Cutting foam core

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gocherhaz

New Member

• Feb 3, 2017

• #1

Hello, I am making a foam core/ card model of the Great Hall from Hogwarts, Harry Potter. I am struggling with cutting small areas of 5mm foam board. I'm trying to cut 5mm squares out of 5mm foam core but keeps ganging up and its not neat enough. I don't know where I'm going wrong. PLEASE HELP!?

Thank you

 

newmagrathea

Sr Member

• Feb 3, 2017

• #2

Get a new blade. They start snagging when they get a little dull.

 

G

gocherhaz

New Member

• Feb 3, 2017

• #3

Hello, I have tried a new blade but still its not coming out with a clean look.

 

A

Albertese

Well-Known Member

• Feb 3, 2017

• #4

Foam core is tricky at such small sizes as it wants to crush and or tear. Try making numerous shallow cuts with a sharp blade and see what if that gets better.

On the other hand, if you're making 5mm cubes out of foam core, my first thought would be get a different material.

--Alex

 

George

Master Member

• Feb 3, 2017

• #5

2mm foam for small pieces/details instead of 5mm

 

darth_myeek

Sr Member

• Feb 3, 2017

• #6

Fon Davis has a great video on foam core construction.


My guess is you need to angle your blade closer to your work to get the full cutting edge. If you plunge straight down and drag you aren't slicing as efficiently.

 

Collektor

Well-Known Member

• Feb 5, 2017

• #7

also, don't try to get through it in one pass, light pressure with a new blade and it should part cleanly in a couple passes. But be warned, foam core eats blades and quickly too. After a few cuts you should get a feel for how many cuts you can get out of a new blade before it dulls out and starts snagging.

 

brandomack

Sr Member

• Feb 5, 2017

• #8

When I build with foamcore, I usually get 1 window per blade. I buy packs of 1000.