This may seem like a silly question, but what are some methods of rough cutting the foam board. Here is what I mean by rough cutting. The 2" sheets I have are 4'x8'. However, this is much too large to even get down in the basement. So, I am looking at cutting up the foam board to rough dimensions of what I will need and then will fine tune once in the basement. Would a drywall handsaw be the best method? I am thinking a power tool would be overkill. I am not sure as I have never done this before. Thanks
I score and snap them in the parking lot to get in my car. They already have score marks at every 16", er at least mine do. Jig saw will work, get a leather cutting blade (looks like a butter knife) and there will be no mess (dust) at all.
http://wolfstone.halloweenhost.com/HalloweenTech/fotbuy_CommercialFoamTools.html#WoodlandScenics This site has listings of commercially available hot-wire foam cutting tools and examples of how to make your own 'hot-wire' foam cutting tools
Steak knife works great--I used a portable cordless circular saw to make the cuts too. Knives are cheap--and you don't need a pricey one. In fact, the cheaper, the less prone you are to breaking it!
Yep, as stated above, I've used bread knives and steak knives. Better than the hot wire cutters IMO.............and no "smell"mg:
Another idea... At the thrift store I found a used electric knife for a couple of bucks, works great for cutting all sorts of foam.
For straight cuts I prefer a retractable drywall knife or even an exacto. For anything else, then old serated steak knives work well. I gotta find a cheap cordless mini circular saw.
My wife is still "looking" for her favorite bread knife:zip: I keep telling her, "man, that's weird" about its' disappearance:angel:
I don't know why anyone would want to use a serrated knife on foam, that would make a huge mess. I slice through with these and don't have a single shred on the floor when I'm done: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=snap off blade knife&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi Extend the blade out all the way for thicker foam.
Stanley(?) Utility Knife to score foam, then snap at the scored line. Utility Knife available @ Lowe's or Home Depot for a coupla bucks.
I am finishing installing additional lighting in the basement and lighting for the lower level of the layout. If I complete these mini projects in a reasonable amount of time, I should be able to start on cutting foam and installing foam tomorrow (today). I am on leave today woohoo.
Claymore. http://images.google.com/imgres?img...sword&svnum=50&hl=en&lr=&newwindow=1&safe=off Sharpen it, lift it, let it swing down through the foam, voila, cut.
A serrated knife is easiest for those who think they need to "saw" through the foam and make a mess. My bread knife is very thin, very sharp, and without teeth. It draws through the foam with nary a mess.
