How do you Cut Foam?

[Necrosaro420]

I have the pink Foam, made by DOW or Corning, or one of those I got from home depot. I have it layed down (2 layers) onto my set. My question is, how do you cut this stuff? What do you use to carve out hills and valleys etc etc?? I tried on a test piece to cut it with a razor, adn well that doesnt work very well, as it wants to come off in chunks.

(Also, if you have a link to a image of one, that would help too!)

Thanks!

[SpaceMouse]

You can use a steak knife, but I use a 12" wood sawzall ablade. A drywall saw works well too.

[FunValleyLine]

I stole my wifes cerated bread knife and a couple old steak knives they work great. Get a small rasp/wood shaper {the kind that looks like a cheese grater} that works good for shaping. I hold the shop vac right there when I use it because that stuff is heck to get up later. I found too that drywall mud/joint compound stick to the pink foam and wont come off. Yes it dries slow and cracks if it is too thick. I have used 6 - 5 gal buckets of it on my layout with no problems. It is a by product of my work but at $10 a 5 gal bucket it is cheap to try.

[sushob]

Woodland Scenics also makes two different tools specifically for this purpose. I don't have any experience with them, and they are kind of pricey, but they might be worth it if you have a lot of foam to cut. They would be cleaner than carving it, as they don't create foam chunks or dust, but you should have some ventilation since they melt the foam.

http://www.sushob.com/images/Woodland%20Scenics/785-1435S.jpg
785-1435 Woodland Scenics HOT WIRE FOAM CUTTER (http://www.sushob.com/product.php?productid=22352&cat=0&page=1)

http://www.sushob.com/images/Woodland%20Scenics/785-1438S.jpg
785-1438 Woodland Scenics Hot Knife (http://www.sushob.com/product.php?productid=22355&cat=0&page=1)

[Necrosaro420]

What about a smaller one like this image below? (Im only working on a small project right now that needs it, 11.5"x29.5") and I just need it to make a few small dips really. Would this one work?

http://i15.ebayimg.com/01/i/07/a8/0e/38_1.JPG

or something like this?
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=17107

[sushob]

The soldering pen / hot knife looks like it would be great for shaping fine details, such as rocks, but not as well suited for removing large areas of foam, such as streams or gullies. If you're only working a small area, it would probably be fine.

I have no idea what the picture is of...but now I'm curious. Do you have a link to the auction?

You can also find the Woodland Scenics cutters on eBay for less. Here's an auction up right now from a great seller (M.B. Klein):

http://cgi.ebay.com/Woodland-Scenics-ST1435-Hot-Wire-Foam-Cutter_W0QQitemZ320099032507QQcategoryZ11644QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Necrosaro420]

Great, might have to get one of those then..

Sushob, here ya go! http://cgi.ebay.com/FIBER-OPTIC-HOT-KNIFE-BRAND-NEW-SALE-PRICED_W0QQitemZ190092946434QQcategoryZ26197QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

[sushob]

Sushob, here ya go!

Yeah, that one probably wouldn't work well for this purpose. It's designed to slice down through fiber optic cables, not carve foam. You need something with a little more reach.

[FunValleyLine]

Yep those work too, I tried one someone brought over and I wasnt impress but maybe I didnt take the time to learn. My dad says if I cant mess up the whole room I am not having fun so maybe that is why I didnt like it. LOL

[pcarrell]

An electric meat carving knife works well for big cuts. Good ole steak knife do the finer cuts well.

[Doc Holliday]

I made my own hot wire foam cutter from an old soldering gun by replacing the tip with a piece of regular 10 gauge copper wire. I made several different shapes, depending on what shape I want to cut.
Doc

[HaggisKennedy]

I use a serrated kitchen knife I bought for $6 at Target. Had to buy a couple different ones to find one with the right type of serrations. Which was OK since the other one went into the kitchen for more regular use....

Kennedy

[Nate]

Right now, I'm just using an old steak knife for a rough cut on a rock face. It actually works out pretty good.