Alternatives to a hot wire foam cutter?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Would a pencil tip soldering iron work as well? I can’t justify spending $30 for this tool when I only need it for 5 minutes. Thanks

Jared

2

just use a kitchen carving knife, or for fine work an Xacto or similar. The stuff cuts easily, and very little toxic fumes

3

I have battery powered hot wire foam cutter from Hobby Lobby; $5 plus two D cells. Two alkalines seem to last forever, as long as you are careful to turn it off when not in use.

4

A bread knife or old hacksaw blade work well, and are usually something that you already have around the house. Trying to cut the beaded white styrofoam with these really makes a mess, though, so have the vacuum cleaner handy or do the cutting outside.

5

What I have found works well for me, on the pink foam at least, is a fine tooth hacksaw blade clamped in the jaws of a spring clamp, makes a great handle and allows for good control. Hope this helps! Good luck. John

6

I recently purchased a used electric carving knife at a local garage sale for $1. Works like a dream the reciprocatinh blades make cutting the foam very easy and sculpting is just as fast and effortless.

7

Or-
FInd a piece of nichrome wire, I bought 20’ on Ebay for $5. You can get creative with the handle, I’ve cut a piece out of thin plywood in a Y shape to mount the wire to. Anything you can imagine to hold the wire that is insulated will work. Then just hook your transformer leads (DC) to the ends of the wire with wire nuts, crimps, whatever!
Now you have a variable temp hot wire cutter! I usualy have to have it turned up to 60-80% throttle depending on the thickness of the foam, but a little experimenting will tell what you need.

8

Years ago, a guy in the maintenance department at work had to cut a LOT of foam for some project. He ended up using an electric knife and said it worked the best of everything he tried.

9

Thanks for all of the great responses. I ended up going to MIchaels and purchasing one of their foam cutters for $8. A lot better than the $40 model from Woodland Scenics.

Jared

10

A knife with a smooth edge creates zero dust, unlike breadknives, hacksaws etc etc. I use a big strong carving knife. Works fine for blue extruded or pink expanded foam.