Shopsmith Foam Cutter

davebodner · Post by **davebodner** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 2:22 pm

I didn't know they had this special purpose tool, but the Shopsmith Foam Cutter really came through for me. You may know it as the bandsaw.

I needed to shape some 3" foam for a motorcycle seat. I saw on youtube some folks using special, expensive foam cutters. I'm too cheap for that. Others used electric carving knives. I'm too much of a snob to have one of those in my house. Then I eyed my bandsaw. It worked great. Nice and clean. Much better than hacking it with a knife or scissors.

tomsalwasser · Post by **tomsalwasser** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 5:55 am

Great idea Dave. I tried to do something similar with rigid foam on my table saw...not recommended...what a mess. I may try again on the band saw.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 8:32 am

tomsalwasser wrote:Great idea Dave. I tried to do something similar with rigid foam on my table saw...not recommended...what a mess. I may try again on the band saw.

Tom, I treat rigid insulating foam as if it were plywood and break it down with my circular saw. It's not as messy and can be shaped with a knife or a microplane. Still a bit messy, though.
The BS is great for the soft stuff.

videobear · Post by **videobear** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:04 am

I use a hot wire cutter on rigid foam. Piece of nichrome toaster wire held under tension in a C frame and heated with a transformer.