I'm getting ready to build a rock mountain (almost a sheer cliff)on the back side of the layout. I'm hoping to use some of the green 2" rigid foam board I have extra, gluing it to make a mountain about 6' long and 16" high. The problem is, the layout is in the family room and the mrs won't be happy with foam dust all over. Are these cheap hot wire cutters capable enough to sculpture 2" foam board? I want to get the basic shapes and then use rock molds and plaster when I get further along. If I have to build it out in the hot garage it won't be pleasant and I'd hate the mess. I'm sure it's been discussed on this forum before but I can't locate it.Thanks. Tom
Mine is this type and is very old. It would accept 2", but its hoop would severely limit width. It works great for the 1/2" thick foam I work with. You'd do best with one that looks like a soldering iron with a long tip, like this. Be forewarned that there is some odor as the foam melts, but it's not bad and is a whole lot easier to deal with than thousands of static-charged foam bits.
i made one with about a 14 volt 2 amp transformer and some nichrome wire , worked very well .. that was maybe seven years ago now .. a vertical board with clamps set the width of cut ..
I cut through 2 inch foam regularly with my hot wire. It takes a little bit more patience to cut through, but it works pretty well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Does that cut the whole length or just down towards the tip? I would think it would be entirely different cutting rigid green foam board as compared to regular white foam
I know we have previously had discussions of this topic. Might also be worth a search through our Inspection Pit forum.
actually the different colours of foam insulation all cut about the same , and no dust with a hot wire cutter ...
Just beware of the fumes. They are toxic--any time you melt or burn chlorine-based plastics, you release toxic compounds. I recommend plenty of ventilation. https://extrudedpolystyrene.com.au/...B-PAC-T-Extruded-Polystyrene-Foam-MSDS-En.pdf
I did a review of one that I have about 2 years ago when I finally wore out my old one and bought a new model. The key thing is not to force the knife but rather go slow and let the knife melt its way through. Those blades are very thin and flexible and easily bent or broken. But once you get the knack of using one tis amazing what one can do. Maximum thickness is about 3 to 3 and 1/2 inches of dense foam. They make a thicker bladed one but the thin blade one allows for more intricate cutting. Last edited: Mar 16, 2019 John Moore THANK YOU, John and all
I do not use a cutter on extruded foam board. I use a break-away blade knife. Score and break. On bead board, I use the hot wire cutter. I’d rather not breath that stuff, I’ve put enough crap in my lungs over the years with smoking, working with chemicals, sandblasting and such. Good luck! Dale
I have an original Hot Wire, may be 25-30 year old. Finally replaced the wire on it last month. There is a used one on flea bay for $30, but the system is so simple, find one cheaper if you can. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk