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QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole Try a serrated bread knife or hacksaw blade. Cutting foam is not going to cause any harm to the bread knife.
QUOTE: Originally posted by MisterBeasley You should consider getting the Woodland Scenics hot wire foam cutter. I was wary of it because it's a bit high-priced (over $30) but I quickly decided it was well worth it. You can use a knife, but the short utility-knife blade (like the ones where you can store the spare blades in the handle) is too short. Cutting or sawing this stuff makes a big mess, too. Unfortunately, the hot-wire cutter can only reach in about 6 inches from the edge, so if you want to cut a board in half, it's not going to do the job. Still, for most of your cutting, this is the way to go. I'm using Liquid Nails for Projects, by the way. I think it works great.
QUOTE: Originally posted by petejung Jarrell - Up here in Ohio we pay $23 a sheet for the 2" thick stuff, so you did not get ripped off.
QUOTE: Originally posted by selector Jarrell, I used a snap-blade utility knife exclusively, but my foam was 1". Your 2" stuff will be tough to cut that way, even with a swede-saw. The hot wire might be best, but avoid the fumes. Later, when you are wanting to refine the shapes of the edges of the foam stacks, use a wire brush. You'll make lots of foam particles, but you have a shop-vac...yes? Are we having fun yet? [:D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Bikerdad The following tools are quite useful for cutting foam: Utility knife: score & snap, just like drywall. I know it works with 1.5" foam, not sure about 2". Serrated knife: use that electric knife you assault the turkey with every Thanksgiving. Japanese pull saw - Available at the Big Box Home Improvement stores, these are narrow kerf saws that cut on the pull stroke. Much faster than a serrated knife, not as fast as an electric knife. The "dovetail" saws make a pretty clean cut to boot! You can also use any of the following power tools: circular saw, bandsaw, jig saw, table saw. The table saw and circular saw will create a LOT of electrostatically charged blue snow! Hot wire cutter: best for shaping and cutting small portions, not so hot for busting down a sheet.
QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12 QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole Try a serrated bread knife or hacksaw blade. Cutting foam is not going to cause any harm to the bread knife. Cacole, I'll give the serrated knife a try. My wife is at work[:D] Jarrell
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Dan
QUOTE: Originally posted by Robert Knapp QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12 QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole Try a serrated bread knife or hacksaw blade. Cutting foam is not going to cause any harm to the bread knife. Cacole, I'll give the serrated knife a try. My wife is at work[:D] Jarrell Jarrel, For the cleanest cut, I would go with the larger version of the snap off utility knife. Use a staightedge like a drywall "T" square and cut both sides. I sucessfully make cuts this way for special fitted insulation (gee the actual intended use for this stuff). Bob K.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Robert Knapp [P.s. Bob, the utility knife does make the cleanest cut. I had a little problem getting it through the 2 inch stuff but if someone where using 1 inch I think it's the way to go as there is no mess at all. Well, even with other methods there isn't that much mess, not like with the beaded stuff.