I need a hot wire foam cutter!

admoo · 20 Aug 2010 at 18:05

Does anywhere on the high street sell them? I need one to cut some polystyrene boards. Doesn't need to be extravagant, just needs to be able to cut about 3 inches of the stuff. I need it by Monday (good planning on my behalf, I know) so that kind of rules out any online retailer.

I would make one but I'm sure uni would have a heath and safety overload if they saw me with a glowing hot wire held together with crocodile clips

Thanks

Makhaira · 20 Aug 2010 at 18:10

Personally I'd make one. A piece of nichrome wire mounted in a frame is ideal, it's what I used to use.

Geckovich · 20 Aug 2010 at 18:12

Hobbycraft or any independent modelling/craft store. Maybe even somewhere like gamesworkshop.

mangobreeder · 20 Aug 2010 at 18:12

manlips?
B&Q

Gw definitely don't sell foam cutters

admoo · 20 Aug 2010 at 18:17

Thanks for the tips guys. According to their websites, neither B&Q or Hobbycraft sell them, but I might phone them up in the morning, see if they do.

If the worst happens I could make one, or just use a hacksaw

() or something

Skidder · 20 Aug 2010 at 18:19

I have seen very simple free plans to make them on rcgroups.com have a search on there (probably in the scratchbuilt foamies area) - I would look for you but it is bath time for the nippers

mangobreeder · 20 Aug 2010 at 18:21

just checked the bay, they have loads

admoo · 20 Aug 2010 at 19:10

Skidder said:
I have seen very simple free plans to make them on rcgroups.com have a search on there (probably in the scratchbuilt foamies area) - I would look for you but it is bath time for the nippers

Cheers mate, I'll have a look

daelo · 20 Aug 2010 at 19:19

Seeing as this is a computer forum im going to be the one who suggests making one from an old PSU you obviously have lying around!

Nichrome wire shouldnt be too hard to find, the smaller guage the better
You could bodge a square frame out of some 1 inch timber.
Im assuming you want to somehow connect the wire to the psu's highest voltage, or connect it in series to boost the voltage a bit?

I bet it wouldnt take much research on how to chop open a psu (safely mind you) and wire up the wire , it doesnt have to be very hot its only cutting styrofoam after all.

Google is your friend