Foam Board Cutters . what can you recommend?

[Argonor]

I have finally taken the decision that I need to build a collection of adobe-buildings myself. When I get the hang of it, I'll probably build other types as well... 

I'm going to use foamboard en masse, and I need some easy-to-use and effective tools.

I'll probably need a rabbeting tool and someting to cut 45 degrees edges. If it comes all-in-one, all the better, but it doesn't matter.

The tool(s) must be adjustable for 3 mm to 10 mm foamboard.

Recommendations, please!

[dijit]

If you're going to be plastering the adobe buildings, you don't need to use 45° joints, you can just use butt joints and the place a piece of masking tape over the ends of the foam board to help hide the texture. It's what I've been doing, just need to get them painted now.
Duncan

[Argonor]

If you're going to be plastering the adobe buildings, you don't need to use 45° joints, you can just use butt joints and the place a piece of masking tape over the ends of the foam board to help hide the texture. It's what I've been doing, just need to get them painted now.
Duncan

Nice tip - masking tape, that is 'malertape' in Danish, right?

[Atheling]

Sorry to jump in but I'm in need of getting a hot wire that cuts at an accurate 90 degrees and is single wire type, sort of the shape of a knife sharpener but with a guard for the hand.

Does anyone have any idea of where I can get one or if it's possible for me to manufacture one?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated 

Darrell.

[gnomehome]

If you're going to be plastering the adobe buildings, you don't need to use 45° joints, you can just use butt joints and the place a piece of masking tape over the ends of the foam board to help hide the texture. It's what I've been doing, just need to get them painted now.
Duncan

That's also what I've done.

If you look carefully you can see a slight raided edge where the tape is (top left corner of medium level of the building  on bottom picture form this thread 
 http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=65192.msg787077#msg787077

If I were a bit more carefull, I'm certain I could avoid this.

[Bone]

Sorry to jump in but I'm in need of getting a hot wire that cuts at an accurate 90 degrees and is single wire type,

at this point I would have recommended
Proxxon THERMOCUT 230/E

sort of the shape of a knife sharpener but with a guard for the hand.

You talk about hand held devices? I wouldn't recomend them if you aim for accuracy.

Does anyone have any idea of where I can get one or if it's possible for me to manufacture one?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated 

Darrell.

youtube and google are your friends:
"hot wire foam cutter plans"

[Atheling]

at this point I would have recommended
Proxxon THERMOCUT 230/E

Thanks for letting me know, but, I'm not sure that would do.

I should have said that I want to cut 1200mm by 2400mm polystyrene sheets into 60mm x 60mm 'tiles'.

Darrell.

[Bone]

hmm looks like you have to build your own hot wire cutter
http://www.instructables.com/id/Hot-wire-foam-cutter/?lang=de
 - what's the height/thickness of the sheets?
depending on that I would fix wooden slats on one or both sides to let the wire slide on the slats like a pencil on a rulers edge.

[dijit]

Nice tip - masking tape, that is 'malertape' in Danish, right?

Yeah that's malertape.

[Atheling]

hmm looks like you have to build your own hot wire cutter
http://www.instructables.com/id/Hot-wire-foam-cutter/?lang=de
 - what's the height/thickness of the sheets?

25mm thick, possibly up to 50mm.

depending on that I would fix wooden slats on one or both sides to let the wire slide on the slats like a pencil on a rulers edge.

Thanks- much appreciated. If you have any more advice I'm all ears  .

Darrell.




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[section 8]

I use some homemade cutters. Pre-cut blocks of 1/2 inch thick wood of 1", 2"'and 4" width. Drill two small holes on one side to hold the blade in place with screws. Then attach a thin strip of wood to the other side with screws, to act as a guide. Cheap and effective for cutting larger pieces. Really these things are extraordinary time savers, because I can't cut straight.

If I want any other size I cut away excess with my Master Airscrew Balsa Stripper which works great for foam too.

[Argonor]

I use some homemade cutters. Pre-cut blocks of 1/2 inch thick wood of 1", 2"'and 4" width. Drill two small holes on one side to hold the blade in place with screws. Then attach a thin strip of wood to the other side with screws, to act as a guide. Cheap and effective for cutting larger pieces. Really these things are extraordinary time savers, because I can't cut straight.

If I want any other size I cut away excess with my Master Airscrew Balsa Stripper which works great for foam too.

I may have to do thbat if I want a dedicated cutter... Amazon won't let me order FoamWerks cutters,, says it cannot be shipped to my destination.