Ways to Cut Foam Boards Cleanly, Neatly, Easily & Perfectly
There are two ways to cut foam boards i.e. cutting the foam boards manually and cutting the foam boards with electric tools. It has been recommended by the experts to cut the foam boards manually if the user is trying to make a few simple cuts in the foam. The recommended tools to cut foam boards manually are dental floss, cookie cutters, simple blade, and heavy-duty scissors. For larger cuts, the user needs to secure the foam with electric tools such as foam saw, hot wire cutter, and an electric knife. The ways to cut foam boards are described below:
Cutting Foam Boards Manually
The different tools by which foam boards can be cut manually are as follows:
- Heavy-Duty Scissors:
A pair of heavy-duty scissors can be used to cut flexible, thin, and soft foam. By using scissors, the user can cut the foam in straight as well as curved lines. It has been recommended by the experts to mark the foam with a permanent marker before proceeding to cut it with scissors. Also, the user needs to make long cuts while using scissors in order to prevent the foam from getting choppy edges. - Simple Blade:
If the user is looking to make straight cuts in the foam, he can do so by using a blade with a comfortable handle. It has been recommended by the experts to make straight cuts in the foam with a box cutter, bread knife, an old kitchen knife, or a utility knife. In order to make the blade run smoothly into the foam, the user needs to rub the white candle over the blade before proceeding with the step. The simple blades can be used to make straight cuts in thin or soft foam. During the step, if the blade gets caught into the foam, the user needs to rub it with wax again. - Cookie Cutters:
The cookie cutters can be used to cut rigid or soft foam that should not be more than half an inch thick. First, the user needs to place the foam over a flat surface and press cookie cutter over the foam evenly. The user needs to select the cookie cutter in the preferred shape and press it down over the foam in order to pop out the cut piece. - Dental Floss:
The thin foam can also be cut by using dental floss. First, the user needs to place dental floss over a flat surface and lay a foam sheet over the floss. It is necessary to lay the foam over the dental floss at a position where the user wants to make the cut in the foam. After that, the user needs to hold the foam at a place with his one hand and by using the other hand, the user needs to pull the dental floss up the foam. Dental floss can only be used to make straight cuts in the foam. If the user has to cut multiple foams, he needs to cut each foam board separately in order to make clean cuts.
Cutting Foam Boards With Electric Tools:
The electric tools by which foam boards can be cut are as follows:
- Make Necessary Preparations
Before beginning to cut foam boards with electric tools, the user needs to make some necessary preparations such as If the user is trying to cut the foam with foam saw that is attached to the workspace, it is necessary that the foam board should be moveable. In case, the user is trying to cut the foam with a wire cutter or electric knife, it is necessary that the foam board should be held at a place. The user can hold the foam board at a place with his hand, by using clamps, or by setting the foam board in a vise. Apart from that, the user needs to wear protective gears such as eyewear protection and face mask before beginning to cut the foam with electric tools. - Electric Knife:
The stiff or thick foam that is about 4-10 cm thick can be cut by using an electric knife. First, the user needs to stack the foam together and plugin & turn on the electric knife. It has been recommended by the experts to use the thinnest blade on the electric knife in order to make curved or straight cuts in the foam. After that, the user needs to move the foam slowly towards the blade and make required clean cuts in the foam. If the user is trying to make cuts in soft foam, it has been recommended not to push down the foam on to the blade as it can move the blade away and make it difficult to cut where the user wants to. - Foam Saw:
If the user is cutting the foam on a regular basis, it has been recommended by the experts to purchase a foam saw. There are several foam saws available in the market that comes with a supported base. All such saws run vertically and the user needs to hold & move the foam board towards the saw in order to make the desired cuts. Apart from that, the user can remove the supported base from the foam saw and use it as a common jigsaw. The user needs to hold the foam at a place and move jigsaw towards it in order to make cuts in the thinner foam. - Wire Cutter:
Wire Cutter can also be used to make cuts in the foam board. First, the user needs to heat the wire cutter by plugging it in making sure he doesn't touch the wire. After that, the user needs to put the foam over the hot wire in order to make smooth and straight cuts. If the user is looking to cut foam in circles, curvy lines, and waves, it has been recommended by the experts to use a hot wire foam cutting table.