Results 1 to 8 of 8

$4.79 Styrofoam Cutter

| Made From Scrap
  1. #1
    HipoGear started this thread.
    HipoGear's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    May 2015
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Posts
    734
    Thanks
    2,048
    Thanked 945 Times in 409 Posts

    $4.79 Styrofoam Cutter

    I just wanted to show off my new toy. I had to buy a spool of NiChrome wire to make this. The cost of that shipped to me was $4.79.

    Everything else was scrap, including the little bench as it came from a storage unit I bought at auction.

    https://www.facebook.com/cjamesartis...3753832227117/

    I plan to cut some foam board circles with it to display my leather seat covers at a craft show in Septmeber. Got the inspiration from Youtube videos.
    Copper, brass, and Leather. 3 of my favorite things.

  2. The Following 8 Users say Thank You for This Post by HipoGear:



  3. #2
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Jacksonville, NC
    Posts
    4,917
    Thanks
    15,632
    Thanked 5,861 Times in 2,713 Posts
    I like it. I could see some potential to make custom shipping inserts for some of my parts I sell and ship. Any idea of where I might get the foam at a cheap price. I've never been in the market for foam. I know that there is foam used for house insulation that I would think is inexpensive.

    Thanks for sharing it has given me something to think about and hopefully use in my business.


    I'm not sure so please check my thoughts: its the NiChrome wire and 12 vdc that makes it hot enough to cut the foam. 73, Mike

    ps: I've been a member since 2011 and read all the old post when I started, read every day and I learn something new nearly everyday. M
    "Profit begins when you buy NOT when you sell." {quote passed down to me from a wise man}

    Now go beat the copper out of something, Miked

  4. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by miked:


  5. #3
    HipoGear started this thread.
    HipoGear's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    May 2015
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Posts
    734
    Thanks
    2,048
    Thanked 945 Times in 409 Posts
    Mike, I haven't explored the foam too much but I do know the insulation is expensive. I got some from my Dad to play with but I do need more.

    A friend suggested floral form foam. I know that is awful soft and crumbly though and I have not yet looked at price. Could be good for your use though. Check Craigslist for free foam too. Plus whenever someone throws out a TV box, there would be a good chunk of cooler style foam from each end. Just some initial thoughts. Maybe someone else has some good ideas on this?

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to HipoGear for This Post:


  7. #4
    HipoGear started this thread.
    HipoGear's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    May 2015
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Posts
    734
    Thanks
    2,048
    Thanked 945 Times in 409 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by miked View Post
    I'm not sure so please check my thoughts: its the NiChrome wire and 12 vdc that makes it hot enough to cut the foam. 73, Mike
    Yes and yes. I bought 24 AWG Nichrome wire. I used the first 12 VDC transformer I grabbed. It is 1000 MA and it does get a little warm. I may switch it for one with less power or add a resistor, or just not run it for too long at a time. Haven't decided on that yet.

  8. #5
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    182
    Thanks
    44
    Thanked 208 Times in 87 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by miked View Post
    I like it. I could see some potential to make custom shipping inserts for some of my parts I sell and ship. Any idea of where I might get the foam at a cheap price. I've never been in the market for foam. I know that there is foam used for house insulation that I would think is inexpensive.

    Thanks for sharing it has given me something to think about and hopefully use in my business.


    I'm not sure so please check my thoughts: its the NiChrome wire and 12 vdc that makes it hot enough to cut the foam. 73, Mike

    ps: I've been a member since 2011 and read all the old post when I started, read every day and I learn something new nearly everyday. M
    I have a friend that buys 1" thick Styrofoam sheets from Home Depot for packing some Ebay sales. BTW - If you ever need to cut the spongy type of foam, I've never found anything that beats an electric kitchen carving knife.

  9. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by Flinthills:


  10. #6
    Metalbestos's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor
    Buying ewaste and vintage video games

    Member since
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Baltimore md.
    Posts
    987
    Thanks
    3,114
    Thanked 1,658 Times in 707 Posts
    Be careful with that thing , hope you have proper ventilation set up , wear eye protection and beware of any light headedness or dizziness . I would probably just go get a exacto knife to avoid the 90 chemicals your releasing and breathing doing this .

    Styrene is an oily liquid and is used in the production of polystyrene. When Styrofoam is burned, vapors from styrene are released into the air. Styrene is also present in cigarette smoke, but in much smaller doses. The vapor that is released from styrene can affect the senses, particularly the eyes, and can also negatively affect the central nervous system. The EPA is currently researching a possible correlation between styrene and cancer.
    Buying ewaste and video games !

  11. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Metalbestos:


  12. #7
    HipoGear started this thread.
    HipoGear's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    May 2015
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Posts
    734
    Thanks
    2,048
    Thanked 945 Times in 409 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Flinthills View Post
    I have a friend that buys 1" thick Styrofoam sheets from Home Depot for packing some Ebay sales. BTW - If you ever need to cut the spongy type of foam, I've never found anything that beats an electric kitchen carving knife.
    After pricing the foam insulation I went to craigslist to see what I could find. I ended up buying about 50 sq ft of 2" thick dense upholstery foam for $30. The woman I bought it from keeps a really sharp knife just for cutting that foam.

    So I may not be using my new toy much after all.

    Metalbestos, when I do use it, I will use it outside and will never cut very much at a time.

    Its kind of crazy how safety conscious we have become in the last few years. When I was a kid, I remember pouring gasoline on styrofoam which created a sort of slime. Then working around asbestos in the late 80's/early 90s without a care. But just a couple years ago I saw one of these styrofoam cutters being used in a local factory. While the building had tall ceilings, no other safety or PPE was being used by the operator. I'm sure you are right though about the dangers.

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to HipoGear for This Post:


  14. #8
    HipoGear started this thread.
    HipoGear's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    May 2015
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Posts
    734
    Thanks
    2,048
    Thanked 945 Times in 409 Posts
    Just to add a little nugget to my last post ... My grandmother just died two weeks shy of her 102nd birthday. I'm sure she lived a healthier life than I have, but I'm also pretty sure I don't want to live that long


  15. The Following User Says Thank You to HipoGear for This Post:



  16. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. Removing styrofoam insulation from inside freezer walls
      By tgrabill in forum Scrap Metal Tips and Advice
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 11-10-2014, 01:36 PM
    2. Plasma Cutter
      By gustavus in forum Tools and Equipment
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 10-15-2013, 01:23 AM
    3. How to make your own Plasma Cutter
      By PistoneScrapProcessing in forum Tools and Equipment
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 12-29-2011, 07:13 PM
    4. Commercial paper cutter blade
      By Silence in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 06-03-2011, 10:06 PM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook