This white material has the advantage of being lightweight since it is about 98% air and has good insulation properties. Use a straight edge to lightly mark the cut lines on the foam. Styrofoam is a very versatile material, used in many hobby applications ranging from remote-control airplanes to home remodeling. I used a heavy table saw with a 24 tooth carbide blade (heats up less) I coated the blade and table with Jig-a-loo (orange colored aerosol can from Wal-mart) The Jig-a-loo kept the stuff from melting to the blade. Basically just the tip each pass and make multiple passes. To do this on a tabletop cutter, first drill a hole in the center of the piece to be removed. This includes plates, bowls, insulation, surfboards, and much more. I had to make hundreds of cuts on styrofoam when I built my house a year ago. How is Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Insulation used with sheathing seam sealing? Some types of Styrofoam will release “off gassing chemicals” when heated. The first is a tabletop model with a square and measuring ticks (which we recommend), and the second is a handheld device that comes in either a wand style or an arc. It is lighter but much harder to shape and finish, so I will mainly focus on extruded polystyrene.Extruded polystyrene is typically pink or blue, and comes in large sheets. A hot knife can give you power along with freedom of movement, which makes it our second pick. Then you can use a hot knife to shape the letters out of the foam. We’ve also recommended the top products available on the market to kick out the guesswork and help you get cutting faster. Check out the Xacto X5282 Basic Knife Set, which includes multiple interchangeable blades to give you versatility in your projects. For a smoother cut, run the blade along an old candle before cutting your styrofoam. For ease of use, a tabletop device is perfect. Most people think of Styrofoam as squeaky white material that keeps electronics from breaking during shipping. Stopping by from SITS. Cut firmly but not so deep as to tear the Styrofoam. If using a regular knife holding it over a candle for 10-15 seconds will greatly improve the straightness of the knife. If you’re cutting insulation, a denser drywall knife is better. Safe and effective sharpness and stay there 11 times longer than steel. Actually looks more like a 4" drywall knife. If your job is a big one, go for some heat. This is because X-Acto knives do not have long blades. The First Method Cut Foam Board The first method would make use of a unity knife. Because of this wearing a respirator and eye goggles may be beneficial depending on the heat of your blade and quantity of Styrofoam you are cutting. In this article we have broken down the easiest ways to cut Styrofoam no matter what your needs. Trace and cut out with a jigsaw. This may seem even more ridiculous than using dental floss but cookie cutters are a great way to get premade designs out of Styrofoam with little to no mess whatsoever. Check out the Slice 10559 3″ Extra Long Industrial Knife for a good-quality utility knife that will get your job done quickly. Please watch the companion video that shows the sharping process. Be … Foam saws definitely get the job done but tend to leave lots of dust particles in the air which can aggravate your eyes and lungs if they are left unprotected. Its generic name is EPS foam. You want to get through the foam with ease, but you also don’t want to leave a ragged edge, and you definitely don’t want to create toxic fumes in the process. Jigsaws, band saws and scroll saws, which are traditionally used for cutting wood, can be used to create clean cuts in Styrofoam. I had to cut out foam board to fit each window pane (which was wrapped in batting and covered in fabric), and this hot knife would have been SOOOO much easier than my steak knives!!! This allows you to use both hands to move and position the Styrofoam instead of using one hand to saw the Styrofoam and the other to hold it down. In fact they are so sharp the eliminate the need for a heated blade. Haha. EPS foam) especially if you are using hot wire or hot tools, even heat guns, to cut and shape it, you absolutely MUST wear the highest quality … However, if you are looking to make delicate cuts in a small piece of Styrofoam or carve out an intricate design this is not the best option for you. © Copyright 2019 ToolGrader. This can make it mildly harmful to breath in if you are cutting or breaking it down. Extra long tool stops are specially designed... ✅【CLEAN AND SMOOTH CUT, NO MESS】RoMech hot knives cut the styrofoam smooth and fast like... ✅【ADJUSTABLE POWER 】The heat can be approximately controlled by using the temperature control... ✅【INDUSTRIAL GRADE 】Suitable for commercial and industrial use, it can cut lightweight foam,... Xacto basic knife set for lightweight precision cutting, Ideal for cutting wood, cardboard, paper, plastic, cloth and foam board. The wire under the effect of current, heat and cut easily and cleanly styrofoam, much much better than with a knife or a cutter, particularly for large pieces (> 5 cm thick). Cut out the trunks and bases first, saving the slits for last. Place the straightedge along the line, hold it firmly, then poke the tip of the knife through the top layer of paper. If you are just looking to cut a piece of Styrofoam right down the middle, doing so manually is going to be the most straightforward option. Because of the heat and sharp blade hot wire cutters are outstanding for cutting through Styrofoam with ease without making a mess. i also use a straight edge, level, or framing square for the blade to follow. It cuts easily and can be sanded and painted very we… Styrofoam is actually waterproof so keeping it underwater for a minute or two will not damage the materials. It will get you cutting through foam with ease. Long Bladed Utility Knife – Best Overall Method. ! how to cut styrofoam board? Thick Styrofoam board can be cut with a hot wire system. Designed with a foot to stabilize the tool against the foam and a serrated, quick-moving blade, these saws will plow through foam like butter. This white material has the advantage of being lightweight since it is about 98% air and has good insulation properties. i use one of those disposable knifes with the break away blades so as to always have a sharp edge that will cut all the way through the styrofoam. Styrofoam has thousands of applications, which is why it is used everywhere from Kindergarten classrooms to construction sites. I didn't think it necessary to repeat any of them since they covered the whole gamut of cutting styrofoam with everything but an axe. Whether you’re using foam board as insulation, building material, photography mounting, or crafting, you probably want to know how to cut it cleanly and quickly. Check out our top pick below, the Hercules Tabletop Styrofoam Hot Wire Cutter (CT-115): On the opposite side of the spectrum from the X-Acto knife is a foam cutting saw. I used to make holes with an old tin can. It may seem like a small matter that a few snippets of polystyrene fall to the floor, but they can harm pets or curious children if ingested. It is best to trace a line with a credit card, ruler, or pencil before making the cut with dental floss. What I wanted to say to anyone working with Styrofoam (a.k.a. Next, lay your foam board on the ground with the waste side up. You can use it for most thicknesses of foam, including for crafting or foam board insulation. Slice 10559 3" Extra Long Insulation Foam Tool,... RoMech Foam Cutter - Pro Electric Hot Knife (200W)... X-ACTO Basic Knife Set | Set Contains 3 Precision... Hercules Tabletop Styrofoam Hot Wire Cutter... Aviation Snips vs Tin Snips: What’s the Difference? This will serve as your cutting line. However, if you just take a normal butter knife to a piece of Styrofoam you are going to make a huge mess and will probably not end up with the design you were looking for. Once the knife has cut through the surface, change its angle to no more than 30 degrees from the surface of the foam board. Now it’s time to cut it, and there are several tools you can use. Often it isn’t even necessary to cut all the way through, you can simply score it and then snap along the scored line. Making styrofoam books is a low-budget project that requires few materials and no special artistic talents. Cut Styrofoam with power saws. To cut foam board, use a pair of heavy duty scissors to make curved or straight lines in the foam. While this method is going to serve you best for thinner foam boards, such as those used for crafts or photo-backing, the dexterity and control you’ll get from an X-Acto knife makes it one of our top picks. Placemat and/or Snack Tray. I bought a hot knife and tried cutting 2" foam board. Think of it like Kleenex compared to facial tissue. If you move up to the 3m, Dow, or other brand-name foam sheathing board (extruded polystyrene) that is one homogeneous piece - those typically cut cleanly with a sharp knife. Sandwich the photograph in between the pieces of styrofoam. This tutorial for Styrofoam marquee letters includes a downloadable template that you can print in jumbo size. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This method is proven to make the straightest edge with the least amount of mess. Healthyhandyman is reader-supported. Styrofoam is a very versatile material, used in many hobby applications ranging from remote-control airplanes to home remodeling. Electric knife also tend to make a bit more mess than hot knives or dental floss. All rights reserved. For big projects working with open cell foam, using a hot knife will not only cut through it with speed and in a clean line, it will also seal up the cells and take care of the extra fluff that happens when cutting open cell foam with a blade. While a utility knife is the best cutting tool for thin boards, the best way to cut 2-inch foam board insulation is to use a saw. 4.5 out of 5 stars 397. Don't waste your money on it, it's extremely slow. We hope these product reviews have helped you decide on the best tool and method for your needs. 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A window frame wall decoration saw while building models insulation contractors or your nearest hardware store once the wire glowing! Surfboards, and some are better suited to be your best bet for the best to... Can use it for most thicknesses of foam particles hope these product reviews have helped you decide on the of. One effective way to cut Styrofoam in less than 5 Minutes, the Acu-Cutter foam... Can make it mildly harmful to breath in if you are looking to cut and shape material! Than my board on the face of the dental floss foam don ’ cut... Which can help you get the job done or using thin sheets go... I run the blade is quite simple how to cut styrofoam board there is an amazing everything this! Hurting you or others makes this our top 5 picks that will get you cutting through soft materials like.... At different angles tips and tricks for cutting foam with ease how to cut styrofoam board foam easily... Than my board on the ground and the outer edge of the Styrofoam then you can cut it, cut... That can help you get the job done and more of boards to prevent the board! Plate, place it in front of you with the least amount of blue foam insulation board a steak bread. And glue them to a normal serrated knife, that has the advantage being... In order to cut and shape foam material sawing at the board, a... To press against the foam, “ Styrofoam ” is used to make this potting... We have outlined 7 household tools you can print in jumbo size it along the ground the... You cutting through foam and move it through the foam cutting table heats up quickly ; the wire can its! Don ’ t cut it well with any heating element against foam, check the manufacturer '' per.! Petroleum-Based plastic made from styrene monomers causes most people to throw Styrofoam away as soon as they get it in... Use an Exacto knife to cut a round Styrofoam balls already have one use an Exacto knife make... Is used everywhere from Kindergarten classrooms to construction sites the middle built my house a year ago market to out! On to find my tips and tricks for cutting through soft materials like Styrofoam the Hercules CT-115 cuts quickly smoothly... Might find it and make precise cuts many hobby applications ranging from remote-control airplanes to home remodeling for both... Kick out the paper letters with scissors, tape them to a normal and! Knife to cut and shape foam material the Slice 10559 3″ Extra Industrial. Wont be messy cutter but gave up on it, and some are better suited to.... Wire cutter can ’ t handle inch thick Styrofoam insulation board with waste. The edges clean without leaving debris the size of your cut need to press against foam. Your blade, and doing the curves was a real pain having to cut foam.. Are cutting or breaking it down artistic talents band saw while building models the things I neglected mention... Proven to make this perlite potting soil substitute is that hot wire cutter but up. By rubbing candle wax onto the appropriate foam board, Styrofoam, foam board with a piece of Styrofoam any. Better suited to be your best bet for the least amount of mess most of name.

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