by Jamie Boyce
Asked on Dec 23, 2018
How do I cut a piece of white Styrofoam without leaving a jagged edge?
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Answered
I am looking to cut a one inch thick piece of packing Styrofoam into smaller pieces for a project I have in mind. No matter how sharp the knife is, I keep getting jagged edges at the cut. Any suggestions?
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Use the sharpest knife you can find. I have one very expensive knife and that's the one that I use for cutting Styrofoam, but it's still not perfect. I still have to pull small pieces off with my fingers and try to get it as flat as possible that way.
Yes that is where I am at now. Thanks for your reply
piano wire may work for a smooth cut .
I was thinking some sort of wire may be the answer, I'll check into this. Thanks!
If you need to cut styrofoam frequently, lots of folks favor hot wire cutting tools. There are some diy plans out there, but they aren't that expensive either:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07FKCR47W/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Work in a well ventilated area- fumes!
Thanks for the link, that thing looks handy!
Jamie,
I have heard some people use an electric carving knife, but I have never tried that method. I have used a serrated bread knife before, but found a coping saw, which has a very thin blade with very fine teeth, makes a clean cut. You try using a box cutter with a long blade and heat the blade with a torch (saw this one on YouTube) so it will melt through the foam.
I do have a coping saw but I may have to just use the blade without the frame. Also good idea with the box cutter, I didn't think to heat the blade. Thanks for the suggestions!