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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets

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PAGlenn

09-20-2006 21:32:39




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What is the best hand or power tool to cut
1-1/2" thick styro sheets.Thanx




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PAGlenn

09-22-2006 21:26:36




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
Thanx all!! for the information. I like visiting
here.



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MikeCatthemuseum

09-21-2006 16:33:36




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
Being a composite airplane guy, I like the hotwire suggestion. One of the neatest rigs for this looks like an old table-style jig saw (scroll saw) with an overarm. You just make it out of plywood and instead of a reciprocating blade, you have a piece of nichrome or stainless safetly wire and a light dimmer for heat control. Use a fence for ripping and you can cut any shape you like using it freehand like a jigsaw. Have also seen this applied in a drill press with a T shaped wooden cutter frame in the chuck as a planer.

Stainless safety wire or even fence wire is a lot stronger than nichrome once it gets hot. Takes a bit more electricity to heat it, though.

For grooving or routing, use a loop of copper wire in a soldering gun.

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Jerry (KS)

09-21-2006 13:37:18




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
One thing to keep in mind is that if you use a saw of any kind you will have a LOT of styrofoam "dust" floating around. It sticks to EVERYTHING.



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Glenn F.

09-21-2006 09:51:08




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
I'ms sure there are better ways, but for ripping, I run 'em through my tablesaw whenever possible. I spent so many years without a tablesaw, I'm not sure I'll ever use my other saws again!

Glenn



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big fred

09-22-2006 10:54:48




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to Glenn F., 09-21-2006 09:51:08  
I agree, if you have straight cuts a tablesaw is hard to beat. Also works real slick on foam rubber, makes a nice clean cut.



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cj3b_jeep

09-21-2006 08:20:38




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
I've always had the best luck with an electric arving knife, they leave a nice clean cut.



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Bill in NorthCentral PA

09-21-2006 07:34:47




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  

Breadknife



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contractor

09-21-2006 04:23:38




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
Utility knive works good for ripping. To cross cut use a hand saw. (yes, the sheets do have a grain in them, so the knive does't work as well)



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Oliver power

09-21-2006 18:00:58




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to contractor, 09-21-2006 04:23:38  
Contractor , you are correct. The sheets do have a grain to them. For this reason , the sheets do cut better one way than the other. That"s why it"s very important to have a SHARP blade when cutting sheets of styrofoam.



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Dachshund

09-21-2006 05:52:20




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to contractor, 09-21-2006 04:23:38  
Huh! I've cut 1000's of sheets of both open and closed cell, and NEVER encountered that problem!



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Dachshund

09-21-2006 00:26:55




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
I use a utility knife. Score it on one side and snap it. Works every time..... .



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oliver power

09-21-2006 03:22:52




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to Dachshund, 09-21-2006 00:26:55  
Yes , the utility knife will work. The thing is , the blade is a little short for anything thicker than 3/4". What I use all the time for cutting thicker styrofoam insulation board is one of them utility knifes with the break away blades. Unlike a regular utility knife , you can stick the blade out quite a ways. Works great for styrofoam.



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Dachshund

09-21-2006 05:43:38




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to oliver power, 09-21-2006 03:22:52  
Never had any luck with those kind of knives! The blade always breaks when I don't want it to! I just use a regular utility knife - the blade doesen't need to go all the way through, just score it on one side and break the foam.



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Logan in S.E. Texas

09-20-2006 23:56:50




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
Where does one find this kind of insulation???



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old

09-21-2006 09:10:47




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to Logan in S.E. Texas, 09-20-2006 23:56:50  
Any good lumber yard will have the stuff. Also Lowes and home depot



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TomR Ont

09-20-2006 23:50:20




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
I have used an electric knife on styrofoam and also foam, it works great on both.



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jeffcat

09-20-2006 22:47:52




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
The real thing if you will, is a saw with double blades. They rub against each other and there is a foot at the bottom. Go to a place that cuts foam rubber for a look.If you have seen how one of those bread slicer machines work then you know. I change the blades in some of these things at work and BOY can you get cut on them!!!!! They are polished to a final sharpness! Check at a hair supply house and ask for the refills for trim shavers. When you get a hair cut and they use that throw away razor on the back of your neck, thats one of them. Take care they are deadly! Jeffcat

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jeffcat

09-20-2006 22:53:18




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to jeffcat, 09-20-2006 22:47:52  
P.S. Also try a NEW and SHARP wave edge knife. Teeth will tear the foam you need a single sharp edge. The other reply with score and then snap works too. Some big operations use water jet and lazer cutters. The barber and hair supply deal will more than do it for you.



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old

09-20-2006 21:42:05




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
That thin you can use a shape knife and score one side then just brake. Now if its like what I have a hot knife or chain saw works well but I also have stuff thats 12-24 inches thick



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Don L C

09-20-2006 22:53:27




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to old, 09-20-2006 21:42:05  
A hot wire works the best..... make a handle that looks like a big sling shot drill a small hole in each side and run a bare wire across..... attach the wires to a battery..... need to control voltage.....but it will melt its way through the foam, dont make any differance how thick.....

play with this idea ...it will work..... ...Don



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souNdguy

09-21-2006 05:52:57




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to Don L C, 09-20-2006 22:53:27  
Nichrom wire, like from a toaster works great.. no need for voltage control either.. .. though you can make a cheapy voltage control with a triac based lamp dimmer..

Soundguy



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banjo

09-20-2006 21:39:49




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 Re: Cutting Styrofoam Insulation sheets in reply to PAGlenn, 09-20-2006 21:32:39  
I dont know about the best. But a wallboard (sheetrock)saw or a recripricating saw will work.



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