Abstract: Combustible materials, including plastic sheets, plates, and blocks, also leather and all varieties of wood, may be cut along predetermined lines by engaging same with a heated reciprocating wire at temperatures which vaporizes the material rather than melting same. The machine providesa reciprocating wire which is heated by electrical resistance. A system of air quenching of the wire above and below the cutting zone is employed in order to attain incandescent temperatures at the point of cutting.