In article , Peter Parry
writes
He needs to make a polystyrene cutter
(http://www.techlib.com/hobby/hotwire_foam_cutter.htm) for which he
will need Nichrome wire. The fact I still have a few km of Nichrome
wire is entirely immaterial.
Similarly but different, the pistol grip 100/200W instant heat soldering irons
that seem to be getting sold cheap all over these days have, *I think*,
copper wire elements which just get hot by passing a huge current through
the wire. Strip wire from some T&E and shape a new 'element' to the
desired cutting profile - bingo . . . .

Flaws anyone?, are those elements really just copper?
--
fred