scissors, visit our collection of heat and foam cutting tools and accessories right on our website. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, call us at 1-800-868-4419, contact us online or send us an email at sales@goldstartool.com. We can help you find the right tools to meet your needs.

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What Are Sewing Scissors Used For?

Fabric-specific scissors and shears are used for one thing: cutting fabric.

They should cut smoothly and cleanly and feel comfortable when you use them. You should always use the appropriate type of scissors and shears for your fabric if you want them to last and you want your fabric to cut cleanly.

Using your sewing scissors to cut anything but fabric is a quick way to ruin a good, and possibly expensive, pair of scissors. Keep them sheathed or otherwise properly stored when not in use and always use a different pair of scissors for paper and other non-fabric cutting applications.

Choosing the Right Scissors for Your Fabric

Different types of scissors have specific functions, such as spring-mounted thread clippers, which are perfect for opening buttonholes and snipping off thread ends in everyday sewing. Dressmaker shears are designed to cut just about any type of fabric, from fine silks and cotton to the heaviest denim and leather.  Synthetics tend to shred a little with dressmaker shears and standard fabric scissors, so serrated-edged scissors are a much better choice. These Mundial shears have cushioned handles and micro-serrated stainless steel edges that ensure clean cuts without slipping.

What to Look for In A Pair of Scissors or Shears + -

Of course, you want to look for a good quality brand. At Goldstar Tool, we carry brands like Mundial, Wescott, Wiss, and our own Goldstar brand of scissors. Scissors can be expensive, but price isn’t always a good indicator of how good they are. Just because they are pricey does not automatically make them good. Stainless steel forged blades are strong, sharp, and will last a long time. When choosing a good pair of blades, you should ask yourself… Are they comfortable? If they don’t feel right when you’re cutting, they’re not right for you. A good pair of shears should be sharp and cut cleanly through your fabric from the start to the end. Of course, with use, they may need sharpening, which should restore them to a like-new condition. However, if they don’t cut well when they’re new, sharpening really won’t help, and it may be time to invest in a better pair. When you buy new shears or scissors, ask yourself… Is it the right type for your needs? Do you need a longer set of dressmaker shears, or would a pair of offset scissors work better? Will they cut thin fabrics as well as thicker fabrics, or do you need a separate pair for heavier materials? Remember that a good pair of scissors is an investment, so put some thought into your choice and be sure to take care of them. Repeatedly buying inexpensive scissors that you throw away can add up to a costly expense. 

Types of Shears + -

Dressmaker shears are the most important scissors to have. Heavier than traditional scissors, they’re designed to cut fabrics of all types and typically do so very well. These Mundial shears are engineered for right-handed or left-handed users, and come in 6”, 7” and 8” models (including left-handed 8”.) Our Goldstar brand 8-inch forged stainless steel shears cut the entire length of the blade, all the way to the tip. If you prefer pinking shears, we have two types from the GoldStar line. Our heavy-duty shears have classic metal handles, and the other has cushioned plastic handles. For the quilter, Mundial professional quilting scissors in either 5 ½,” 8 ½, or 9 ½” offer soft grip cushioned insert handles for comfort and extended use.  Do you enjoy applique work? Our Mundial applique scissors help you make quick work of trimming around appliques, as well as evenly trimming Are buttonholes your nemesis? Our exclusive buttonhole scissors have a screw that stops you from cutting through your carefully made buttonholes. Safer than regular scissors or a scalpel, the screw limits your cutting length, so you cut exactly the length you need.

Other Cutting Products + -

Keep your scissors handy with a leather belt/hip holster, animal print belt holster or a lanyard that hangs around your neck. These will keep your shears handy and always available. Rotary cutters are a great way to do precise, fast cuts with ease. Goldstar Tool’s rotary cutters make fast work of whatever you need to cut. We also carry the replacement blades for all of our rotary cutting tools. Straight paper cutting is fast and easy with Westcott Titanium Bonded Paper Trimmer. It trims up to ten sheets of paper quickly with a completely safe, no-touch covered blade assembly.

Caring for Your Shears and Scissors

Caring for Your Shears and Scissors

Keeping Your Shears and Scissors in Tip Top Shape + -

The first thing you should NEVER do is cut anything but fabric with your scissors and shears intended for fabrics. The second is to never cut into a pin or needle since it will damage them permanently. When you’re finished using your shears, the best thing you can do is wipe the blades with a dry cloth to remove lint, threads, dust, and other small particles that can make them harder to use. Synthetic fibers can also dull the blades. Clean away the dry particles after every use. Keep your shears and scissors working smoothly with a small drop of quality sewing machine oil in the fulcrum or the pivot screw. Carefully open and close them a few times (point down) to distribute the oil, and wipe them, spreading some of the remnant oil over the blades. You want to oil your scissors and shears about once a month, more if you use them daily.  Of course, be careful not to drop them, or they could be damaged to the point of being unworkable.

Sharpening Your Shears and Scissors + -

When they just don’t cut like they used to, sharpening is a must to prevent damage to your fabrics. You may have heard that cutting through aluminum foil steel wool and/or sandpaper as a way to quickly sharpen your dulled scissors. Despite their popularity, we don’t recommend these methods. Think about it—if you shouldn’t use your sewing shears and scissors for paper and other things, or attempt to cut through a pin or needle, why would you use either of these to sharpen a blade? There are better ways to sharpen your shears at home or in your commercial shop. Need something small and efficient to keep around? These handy Scissors And Blade Sharpeners are economical, convenient, and sharpen on the fly. Our ExtremEdge V2 Knife and Shear Sharpener is a fast, easy way to sharpen non-serrated scissors and knives safely. The bottom section holds it in place for simple one-handed operation, and it’s sold for a reasonable price. If you have more than a few pairs of scissors, sending them out for sharpening can shut down operations. Our Wolff Industrial Twice as Sharp Scissor Sharpening System is an investment that will save you and your workers time and money, and keep your scissor arsenal sharp and cutting perfectly every time. Priced at under $500, you can sharpen your tools in-house whenever you need to. Plus, it comes with instructions so that anyone can learn to use it for fast on-demand sharpening.  Pinking shears, like our own soft-handled or heavy-duty shears, are best sharpened by a professional. There’s no reason to keep working with dull scissors and shears. Get one of our exclusive sharpening tools today.