Hot Wire Foam Cutter (and jigs) for professional model makers - styro slicer

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

That is the most professional looking foam cutting machine I have ever seen built. Excellent job sir.

[@mreid08]

If this was a infomercial I would have bought at least 3 of them, this is a nice cutter!

[@PhilHarlow]

At first it seemed a little overbuilt, but as you walked through the features it's really awesome, well designed, and very effective!

[@StuffIMade]

Phil Harlow thanks! I do have a tendency to overbuild things so probably some truth to that ! ;)

[@gt500mike-8]

I just ran across your hot wire cutter & love it. As for making lock for the slide board when making cone cut. You solved the problem already. Use the top of fence for locking a removal fixture. The removal fixture would be a strip of wood the length of slide board & height of distance from slide board to top of fence & two short dowels on bottom that would fit into slide board holes. Then attach another piece of wood to top side of dowel piece to make an over hang on fence top with same locking slot you used on slide board before. You posted this video a long time ago & you probably came up with this same idea already. But if not here it is. Thanks

[@rolfschubert1853]

I love the attention to detail. This is a well thought out and well built machine. Thank you for showing the functionality before forcing us to sit through the construction of something we've not seen in its entirety. This is how all build videos should be done. You have made a subscriber out of me.

[@StuffIMade]

Rolf Schubert thanks! I’m about to start doing more videos after over a year off ;)

[@michaelgasperik4319]

This is by far the best hot wire build I've seen!

[@ownpathcreative]

Wow. I’m so inspired to make a similar one. I can’t believe it has so many wicked features.👌🏾

[@robertjirava942]

Extraordinary. Very well done. Best foam cutter I have ever seen by far. 10/10 !!!

[@FJR-ie7dk]

Very good job If I need one how much cost me in dollar. Thank you

[@Discipol]

I want to buy this. The craftmanship is amazing, design simple but functional! My only nitpick is no gradation on anything but I would still buy this!

[@StuffIMade]

Discipol thanks! The reason for no gradation is because if I want a specific angle I want it to be highly accurate, so I prefer to make angle templates to slide up against the wire to set my angles. I think probably for what I do 3 or 4 angles suffice. The variance in the wire when adjusted to 90° and the accuracy of locking the arm at a set angle repeatedly required more effort to be totally accurate so I opted not to do this. But I get where you are coming from!

[@roedyhellyeah]

so, i found this video 4 years after uploading, looks great wonderful inspiration. sad to see there are no video's on the hand held tools

[@BernSha]

Great stuff! The only offer I have is to have you reconsider the need to apologize for being perfectionistic. The high quality and level of precision you bring is actually what makes your build most attractive. The cutter is an artistic self expression of who you be in the world. If you have to apologize for who you are then you might as well pack it up. Again, great work and thank you for the value you are and give so generously!

[@StuffIMade]

Very kind words!!!!

[@donfillenworth5702]

Very nice! I'll be watching your other videos.

[@StuffIMade]

I will making more in a month or too

[@zanfozanfani]

Really super job. You should make it as a job and put it for sale

[@ErgonomicChair]

I am worried I miiiight not have the electrical skills for this one.The spring loaded area is a bit tricky looking too... but I do have a journeyman welder on my side lol.

[@Acheiropoietos]

I was going to ask about making an angled wire cutter and you demonstrated just that! Really neat, accurate design.

[@nurabdul1436]

The Rolls Royce of foam cutters!

[@SkrawnCPT]

By far the best design/concept I've seen!!

[@StuffIMade]

SKrawn 128 very kind of you to say ;)

[@thoughtsy]

Awesome! It really seems to be the ultimate hot wire foam cutter system.

[@rachelandjayshared342]

Wow this is art! Best foam cutter I’ve seen. Want one!

[@pksangal4935]

Extremely functional design, looking forward to detailed build. Hope it is soon. Thanks

[@adamnissan3903]

Very very neat unit. Thank you for uploading

[@StuffIMade]

adam nissan cheers !

[@jafinch78]

Thanks for sharing. Best most versatile build I've seen for one of those.

[@geoffmeston1814]

Thanks!!

[@thefunbot]

a wonderfully engineered cutter - best i have ever seen

[@BillKibby1]

I have absolutely no use for a foam cutter, whatsoever... Strangely after watching this I feel drawn to my workshop to emulate this :) Very nicely executed project, well worthy of a sub! Carry on! - Bill

[@StuffIMade]

Bill Kibby strangely I have no use for one either ;) just wanted to make one, but the best one I could think of. Glad you liked it !

[@BillKibby1]

HAHA!! That just made my day, thanks! My pet project right now is a PWM controller designed for use with a computer power supply. Did you know a piece of nichrome wire can easily illuminate a small room? :~) Hoping to release it soon to the pyrography crowd though it should work well for a foam cutter or plexiglass brake. Any thoughts on producing any more of these and selling them?

[@StuffIMade]

Bill Kibby sound like great project. Will there be a video ? thinking about putting this one on eBay will the jigs etc.

[@gamunujayasinghe3829]

Great video . Sir , thank you so much for shearing your knowledge . I am from Sri Lanka .

[@viannajorge]

That’s the best I have ever seen!!! English is not my native language... I will watch sometimes and try something similar! Really excellent job!!

[@StuffIMade]

thanks for the kind words!!!

[@etruedus]

Another rabbit hole I fell down into(simply don't know how I got here), but I am super glad I did! You have a great talent for engineering and fabricating, as well as a new subscriber.

[@zibakhan9867]

Wow super cool.... love the foam holder. I wana make one

[@fargrim517]

Great work!!! Makes me think to make jigs for my proxxon table.

[@josephdunlopburns8225]

That is tip top, well done sir 👏

[@Georges-MILLION]

Très belle réalisation ! De plus , très belle démonstration ! Merci du partage . Very nice achievement! In addition, very nice demonstration! Thanks for sharing .

[@StuffIMade]

merci beaucoup!

[@Heptode]

Excellent project. Great accessories; and a good demo showing how to use the machine.

[@StuffIMade]

Heptode thank you 😊

[@zzis4me]

Fantastic! Can't wait to see the build video.

[@tymcbride3477]

Whatttttt!!!!! Did you make this all???? Soooooooooooooo good!!!!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE SOME SKILL AND DESERVE MORE SUBSCRIBERS!!!

[@StuffIMade]

Ty McBride ahh man thanks for the kind words dude!

[@a68riz]

Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing

[@stevewalker7822]

I like the concept of this tool, and I'm looking forward to the build video.

[@StuffIMade]

steve walker thank you!

[@pacoryu]

Awesome job man!

[@tufedw19]

That is an awesome hot wire cutter, that is some top quality workmanship. I saw videos on hot wire cutters some time back and was thinking of building one then was thinking of just what you did. I was going to add measurements both inches and CM. I would say make a build pamphlet, that could be sent via e-mail for for like $10 or so. Or maybe even figure up the material cost, to include shipping for mail orders. Like some of the others I can't wait to see your build video on this, that is a beautiful piece of equipment.

[@anthonytiballi5412]

Ed T A

[@Terranscapes]

Fantastic build. Seriously. I love the dedication to form and function. It has now driven me to create some jigs for the hot wire table I already have. Worth the watch alone. Thank you for sharing your project and your passion.

[@StuffIMade]

Terranscapes thanks very much for the kind words!!!

[@rodneygreenway]

Very informative I intend to make so mods to mine after watching this vid

[@CarbonKnights]

That's the Ferrari of hot wire tables right there.

[@ejspinn]

Wow amazing work done on this machine! You are the ultimate craftsman!!

[@StuffIMade]

ej spinn very kind!

[@albertoalhadeff5146]

My friend, it is simply perfect 👍🏻👏

[@VIAPICCINNI]

BRAVO!!! PROFESSIONALE

[@simezra]

this is amazing, really you should sell them! fantastic work man

[@GregsGarage]

Wonderful project. I really like all the jigs that go with the cutter.

[@StuffIMade]

Greg's Garage thanks dude!

[@shenawix]

Very professional, why you don’t fabricate and sell ? I’d pay for such product 👏👏👏

[@thefrenzel]

What a wonderful build! Amazing workmanship. (That upside-down power button though... 😄)

[@StuffIMade]

Frenzel Ano yep total oversight ;) sorry about that! Has been rectified now. 😭

[@mahimac8126]

Awesome build! Hands down one of my favorite I have seen. Its a very well thought out build. You use materials like the aluminum extrusion, custom knobs, and electrical components that aren't used as often. The build is very professional looking and built very well. Can't wait for all of the videos detailing how to make it. Thanks for the great content. For the build video please if possible include a list of materials and where to buy. It would be great help. Again thanks.

[@StuffIMade]

Magdiel Rodriguez thanks! I will do my best on the parts list!

[@MakesCrap]

This is a fantasic job! I love all the jigs! I may end up copying some of your designs

[@geraldhector2743]

Great work.

[@StuffIMade]

Thanks Gerald!

[@cliftonsnider1520]

Well you earned my subscription. Great video and a very high quality machine.

[@geoanalyst925]

Fantastic great work. Thanks!

[@JoeGator23]

Sorry, but Aluminum is pronounced "Alum-a-num" based on the work of Charles Martin Hall, an American inventor and his processes to create high-grade aluminum efficiently in 1886. Tell your friends, some may already know. Cool project and excellent craftsmanship. Nice one. Your engineering, versatility & precision are top-notch and clever.

[@JerryCalverley]

Excellent workmanship. Love your detailed and versatile design.

[@lorrainebijou4108]

Fabulous build and would come in extremely useful in building cosplay costumes out of foam. Would definitely cut down on cutting time.

[@hebrewhammer1000]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@Mukundanghri]

Great advancement. I'm sold. Where can I buy?

[@davidlindfield]

Great video and brilliant build. I've been looking for ideas and yours is the best!

[@Rustbukkit69]

You Sir, are a genius!

[@nevillecreativitymentor]

Thank you fo the amzing video Hope to build this early 2026 (just saying its going to happen)💪

[@StuffIMade]

Make a video of your build and tag me ;)

[@nevillecreativitymentor]

@@StuffIMade most certainly. Cheers

[@arturzyx]

Wonderful! Inspiring work! ✨

[@vishalgondi3982]

Superb, very very beautiful design 👌, Really appreciated 👍😀👌, May this cut pu foam ??

[@dondecaire6534]

Very impressive, well done.

[@grantkinnaird1861]

A marvelous design. Are you considering manufacturing the cutter? If so I'd seriously consider buying one. Dependant on price of course.

[@StuffIMade]

Grant Kinnaird thanks! No plans on production. Not sure it would be financially viable. What would be a fair price?

[@wjcm8883]

This hot wire foam cutter is a sterling testament of OUTSTANDING ingenuity and craftsmanship on the part of its creator/builder! Can you provide advice/tips for constructing a similar device that can be used to cut foam wing cores (airfoils) of varying lengths up to 48 inches (including 'twist" - wing washout from root airfoil to tip airfoil)? Bill Jackson.

[@StuffIMade]

William Jackson thanks for the kind comments! Do you have pictures of the elements you are trying to create?

[@wjcm8883]

Yes - I will upload photos of a foam wing airfoil for a Beechcraft Bonanza radio-controlled model airplane. The foam core consists of three individually cut segments to accommodate a tapered leading edge and "twist" wherein the root airfoil is at -5 degrees, and the tip airfoil is at 0 degrees. I'll try to get photo shots and upload same to you within the next 2 hours or so.

[@ChooseyourownpathWoodcrafts]

Hey from Canada ,,,, love it great job

[@scrambledcitycustomz8134]

Awesome stuff!

[@StuffIMade]

Thanks dude!

[@RiccardoBenussi]

Simply awesome 👍🏻

[@StuffIMade]

Riccardo Benussi thanks 🙏

[@angelogunatilaka1740]

Well detailed video, thanks for sharing your ideas👍👍

[@Cactusworkshopchannel]

man this is super fancy!! awesome!

[@StuffIMade]

Cactus! workshop thanks for saying so!

That looks great! Well done mate!

[@StuffIMade]

Tuomas Soikkeli thanks dude, I have really poor audio and I rushed editing the video to get it out before my holiday! so apologies for that!

[@easy_3d]

Best foam cutting machine on KZbin i guess...loved it...what is the gauge of the nichrome wire you used?

[@StuffIMade]

28gauge

[@Cachaloteman]

Really good job...Congratulations

[@JakeSpeed1000]

Very nice!

[@tratiyabhavesh]

Excellent job Great

[@bobkeller8383]

Very nice. I want something like this

[@JamesRPatrick]

Very nice execution.

[@yogeshdarlinge4276]

Hi, your stuff is absolutely brilliant piece of work. I really like it and want to make same. I have gone through the videos, which describes the process of making. Can you please share the circuit diagram and list of components used in this? I will highly appreciate if you do so.

[@StuffIMade]

Yogesh D I made two videos on the build of this, both are on my KZbin channel. The second goes into detail on the electrics. This is all I have, no diagram sorry, but there may be a parts list in the comments section of the second video.

[@YknotLearnall]

A fine build for sure and one of the nicer ones I've seen. Love the LED lights. Switches and read out. Use of extrusion was smart. But... I see a couple things right off I question. First, you can't raise the center arm. At least not without replacing and rewiring. Secondly is your design for creating angles. And this just going by watching the video mind you. You have a center hole and the bottom wire fixed to a point under the table. Once you move the center arm off a 90° angle... the bottom fixed point gets raised and moved to the side of the upper hole in the table face. This will though off the bottom center point by a mil or more. Using your circle gig, it would be thrown off even more since you have what.. ? an 1/8" or better slot for the wire to feed through... So say you're cutting a 100mm circle. At 90° your center pin is on mark. Once you go off 90° on the center arm, the center pin is no longer aligned to center of the wire in one direction or the other depending on which side you come at it from. I'm sure adjustments can be made or it compensated for.. or I could be wrong entirely. From your video it's just something I noticed. I've seen others where the arm is basically a U hiding the wire on both ends. The pivot point in the arm keeps the wire, no matter the angle, at center flush with the table top. Mind you, it's still a beautiful build. No question. Those are just a couple things I noticed that may or may not be able to be improved. or redesigned if needed. Thanks for sharing. I'll definitely be taking some aspects of your build away for my own. cheers...

[@StuffIMade]

chase thanks for the comments and praise! The thing about the angle and pivoting above and below the table was something I considered, but decided when I put the circle jig on the table and tilted the arm I would used a digital protractor to be certain the angle of the arm was accurate, also a small rule to ensure the distance from the circle centre pin. The level of accuracy I wanted from the system was going be very difficult to not have some form of set up and checking anyhow. But yes I agree certainly room for improvement for sure!!!! Thanks again ;)

[@cevdetable]

one of the best ever

[@ciroarienzo8409]

Very very well make cogratulation how many time use for project?

[@StuffIMade]

20 ish... not enough

[@ciroarienzo8409]

@@StuffIMade 20 minute?

[@scrambledcitycustomz8134]

Wow great stuff!!

[@marble_wraith]

nice build, this gives me some ideas.

[@randyl9071]

Brilliant!

[@DroneFun]

Fantastic !

[@synthaman]

Absolutely wonderful machine. Love it. Do you sell these ? I would to buy one.

[@JimCoogan_CoogansWorkshop]

Excellent work. Would definitely make a great addition to any shop. I look forward to the build video. Did you plan to create a written plan for it? I would be interested in that if you do. Excellent video but the sound was a little low.

[@StuffIMade]

no written plan sorry! build video and wiring diagram to follow! sorry about the sound, i need to get a mic that clips on to me!

[@JimCoogan_CoogansWorkshop]

Thanks. I really like it and am thinking about building one. I like to model things I am building.

[@galendcia]

great tool ... i like it, i want to make it

[@djordjeeric9262]

Wow good job sir

[@sathishrao5233]

wonderful project

[@MrTripletts]

Any tips on getting smooth cuts when doing freehand cuts like the letter “a” you did? Just come with practice?

[@StuffIMade]

Yep. You can freehand, not to hot mind, practice helps, smooth rehearsed moves, muscle memory. Or you can make top and bottom templates and pin them on to the foam, but you have to be sure they are aligned to each other.

[@MrTripletts]

@@StuffIMade thank you. I DID notice if its too high it’s really hard to control. At least XPS is cheap so lots of practice

[@StuffIMade]

Also a foot pedal to control power on/off is helpful

[@nathans.4332]

What are the locks that you use for the fence called and where did you get them, or how did you make them? And this is probably one of the best tables I've seen. Definitely in the top 3, great work.

[@StuffIMade]

I combined a couple of things, this type of clamping handle (amzn.to/2GLT7fj) and this type corner bracket (amzn.to/2J4tpYs) along with aluminium t-slot nuts. I did actually manage to find these corner brackets but with a hooked edge so i only needed one t-slot nut per side, unfortunately i cant find them to share with you but the links i shared should solve your need. Thanks for the kind comments :) i think maybe top 2 - lol

[@jerobleda]

Excelente máquina, muy profesional

[@sostutosos]

Magnifique vidéo

[@AndreiIR000]

Wow! Just wow.

[@StuffIMade]

Cheers

[@chrisgriffith1573]

Second time through, and I am trying to find out how I can obtain the aluminum bars you used for the jigs and fences and arms. Very nice design!

[@StuffIMade]

Chris Griffith I got mine from here ooznest.co.uk/V-Slot-Linear-Rail-2020mm But if you search 20mm aluminium extrusions you will find suppliers on eBay too. Good luck!

[@chrisgriffith1573]

Super! Nice site, interesting find!

[@stevejohnson2434]

Great design and build well thought out love the aesthetics just subbed your channel looking forward to more thanks for sharing.

[@StuffIMade]

steve johnson thanks! I took a break from making videos but I am just about to start up with more videos very soon!

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

Nice!!!