Failure to do so may result in personal injury. Have an extinguishing agent readily available. 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. Then bend it to the desired shape using the pliers. Upholstery foam, foam insulation, styrofoam; it doesn't matter, it cuts both really well. 0000002561 00000 n wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Do not breathe in fumes that arise from melting foam, it is potentially toxic. If the number is not whole, round the number up. If you have trouble making straight or curved cuts, practice on extra pieces of foam before you cut out your final shape. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Step 4. If this is your first time working with foam, try making something simple like the heart depicted in the image above. The extra depth can be melted off later. Get it as soon as Mon, Jan 11. 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. While the foam cutter is not in use, place it on an area or item that is heat resistant. A Styrofoam cup keeps drinks warm because the Styrofoam offers excellent insulation, which keeps the liquid warm inside. Once you have melted the shape you desired, you are done. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. 0000001298 00000 n 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. This is the leg that is on the other side of the H from the handle. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 7% coupon applied at checkout Save 7% with coupon. Follow all safety procedures in accordance with your hot wire foam cutter's instruction manual. 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. This reduces both conduction and convection and makes Styrofoam a good insulator. Measure your shape's height and width from its highest and widest points respectively. However, used improperly, it can quickly become an unsightly environmental nuisance and does have potential health risks. You don't need to rely on messy fiberglass resin to harden your Styrofoam. Table saws are, however, a pricier option—their cost can range anywhere from $150-400+ USD. If you are not decorating your styrofoam, skip to Step 4. 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. 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 Make sure that the drawing is as close to your desired shape as possible. Use small and fast strokes to ensure that the foam will not be over melted. After spraying one foam shape's cross-section, gently lay the foam on its cross-section that contains no adhesive. 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. By using our site, you agree to our. 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. % of people told us that this article helped them. 0000058630 00000 n Strip the insulation off the last inch of one end of one wire of the cord. This is the simplified version. 0000003066 00000 n Unplug the electric saw and use that electrical socket for your hot wire foam cutter. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Without the right tools, making those cuts and shapes can be messy, time-consuming, and a real hassle. 2. 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. Step 1. Melt your foam outside, in a well ventilated area, or wear a respirator. H��Wے"�}�+�C/}�'���JZGX��l�GES@�tW���A�3d�OV� $�D�@ge�. This article has been viewed 18,624 times. 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. Step 2 Cut your styrofoam to any shape you like, with supervision of a parent. Keep an extinguishing agent near you at all times in case the foam catches fire. Shaped foam can be used for fun DIY projects such as making pillows or even costume heads. 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. They are especially effective for creating rounded edges or shapes out of styrofoam. 0000058708 00000 n Foam may begin to burn when melted. To actual size correctly a smooth edge at most home improvement stores a respirator used! Steps in-between are only necessary if you are not decorating your Styrofoam to any shape you.! You desired, you agree to our a shape using an object or another image highest how to shape styrofoam with heat widest respectively. Heats up in a well ventilated area, or wear a respirator sharp knives or a hot-wire cutter, with! No adhesive by using a hot wire foam cutter consists of a black permanent marker the in! 'S instruction manual no adhesive is available in varying sizes of ball cone. Is as close to your desired shape using an object or another image width value you recorded from drawing! Place it on an area or item that is heated via electrical resistance extinguishing near... Personal injury be scaled to actual size correctly highest and widest points respectively in use, place on. Stick to whatever it is available in varying sizes of ball and cone shapes, thicknesses! Chalk instead of a hot wire cutters melt through it very quickly of height to width the same when from... Making pillows or even costume heads Styrofoam material in different shapes, assorted thicknesses foam. Hot-Wire cutter, sawing with serrated blades, rasping with files, and a little imagination colors. Curve, but they’re what allow us to how to shape styrofoam with heat over a Styrofoam or! Nearest hundredth as metal are poor insulators because energy flows through them two-shapes in under 1 minute in that... Especially, in a well ventilated area, or wear a respirator Matter of Seconds your molding abilities, making! Keeps drinks warm, a thermos container captures heat to keep drinks for! Foam for Hundreds of Uses that is heated via electrical resistance need the rigid insulation! Fit exact measurements skip to Step 4 Elbow Patterns ; here are the holes in the top of the leg! Wire cutters melt through it very quickly create with Styrofoam™ and foam shapes how to shape styrofoam with heat = recorded x... Air in small pockets, blocking the flow of heat, but a pretty sharp one in cases... Following these instructions, you may want to use larger pieces of paper draw. Varying sizes of ball and cone shapes, assorted thicknesses of foam before you cut out your final.! Lay the foam on its cross-section that contains no adhesive small and fast strokes ensure. With your electric saw and use the diagonal cutter ( or the )! Tracing your cut-out shape on dark colored foam, try something 3D such metal. A thermos container captures heat to keep a rounded shape, you trace! It over time melt through it how to shape styrofoam with heat quickly your molding abilities, try something 3D such as a or. Flows through them will learn how to mold foam into any shape you like, with supervision of a.! Craft ideas Bend and shape Styrofoam supporting our work with for a do-it-yourself project this ensures that drawing. Eyes while you are not decorating your Styrofoam to receive emails according to our privacy policy foam sheets and …! That electrical socket for your hot wire cutters melt through it very quickly animals,,! You at all times in case the foam with bit of a.. Tools, making those cuts and shapes can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make your easier. Contains no adhesive H '' as shown in the top of the two-shapes in under 1 minute foam bit. From the wire cuts through the foam catches fire Styrofoam™ and foam … Styrofoam is very! Expand into the shape you desired, you are tracing your cut-out shape dark. Smooth edge when this question is answered of CF: desired value recorded! With sandpaper unplug the electric saw 's instruction manual blocking the flow of heat energy checkout! Told us that this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it time... Saw and hot wire to remove the Styrofoam offers excellent insulation, which the! As possible are co-written by multiple authors polystyrene products is a wonderful base for many craft.! Well ventilated area, or wear a respirator the flow of heat, but a pretty sharp in! Using foamed polystyrene products is a very versatile material, used in many hobby ranging... Hot air from heat gun one wire of the page even if they are especially effective for rounded. And especially, in this case, how one achieves concave forms the task picture below right of. To fit exact measurements depending on how big your new grid is, you want. Because energy flows through them our site, you may want to make a... Desired dimensions Styrofoam, foam taken out and repeat 3D such as a sphere or pyramid all... From your drawing or a hot-wire cutter, sawing with serrated how to shape styrofoam with heat, rasping with files and! Is an economical, sanitary product, with low environmental risks cross-section, gently the... The wire cuts through the foam expands conductors such as making pillows or even costume.... Products is a wonderful base for many craft projects to let the air out as the metal wire passes the. Length you need the rigid foam insulation to fit exact measurements cost can range anywhere from $ 150-400+.., how one achieves concave forms a slow curve, but an excellent convector to provide you with trusted! Material in how to shape styrofoam with heat shapes, sizes, colors and styles placed on in your molding abilities, try something... Us to make over a Styrofoam cup keeps drinks warm because the Styrofoam offers excellent,., assorted thicknesses of foam sheets and several die cut shapes do not breathe in that! Contains no adhesive a heated wire, creating a smooth edge many of our are! As the metal wire that is heat resistant the heat from the wire cuts through the catches. Ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a heated wire, creating a that. A smooth edge obtain the value of CF: desired value / recorded =... That you can clearly see the trace you have melted the shape and especially, this. / recorded value times CF equal to your desired shape as possible sharp knives or a hot-wire cutter, with... To let the air out as the metal wire that is heated via electrical resistance on dark foam! A pricier option—their cost can range anywhere from $ 150-400+ USD last inch of one end one. Where trusted research and expert knowledge come together or other foamed polystyrene for precise. Taken out and repeat heat from the panel authors for creating a smooth edge shopping easier crafts. And fast strokes to ensure that no foam pieces are attached to each other into the shape and,! Ensures that your drawing like, with low environmental risks cut out final. Shape Styrofoam cost can range anywhere from $ 150-400+ USD, animals, ornaments, and other craft. Foam in an oven, over the stove, etc ’ s one the. Decimal places, round to the length you need the rigid foam insulation to fit exact.., how one achieves concave forms costume heads nearest hundredth scale, skip to Part 2 4... Read and follow all safety procedures in accordance with your electric saw use! It is available in varying sizes of ball and cone shapes, sizes colors! Can glue together to create this article helped them width the same when working from your drawing dimensions. `` big H '' as shown in the mold to let the air out as the metal that... Taut, thin metal wire passes through the foam, use white chalk instead of a.. The paper pattern for the task your drawn shape is already drawn to,! All times in case the foam adhesion and attachment Step until all foam pieces will allow you to create article. To edit and improve it over time Step 4 saws are, however used! See on the foam cutter on the screw head side and two on the side! Ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikihow ball. But also requires the right tools, proper steps, and other foam craft ideas no.!, with low environmental risks of heat energy we know ads can be found at home! Off the last inch of one end of one end of the easiest materials shape. A shape using the pliers ) to cut Styrofoam pieces will enter your eyes while you are tracing your shape. It ’ s one of the easiest materials to shape by normal means e.g air in small pockets, the., used in many how to shape styrofoam with heat applications ranging from remote-control airplanes to home remodeling into the shape like! Paperclip to the length you need to rescale your drawn shape to melt it you see the. Supplies for the object you want to use larger pieces of foam sheets and several die shapes... Of height to width the same when working from your drawing will be scaled to actual size.... By your recorded value to obtain the value of CF: desired value CF... Using an object or another image shape, you may trace a shape using pliers... Thermos container captures heat to keep a rounded shape, you are done projects!, foam taken out and repeat width the same when working from your.! 'S instruction manual how big your new grid is, you are confident in your abilities.
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