This is how I cut Rip-Stop Nylon

[chickenwing]

Thanks for all the positive remarks on the video. I had to clean my garage to a sorta clean state so I could shoot this video. The vid took about 10 minutes to shoot and it took 10 hours to clean the garage to a point there was enough room for me to have a little corner to work on "stuff" and for the wife to park her car.

WV - I like the idea of having a hard, non-conductive surface on which to cut. I will have to keep that in the back of my mind for when I build a work table. The tip on placing the soldering iron down in a safe place is a good one. I made a custom holder for mine that attaches to the wall (think coiled metal coat hanger wire, 2 washers and 2 screws). It works like a charm for holding the hot pointy tool away from nylon and skin.

GvilleDave - I will be at the hang SwampFox is putting together for this Nov. - Info Here . Are you gonna try to make this one? Hope to see many people from SC at this one.

BurningCedar- You are right about the metal pulling the heat from the iron, but I am not fast at anything I do so this is not much of a problem for me. I had the straight edge from another project so it is what I use (I am not much of a fan of single purpose tools).

LonelyRaven & Alamosa- The sewing and the cleaning and the time just to get away and do this is what really slow me down. By the time I get thru with work and the kids activities and my school work, i don't have much energy to do much of anything. But I am trying.

bdbart - glad I could give you another excuse to make something. (like you really needed an excuse.)

Bomber - I won't ask why but I will ask, "was it painful?"

[deetjunkie]

As far as the straight edge sinking heat away from the iron I would try the thinnest steel straight edge you can find. Aluminum is a fantastic conducter/disperser of heat that's why they use it for radiatiors, and heat exchangers. Just my .02.

[olddog]

Has anyone tried this on tyvek? Just curious.

[Navigator]

Yup. Made my first DIY hammock cutting this way. I also now have a nice scar on my right index finger and thumb where I picked up the wrong end of the soldering iron.

Yes, stupid, I know. "Eyes and mind on task." Sigh.

Nice hammock, though.

[stinkypete]

Yes this cuts tyvek very fast.

I have used the soldering iron technique with nylon fabric up to 12 ounces per yard (kayaks)

I tend to fall back and use my propane torch vice grips and a razor. More of a hassle, but I get a more accurate edge. I don't need it that accurate, but I just sort of like the process.

[jima59]

Never tried that. I always use the rotary wheel by the scissors maker sold at joannes.

[Lonely Raven]

It would definitely be cleaning the garage to that "super clean" state that would slow me up.

One of the first things I did when I bought this house, was to strip out the garage, paint the walls, add fluorescent lights, and install an industrial grade epoxy floor. This isn't your Home Depot epoxy, this is a two part epoxy that comes in 5 gallon buckets.

Granted, my garage doesn't look like this *now*, it's all full of tools and chopped up wood and reloading gear...but it makes for a good workshop (when it's clean, and it's easy to clean the floor!)

[dragon360]

Now that is an awesome garage.

[jred]

One of the first things I did when I bought this house, was to strip out the garage, paint the walls, add fluorescent lights, and install an industrial grade epoxy floor. This isn't your Home Depot epoxy, this is a two part epoxy that comes in 5 gallon buckets.

Granted, my garage doesn't look like this *now*, it's all full of tools and chopped up wood and reloading gear...but it makes for a good workshop (when it's clean, and it's easy to clean the floor!)

I used to think you were alright. Now I think I hate you :P

[chickenwing]

I used to think you were alright. Now I think I hate you :P

This made me laugh. That's not funny to do while I am supposed to be working.