How to cut polystyrene foam at home. How to cut polystyrene foam at home. Materials and tools for work
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Styrofoam - thermal insulation material, widely used in individual construction. It is sold in sheets, so it is often necessary to cut it to the required length. Anyone who has encountered such materials understands that it is difficult to do this efficiently with conventional tools. How to cut polystyrene foam at home? Let's look further.
What is polystyrene foam?
The full name of the material - the type of thermal insulation refers to foamed (cellular) plastic gas-filled masses. If you look at this material, you can see many small balls fastened together. Therefore, during normal cutting, it forms a large number of small debris, and the cut itself turns out uneven. The question is interesting and relevant.
Kinds
There are two main options for density:
- Soft. Such layers have a porous structure. When cutting, they crumble heavily and break.
- Solid. This material is easy to process. There is minimal crumbling, the cuts are more even.
It is worth noting that the first option is cheaper than the second.
Areas of application
For the most part, this material is used as insulation. Moreover, it is used for external and interior works. With the help of polystyrene foam, many designers create interesting compositions; it is also used for production ceiling tiles, baseboards, cornices, stucco moldings and more. This area of application is associated with several main advantages of the material:
- environmental friendliness;
- a light weight;
- low price.
All these areas are directly related to the question: “What is used to cut polystyrene foam?”
Knife
You can take a regular office tool. And execute the cut. In this case, the process will be accompanied by a creak, big amount debris, the edges may become chipped. This option is suitable for small amounts of pruning and thin sheets. In this case, you will need to frequently replace the blade.
The canvas should be processed on a flat, hard surface. To make the smoothest possible edges, you should mark the material and apply a straight strip to the line, pressing it with your hand. The knife must be guided smoothly; the guide will serve as a stop for the tool. Plus, by pressing it you can prevent strong debris from forming. This is one of the most common answers to the question of what is used to cut foam plastic.
Hacksaw for metal
This type of tool will allow you to cut sheets of any width, but the productivity will be low. Debris and squeaking will also accompany the entire process. The edges will crumble. This method is suitable for a small number of cuts. Work should be done on a table. The cutting part is shifted from supporting structure so that you can work with a hacksaw.
Power tools
How to cut polystyrene foam at home with a power tool?
For large volumes of polystyrene foam use, this actual question. Let's look at what equipment you can use:
- Jigsaw. It seems that the process is partially automated, the speed of work will increase. But the quality of the cuts will be low. There will be creaking and debris again. At the same time, you need to understand: slabs thicker than 80 mm are unlikely to be cut with such a tool.
- Bulgarian. It will also speed up the cutting process. But at the same time, the rubbish will be scattered in all directions, and even present loud noise from the operation of the tool. If you still choose a grinder for cutting, then it is better to purchase a diamond wheel with minimum thickness, this will help improve the quality of the cut.
We should also consider a tool such as a soldering iron.
Shaped cutting of foam plastic
Often, designers use polystyrene foam to create some kind of decor.
How do you cut the foam? In such cases, shaped cutting of foam is required good quality. The edges should be smooth and not crumble. For these options, use a regular soldering iron. In order to achieve maximum effect, the tip of the tool is flattened or a nozzle is made required size and shapes. A heated soldering iron allows you to perform high-quality, even cutting, which is necessary for decors. Another important point: During operation there will be virtually no fine debris.
Facade foam plastic
This material can be produced in several variations:
- pressed;
- suspension unpressed;
- suspension, non-pressed, self-extinguishing;
The thickness of the panels for facade insulation varies from 70 to 150 mm. You need to understand that such work is accompanied by a large number of cuts. Therefore, the previously listed methods of cutting foam plastic will not be very relevant.
Thermal cutting with knife
For this method, you need to think about heating the tool. Open fire or heating equipment may be used. The knife itself must be well sharpened. It is necessary to stock up with a straight guide bar for cutting. It is best to do the work outside. This will prevent the accumulation of harmful odors that negatively affect health.
The cutting line is marked, a guide bar is applied, and a cut is made with a heated knife. This method allows you to do it quickly and efficiently.
Nichrome wire
As noted earlier, cutting is best done under the influence of temperature. is no exception. Russian people have always been distinguished by their ingenuity, which helped them come up with equipment for manual cutting. Required:
- Desktop;
- transformer that converts 220V to 12 or 24V;
- nichrome wire;
- adjustable rheostat;
- wires.
The wire for cutting foam plastic is fixed across the table with a gap for the required size. Wires, rheostat, transformer are connected. When heated, the wire will easily make a high-quality cut. The material should be fed without much pressure; the heating temperature of the wire is also important. Too high can create sagging.
Designers also use this tool in their work. The wire also allows you to make a number of shaped cuts.
Security measures
Why is it better to take a 12 or 24V transformer for this device? If you are careless, you may receive an electric shock. With such parameters it will be just a burn, whereas with 220 V the situation can end in tears. Another important point: under the influence heat treatment styrofoam releases harmful substances, therefore it is necessary to use means personal protection respiratory organs - respirator. Styrofoam received wide scope application due to their unique properties. Light weight material and at the same time high thermal insulation properties allow it to be used for large-scale insulation of facades, floors, and roofs. Such work does not place a significant load on the foundation, and this is a very important factor that allows you to save on strengthening the foundation. The use of this material in design developments again depends on the lightness of the resulting structures, environmental friendliness and the ability to produce any products.
But in any field, cutting of material remains important. The duration of the work and the final result depend on how quickly and efficiently it is completed. Which cutting option to choose is decided individually for each specific case.
Foam plastic - foamed lightweight material, which is offered by sheets different thicknesses. It has good heat and sound insulation characteristics, low hygroscopicity, and resistance to various external influences. Thanks to this, it is widely used not only in construction, but also in other industries, everyday life, design, for design works. Therefore, the question is always relevant: how to cut foam plastic in order to get smooth edges. In addition, for some it is very important that there is a minimum of waste (garbage).
Foam plastic is most in demand during construction various buildings for arranging heat and sound insulation. For this purpose they are used large sheets different densities and it is necessary that the cuts are as even as possible. If insulation is carried out independently, then improvised devices are often used as cutting tools for foam plastic. The choice largely depends on the thickness and characteristics of the material, as well as personal preferences.
Handy devices
Soft foam and sheets up to 4 cm high are cut with a sharp knife (wallpaper, shoe, paper or other). It should be taken into account that the working tool will have to be sharpened all the time (every 1.5–2 m). If the blade is flexible, then there is a high probability of getting an uneven, beveled cut. In addition, this process is accompanied by unpleasant sounds, so it is better to cut foam plastic while wearing headphones or earplugs. To make work easier, minimize the amount of debris and get smooth edges, it is better to heat the blade. Other tools that can also be used: a jigsaw, a grinder with a thin disk. The disadvantages of the latter are that the edges will not be smooth enough, there is a lot of noise and waste.
To cut foam plastic boards up to 8–10 cm thick, a hand saw (hacksaw) for wood or metal is most often used. This method is simple, fast, and does not require much effort. It is important to choose a tool with small teeth. The smaller they are, the smoother the cut will be. In addition, you should not make quick movements during the process. Other advantages of the method:
- noticeable efficiency - the work requires less effort than cutting with a knife;
- the likelihood of injury is much lower;
- Suitable for thick material.
Some craftsmen advise cutting large sheets with your own hands using steel wire with a cross-section of 0.5 mm. Handles are securely attached to it on both sides. Next, they make markings and start sawing. In this case, the wire heats up and melts the plate. The edge is smooth and rigid, and there is virtually no debris generated. The disadvantage of this method is the need to involve two people in the process.
Special equipment
When figuring out what is the best way to cut expanded polystyrene (foam) for large volumes of work or for shaped cuts, we must take into account that experts recommend paying attention to a soldering iron with a special knife attachment, which is ideal for thin cutting. The heated blade allows you to obtain a workpiece of any configuration. During the work, you should be extremely careful so that the molten mass does not get on your clothes or body.
It is very convenient to cut foam boards using homemade device with nichrome wire. This efficient, silent method allows you to process material of any thickness and length. This creates a minimum amount of waste. Elements of the foam structure are sealed under the influence of temperature and the thermal insulation properties of the blanks do not decrease compared to factory sheets.
To make such equipment with your own hands you will need:
- wire - can be taken from a broken hair dryer;
- 12–24 W step-down transformer - suitable from an old TV;
- long knitting needle;
- rheostat;
- wires.
The knitting needle is fixed on the table, and a wire is pulled between its ends. Electrical components are connected in a series circuit. When current is applied, the nichrome thread should only turn slightly red. If it gets too hot, the cut will be too wide and sagging lines will appear.
Like any other process, cutting polystyrene foam at home has its own characteristics that are important to consider:
- on preparatory stage make markings using a sharpened pencil;
- when making small workpieces, you should cut the foam away from you and to the side;
- it is better to carry out work on outdoors or in a well-ventilated area - when heated, the material releases harmful substances.
If you need to cut a large amount of polystyrene foam, it would be advisable to purchase a thermal knife from a specialized store. It heats up in 10 seconds, working temperature reaches 600 °C. This provides high speed cutting and smooth edges of the material at any thickness. The disadvantage is the significant cost.
Foam plastic is widely used today as sound and heat insulation building material, which has to be processed during the work process.
In order for the sheets of material to correspond to the dimensions of the surface that is being insulated, they have to be cut. Cutting polystyrene foam can be done in several ways, one of which you can use in your work. The cutting process requires a certain approach for the reason that foam plastic can crumble and break if cut incorrectly.
Cutter for polystyrene foam.
To work you will need:
- foam; knife; ruler; pencil.
Return to contents
Expanded polystyrene can be cut using a wallpaper knife. This tool will not only cost less, but will also be silent in operation, and cutting will be carried out in short time. As an advantage this method minimal amount of debris appears.
Before you start cutting, you need to check how sharp the knife is. This characteristic of the tool will allow you to perform work faster and with better quality.
Foam with a thicker thickness is more difficult to cut, and you should not use a knife for cutting if the thickness of the material exceeds 5 cm, as it will be ineffective.
A jigsaw will also not allow you to get an even cut line; in addition, there will be a lot of debris.
Before you start cutting, you should purchase a long saw: it will allow you to cut sheets whose thickness does not exceed 10 cm.
It is preferable to cut polystyrene foam with a hand saw designed for woodworking. If you intend to use a regular knife for the process, you will need to sharpen it before starting.
Then the blade should be heated, only after that you can start cutting. In this case, cutting the material will be accompanied by melting of the edge. The cutting line will be smooth, the material will not crumble, and debris will be generated in minimal quantities.
You can cut polystyrene foam with your own hands and in an unusual way, which involves the use of hot nichrome wire. However, before you begin, you will have to do a little work on creating the tool.
It can be made from wire, spring and transformer. The table must be installed at an angle of 60°. A wire has to be pulled across it, on one side its end must be strengthened as rigidly as possible, and on the other, the end must be strengthened through a spring.
To the ends of the wire you need to connect the wires of the transformer, which should be powered from the mains. After this, it is necessary to apply current and lay a sheet of heat insulator on the surface on top of the wire. Since the table is inclined, the thermal insulation sheet will move by sliding, succumbing to the influence of its weight.
To cut, you need to wait until the wire is almost red hot, but you should not let it get too hot. If this is allowed, the cut will become too wide.
As the nichrome wire heats up, it will become longer. This indicates the need to use a strong spring in the design. This will allow you to adjust the length.
Cutting can be done with a grinder equipped with a metal disc.
The thinnest disc should be used. This method cannot be called the most comfortable. In addition, the tool creates a lot of noise and a lot of debris will be generated.
Foam plastic lends itself well to processing with a soldering iron. The use of this tool will allow you to complete the work in the shortest possible time. The end of the soldering iron must be flattened with a hammer.
After this, you need to put a special part on it, made of a blade and a steel cap taken from a fountain pen. The blade needs to be installed at the end. Then the soldering iron should be heated and you can start cutting the blades.
In addition to the fact that even sheets can be made from foam plastic, they can be subjected to figure cutting, giving the workpieces a variety of shapes.
If created from foam plastic curly elements, the material can be used not only as insulation, but also as decor for any room.
Polystyrene foam is not afraid of staining, which is why its surface can be coated with paint after cutting. Each of the above cutting methods has its own advantages, but you should prefer the one that will be less difficult for you.
To prevent foam from crumbling, it should be cut using special tools. Foam is widely used as insulation for walls, floors or ceilings.
The main thing when using it is to cut the material correctly. It is important not to crumble the polystyrene foam and make the most accurate and smooth cut possible. For these purposes there are different instruments and methods that can be applied at home.
The foam cutting tool may have different shapes. The type of cut determines the effectiveness of the tool. There are 2 main types of devices.
Types of cutters:
- Mechanical; Thermal.
Mechanical tools are used to perform small amounts of work. It is easy to perform mechanical cutting. But the cut may be of poor quality.
Thermal tools are professional equipment. It is widely used by construction industry specialists.
Thermal cutter used for polystyrene foam different types. With its help, you can quickly and efficiently make a cut. The basis of a thermal tool is a hot thread or wire.
Tools for cutting foam can be purchased at a hardware store or specialty store.
Based on the type of assembly, instruments are classified into branded and homemade. The first option is represented by cutters made in production. Professional equipment includes both knives and thermal cutters.
Ways to cut polystyrene foam at home with your own hands
Soft material up to 4 cm thick can be cut using regular knife at home. In this case, the blade needs constant sharpening. Otherwise, the cut will be uneven and crumble.
During work it will be enough unpleasant sound cutting It is recommended to perform the process with headphones or earplugs.
For a more even and smooth cut, it is recommended to heat the blade before use.
You can also take a grinder or jigsaw for cutting at home. But the edges will be uneven, there will be too much noise from work and waste. Thicker foam plastic (8-10 cm) is cut using a hacksaw.
It's fast and effective method. The work should be done with a tool with small teeth. This will make the cut smooth.
Advantages of using a hacksaw:
- The effectiveness of the method - less effort is applied than when working with a knife; No risk of injury; You can cut thick foam.
Steel wire is often used for cutting. You will need to secure handles on both sides of the wire. And then cutting is carried out according to the intended markings.
During operation, the wire heats up and begins to melt the material. The edges are smooth and there is no debris. But two people must perform the actions.
Professional device for cutting foam plastic yourself
If the volume of work is larger and shaped processing is required, then you should pay attention to professional equipment. Experts use a soldering iron with a knife attachment. The hot blade helps create any cut.
During operation, safety precautions should be observed so that hot oil does not get on your body or clothing.
Can be used at home homemade equipment with nichrome thread.
The method has already shown its effectiveness and convenience. There is little waste. The edges are sealed, but the material does not lose its properties.
Necessary materials to create a homemade tool:
- Wire;Long knitting needle;Transformer;Reastat;Necessary electrical wires.
The knitting needle is fixed on the table and the thread is pulled between its ends.
Then a serial circuit for connecting the elements is connected. When current is applied, the thread should only turn slightly red. A thread that is too hot will cause an uneven and wide cut.
If you plan a large amount of work, it is better to purchase special tool in the shop. It heats up quickly and guarantees quality performance. But it has a high cost.
If you are going to rarely cut foam plastic, then purchase professional tool not worth cutting it
Cutting foam plastic has some features at home. So in preparation you need to make precise markings using a sharp pencil.
When performing work, you should cut the material away from you to the side. Cutting should be done in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. When heated, the foam begins to release toxic substances.
Efficient cutting of foam plastic with a string at home
There are many ways to cut foam.
But it is important not only to get the job done, but also to make an even, smooth edge so that the material does not crumble. Best Fixture represents cutting with a string. You can make such a device with your own hands at home.
The manufacturing process requires care; no special skills are needed.
Shaped cutting is popular, so a thermal cutter is required for the job. The cutting tool is a nichrome thread attached to a handle. But some cases do not require special device for cutting.
Necessary tools for work:
- Metal ruler; Pencil; Stationery knife.
First, use a pencil to mark the future cut. Next, you need to attach a ruler to the line and use a stationery knife.
There is no need to try to ensure that the knife completely cuts off the plate. After this, turn the slab over and complete the cut. The cut must then be completed by hand.
How to make a homemade foam cutting machine: steps
A machine with nichrome thread is considered the best option for cutting at home. Making it is quite simple. It is enough to stock up on the necessary tools.
Materials and tools for work:
- An old table or structure made of wooden blocks and plywood; Spiral; Spring; Rheostat; Low power transformer; Wires; Two bolts with nuts.
On both sides of the table in the center you need to retreat 20 cm and drill holes. Then bolts are inserted into the holes and nuts are tightened.
Other materials can also serve as racks, it all depends on the availability of available materials. Then a nichrome thread is pulled onto one stand at a height of 10 cm from the surface. We screw the spiral to the second one and only then connect the thread.
Before you start making a foam cutting machine, you should make a drawing of it and read the recommendations of professionals
This fastening of the thread is due to the fact that when heated, the material begins to expand and sag. And this reduces the cutting quality.
Then the wires are connected to the racks. It is recommended to connect from below so that they do not interfere with operation. Then the wiring is connected to the transformer.
The choice of transformer is determined by many factors.
This is affected by the length, thickness and composition of the nichrome thread. In some cases, a rheostat is used for power supply. This solution is considered safer, since unregulated power can be supplied through the transformer.
The transformer is fixed under the tabletop. On this homemade apparatus is considered completed. The device is connected to the mains and work can begin.
How to cut polystyrene foam at home (video)
With all the variety of methods, it is quite difficult to choose the optimal one. More simple options, such as a knife, may have poor cutting quality.
This is why it is recommended to use thermal machines. They seal the edges, making a precise cut with minimum quantity waste. You can make such a tool yourself at home.
Sources:
- ostroymaterialah.ru
- heatclass.ru
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When carrying out work related to home insulation, best material You won't find anything better than polystyrene foam. It is popular because it is inexpensive and is a pretty good heat insulator. But when you get to work, a natural question arises: how to cut the foam and make the parts you need from it so that the cutting lines are straight and have the configuration you need.
There are two types of foam: hard, or also called hard, and soft. The hard type of foam is easier to machine (cut), which is why it is more popular. Soft types of foam crumble, and special treatment must be applied to them. There are also no foam sheets of uniform thickness, and it follows that cutting modes will be different and require individual approach for every occasion. Soft look can be cut with any sharp thin object, even credit card. Place a ruler or straight edge along the cutting line and draw along the line with your cutting tool. Then move the foam board so that the cut coincides with the edge of the table, and pressing the part of the board that is on the table, lightly press on the sagging part. The foam will break along the cut line. You can use a serrated knife made of foam to cut foam. kitchen set. To make it more convenient to work, it must be rubbed with wax or stearic candle. If you need the foam to remain clean, then use a stearin candle. white. Cut the foam with even, long movements so that the knife is immersed with the entire blade. A paper cutter with a retractable blade works well for cutting thin sheets of foam. This knife can cut various details and fragments. First, make the cut not to the full depth, and then uniform movements cut off the part you need. Make sure that the blade of your knife is always sharp, because if it is dull, you will not be able to make an even cut.
We have listed all the main methods of cutting foam, they are all good in their own way. Choose for yourself what suits you best.
Foam boards are a thick and highly porous material; they consist of more than 95% air; if you are not used to them, they are difficult to cut. How to cut polystyrene foam depends on the type of cut, the availability of tools and the amount of cutting work.
Ordinary polystyrene foam - terminology and material characteristics
IN in a broad sense Foam plastics are a broad class of cellular (foamed) plastics based on polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, urea, phenol and even formaldehyde. All these materials have in common minimum density and internal structure in the form of frequently located and small gas cavities. However, in practice we have to deal with the only type of polystyrene foam - polystyrene foam low pressure, abbreviated PSV.
Only it has an affordable price; all other cellular plastics are much more expensive to produce and are rarely used in construction and repair work. The international name for low-pressure polystyrene foam (LPS) is the brand name Styrofoam, patented by the developer BASF back in the 50s of the 20th century. In documentation for imported foam plastic, the abbreviation EPS is often used. For practical purposes, it is important to know that all these terms - styrofoam, EPS andEPS – denotes ordinary polystyrene foam, familiar from childhood.
Structure in the form of small gas pores and significant size slabs determine the main operational advantages of polystyrene foam:
- Excellent thermal insulation on any side of the house. You can perform this procedure from the outside, you can combine external and internal thermal insulation, and the cost of such “double” protection will still be lower than the estimate for a newfangled roll insulator;
- Excellent acoustic protection of premises. In fact, sound comfort is achieved already with thermal insulation works– if frost cannot penetrate the foam layer, then loud sounds are even more unable to do so;
- Environmental Safety. Polystyrene foam is absolutely non-toxic, including on exposed cut lines and during long-term use. Some varieties are allowed to come into contact with food products, which is regulated by European quality standards (!). Moreover, polystyrene foam is safe for repairs; there is not the slightest need to test the walls covered with it;
- High resistance to mold, dampness, microorganisms, fungi, algae and other unwanted companions of human life. In order to enhance the durability of such consumer qualities, cutting foam plastic with your own hands must be done accurately and competently;
- Easy to install due to its miniature weight. This quality greatly simplifies the transportation and laying of foam plastic, however, when working outdoors, you should pay attention to possible “wind difficulties” - the foam blank can easily be carried away by even a weak breeze.
Of course, before any use of polystyrene foam, it is necessary to consider possible complications. Firstly, this material is destroyed by exposure to most technical liquids - from acetone and gasoline to white spirit and enamel solvents. This destruction is intense even with the vaporous effect of technical liquids on the foam.
Secondly, it is necessary to turn Special attention on the expected operating temperature of the surface covered with foam plastic. Already at +50 ˚C - +60 ˚C, some types of foam boards begin to crumble, their internal bubbles combine into large gaps and cavities. Painting surfaces insulated with foam plastic must be thought out in advance, otherwise the thermal comfort of the entire room will suffer from toxic nitro paint.
For the renovation of kitchens, saunas and brightly sunlit facades, polystyrene foam should be used with great care - high temperatures it is being destroyed.
Areas of application of polystyrene foam...
...are not limited to the construction and repair area. Foam boards and sheets are widely used in the following areas of human activity:
- In medicine – cases for equipment, packaging for glass and sharp objects;
- In the organization of active leisure - inserts in life jackets, contents of buoys, floats;
- Repair of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment;
- In shipbuilding, as an unsinkable filler for compartments on small vessels (boats, boats);
- For design purposes, construction and modeling.
So the question of how to cut foam plastic is relevant not only for thermal protection of walls. You can make a model of a boat from it, build protection refrigeration circuit in the air conditioner or make a decorative figurine unique design. The light weight and affordability of the material should not be misleading about its simplicity. machining– cutting foam plastic has a number of secrets and tricks.
How to cut polystyrene foam at home - simple and effective ways
Cutting small foam pieces (for modeling and design) is performed with a well-sharpened knife with a rubber tip on the tip. It is advisable to secure the workpiece in a vice or other auxiliary device. The fact is that it is easy for a steel blade to slip off a small part, and there is a possibility of cutting yourself. All movements when cutting small foam blanks should be directed away from you and to the side.
For particularly precise cutting of foam elements, you can use a soldering iron with a special knife attachment. Light movements The heated blade gives the material the required shape of any kind. Be alert to the danger of hot plastic droplets coming into contact with your hands or other parts of the body. If it is necessary to cut sheet foam with precise adjustment of parts for continuous installation, the following methods are used:
- For sheets up to 40 mm thick - an ordinary shoe knife with a wide blade and a blunt point. Before work, the blade is sharpened, and in general the sharpener needs to be kept at hand - every 1.5-2 meters the knife will have to be sharpened again. The work will be accompanied by a characteristic “squeal” of the foam being cut, so it won’t hurt to stock up earplugs or headphones. Knife processing is good when adjusting the sheet to a specific installation size, for example, when installing final strips of thermal insulation;
- A wood hacksaw, but with fine teeth, is suitable for thick sheets< 80 мм. Чем меньше величина зубцов, тем точнее и ровнее будет срез. При резке с помощью ножовки прикладывается гораздо меньшее усилие, чем при использовании самого sharp knife, and the likelihood of injury is much less. The method is relevant when long, straight cuts of the same type are required;
- Processing with hot wire is the best and most productive method for cutting foam. Unfortunately, it requires a stationary location of the cutting tool, but in terms of cutting speed and accuracy it has no equal.
We will need a long knitting needle, nichrome wire, a 12-24 Volt step-down transformer, an adjustable rheostat and electric wires sufficient cross section. The electrical components are assembled into a sequential circuit, the spoke is fixed to the layout, and a nichrome thread is stretched between its ends. When a small current is applied, nichrome heats up and easily cuts foam of any thickness.