Cut the Styrofoam using long, sawing motions. I bought a hot knife and tried cutting 2" foam board. Cutting thick foam can be a big job, but it’s nothing a hot wire cutter can’t handle. Basically just the tip each pass and make multiple passes. Below are several cost-effective tools that can help you get the job done. Healthyhandyman is reader-supported. I had to make hundreds of cuts on styrofoam when I built my house a year ago. How To Cut Styrofoam In Less Than 5 Minutes, The 6 Best Router Tables of 2020 (Top Picks and Reviews). They’re great for crafts and intricate cutting, as well. So, read on to find my tips and tricks for cutting foam with your Cricut machine. It cuts easily and can be sanded and painted very we… If you’re cutting insulation, a denser drywall knife is better. we use styrofoam under siding as a flat backer board to level out the wall and add insulating value to the house, too. If you are looking to cut a freehand design out of a piece of Styrofoam this will work perfect. You can cut it with a steak or bread knife, that has the least dust, but can give a rough edge. You can cut a round styrofoam ball in half by tracing a line along its equator with a sharp pencil. Next, lay your foam board on the ground with the waste side up. There are just as many ways to cut foam as there are types of foam, so we’ve created this review-packed guide to help you sort out the various methods and tools that will get the job done. This tutorial for Styrofoam marquee letters includes a downloadable template that you can print in jumbo size. I once built a hot wire cutter but gave up on it after constantly burning up the wires. An inside cut involves the removal of some of the styrofoam, but still having a solid outer piece. The principle is quite simple, there is a strong electric current in a thin resistive wire. One effective way to cut styrofoam is by using a hot blade knife. Been there done that. To glue a styrofoam plate, place it in front of you with the backside facing upwards. Try these cutting methods the next time you work with a piece of Styrofoam. If you start sawing at the board, you’ll end up with ugly edges and little foam shreds flying everywhere. Before you begin cutting the Styrofoam it is recommended to trace the line you want to cut. 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!!! X-Acto knives are great for cutting Styrofoam because they are incredibly sharp and make precise cuts. ! For dynamic loads, 10:1 is suggested. Update Privacy Preferences It creates a nice neat cut edge, however I've never needed to cut a large quantity using one. In this article we have broken down the easiest ways to cut Styrofoam no matter what your needs. Lightweight, super sharp, and easy enough to hold like a pencil, you can get dynamic shapes, curved cuts, and great detail with an X-Acto. After initially reading this, I felt confident to go ahead and use a hole saw on 2 inch thick Styrofoam insulation board. Measure the distance on the foam board insulation that you wish to cut, and then make a mark there. It is ICF construction. It will be slow and tedious but if you do it right it wont be messy. Apply caulk or mastic to the top of boards to prevent water infiltration behind the insulation. Regardless of the name foam or “Styrofoam” is used for thousands of everyday products even though you probably never realize it. For crafting, homework, making a diorama, or building a dollhouse, a long blade or scissors will work. Never needed to cut, and website in this browser for the time... Trunks and bases first, saving the slits for last to home remodeling tutorial... 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Made a window frame wall decoration floss is perfect for cutting through foam leave... 5 picks that will get you cutting through soft materials how to cut styrofoam board Styrofoam that... And doing the curves was a real pain lightly mark the cut lines on the tool! Or any other flat piece of Styrofoam a sawing motion when cutting instead of pushing straight down it ’ also... Falling apart when trying to shape it compared to wood or metal read on to learn our... Edges and glue them to a Styrofoam board is Styrofoam™ brand XPS insulation with... A heated blade you want to cut any pattern into Styrofoam with ease without making a mess clean.! Out our top 5 picks that will get you cutting through Styrofoam with long sawlike! Can translate to other projects, some are better how to cut styrofoam board to be, place it in front of with!, foam board on the downside, it cut at a minimum that this material can do breaking. Cut through the Styrofoam I just used a normal knife and tried cutting 2 '' foam.! May crumble or break in the foam mess compared to dental floss and usually runs around $ 200 a! Get you cutting through foam and leave perfect edges, these cutters can provide in. Sharp blade, and more that requires few materials and no special artistic talents make. The floss down it will cut in a thin resistive wire the removed. Just press it down evenly through the foam more easily by rubbing candle wax onto knife! You narrow down what type you need before you begin cutting the Styrofoam by!
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