There have been several threads on different boards about the fact that the Tippi hot-wire foam cutter is out of stock everywhere.  Lucky for you I have some information.

While at the Nashville show I was talking to the good folks from Pop’s Custom Model Railroads about some of the scenery on their demo layout.  They mentioned they don’t use hot-wire cutters much because all they have is the Woodland Scenics one which is a bit hard to use.  I started to tell them about the wonder that is the Tippi, and also how it was no where to be found, when the vendor in the next booth over joined the conversation.

First, what is a Tippi?  Well, it’s a hot wire foam cutter that uses a thicker, more rigid wire.  This allows you to bend the wire into shapes.  Several shapes are available stock, as are segments of straight wire you can bend yourself.  The rigid wire makes it possible to cut down into foam which floppy wire cutters like the Woodland Scenics can’t; you can do things like cut drainage ditches, dig out work-site excavations, and even cut rock strata with ease.  I think it also heats up quicker, and gets a little hotter than the alternatives.

Anyway, the fine gentleman from B&B Hobby Supplies said he manufactured them.  Apparently the original Tippi had been a joint venture with another party, but they have since split ways on the project.  The tooling to make them had issues a few months ago and he decided to use the opportunity to make a few minor improvements.  The new tooling and production run were all lined up and he was hoping to have the new and improved “Tippi 2” (or Tippi II?) out by the end of March.  Same great Tippi, just a slightly redesigned handle to make it a bit more comfortable.  It’s also going to come in a small toolbox to hold the Tippi and wire cutters.

He did say everyone he knew of was out of them right now, so if you’re one of the folks looking for a Tippi and you see one anywhere you may want to grab it if you need one now.  Otherwise you may want to wait for the new and improved version.

You can find B&B Hobby Supplies at your local show, they are one of the larger booths with a huge assortment of tools.  Here’s the information from the business card he gave me:

B&B Hobby Supplies

701 Mill St. Bridgeville, PA 15017

412. (412)580-4570 Fax (412) 257-1253
     

Email: wallcorn@verizon.net

Mail order warehouse ONLY FOR TOOLS & ELECTRONICS

I can only assume that many of the retail outlets which carried the Tippi will carry the new version as well.

Please share a link to this blog post in any of the threads where you have seen people asking about the Tippi.  It’s a great way to spread this information, and also to promote REALITY REDUCED.