Cutting Foam Straight and Square

[JanesCustomTrain]

Neat idea I found on uTube

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Jane

[robert3985]

I also use my 10" table saw, which works great.  The light weight of extruded Styrofoam makes it very easy to work with, but you have to make straight cuts because of you let it slip while cutting, the blade will definitely melt the Styrofoam a bit.

I use a fine-toothed carbide finish-cut blade for my model railroading benchwork, which is the main purpose of me having my table saw...and that blade works very well with extruded Styrofoam for extremely precise cuts.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Maletrain]

Thanks for the ideas and tips. To answer a couple of questions, the resulting foam slab will be supported from below on a sturdy table.  I have not yet decided on how I will glue the pieces of foam together, but that should not be much of a problem because I just want the surface to be flat, and there will not be any stresses on the joints from any direction (except for sawing the end off, if I decide to do that after gluing instead of before.)

[MK]

Fine tooth blade on a jig saw guided by a straight edge.  I do the cutting outdoors, on a breezy day.  What foam dust?   

[freedj]

Another vote for the table saw if you have one.   I’ve cut a lot of foam on mine and it works great, but does make a mess.

[Mike C]

 Foam can be cut similar to styrene . Score it deeply with a long utility knife then snap it . Nice clean straight cut .