How to cut sheet styrofoam?

[Rick Carlson]

Anyone know the best way to cut 2" sheet styrofoam (white expanded polystyrene) without beating the hell out of the edges? I'm replacing old styrofoam in my 16" Starcraft Fishmaster.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

Try one of those box cutters with the long blade that have the segments to break off sections of blade, or a fine tooth hacksaw blade works decent enough.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

You can also try an electric carving knife

 

[crab bait]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

yeah,, but just don't let your wife catch ya usin' it..

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

For nice straight cuts a table saw works well. You can get long blades for a sabre saw too.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

Cheap and easy...fine-toothed hack saw blade, leather gloves and a guide board/edge. Works like a charm for less than $5.

 

[Realgun]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

Best thing is a hot foam cutter used in building the Foam (styrofoam) wings of model airplanes. slick as all get-out. This page might help.

 

[petrolhead]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

Bread knife, or a hot wire cutter. <br /><br />You can make your own cutter very easily, a length of Nichrome wire stretched across a wooden bow, and a 12v car battery for power.<br /><br />One more option, buy EXTRUDED polystyrene foam, it doesn't have the coarse beaded structure of blown foam and cuts cleanly with an ordinary saw. Extruded is used for many insulation applications, especially unerfloor insulation where it needs compressive strength as the floor is laid directly on it. Scout around a few building sites and you may even find some large offcuts for free!

 

[Rick Carlson]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

Thanks for the replies! It was too thick (2")to use a utility knife, but thinner pieces cut well with it. I snuck out the wife's electric carving knife and cut a couple sheets, 16 feet total. Got pretty hot, I think I fried it, better go get a new one:| (thanks Crab Bait)I think it's dull as hell now too, the last few feet were kinda tough....eeek

 

[BillP]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

Try a regular hand saw next time. That's what we used to cut 6" thick surfboard blanks and 12" thick floatation blocks with.

 

[MercMark]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

I work in architecture and I must reccomend extruded poly styrene (xps) instead of expanded polystyrene (eps). Not only for the cutting benefit that was noted above but for the fact that xps has a closed cell structure and is better suited for wet applications. EPS will absorb and hold water where xps should repel water a certain amount. xps is used for below grade applications in construction.<br /><br />Dow chemical - styrofoam SM (blue stuff) is xps<br />Owens Corning has a brand.<br />Celfort is another brand but I think it's Canadian. Not sure if you can get it where you are.<br /><br />If you go to manufacturer's websites for building materials you should be able to find architectural specs that show the water absorption test results.

 

[juice71]

Re: How to cut sheet styrofoam?

Owens Corning is Celfort....sorry,,,just my 2 cents.