Thread burners, zappers and sealers are great tools to have when working with thread and cord. They work with synthetic cord & thread, such as nylon, and silk. When used to cut, they cauterize the ends and keep them from unravelling. When used to melt and to fuse the ends they prevent the final knots from getting untied. It is best to let the cord melt and to push the melted end against the knot rather than melting the knot itself. These tools are so much more precise than a cigarette lighter. They are a necessity for making Shambhala bracelets with Chinese Knotting Cord and for sliding square knot closures.

Compare
Hottest to Cooler - Cord Zap, Super Max Burner, Ultra Zap, Zap II
The Cord Zap & SuperMax Burner gets red hot immediately. The other burners do not get as hot and take longer to reach their highest temperatures. The Ultra Thread Zap gets hotter faster than the Thread Zap II, but a smaller area of the tip gets red.

Tips Sizes - Smaller to Larger - Ultra Zap, SuperMax Burner, Zap II & Cord Zap

Ergonomics - Most comfortable first - Ultra Zap, SuperMax Burner, Zap II & Cord Zap

Best Features - Cord Zap & SuperMax for red hot tip. Ultra Zap for retractable tip. Zap II for best price.

Notes
For safety, remove the battery or the tip when storing. Keep away from children.

These tools work well when finishing a limited number of thread as each individual thread or cord needs to melted one at a time.

May leave discoloration especially with light colored thread or cord.

Change the batteries often and let the tip cut or melt without forcing to keep the tip from getting damaged.

And foremost be careful not to melt or burn your work!

I tested these tools with new alkaline batteries (same brand and quality level), 2 AAs in the SuperMax Burner & Cord Zap, 1 AA in the Thread Zap II and 2 AAAs in the Ultra Thread Zap. > Read more in blog post comparing brands and see larger pictures

Designed originally for working with wax models. Battery operated with 2 AA battery included. 9 " (22.5 cm) long. Made in the USA

Burns hotter and gets to a higher temperature faster than any of the other thread burners. Best for heavier cords and for designers like myself always in a hurry!

Just like light bulbs, the tip needs replacement occasionally. Always check the battery first unless you notice obvious damage to the tip.

Battery operated with one AA battery (not included). 6 inch (15 cm) long.

Takes the longest time to get hot. Best price.

Some the tips of the models tested just fell out when the burner was opened as there was not enough friction between the tip and the fittings into the tool handle. Here is the fix for this problem: widen the space between the two prongs for a proper fit.

Battery operated with two AA battery (not included). 8 inch (20 cm) long.

New burner. Gets hottest the fastest. Good price.

This is the newest burner on the block as of March 2016. Gets red-hot the fastest and to a hotter than all the other thread burners. But be cautious though, it gets too hot for thin thread. This one is for heavier cords, not thread. I am growing very fond of this tool for heavier cords!

Just like light bulbs, the tip needs replacement occasionally. Always check the battery first unless you notice obvious damage to the tip. Includes two tips.

Battery operated with two AAA battery (not included). Include 1 extra tip in battery compartment. 5 inch (12.5 cm) long.

Retractable tip. Ergonomic design.

Best for working with fine thread, such as C-Lon Bead thread Size D, AA and Micro Cord and in area when you do not want the red hot tip of the SuperMax Burner.

Just like light bulbs, the tip needs replacement occasionally. Always check the battery first unless you notice obvious damage to the tip. Includes two tips.