Building terrain and buildings?

[DELTADOG]

I bought a sheel of foam core, but now I can't figure out how to cut it.  Everything I try ends up damaging the foam and the cut ends up ragged and poor.  Should I be using some sort of specialist tool for this?

Not really special but a Sharp good to handle knife makes your troubles being past:-)

[Neldoreth]

I bought a sheel of foam core, but now I can't figure out how to cut it.  Everything I try ends up damaging the foam and the cut ends up ragged and poor.  Should I be using some sort of specialist tool for this?

I use a large hobby knife. Those little ones just don't cut it.

Also, you shouldn't expect to cut it on the first pass... or even the second or third pass either. First pass you might get through the paper, second pass, through the paper, and then after a few passes, maybe five, you are through or cutting the paper on the other side. As long as you cut slowly, you'll be fine even with a dull knife.

If you want to cut faster, with fewer passes, you need a very sharp knife. I find that after a few cuts, the knife gets too dull to cut quickly. But press lightly, and make a handfull of passes, and you'll be fine either way!



Thanks
n

[FifteensAway]

For cutting I recommend an X-acto knife for #11 blades and a large pack of #11 blades, discard blades regularly so that you are always using a SHARP! blade.  Also, use straight edges to avoid dimpling when and where you can.  Though, to be honest, I actually prefer working with wood - while more trouble it is much more durable when done right.  But you also need more tools and more expensive tools so might not work for you.  But good luck.  As said, building it yourself is rewarding - and results in pieces no one else on the planet has.  That's always fun.

Now, what they have on other planets...

[zizi666]

Look for foamed PVC. Not as cheap as foamcore, but much stronger.
You can score patterns in the material just as you would with foamcore.

[Elk101]

I found that a rabbet cutter / board cutter helps prevent this. I have the X acto one and it's very good.

Shop around though, I don't think I paid much more than £8-9 from a shop on Amazon.

[Pijlie]

As an example, the knife in the picture has already lost its point and will show toothing. This knife is gone and should be broken off to reveal a new one. As soon as the knife starts to tear, it is no longer sharp enough.

[6milPhil]

Look for foamed PVC. Not as cheap as foamcore, but much stronger.
You can score patterns in the material just as you would with foamcore.

One of my faves too, often known as Foamex. I get mine all free from the waste bin of the local sign shop.

[zizi666]

One of my faves too, often known as Foamex. I get mine all free from the waste bin of the local sign shop.

Why, you, Lucky, Lucky...