Thread: Foam cutting tools?

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I wanted to know what you are using to cut foam boards for sharp clean edges. I made multiple tombstones last year (THANK YOU THANK YOU everyone on this forum!!!!!) with amazing results. This year I am working on some obelisks and looking for a cleaner edge cutting 2" blue foam.

Jigsaw? Is that the way to go? Any specific blade?

i've usually use a hot knife to cut mine out, for rougher edges. done a jigsaw in the past too, and that's worked pretty well. the ole' ball & chain has always done it for me when i've wanted them cut with a jigsaw, so idk what blade he uses... I'll ask him and repost...

My wife is the tombstone maker. I made a foam cutting table for her and she has pretty much mastered the technique. She uses a jig saw with 5" blades for some cutting, but the cutting table enables her to cut more intricate shapes. She has learned that the tension on the wire is critical to quality cuts and the guitar tuner I put in makes it easy to tighten the wire, which is actually a guitar string.

Here is a link to the thread I started about the build of my foam cutting table.

Foam Cutting Table

Oh wow! Love the cutting table.

I used a handheld hot knife last year but I have ditched it as it was a larger much clumsier tool and good for rough outlines only...

I use my Bandsaw, cuts real clean. Fine tooth blade works best.

here is a place with tools
http://hotwirefoamfactory.com

straight cuts? table saw.
funkier stuff? band saw.
other possibilities? hand saw, sawz-all w/ fine metal cutting blade, thin kerf circular saw?

foam is so easy to cut, almost anything is possible with a straight edge.

for straight edges and 90 degree angles, a table saw all the way
jig saw with a long blade for the arcs and curves (bosch makes a long blade that goes through 2" foam)
a flush-cut hand saw is another favorite of mine

Thanks everyone! I am ready to go!

Called my supplier yesterday to see how much foam I could afford this year and he told me he had some sheets of 2" foam that were lightly damaged (broken corner, scrapes, etc.) and he is giving me 6 full sheets for FREE!!!!! So excited!