What is the best way to cut foam at home

How to cut the extruded polystyrene foam. What to cut the foam plastic at home. Effective cutting foam with a string at home

Styrofoam is a fairly popular building material. It is used for thermal and acoustic insulation. In the process of construction work, this material requires processing, in particular cutting under the required parameters. For cutting foam there are many options that are applicable in the home.

Cutting foam requires compliance with certain rules, since the material can break, crumble if handled improperly. To perform the cutting of plexiglass use a variety of tools, for example, a good knife, soldering iron, saw with fine teeth for wood, metal, nichrome wire, angle grinder (only for thin foam plastic).

Let’s consider several ways to cut styrofoam materials.

Cutting with a string

You can make at home with your own hands a special device for processing (cutting) foam. To do this you need to buy a step-down transformer, string, springs, with which the string will be stretched, a tube with a thickness of 2 cm for the lining. The thickness of the plate of polystyrene foam itself, which will be cut should be no less than 2 cm.

For the arrangement of the table top for this equipment, you will need a table, a profiled sheet, a board. To construct such a device for cutting polystyrene foam at home will not be difficult.

Ordinary foam. the advantages of the material

Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene is a white material consisting of almost 95 percent air. It belongs to the category of environmentally safe materials, so it is not dangerous to health. A great variety of products are made of expanded polystyrene, including food packaging.

The different sizes of the plates, as well as the structure in the form of small gas pores determines the main positive properties of expanded polystyrene:

• High level of thermal insulation on both the inside and the outside of the house. If you learn how to cut Styrofoam at home, you can install double insulation. And the cost of materials in any case will be much lower than that of other modern insulators with similar functions.
• Excellent acoustic insulation of the premises. It is very useful in modern apartments, where sound insulation is almost completely absent. Styrofoam is great for shielding yourself from noisy neighbors. And, of course, the neighbors won’t hear you if you indulge yourself with your favorite music at a higher volume.
• Ease of installation and assembly due to low weight. Sheets of enormous dimensions weigh so little that even a child can cope with them. The only thing you should pay attention to is the wind when doing exterior finishing work. Even the slightest whiff of wind can disturb your workpieces, so working with foam is not recommended in windy weather.
• Environmental Safety. The material does not present any danger to humans, as it does not emit toxic gases and wastes. Production of polystyrene is conducted in accordance with all European norms and standards, so certain types of it can contact with food.
• High resistance to negative influences of fungi, bacteria, microorganisms, dampness, mold. Outdoor use for a long time will not cause any change in the consumer properties of the foam, it will still be reliable and durable.

Before you cut the foam plastic, you should be reminded of some of the rules for handling it. The vast majority of industrial fluids cause irreparable damage to the material. In this regard, it is necessary to limit its direct contact with solvents, gasoline, acetone and other similar liquids. Even the vapors of the latter cause irreversible damage that is sure to manifest itself over time.

Another important factor is temperature. In the case of using polystyrene foam on surfaces with temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius, certain problems may arise. For example, the material begins to crumble and break even from simple touches. Therefore you should avoid installing it next to boards, for example.

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Cutting foam

So, styrofoam, as well as any other material needs to be treated before use. It is originally supplied in regular boards with a certain thickness. However, the shape of the boards is not always enough to use them wherever they are needed.

Often the board has to be cut into pieces, trimmed, and cleaned up. Sometimes it is necessary to cut a decorative part on the edge of the board or make a certain angle.

There are really a lot of options. But the question remains one. What to cut the foam plastic? It would seem, why else invent some additional units, buy a special cutter for foam plastic if it is not that to cut, even break can be their own hands. And it’s in the literal sense.

Here we need to refer to the features of expanded polystyrene and reinforced polystyrene foam for the facade. The foam itself is composed of small polystyrene balls.

The original raw material in it. it is a polymer that is mixed with foam fillers and air. The result is a fairly malleable and very lightweight construction that is easy to cut or break with your hands.

Except that to break the foam is not the best solution. You’ll never get an accurate trimmer line. Styrofoam balls will distort it, making the final construction unsuitable for precision work.

But still note that it is very easy to break or cut foam. That is, the cutting of foam at home is quite realistic. Another question is how to do it accurately and with minimal damage to the material. Here already you need a cutter for foam plastic or any homemade apparatus. to the menu

Areas of application. where foam plastic is used

Conventional or extruded polystyrene foam is used in the following areas:

• Insulation of the floor, walls, ceiling, roof, which prevents the escape of heat and the passage of cold;
• insulation of foundations;
• Erecting a permanent formwork;
• pipe insulation.

Often also used in other areas. For example, making furniture, shipbuilding, making crafts for the garden or school.

Decorative cutting

Why is it difficult to cut Styrofoam

The product is porous, filled with a large volume of oxygen inside. This is the main reason why it is difficult to cut EPS. If it contains thick layers, the procedure is made even more difficult.

Features of cutting foam plastic

If you start sawing the product, you can notice the following features:

• difficulty in cutting is more difficult with increasing thickness and density;
• light products are processed with electric tools, working at high speed;
• if you want to cut the product with a minimum amount of waste, waterjet processing is recommended (usually carried out at industrial plants);
• It is not recommended to cut the bases with a sharp blade, as the number of fallen off cells increases.

If there are no other tools at hand, it is recommended to take a knife with a sharp, wide blade. Perform surface movements on themselves without changing the angle of inclination.

Professional device for cutting foam by yourself

If the amount of work is larger, and at the same time requires shaped processing, you should pay attention to professional equipment. Specialists use a soldering iron with a knife nozzle. A red-hot blade helps create any cut.

During the operation it is necessary to observe safety precautions, so that the red-hot oil does not get on your body or clothes.

Homemade equipment with nichrome thread can be used at home.

The method has already shown its effectiveness and convenience. There is not much waste. The edges are sealed, and the material does not lose its properties.

Necessary materials for creating a homemade tool:

The needle is fixed on the table and the thread is stretched between its ends.

Then connect the serial scheme of connecting the elements. The thread should only turn slightly red while the current is flowing. Too hot thread will provoke an uneven and wide cut.

If a large amount of work is planned, it is better to buy a special tool in the store. It heats up quickly and guarantees quality work. But it has a high cost.

If you are going to cut foam rarely, it is not worth buying a professional tool to cut it

Cutting foam has some features at home. So on the preparation it is required to make an accurate marking with a sharp pencil.

When you do the work, cut the material from yourself to the side. Cutting should be done in a well ventilated room or outdoors. When heated, the foam begins to emit toxic substances.

Effective cutting foam with a string at home

There are many ways to cut foam plastic.

But it is important not only to do the work, but also to make a smooth smooth smooth edge so that the material does not crumble. The best device is a string cutting. You can make such a device with your own hands at home.

The manufacturing process requires care, no special skills are needed.

Shaped cutting is popular, so the work requires a thermal cutter. The cutting tool is a nichrome thread attached to the handle. But some cases do not require a special tool for cutting.

First, using a pencil, a marking of the future cut is made. Next, you need to apply a ruler to the line and use a box cutter.

It is not necessary to try that the knife completely cuts the plate. After that turn the board over and finish the cut. Then finish the cut by hand.

With what and how to cut foam boards?

Sheet foam is an insulation made of polystyrene foam. It is also called expanded polystyrene. It is one of the most popular materials for insulating houses, as it has a low cost and easy installation. But during the installation of the boards it is often necessary to cut them. It is extremely important to make the cut of the expanded polystyrene sheet even, as large gaps can impair the thermal insulation performance.

Cutting Styrofoam at home can be done using a variety of methods:

• knife;
• hacksaw;
• Jigsaw;
• angle grinder;
• electric knife;
• A wire cutter for cutting polystyrene foam.

A sharp knife is good for boards up to 5 cm thick. The blade must be thin and not flexible, because otherwise the cut will be crooked. To cut the foam with their own hands was even less waste, the knife is better to heat. Please note that you have to sharpen the blade every 2 m or so, as otherwise the work will take longer and there will be more waste.

The jigsaw and angle grinder can also be used to cut slabs of greater thickness at home. The main thing is that the height of the blade or disc must be sufficient. The jigsaw should move smoothly, otherwise the balls of polystyrene foam will start to peel off from each other. Please note that during the sawing with such methods foam plastic is strongly crumbling.

For cutting Styrofoam boards up to 10 cm thick, a metal or wood hacksaw is well suited. The shallower its teeth are, the better the cut will be. In addition, this method of sawing is fast and does not require much effort. It is necessary to work smoothly and evenly, without sudden movements.

To keep the foam from crumbling and to make the cut even, you can use a 0.5 mm wire and stretch it between the two handles. Start cutting according to the marking and at the same speed. From the constant friction of the wire will heat up and melt the foam. With this method of cutting the edges of the board are smooth and even, and the amount of waste is minimal. The only disadvantage. for such work, you need two people.

If you plan to cut a large number of foam slabs, it is better to buy a nozzle on the soldering iron or a special electric knife. Thanks to the sharp blade and high temperature, the boards are cut quickly and evenly. They can also be used to make curved cuts. But it must be taken into account that the length of the blades of many tools is not more than 5 cm. Also, when working with hot tools, you must be careful not to get melted Styrofoam on clothing or skin. You can’t remove it from your skin instantly, which means you will get a bad burn.

Another good device that will cut foam board is a special machine. It is bought or made by their own hands. Cutting is quick, quiet and effortless, and you can cut the material of any thickness (depending on the capabilities of the machine). The amount of waste is minimal, and the cut is absolutely even and smooth. Another advantage of this method is that the cut cells are melted back thanks to the hot nichrome wire. As a result, the thermal insulation characteristics of the foam board are not impaired.

Tips and tricks and how to make your own hands a simple machine

Before you cut the foam, you must mark it with a sharp pencil. If possible, the cut should be made in the forward direction. During the sawing of Styrofoam by heating method (machine with wire, electric knife) emits dangerous black smoke, which is very harmful to humans. That’s why you should cut it this way only in a well-ventilated room or in the open air.

In order to make a simple machine, you need a surface with an inclination (20-60 °). A nichrome wire is stretched across it at the desired height of the cut. One end of it is firmly fixed and the other is connected to the spring. Then the wire from the power supply is led. The current strength should be controlled so that the wire does not overheat too much, so a rheostat is additionally connected. The temperature should not exceed 100 ° C. After everything is ready and the thread is heated, cut the foam. All you have to do is put the board down and it will start to roll itself (if the surface is smooth enough) or it will be pulled evenly through the wire. If you do it too slowly, the cut will be wide, because during this time has time to melt a lot of foam. If fast, there is a risk of tearing the thread.

Finished machines for the cutting of polystyrene foam have more features. They are used to produce 3D figures. Depending on the configuration, they can have one to six strings. They are controlled either by the operator manually or through a computer program. Some are compact in size, making them easy to transport, which is extremely important for builders. There are also models with a laser. these devices make the highest quality cuts. Laser machines are used to cut shapes for storefronts, exhibitions or any other important events.

Cutting with a knife

When performing insulation of the floor or ceiling with foam boards, it is not necessary to use special equipment.

To cut Styrofoam at home you need to have:

The procedure for cutting polystyrene boards in this way is quite simple:

• Preliminarily on the surface of the material with a pencil mark the beginning and the end points of the cut line.
• Then a ruler is attached to these marks, clamped, and a painter’s knife is carefully used to make the cut (it is not necessary to cut the piece of Styrofoam completely).
• The styrofoam board is turned over to the other side, and in the same way the cut is made parallel to the already made notch.
• After making the cuts, you just need to break the foam along the line.

This method of cutting the material is the cheapest, quietest and fastest, also after the end of the work there is almost no trash. Be sure to check the sharpness of the knife before you start cutting the foam plastic.

Thermal methods of cutting foam

Cutting the material with a thermal cutter is also quite a popular method. The tool itself is in the form of a nichrome thread, which is laid on a frame in the shape of a frame. When the electric current passes over the nichrome wire, the surface of the metal is heated, and the foam plastic begins to melt. There are several varieties of cutter design. The simplest version takes the form of a string of nichrome wire strung on ceramic insulators that are attached to the edges of a frame made of wood or metal.

Not only foamed polystyrene boards but also wooden strips, plastic pipes and any material that melts or decomposes at up to 270°C can be cut with this tool. If you need to cut sheets with considerable cutting lengths, it is much more comfortable to use a machine with a vertically stretched thread on a base of textolite.

A LATP or rheostat is used to control the heating of the nichrome string. Excessively high surface temperatures can cause melting and even cause the insulation to catch fire. The advantage of this method is the complete absence of dust and debris, and the place of the cut itself becomes melted appearance, reminiscent of the alkyd varnish treatment.

If, however, in the process of working with foam there is a need to cut only small parts of sheets, for example, when performing a model and sculpture, then the best option is to use the nozzle for a powerful electric soldering iron.

In addition, for the cutting of this material is resorted to the use of laser. In some cases, it is used even in the home. For this task uses an ordinary LED laser with a capacity of 2-5 W, through which you can make cuts in foam board at any desired trajectory. At the moment, using such a tool can perform the cutting of paper and foam plastic for 10-15 minutes, due to what it is quite difficult to perform them processing of a large volume of material.

Familiarized with the different options, you can not only find out what is the best way to cut foam plastic at home with your hands, but also choose the most suitable way to use, through which it will be convenient to carry out its cutting.

Painting procedure

If there are doubts about the color and adhesion of the composition to the surface, you should conduct a small test. On a small part of the styrofoam sheet should be applied the purchased composition and leave it for two days. Then the result can be judged. If the effect is positive the work of painting can begin. Otherwise the paint has to be replaced.

When finishing the foam plastic inside the room, the composition to be painted has a decorative orientation. This protects the material from moisture. Before you paint the surface, make sure it is clean and free from grease stains. When cleaning the surface, it is necessary to ensure that the rag does not leave lint. If there is a lot of dirt, it is quite easy to wash the foamcoat with warm water.

Paint is applied to the foam core only after the material has dried thoroughly. It is also applied in layers. They should not be thick. It is necessary to work with the tool in one plane to prevent divisions. Be sure to wait until the first layer is completely dry before applying the second. The foamlex is not capable of absorbing paint, so after applying the first layer you should look closely. and whether you need a second? To paint the surface of the foam plastic a good emulsion composition is suitable.

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There are no blueprints and drawings, but it is most likely a cutter for foam plastic.

Hi. take a sheet of plywood to size put wooden bars in them two iron pins to one to the other. from the inverter welding between and. nichrome wire. You set it just right and cut it.

Look at my blog, something link is not inserted. Made such a cutter.

I had a broken blade from the kitchen year, the usual stainless steel. Chiseled the shank and put it in the jigsaw, cuts amazingly fast.

Sewed up the whole ceiling without the debris from cutting foam plastic.

Hooked up to an ancient but eternal charger from my dad

Geez!I have one just like it, and my dad gave it to me, too!Works like a sweetheart, but the current regulator’s been acting upif I take it apart, I’m afraid I won’t be able to find a rheostat to replace it.

I made a hastily made thing like this

An ordinary knife or a clerks knife are very uncomfortable when cutting the EPP with a thickness of over 30 mm (the blade gets jammed). I was cutting the EPPB with a homemade knife made out of a regular metal cutting blade. I sharpened it and left the teeth on the blade (serrated sharpening). Put a sharpened blade in a hand saw handle.

You don’t have to try to cut the EPPP very precisely. all the joints should be sealed with foam afterwards anyway.

Electric jigsaw and a saw sharpened like a knife.

I sawed with a hacksaw, the guts are still foamy afterwards. But it is better to cut with a nichrome spiral.

I made myself a similar thing, cuts the foam with hurray, most importantly flat and the edge does not crumble. The table measuring 1,5 x 1,2 m. Cut is regulated by screws, moving the spiral on a bar up or down, the spiral is better to the bar through the washer to which to attach a wire.

You take the nichrome and connect it to the welder. Do not overdo it with amperage, it will burn out quickly. The nichrome was taken from an old ballast resistor. I used this method to unravel 100 at an angle to insulate the plinth, and on top of the molding. Good luck with the cutting!