Have been wanting to get a pyrogravure for figure conversions etc. The one sold by Historex Agents in the UK seems perfect except that it runs on 200/220 V and I live in the U.S. Would prefer not to have to resort to using a transformer (but still a possibility I guess--a last resort).

Does any one have any suggestions? What options are there?

I already have a variable setting soldering iron but it's not quite the same thing as a purpose built pyrogravure for styrene/plastic work I think.

Thanks, Richard

Hobbico makes a hot knife, that may fill your needs, I've been using one for years.
#HCAR)770
It's like a soldering iron, but accepts a #11 blade. I'm on my second one, last one lasted well over ten years without any problems, but like anything I guess it just wore out.
I use home built temperature control, since it is a one setting type tool.
Besides using the #11 blade, I've also have used a plain old every day pin in place of the blade, for texturing.
The cost was a big ten bucks at the local hobby shop.
I like it because it works with practice, and dislike it since it is not very well balanced, and prolong use leads to a fatigued hand. But for 10 bucks, it works pretty good, with practice it works better. But you really do need to come up with some sort of voltage regulator to control the heat.

I have a hot knife .. probably similar to Grumpy´s, cost 99sek or $10, takes #11 blades, etc... and use one of these for adjusting/lowering the temperature. These are for dimming the lights and should do the trick.

Exactly what I made up Frank, from a dimmer switch, and an electric outlet, junction box, cover plate plug, and plain old zip wire..... .... (spare parts from work)....... :-) :-) :-)
And it actually made me look busy one day on the day shift.....

Yep... Xacto makes one.......... for about 10 bucks.....

or you could buy the one from historex and use a travel adapter for electrical sockets you can buy uk to US travel apdapters easily enough