Shopping with these links helps support this site. Advantages of Using Foamed Polystyrene 2. If your drawn shape is already drawn to scale, skip to Part 2 Step 4. If you have trouble making straight or curved cuts, practice on extra pieces of foam before you cut out your final shape. 4.1 out of 5 stars 53. Utilize a hot wire cutter for smooth cuts. Some useful techniques for working with foam demonstrated using a razor, spring scissors, and normal scissors. How to Glue Styrofoam. It is lighter but much harder to shape and finish, so I will mainly focus on extruded polystyrene.Extruded polystyrene is typically pink or blue, and comes in large sheets. Here are the methods I’ve… Shaping craft foam is quite easy, as well. Once you have melted the shape you desired, you are done. While the foam cutter is not in use, place it on an area or item that is heat resistant. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The mold cooled , foam taken out and repeat. Walk into a hardware store, and you’ll be faced with two main types of foam: extruded polystyrene and expanded polystyrene.Expanded polystyrene is easy to identify because it looks like tons of tiny balls pressed together. %PDF-1.4 %���� Our city has no program that accepts EPS, and so I looked into some experiments with it, and in the process c… You don't need to rely on messy fiberglass resin to harden your Styrofoam. Buy or rent a table saw if you need the rigid foam insulation to fit exact measurements. Foam is a versatile material that individuals use for craft projects, home improvement projects, and furniture due to its strong yet flexible qualities. How to Make Foam Platform Shoes, Part 1; How to Make Male Foam Cosplay Armor, Tutorial Part 1; How to Make Clean Seams with Foam; How to Make a Foam Dome and Other Pattern Making Techniques . Hot wire cutters can be found at most home improvement stores. Keep your Styrofoam props, cosplay outfits and other projects protected with a hard-surface coating. Divide your shape's desired depth by the depth of your foam, the number you get is the number of tracings you need to make. Use small and fast strokes to ensure that the foam will not be over melted. Otherwise, when the two sprayed cross-sections are clasped together to be attached, the adhesive will be dry and the cross-sections will not stick together. After spraying one foam shape's cross-section, gently lay the foam on its cross-section that contains no adhesive. To shape your foam take a heat gun and wave it over the area you want to shape, moving it around and keeping it about 4" away from the foam. 0000000880 00000 n 7% coupon applied at checkout Save 7% with coupon. This is so you can clearly see the trace you have made. 0000002649 00000 n HOW TO: Heats Up In A Matter Of Seconds. Draw squares to the end of the page even if they are partially cut off as shown in the image above. Lightly place the foam cutter on the foam, it will melt through it very quickly. Otherwise, the foam will stick to whatever it is placed on. There are many different ways to cut and shape foam material. Failure to do so may result in personal injury. Discover all the crafts you can create with Styrofoam™ and foam shapes. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If your shape is small enough, or if you have confidence in your ability to draw to scale, you may draw the shape to scale rather than first drawing a smaller shape then redrawing it to actual size. Insert a machine screw in the top of the right leg of your "big H" as shown in the photo. In order to get it to keep a rounded shape, you have to heat it. Styrofoam is a very versatile material, used in many hobby applications ranging from remote-control airplanes to home remodeling. The extra depth can be melted off later. I suppose I could take out the 4 tpi resaw blade and use a 12 tpi blade like the pros use, but frankly that doesn't seem to matter either. Lay the paper pattern for the object you want to make over a Styrofoam sheet or block. Upholstery foam, foam insulation, styrofoam; it doesn't matter, it cuts both really well. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. If you are not decorating your styrofoam, skip to Step 4. I've made armor out of foam for years, but normally I'd depend on some tape, 2 liter bottles, and time to force the foam into a -very- curved shape. A Styrofoam cup keeps drinks warm because the Styrofoam offers excellent insulation, which keeps the liquid warm inside. For more precise cutting, use a hot wire to remove the Styrofoam letters from the panel. This article has been viewed 18,624 times. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This is the leg that is on the other side of the H from the handle. Finish spraying the cross-sections of the two-shapes in under 1 minute. 0000003066 00000 n ,�� �P̰��:�g ��a�Z!�u�)�� |J;ԙ�������2p0+1�U�g�bd�Z���x�H��� �b� endstream endobj 39 0 obj 152 endobj 20 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 15 0 R /Resources 21 0 R /Contents 28 0 R /MediaBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /CropBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /Rotate 0 >> endobj 21 0 obj << /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text /ImageC /ImageI ] /Font << /TT1 22 0 R /TT2 23 0 R /TT3 30 0 R >> /XObject << /Im1 37 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS1 34 0 R >> /ColorSpace << /Cs6 24 0 R /Cs8 25 0 R >> >> endobj 22 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /TrueType /FirstChar 32 /LastChar 146 /Widths [ 278 0 0 0 0 0 722 0 0 0 0 0 278 0 278 0 556 556 556 0 0 556 0 556 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 722 722 722 722 667 611 0 722 0 0 0 611 0 722 778 667 0 722 667 611 722 0 944 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 556 611 556 611 556 333 611 611 278 0 0 278 889 611 611 611 0 389 556 333 611 556 778 0 556 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 278 ] /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding /BaseFont /FCGKKJ+Arial,Bold /FontDescriptor 27 0 R >> endobj 23 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /TrueType /FirstChar 32 /LastChar 148 /Widths [ 278 0 0 0 0 0 667 0 333 333 0 0 278 333 278 0 556 556 0 556 556 556 0 0 0 556 0 0 0 0 0 556 0 667 667 722 722 667 611 0 722 278 0 0 556 833 722 0 667 0 722 667 611 722 667 944 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 556 556 500 556 556 278 556 556 222 222 500 222 833 556 556 556 556 333 500 278 556 500 722 500 500 500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 222 333 333 ] /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding /BaseFont /FCHEAO+Arial /FontDescriptor 26 0 R >> endobj 24 0 obj [ /ICCBased 36 0 R ] endobj 25 0 obj [ /Indexed 24 0 R 255 35 0 R ] endobj 26 0 obj << /Type /FontDescriptor /Ascent 905 /CapHeight 0 /Descent -211 /Flags 32 /FontBBox [ -665 -325 2000 1006 ] /FontName /FCHEAO+Arial /ItalicAngle 0 /StemV 0 /FontFile2 32 0 R >> endobj 27 0 obj << /Type /FontDescriptor /Ascent 905 /CapHeight 0 /Descent -211 /Flags 32 /FontBBox [ -628 -376 2000 1010 ] /FontName /FCGKKJ+Arial,Bold /ItalicAngle 0 /StemV 133 /FontFile2 31 0 R >> endobj 28 0 obj << /Length 2030 /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream Find pre-cut foam pieces that you can glue together to create structures, animals, ornaments, and other foam craft ideas. 0000058630 00000 n Styrofoam is a wonderful base for many craft projects. Strip the insulation off the last inch of one end of one wire of the cord. From what i've read for styrofoam, foam pellets are put into a mold. Recycling Styrofoam (EPS) Into Useable Castable Styrene Plastic at Home: Scope of the project and feature creep: Recycle small old Expanded Polystyrene foam insulation coolers I get monthly with a medication. Shop a wide selection of styrofoam for crafts and more online at JOANN. Melt your foam outside, in a well ventilated area, or wear a respirator. Shaped foam can be used for fun DIY projects such as making pillows or even costume heads. Before applying plaster onto Styrofoam it's good to set the foam with bit of a hot air from heat gun. I have heard that you can put foam in an oven, over the stove, etc. (Not a slow curve, but a pretty sharp one in some cases.) If this is your first time working with foam, try making something simple like the heart depicted in the image above. To cut the foam is a different story to cutting wood but also requires the right supplies for the task. Styrofoam and Foam Shapes. Step 1. 0000001298 00000 n Make sure that the drawing is as close to your desired shape as possible. 18 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 20 /H [ 880 264 ] /L 117776 /E 99099 /N 2 /T 117298 >> endobj xref 18 22 0000000016 00000 n However, used improperly, it can quickly become an unsightly environmental nuisance and does have potential health risks. It is available in varying sizes of ball and cone shapes, assorted thicknesses of foam sheets and several die cut shapes. 0000025073 00000 n By following these instructions, you will learn how to mold foam into any shape you desire. 0000059565 00000 n 99. Do not breathe in fumes that arise from melting foam, it is potentially toxic. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Custom Shape and Design Foam for Hundreds of Uses. Step 5. Foam may begin to burn when melted. 0000002600 00000 n This article has been viewed 18,624 times. 0000000787 00000 n Keep the ratios of height to width the same when working from your drawing's dimensions to your desired dimensions. 0000049702 00000 n Step 4. The electric saw will not be needed again. It traps the air in small pockets, blocking the flow of heat energy. Simply use a two-part liquid polyurethane hard-coat system. Styrofoam is one of the easiest materials to shape by normal means e.g. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 18,624 times. Measure your shape's height and width from its highest and widest points respectively. Make sure your recorded value and desired value are in the same units (inches and inches, meters and meters, etc.). Jhua Hot Knife Foam Cutter Electric Styrofoam Cutting Tool 36W Hot Wire Foam Cutter Electric Foam Cutting Machine Pen Hot Pen 15CM Styrofoam Cutter Cutting Tool Kit. Place the foam cutter on your foam shape to melt it. 0000062242 00000 n Foam can be used for different applications so it’s one of the most versatile materials to work with for a do-it-yourself project. Unplug the electric saw and use that electrical socket for your hot wire foam cutter. Hot wire cutters melt through the foam with a heated wire, creating a smooth edge. The marks you see on the skin are the holes in the mold to let the air out as the foam expands. This is the simplified version. One effective way to cut styrofoam is by using a hot blade knife. Melt your foam in a well ventilated area, such as outdoors, or wear a respirator because the fumes released by the melting foam are potentially toxic. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees and cover the cookie sheet with aluminum foil. To shape foam into a desired form, you can soften the material, which enables you to shape the foam in a less-complicated manner. Run the tip of the hot glue gun along the cut in the foam and then insert the paperclip and line the slit. Styrofoam is made mostly of air, meaning it is a poor conductor of heat, but an excellent convector. to heat it and make it pliable. Continue to hold the two foam pieces together until 30 seconds have passed to ensure that they will not come apart. 0000001144 00000 n Although most table saws work well for cutting foam, you can purchase a specialized foam cutting saw online or at many home improvement stores. If the number is not whole, round the number up. Follow all safety procedures in accordance with your hot wire foam cutter's instruction manual. Set the recorded value times CF equal to your desired value: Desired Value = Recorded Value x CF. It cuts easily and can be sanded and painted very w… By using our site, you agree to our. This reduces both conduction and convection and makes Styrofoam a good insulator. I personally love my heat gun, but you can also use a stove top burner, a hair dryer on high heat, or you can iron the foam. Pick either the height or width value you recorded from your drawing. (A little side note, you can also iron the foam to … Electric hand saw may be substituted for a nonelectric hand saw for the foam cutting step, but it may make it more difficult to produce smooth edges. 0000058708 00000 n You will start to notice that the surface of the foam goes from matte to slightly shiny as it is softened somewhat by the heat. 1. 0000005171 00000 n The use of Styrofoam or other foamed polystyrene products is a personal choice. Read and follow all safety precautions affiliated with the electric hand saw and hot wire foam cutter. The steps in-between are only necessary if you need to rescale your drawn shape to your desired size. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. % of people told us that this article helped them. Apply slow, consistent pressure with the hot wire cutter along the desired … They are especially effective for creating rounded edges or shapes out of styrofoam. The real challenge lies in controlling the shape and especially, in this case, how one achieves concave forms. A calculator may be helpful for this step. If CF has many decimal places, round to the nearest hundredth. 0000001123 00000 n Keep an extinguishing agent near you at all times in case the foam catches fire. If you are confident in your molding abilities, try something 3D such as a sphere or pyramid. Have an extinguishing agent readily available. Straighten and use the diagonal cutter (or the pliers) to cut a paperclip to the length you need. If used properly, it is an economical, sanitary product, with low environmental risks. slicing with sharp knives or a hot-wire cutter, sawing with serrated blades, rasping with files, and smoothing with sandpaper. Step 2. H�b```a``.``e`��ed@ A�+P���a����T���l�C7^��:::@TZFGGX)�20�� ���X Follow all safety procedures in accordance with your electric saw's instruction manual. If you have trouble with this, you may trace a shape using an object or another image. This ensures that your drawing will be scaled to actual size correctly. Put on safety glasses to ensure that no foam pieces will enter your eyes while you are cutting. The Basic Helmet, Shoulder & Elbow Patterns; Here are some links to make your shopping easier. Easy To Change Foam Cutting Tips, Simply Turn Off And Allow To Cool, Pull Foam Cutter Tip From Handle By Grabbing Black Plastic Base. When drawing your newly scaled grid, if one piece of paper cannot contain your grid and you do not have larger pieces of paper, you can connect many pieces of paper together using tape in order to create a larger drawing space. If you are tracing your cut-out shape on dark colored foam, use white chalk instead of a black permanent marker. Get it as soon as Mon, Jan 11. 0000005779 00000 n A hot wire foam cutter consists of a taut, thin metal wire that is heated via electrical resistance. Facts About Spray Foam Insulation If you aren’t familiar with the different types of insulation, you might think all insulation is that fluffy pink fiberglass insulation that you typically see. Without the right tools, making those cuts and shapes can be messy, time-consuming, and a real hassle. Fiberglass insulation isn’t the only type of insulation and certainly isn’t the best option if you’re looking to be more energy efficient. How to Bend and Shape Styrofoam. 0000001513 00000 n H��Wے"�}�+�C/}�'���JZGX��l�GES@�tW���A�3d�OV� $�D�@ge�. Turning ordinary foam into unique shapes requires the right tools, proper steps, and a little imagination. 0000002854 00000 n Step 2 Cut your styrofoam to any shape you like, with supervision of a parent. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Styrofoam, the soft, lightweight material that most are familiar with from its use as insulation and product packaging, is a common material used in crafts and hobby projects. The pellets expand into the shape of the mold. Use one washer on the screw head side and two on the nut side, as shown in the second picture below. Or, create your own shapes out of Styrofoam sheets and foam … On the other hand, conductors such as metal are poor insulators because energy flows through them. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Depending on how big your new grid is, you may want to use larger pieces of paper to draw it. Patterns . Melt your foam in a well ventilated area, such as outdoors, or wear a respirator because the fumes released by the melting foam are potentially toxic. trailer << /Size 40 /Info 16 0 R /Root 19 0 R /Prev 117288 /ID[<307f0b5292b9f6720d5a9206b2b38605>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 19 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 15 0 R /Metadata 17 0 R /PageLabels 14 0 R >> endobj 38 0 obj << /S 86 /L 166 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 39 0 R >> stream As the metal wire passes through the foam, the heat from the wire cuts through the material. 0000002023 00000 n the mold is clamped together and heated. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Divide both sides by your recorded value to obtain the value of CF: Desired Value / Recorded Value = CF. Table saws are, however, a pricier option—their cost can range anywhere from $150-400+ USD. $19.99 $ 19. Then bend it to the desired shape using the pliers. Step 3. Find styrofoam material in different shapes, sizes, colors and styles. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Most of the construction is made from Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene- the harder the better) which I glue together (I use wood glue), carve to desired shape and cover with premixed gypsum based compound like plaster. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Shape-Foam-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Shape-Foam-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Shape-Foam-Step-1.jpg\/aid7705361-v4-728px-Shape-Foam-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"