What hot knife would you guys recommend we buy for finishing our Logix ICF basement. We need to run some wires and pipes (plumbing) in the walls. Any tips for using the hot knife? Thanks!!

BuildIt,

Honestly in talking with one of the biggest ICF installers in the country, the recommendation I got was to go out, spend $20 and buy an electric bbq lighter.

http://www.target.com/Electric-Charcoal-Starter/dp/B000GFP1TO/sr=1-2/qid=1245095439/ref=sr_1_2/190-3534648-1335116?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&rh=k%3Aelectric%5Fbarbeque&page=1

or go to ebay. It makes sense to me.

Really. That is great. We just need one for finishing our basement and most of the professional ones were like $200. Thanks!!

Sure thing...it really does make a lot of sense. Heck if you can clean it somehow, consider it sustainable and use it on your grill! Because the lighter is a little thick, you may need to move quickly and foam in some of the other sides. I can't see how you would loose much if any thermal mass from that.

Harbor Freight has hot knives for either $14.99 or $19.99.

Thanks for the tip. I bought one of the electric charcoal starters at Wal-Mart for $10. I have not tried it out yet though.

I use an electric chainsaw with a rollar skate wheel screwed thru the bar at the end to maintain depth. Cost $50 total, works like a champ. SOmetimes I will use a grinder with a masonry wheel. Depends on your workload. For a single job the lighter would work.