School Project

[HEdward]

Razor blades and razor knives make nice, clean cuts and don't make a mess.(use only under adult supervision...)

Where's that door to door band-aid salesman when you need him?

I live in PA and don't see any pink insulation under my topsoil.    Actually, our topsoil seems to be a dull beige color with dull beige stones and is frequently seen stomped on by cows and covered with many cornfields.  As far as cutting foam, be prepared for a mess.  If you want some authentic PA dirt, let me know.  I'll box up a few pounds.  Then again, up in Schullkill County they have frequent out croppings of jet black stuff mixed in with their dirt.

[gandydancer19]

As to a covering layer, if you are going to do one, you can get some Celluclay (a powder form of papermache (sp)) from an art store and mix it together with latex paint the color of dirt, or color of your choice.  It takes about a week to dry really good, so you will have to figure that time in to your project.  Paint the foam surface first, then apply the mixture.  No need to wait for the paint to dry first.  If you are going to use ground foam, and your foam carving is acceptable to you as is, don't worry about using the Celluclay/paint mix.

[loathar]

Razor blades and razor knives make nice, clean cuts and don't make a mess.(use only under adult supervision...)

[bb4884]

Steak knife... I think I can do that 

Thanks for the tip using dryer sheets, that will come in handy. I will be doing this on a concrete floor, so I can just sweep up the particles.

[dehusman]

A serrated steak knife is good.  If you have a band saw it goes through foam reaaaaalllly quick.  You can use coarse sandpaper or the sanding cloth for drywall (a mesh coated with abrasive).  Anything you do will creat lots and lots of static charged foam particles, so don't do it in the kitchen.  Save up used dryer sheets (like "Bounce"), they have an anti-static coating on them, use them to wipe of tools and surfaces to wipe up the little foam particles.  Attach the layers of foam with white glue (takes a long time to dry) or construction adhesive made for foam.  Use bamboo skewers to "nail" the layers together until the adhesive dries.

Dave H.

[ARTHILL]

Serrated steak knife. Its about all I use. Slice, cut, jab, dig. They all work. If I am doing lime stone or sand stone, a wire brush will add the lines. I only use the hot wire for hoodoos.

[alco49]

If you don't mind spending around $40, Woodland Scenics makes a hot wire foam cutting tool. Otherwise, I'd recommend a knife- and a few lot of files.

[bb4884]

Hi, it has been a while since I have been here. I have to create a "realistic representation" of an area in Pennsylvania. Most of my class is using paper mache, I wish to "take the extra step". I got some pink foam at Home Depot, now here is where the question has popped up: What do I use to carve into the foam?