How to Cut Polystyrene Foam

[@grain-diose]

Friends, if you are interested in the development of my channel, you can support it here - buymeacoffee.com/graindiose

[@lorrainebijou4108]

Just came across this channel this evening and I gotta say, Bravo! By far, the best tutorial on a diy foam cutter, simple and clear instructions. You can bet I will be making one for my crafting and costume making. Thank you for sharing!

[@kangarootha]

How could anyone in their right mind give this FREE tutorial a thumbs down?? Cheery music music followed by some creative improv instrumentation, excellent camera work with the added drama of those still shots, and of course an excellent solution to a diy problem everyone will have to deal with at least once in their lifetime. What more could ya want? Thanks brother! Loved it!!

[@sirgalah4d20]

The music sucks and its too loud,I still thumbed it up though.

[@tonka5]

Good music. Good volume.

[@paulfrost8952]

@@sirgalah4d20have you tried the volume control to adjust the sound levels!?

[@jujjuj7676]

I did it, just cause u bitched bout it. But if I had to guess I'd say the music selection..😊 ( otherwise it was a clear and great video) but that elevators slide guitar gets old quick..but he made up for it with the Chinese guitar, then lost me again with the folk hoe down...😪

[@Niawen2011]

Well done! This video shows us all that's needed in a simple, straightforward & easily understood manner. I used a scaled-up version of this tool when fabricating foam insulated doors for walk-in coolers and freezers many years ago. Cutting 3-inch foam at an angle on a table saw was messy and dangerous and the heated wire method saved the day. I've wanted to build one of my own on several occasions, but never had a good idea of how to go about it. Many sincere thanks for showing me!

[@MisterLumpkin]

When I was a kid back in the mid 60s, I got a toy very much like this for Christmas. It was a bare wire about 6 inches long, strung upright with a base that made it look a lot like a band saw. It came with several sheets of foam with printed lines for various parts of a car, plane and house. I burnt the crap out of my fingers playing with that thing. Great fun back when part of the fun of toys was that they could be dangerous!

[@Niawen2011]

Back again ... I couldn't pass up the opportunity to point out that the horizontal wire set-up in this video can easily be reconfigured as a yoke with a vertical wire to do scroll work. For that matter, it seems like we should be able to rig up a hand-held holder for the wire to do free-form carving ... the fusilage for a foam glider perhaps. The idea lends itself to lots of applications. Anyway, thanks again. You definitely get a hearty like and subscription!

[@grain-diose]

Yes, cutting a finished wing for a glider is a good idea and is used by glider model builders.

[@kevinklei3005]

Thanks for a great easy to follow video clip with no waffle talking just plain visuals and as a bonus in kilograms for the rest of the civilized world like us here in Australia . Congratulations 110%

[@jerrycraig3737]

Interesting way to produce uniform thicknesses and with none of the waviness caused by cutting or by a moving wire. Great for small production cutting - the hot-wire version of a table saw. Well done.

[@atlbrysco6198]

Great presentation video for the ambitious DIY'er that can afford the current transformer and doesn't require precise measurement in the cuts. However, for all the trouble it takes to make one, I think it makes much more sense to spend slightly over $100 for the exact same thing (with easier adjustments, graduated boards, etc.) from Amazon. I remember using these almost 30 years ago for polystyrene foam cutting - worked at a special events company that had a lot of props, centerpieces, etc. that were made from polystyrene. This most definitely is THE best way for cutting materials like these with little muss or fuss.

[@johnnybanana8562]

But is it really about the tool or the ingenuity??

[@fredbrooks1386]

Thanks for mentioning the importance of exhausting those nasty fumes. Perhaps a video on building an efficient and safe exhaust fan would be a great help.

[@tommcelroy6975]

Just use a fan

[@ГеннадийФедотов-в7и]

Работал в цехе пенопласта оператором блок -формы 15лет,всю эту кухню знаю на зубок. Но снятие видео мне понравилось. Спасибо Вам за ваш труд. Лайк в поддержку канала.

[@erikiacopelli451]

Dunno bout anyone else but for some reason, I REALLY love watching videos like this. Making your own tools

[@reamasaurusrex7236]

Same bug bit me

[@ciga3967]

I do not speak English But the google translator serves I found your channel a minute ago And you truly have an EXCELLENT CHANNEL I congratulate you from Colombia

[@grain-diose]

Thank you, greetings from Moldova.

[@EddyfyingArt]

Not that I would ever have any reason to make such an apparatus, but I must say your video had me intrigued to watch till the end.

[@grain-diose]

Thanks!

[@nextwayeducrafts5567]

I did same project to slice Styrofoam for my hydroponics containers. I used 46 gauze nichrome instead 0.3mm wire with a supply of 100V AC. And I ve realized that 46 gauze were too thin for this project as it breaks very often. I could use a ticker version. Thanks for sharing.

[@seek2find]

Smoke on the Water was fabulous! So was the invention!

[@MarkPrimavera]

Very good work! 👏 👍 I made one about six months ago which is 20" wide. Today I built a "mini cutter" which is 10" wide and I did finally break down and purchased a variable voltage power supply.

[@EpicGamerJP]

I just built one following your video! There are some slight changes since I didn't have all the tools but it works great. Thanks for uploading this, it really helped me out.

[@psdaengr911]

The thumb-pushing technique is a easy way to get a deep burn acoross the pad of your thumb. A pusher stick and some vertical drag guides to hold the panel down will make for flatter cut surfaces. You want to make cuts pushing the stock against the "upstream" side of the wire. The wire will be better retained if there was a smoother surface to slide across than the root of a machine screw's thread. A hollow brass rivet can be cut to make a smooth collar with a flange. Nyloc nuts hold their positions better than wire-supporting machine nuts and would help to maintain the set heights of the wire ends.

[@garylsmalley]

I did this on a bigger scale to cut foam for a barge I built. Used 120v house current reduced with a standard light dimmer switch. Learning curve. Start low and turn temp up. I started to hot and melted the wire in about two seconds but the dimmer worked really good. Cutting 48 inch foam.

[@СергейПетровских-х7г]

С удовольствием смотрю ваши сюжеты. Всерьёз и по существу! Спасибо. Успехов!

[@thanas1950]

GREECE- ATHENS ....Good morning my friend ..very important of your construction, with absolute clarity and examples of its use ... as very important is the table you cite..the whole construction is I would say magical for me ....

[@aannoonniimmss]

Quick tip- add a fishing swivel between the spring and a tensioning bolt. Nice and simple construction

[@onmyworkbench7000]

Back in the mid 1960's my dad and I cut Polystyrene Foam Wings cores for model airplanes then we covered them with 1/16 balsa wood glued on using two part epoxy. We also covered some of the with poster board and contact cement, both both techniques worked great to make fast building and inexpensive wings.

[@TheStigma]

Great tutorial. The jig is nice and simple, yet does everything you need. I'm definitely going to build one. With the ability to re-cut polystyrene form into clean useful shapes it has endless uses in hobby projects and even home renovation if you can get enough of the stuff. If you want to glue together polystyrene foam then the easiest and cheapest is to use PVA glue (ie. wood glue, but it is also used in many crafting and "childrens glues" due to its non-toxicity, so you probably already have some at home). It's safe, cheap and cleans up with water (before hardening). Note that the white wood glue that dries clear is not waterproof, so for weather-resistant projects go with the (uglier) yellow variants which tolerate water much better.

[@shaunhall960]

I muted the music and played my own. ;) Thank you very much for doing this video, this is exactly what I was looking for.

[@frankowalker4662]

My dad made one of these in the 70's for making model airoplanes, I accidentley touched it and sliced my finger to the bone! Didn't even feel it. It was that quick.

[@jeffpittel6926]

Single strand stainless leader line (used for muskie/pike fishing) works well too. Available at most tackle shops.

[@grain-diose]

Perhaps, but I think for steel wire it will take more current to reach the same temperature as for nichrome.

[@Johnfor3]

Put heavy duty fishing swivel after the spring and you will not need to remove it from the adjustment screw each time you tighten it.

[@arturschorr4705]

Aple ibok

[@tommcelroy6975]

Or use a nut instead if s threaded hole

[@RobMacKendrick]

Came for the foam. Stayed for the concert. (Awesome build, by the way.)

[@kingofcastlechaos]

5:55 was the best part. Thanks for taking us there, like only an old guy can.

[@hawgdawg843]

Very informative and I loved the soundtrack. The music that is not the other sounds you emphasized. Maybe your next video you could instruct us as to how to run your fingernails down a chalkboard.

[@NWLee]

You made a great adjustable wire, foam cutter from inexpensive components, perfect for making thinner sheets easily. It is like a table saw on its side. Thanks, for presenting the building process and nichrome wire use information.

[@609collector]

This is exactly what I had in mind. I just need to get some nichrome and banjo music. Then it's go time

[@calysagora3615]

Just find a scrap hair dryer, heat gun, heater fan, bread toaster or alike.

[@solidsoldier9021]

Banjo 🪕😅🤣😂

[@jimpritz4169]

Excellent video and I especially liked your answers to the rude and inappropriate comments made by the internet trolls.

[@NH-po8wr]

This was absolutely incredible. Exactly what i was looking for!!

[@NH-po8wr]

Hi, do you have a link to a calculator for this sort of thing. I need the length to be 28cm and the Nichrome wire I have is 28g.

[@grain-diose]

You can make nichrome wire of any length, but the longer the nichrome, the more VOLTAGE you need for the same temperature. And you need more tension (in kg) with a greater length of nichrome. I indicated the current and voltage for 30 centimeters from nichrome with a diameter of 0.3 mm. For nichrome 0.3 mm long 30 cm voltage 8-10 volts, current 2-2.5 amperes, tension of nichrome 1.5-2 kg - 7:35 0.3 mm nichrome - aliexpress.com/item/1-10-0-3/32955677238.html My power supply KPS605D 60V, 5A (300W) - aliexpress.com/item/wanptek-mini-switching-DC-power-supply-KPS605D-60V-5A-Single-Channel-adjustable-SMPS-Digital-0-60V/32804367095.html Remember! 1. Another diameter of nichrome is another current. 2. Another length of nichrome is another voltage. Current table for different diameter of nichrome - imelnikov.ru/model/tool/foamcut/ EXAMPLE. For 1 meter of nichrome (3.3 feet) 0.3 mm in diameter, a current of 2.7 A and a voltage of 40 volts is needed. ATTENTION! For long lengths or large amounts of work, use ventilation!

[@porkquad]

grain grain I love your vids I asked a teacher if I could watch them and she said yes

[@grain-diose]

👌 Thank!

[@olik136]

I think commercial cutter use tungsten wires

[@johnmoody8365]

You will find that the longer the nichrome, the more VOLTAGE is required to give you the same amount of current of 2 - 2.5 amps to achieve the same amount of heat.

[@jamiemusgrave8359]

Hi Looking to make a table that is 600mm of 0.3nichrome, what is the energy output? do you have an English link? I cant read Russian ;)

[@rolandlastname5532]

Profi, with lab power supply. Next improvement is to sensor the length of the pulled out spring and use a feedback control loop (arduino!!) to keep the wire temperature constant. This will automatically increase current when cutting a big piece of foam

[@bLake-Mow-Hawn]

Takes an entire day PLUS ~100$ to cut foam. My Olfa knife takes no time and is only 10$ YOU Got me beat on your accuracy BRO

[@baltoman6709]

Excellent . I can see great possibilities with this , especially if the table between the wire posts were adjustable up and down . That would eliminate having to reset the wire at different heights . Thanks for your time. 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@grain-diose]

Yes, adjusting the height of the table is also a great option, thanks for participating!

[@ericknutson8230]

Not sure I will ever need to use this but you did a great job, it works great and was a great video to watch ,,,,,totally enjoyed the entire video!

[@RoslynBennett]

P

[@arkansasrob9745]

You had my 👍with the music. Good video

[@uncletoy774]

man i dont care what anyone says you can pic the strings better than all the greats keep jammin

[@СергейЩеклеин-н8е]

В угольники для крепления регулировочного винта надо сделать отверстие без резьбы, а для регулировки на сам винт накрутить гайки со стороны головки винта- тогда для регулировки не придется каждый раз снимать нихромовую нить

[@MarinusMakesStuff]

Ah cool instructable. I already made a foam cutter once with guitar string wire. This guide inspired me to order real nichrome wire and change the design of the wire foam cutter I made. I could show you the result when it's ready :) I also made the 3-cell mendocino motor again because one of your other videos inspired me!

[@grain-diose]

It's great! 👍 I'm glad my videos are inspiring.

[@carsanmario9880]

Hey there, was trying this same project with guitar strings but they don't seem to heat up. What do I do? Ps. I also added a 12v filament bulb in series to know if it works. Hope that doesn't affect

[@GRBtutorials]

Carsan Mario Odds are they’re too thick for the current you’re passing through them (the filament bulb will limit the current). You could try increasing the current (removing the light bulb and using an appropriate power supply), but you’ll need a lot of current for a guitar string. Try with 0.3mm nichrome or Kanthal wire (as in the video), which can be bought or extracted from heating coils.

[@baldeagle5297]

I've been wanting to build some of the free Flite Test plans using my diode laser, but it won't cut the Dollar Tree foam. I recently tried cutting blue insulation foam, and it worked. Now I can cut it into the correct thickness, thanks.

[@Doodad2]

I laughed out loud at the "Smoke on the water" bit! Good job!

[@Thedrop83]

Stunning! My question is: you can cut also depron with this tool?

[@grain-diose]

I think yes.

[@gelpont19]

You did a good job - especially the construct of the shades 4 the roundings ! To make the manufacturing more healthy : Put it to an open window, set a vent that takes the smoke to the opening. That will work….Go on with your videos

[@StantonLuke]

Love this! Not sure if recommendations are acceptable however watching this I can see that building this for vertical (more intricate) cutting would be a great pt2

[@VEEBProjects]

Just in case you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/amjGfmSiq614sKs

[@psdaengr911]

A table "jig" cutter. Mark the table where you want the wire to go vertical. Make a hole through the table at that point. Use an eyebolt positioned beneath the surface of the table as the fixed electrical connection and wire anchor. Add a vertical board to the edge of the table. At the top of the vertical board add a cross member. Use an eyebolt for the second wire support and the electrical terminal. Position the spring support on the underside of the vertical board. For straight cuts use a clamped edge guide.

[@nastydjango4657]

if you have nothing else to do, this is a great video for insulating your pipes

[@johanngunnarsson]

Nice work. My experience with heat cutting of XPS is that pushing by hand has to be done at even speed, which is difficult to maintain on long pieces of material. Using weights to pull the wire through stationary material gave good results.

[@grain-diose]

You think correctly!

[@blaizerhodes]

I built one of these that had the vertical wire layout. What first timers (like myself) won't understand is that the wire stretches a lot and your cutter design needs to handle that. I'm going to build a mark 2 version based on this design.

[@grain-diose]

I wrote twice in the video (6:12 and 7:34) that the tension of nichrome with a length of 300 mm and a thickness of 0.3 mm of nichrome is 1.5-2 kg. I also wrote in the comments, if you increase the length of nichrome, then the current strength and tension should be increased.

[@blaizerhodes]

@@grain-diose Maybe we're talking across purposes here. I know that we both know that there's formulae to work out the thickness, length, current and tension of the wire. I'm just trying to emphasize the point that retensioning is really important when you build one of these as the wire stretches - you say so in your video in fact. I didn't have a spring to tension mine. Your design does, and is much better than mine. I'm just trying to highlight the importance of that part of your cutter design. Newbies you can't cut corners :)

[@grain-diose]

Yes, maybe I did not understand you well (I am writing with the help of a translator). Thanks you!

[@blaizerhodes]

@@grain-diose no worries. I love your work. I've upvoted and subscribed.

[@bob5783]

Merci depuis la France. Belle vidéo et travail soigné. Je conseil aussi, comme "shades2" et vous, de travailler dans un espace ventilé. Thank you from France. Nice video and neat work. I also advise, like "shades2" and you, to work in a ventilated space.

[@grain-diose]

You are right, ventilation is important.

[@MarkPrimavera]

SMOKE ON THE WATER - you Rock! Great foam cutter

[@raspberrypiploy771]

Great video and very easy to understand. Do you think this would cut Closed cell high density foam, the kind that is often used in camera cases thanks

[@grain-diose]

Does styrofoam damage the camera? I think not at all. Just the pores are closed when cutting with temperature. But the foam from this becomes hard on top, it is still better to stick fabric or leather on top, the more aesthetically pleasing it is.

[@timz9862]

This video might get even more views if you rename it to “how to make a hot wire foam cutter.” Also, make sure you use this in a well ventilated area.

[@peterslade537]

Old idea very well executed with great results, nice to see someone using tools correctly.

[@grain-diose]

Thanks!

[@Mekaproyects]

Excellent machine very powerful, congratulations my friend, one day I going to make one

[@farazin_choob]

دهنت سرویس ❤🎉 🌿🌼 خیلی خیلی باحال بود 🍃 سپاس فراوان 🙏🌻🌱

[@ilan8465]

Exactly what I was looking for. Great tutorial.

[@drebleloaw]

Info at 7:36 is exactly what i was looking for! Thanks!

[@trondaustad8617]

Nice build. A vere good video. And the music great . Thanks for sharing this one

[@timmaxton5495]

The main take-away here is how to play Smoke on the Water with a single string. The fact that it also cuts styrofoam is just a bonus.

[@georgelambert6185]

Love this invention, been looking to make similar and now realized i needed a charger. Great mate.

[@bulldogstrut1]

Smoke On The Water was the first song I taught my grandson how to play on the guitar. Awesome.

[@chasinelwood1977]

Get a fan kicking and you have a great set up. Nice work!

[@Flederratte]

Great demonstration. I always put together a cutter in the same principle when I had to cut some styrofoam. But I made it so that I could move it freehanded like a handsaw.

[@grain-diose]

Yes, there is such a design in the form of a stretched bow. For cutting the outline of the template this option is probably better. I know that model fans cut out the profile for the wings of the glider in this way.

[@ConstantinoClaudiodasNevesccn]

.

[@EnglishTurbines]

Impressive Camera work.....very nice....Use a freehand Bow for cutting exotic curves though, and keep this device for making flat sheets.

[@crossrafinha]

congratulations friend, I loved your video, especially at rock time....rsrsrs, congratulations people like me and you inventors who need to exist god bless you.

[@MiguelAngel_tres14]

Valdría, también, para cortar Goma-Espuma? Buen vídeo! Gracias!

[@gardening-in-the-woods]

Great video, not something I could find a use for but well done! Love the music.

[@jimyekel1396]

You get a thumbs up just for smoke on the water

[@Пётр-к2я1н]

Помню так еще в 70х годах резали пенопласт на буковки, из которых делали стенды и на них разные надписи "миру мир" "добро пожаловать" и др

[@JeffLieurance]

Great music. Great info. thanks.

[@ПерстФомы]

Такое мы делали 40 лет назад, ещё когда ходили в походы и резали пенопласт и пенополиуретан ("пену") на подстилки др. нужды.

[@RUST_RU]

Точно говоришь！ Америку открывают, до сих пор😁

[@andchip.s]

Very clever and I like the up cycle use of old polystyrene for pipe lagging ;-)

[@stevebailey5227]

or just go and buy the pipe insulation, much cheaper and quicker than pissing about making that contraption..some people need to get a job...lol

[@andchip.s]

@@stevebailey5227 I guess you are the type of person who throws your used McDonald's wrapper out of your car window, and turns round and says "What, keeps someone employed don't it ?"

[@stevebailey5227]

@@andchip.s How on earth you got round to that assumption god only knows,i'm not from the same planet as you sorry to say mate...lol

[@jorgealonsobecerracastro3776]

Excelente trabajo amigo, una pregunta,cómo se llama el aparato donde conectaste los cables? Se que es un regulador, pero tiene algunas especificaciones

[@grain-diose]

KPS605D - aliexpress.com/item/1005001791904967.html

[@TheSign2020]

I wanted to like this video 10 more times when he started playing music on it. Amazing.

[@missouribob7850]

Excellent job. I'm not sure why I watched this, but good job.

[@hornilo]

О-о! Execution "smoke on the water" exceptionally exactly! Thank you! And a construction in itself impresses... It is good! even very!!! I beg pardon - answered with a translator (badly I know English). I hope, it will be got it right...))) Golden hands!..

[@grain-diose]

Thank you! Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water 1972 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5yqqo2eZbuVhrM

[@SteveBueche1027]

Another method: ‘L’ brackets, 1/4” plywood for side walls and spray foam. Build walls both sides of pipe. Spray foam and saw off after cure. ✅

[@grain-diose]

Yes, there are different versions of the method. Thank!

[@KellyBtech]

Excellent! Love the detail, both in the video and the description.

[@MrHans818]

Great Idea. Plus playing Smoke On The Water was an added plus. One of my all time favorites songs I still even have my LP from back then. It would make cutting very easy. Thanks

[@grain-diose]

🤘

[@David-Field.Stuff01]

Great build. I like the spring tension attachment. Where did you get the Variac transformer?

[@grain-diose]

I am using KPS605D power supply aliexpress.ru/item/1005004736831185.html

[@Zogatn]

This is what i need for my craft in foam :D It's hard to buy in normal price 10mm foam to build models. Thank You

[@grain-diose]

Do you mean glider models? This is even better! You can immediately cut the finished profile of the wing console. To do this, you need two templates of plywood for two ends and lead them with nichrome. If I didn’t say very clearly (I don’t speak English) you can search on Google, many people do this and describe it on websites, possibly on KZbin.

[@Zogatn]

@@grain-diose My English is not good either :-P After years, I'm back to making parts for the mock-up, for battle games. From styrofoam I want to make houses (Warhammer), mounds, terrain. The problem is not styrofoam, but its thickness. The walls are 5mm to 10mm thick. There are shops that sell A4 foam, but the price is like from space. greetings

[@grain-diose]

@@Zogatn I understood. Thank! In this way, I cut the foam 3 mm thick.

[@Zogatn]

@@grain-diose nice :D

[@MarkPrimavera]

Thanks for the inspiration! I made one and comes in very handy for slicing, however my musical skills suck.

[@jcc2133]

Excellent travail ; vraiment .

[@grain-diose]

Thank you

[@antonymraj5824]

Wow...what a beautiful job. Congrats

[@ninagigio3715]

Bravissimo, un lavoro ottimo e con risultati eccellenti 👏👏

[@lazcris]

I LOVE this tutorial !! Thank you so much!!

[@planetamikel]

Excelente video eres un genio, saludos desde México.

[@thestalicho]

How about a version for cutting up that polystyrene that invariably comes with TV's and other white goods making disposal easier. Ace making!

[@denisshepelev1966]

Спасибо! Очень понятно и очень доходчиво!

[@AngelGMiranda]

Judging by the wrench dimension @2:14, the nuts should be M6. Awesome video!

[@grain-diose]

That's right, M6. Thank you!

[@AngelGMiranda]

@@grain-diose I built it and it works great. \m/

[@seanmccabe526]

This is just fantastic for whenever I need to increase the R value of a very small wall by .008!

[@KellyBtech]

Most things that can be done on a small scale can be done on large as well. Just one of those things you learn with age. You'll figure it out eventually ...unless your problems are more extreme than most people's!

[@eighty2snkrs]

niice, i had the same idea but mine was thinking more along the lines of a wire, gloves, and a lighter 😬😂 if your selling, im buying, seriously!

[@MelissaGemini]

Thumbs up just for the music that was great. Another thumbs up for video. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@MetlyaevV71]

Великолепно!!!!! Просто и полезно!! Удачи Вам!!

[@pauromerovergara7930]

not expecting for deep purple. GOAT!