foam cutter help

$oo LineOGR Forum Member

I am in need of a foam cutter for 1/2" and 2" pink and blue foam.

I was thinking of the tipi for creating the block work on tunnels and retaining walls because it looked very small and user friendly.

I have also looked at the hot wire foam cutter a pro series 4pc kit including the variable power supply.

so which one will be the better choice for my needs?

as a side note I have a small band saw but to do 2-3 tunnels on same foam board the throat is to small to allow it to be done all at same time.

so would I be better off doing tunnels separately with band saw and using the tippi for creating the block work?

am really needing help on this.

$oo

11/3/1311:20 AM

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dpgOGR Forum Member

I looked at several and went with the Hot Wire Foam Cutter.

1. The Pro control allows you to control the temp which helps on fine work

2. I am able to buy additional parts as needed from Hot Wire, eBay, or other online sites. I purchased the table with a Pro control directly from Hot Wire. The logo was smudged on the table so they sell them off fairly cheap.

I am happy with the components I have purchased so far but I'm looking at the big cutting system that allows you to cut large blocks of foam to make Halloween tombstones and Christmas ornaments.

Dave

11/3/1311:44 AM

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$oo LineOGR Forum Member

dpg.... Thanks for the information am leaning towards the Hotwire.

$oo

11/3/135:18 PM

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dpgOGR Forum Member

If you go to the Hotwire Website you can get an idea of all the various tools they have and what you can do with them

Hotwire Foam Factory

11/5/138:50 PM

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Hump Yard MikeOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I am not a big fan of the Hotwire Foam Factory cutter. Perhaps I was abusing this tool, but because is has an insulated wired with the element on the outside that you cannot apply very much pressure to cut through things because it is flimsy, and I have managed to break multiple filaments and burn out the supplied transformer. I do not think this tool is really intended to do more than a 1/2" think foam, and even at that, you have to do the cut so slow. I have not used their other product designed for heavy cuts (I think it is refer to as blade something).

I have done a ton of foam shaping on my layout and have come to the conclusion it is just easier to do major cuts with a dry wall saw and smooth with sand paper (even though the mess of pink snow just sucks).

While a York a few weeks ago, I saw the gentlemen demonstrating the tippi at his booth, which comes with several different elements for cutting. I decided to take the plunge and purchase it for some retaining walls I have been working on. I have been very happy with it for detail work such as walls. I just completed these last weekend, over 24' of stone wall. I just finished giving them more of a weathered feel on Sunday and working to install them as I write this.

Mike