How to cut a foam at home. How to cut the foam - the maximum result at a minimum of garbage. Features of working with polystyrene foam

Sheet foam is the insulation of foamed polystyrene. In a different way, it is also called polystyrene foam. It is one of the most popular materials for thermal insulation of houses, as it has a small cost and easy installation. But during the installation of the plates, it is often necessary to cut them. It is extremely important to make a cut of the sheet foam flat, since large slots may worsen thermal insulation characteristics.

Overview of methods

Cut the polystyrene foam at home can be multiple methods:

• knife;
• hacksaw;
• lobzik;
• bulgarian;
• electoral;
• machine for cutting foamed polystyrene with wire.

1. A sharp knife is well suited for plates thick up to 5 cm. The blade must be thin and not flexible, since otherwise the cut will be curves. So during the cutting of foams with their own hands there was even less waste, it is better to heat the knife. It should be borne in mind that the blade will have to be sharpened by about every 2 m, since otherwise the work will go longer and the garbage will become more.

2. The jigsaw and the grinder can also be cut at home, and the plates and with a greater thickness. The main thing is to have enough blades or disk height. The jigsik need to move smoothly, otherwise the balls of polystyrene foam will be rejected from each other. It should be borne in mind that during the sawing in such ways, the foam is very crushed.

3. For cutting plates of polystyrene foam up to 10 cm thick, a handboard for metal or wood is well suited. The smaller her teeth, the better the cut. In addition, such a method of sawing is fast and does not require much effort. It is necessary to act smoothly and evenly, without sharp movements.

4. so that the foam does not crumble and the incision turned out to be smooth, you can use a wire with a cross section of 0.5 mm and pull it between two handles. Split starts on the markup and at the same speed. From constant friction of the wire will be heated and foaming foam. With this method, the cutting edge of the plate is obtained smooth and smooth, and the amount of waste is minimal. The only drawback is two people for such work.

5. If it is planned to cut a large number of foam plates, then it is better to purchase a soldering iron nozzle or a special electron. Due to the acute blade and high temperature, the plates are cut quickly and smoothly. Moreover, with their help make curly cuts. But it must be borne in mind that the length of the blades in many tools is no more than 5 cm. Also while working with hot tools, you should be careful that the molten foam does not hit the clothes or skin. It will not be possible to remove it from the skin instantly, which means there will be a strong burn.

6. Another good device that will come out to cut foam plates are a special machine. He is bought or make it with their own hands. Cut passes quickly, silently and effortlessly, and the material of any thickness can be cut (depending on the possibilities of the machine). The amount of waste is obtained minimal, and the incision is absolutely smooth and smooth. Another advantage of this method, thanks to the hot nichrome wire, the cut cells are splashed back. As a result, the thermal insulation characteristics of the polyfoam do not deteriorate.

Before cutting the foam, it is necessary to mark the sketchy of the sharp pencil. If there is an opportunity, then cut the stove in the direction of yourself. During the sawing of foam, the heating method (wire with wire, e-mail) is highlighted dangerous black smoke, which causes significant harm to man. Therefore, it should be cut in such ways only in a well-ventilated room or outdoors.

In order to make a simple machine, it will take the surface with a slope (20-60 °). Across it is stretched by nichrome wire with the desired height of the cut. Its end is fixed firmly, and the other is connected to the spring. After that, the wires from the power supply are bled. The strength of the current must be controlled so that the wire does not overheat too much, so the retail is additionally connected. Temperature should not exceed + 100 ° C. After everything is ready and the thread warmed up, the foam cut. To do this, only put the slab, and it will start sliding (if the surface is quite smooth) or it is evenly stretched through the wire. If you do it too slowly, the incision will be wide, because during this time there will be time to melt a lot of foam. If quickly, that is, the risk of breaking the thread.

Finished polystyrene cutting machines have more opportunities. With their help 3D figures are made. Depending on the configuration in them, it can be from one to six strings. Controls either the operator manually or through a computer program. Some have compact dimensions, as a result, they are easy to transport them, which is extremely important for builders. The cost of cutting machines for cutting polystyrene begins from 40,000 rubles. There are also models with a laser - such devices make the highest quality cuts. Laser machines are used to cut shapes for shop windows, exhibitions or any other important events.

Before choosing, the better cutting polystyrene foam, you should decide how much material should be recycled. If the cutting will be carried out only once, then you can do without a sharp knife or hacksaw. In another case, it is better to buy an electron or make the machine itself with a wire or purchase ready.

Polyfoam - thermal insulation material, widely used in individual construction. It is sold by the canvas, so it is often necessary to cut off the desired length. The one who came across such materials understands that it is difficult to make it difficult to make ordinary tools. How to cut foam at home? Consider further.

What is a foam?

The full name of the material is the type of thermal insulation refers to foamed (cellular) plastic gas-filled masses. If you look at this material, you can see a lot of small balls bonded with each other. A large amount of fine garbage is formed by the poet with conventional cutting, and the resh itself is irregular. The question is interesting and relevant.

Views

You can highlight two main options by density:

• Soft. Such layers have a porous structure. With cutting, they strongly crumble, break.
• Solid. This material is easy to handle. Minimally crushes, cuts are getting smoking.

It is worth noting that the first option is cheaper than the second.

Scope of application

Mostly, this material is used as insulation. Moreover, it is used for external and internal works. With the help of foam, many designers create interesting compositions; It is used to produce ceiling tiles, plinths, eaves, stucco and other things. This scope is associated with several main advantages of the material:

• environmental friendliness;
• a light weight;
• low price.

All these spheres are directly related to the question: "What do the foam cut?".

Knife

You can take a regular stationery tool. And perform cut. In this case, the process will be accompanied by a creak, a large number of garbage, edges can be chosen. This option is suitable for a small amount of trimming and thin sheets. It will be necessary to often replace the blade.

Processing the web stands on a smooth solid surface. To make the highest possible smooth edges, you should place the material and attach to the line of the smooth bar, pressing it with your hand. The knife must be carried out exactly, the guide will serve as a focus for the tool. Plus, pressing it can be prevented by a strong formation of garbage. This is one of the most common answers to the question of what the foam cut.

Hoven for metal

This type of instrument will allow cut sheets of any width, but the performance will be small. Garbage and creak will also accompany the entire process. The edges will crumble. This method is suitable for a small amount of cutting. Work should be performed on the table. The cutting portion is shifted from the support structure so that you can work with hacksaw.

Power tools

How to cut foam at home power to power tools?

• Electropolitanzik. It seems to be partially automated, the speed of work will increase. But the quality of the cutting will be low. Again will be creaking, garbage. At the same time, it is necessary to understand: the plates with a thickness of more than 80 mm are unlikely to be cut into such a tool.
• Bulgarian. Also accelerate the cutting process. But at the same time SAT will fly away in all directions, and there is also a strong noise from the tool. If the Bulgarian is still selected for cutting, then the circle is better to purchase a diamond with a minimum thickness, it will help to raise the quality of the cut.

Separately, it is worth considering such a tool like a soldering iron.

Figure cutting of foaming

Often, designers use polystyrene foam to create any decors.

What do the foam cut at the same time? In such cases, the figure cutting of a foam of good quality is required. The edges must be smooth, not crumble. For these options, an ordinary soldering iron is used. To achieve the maximum effect, the tip of the tool is unplugged or manufactured by the nozzle of the required size and shape. Preheated soldering iron allows you to perform high-quality smooth cutting, which is necessary for decors. Another important point: when working there will be almost no small litter.

Facade foam

This material can be produced in several variations:

• pressed;
• suspension prohibited;
• suspension prohibited self-fighting;

The thickness of the panels for the insulation of the facade is from 70 to 150 mm. It should be understood that such works are accompanied by a large amount of cutting. Therefore, those listed earlier methods of cutting foam plastic will be not very relevant.

Thermal cutting knife

For such a way, you need to think over the heating of the tool. You can use outdoor fire or heating equipment. The knife itself should be well sharpened. It is necessary to stock the guide smooth slap for cutting. It is best to produce on the street. This will not allow to accumulate harmful smells, negatively affecting health.

The layout of the cutting line is made, the guide of the plank is applied, the cut is made with a heated knife. This method allows you to do it quickly and efficiently.

Nichrome wire

As noted earlier, it is better to produce cutting under the influence of temperature. Not exception. The Russian man has always been distinguished by a seamless, which helped come up with equipment for manual cutting. Required:

• desktop;
• transformer transforming 220V in 12 or 24V;
• nichrome wire;
• regulated rheostat;
• wires.

The wire for cutting foam plastic is fixed across the table with a gap for the required envelope. Wires, retain, transformer connected. When heating the wire, it will easily make high-quality cut. The material should be supplied without a special pressure, the heating temperature of the wire is also important. All high can form influx.

Such a tool use designers in their work. Wire allows you to make a number of figured cuts.

Security measures

Why is it better to take a transformer for this device to 12 or 24V. By negligence, you can get a blow to the current. With such parameters, it will simply burn, whereas at 220 a situation can be ends with deplorable. Another important point: Under the influence of heat treatment, polystyrene foam is distinguished by harmful substances, so it is necessary to use the means of personal protection of the respiratory organs - the respirator. Polyfoam received a wide scope of application at the expense of its unique properties. Lightweight material and at the same time high thermal insulation properties allow it to be used for large-scale insulation of facades, floors, roofs. Such works do not have a significant load on the foundation, and this is a very important factor that allows you to save on the strengthening of the base. Application in the design development of this material again depends on the ease of the resulting structures, environmental friendliness and the ability to perform any products.

But in any this sphere, the cutting of the material remains important. From how quickly it is quick and efficiently executed, the period for performing work and the final result depends. Which variant cutting to choose is solved individually for each specific case.

Polyfoam or polystyrene foam refers to a universal material, which is used for insulation and sound insulation in building structures. The basis of its structure is formed by foam plastic. This explains why the foam in cutting is quite often crumbs.

When processing the material, it is necessary to decide how it needs to be cut so that the cut line is smooth, and the crumbs were as small as possible.

Treatment types

The cutting of foam is carried out using mechanical and thermal varieties of tools. Beginner masters, especially with small cutting volumes, it is recommended to use a mechanical tool.

Mechanical cutting . The most common handicraft agents include a knife, jigsaw, saw and Bulgarian.

Ordinary knife . The focus when choosing a knife is given to his blade. If it is acute, then the process of cutting proceeds faster, and the waste is formed less. The knife in front of the sharp must be preheated.
The disadvantage of the method is that the use of a knife is possible with a thickness of foam 1- 5 cm.

Shoe knife . As a rule, this knife is initially quite sharp. Therefore, its blade is relatively easy to easily pass through the cellular structure of foam.

Disadvantages to use:

- the ability to cut only thin sheets;

- the knife blade is quickly blinking;

- There is a need to have a grinding stone.

Stationery knife . The stationery version of the knife is better to use for soft material. This blade knife is thin and flexible, therefore it is not practiced for treating thick plates.

Benefits:

- little garbage;

- availability of acquisition;

- Low cost.

Stationery knife has a set of replaceable blades. Blutted blades rushed, which leads to their large spending.
It is recommended to heat the blade before direct use. Then it will take place plastic capsules, and the crumbs will form significantly less.

Crumpled by the electroller is used when cutting the foam of up to 10 cm in thickness. This method does not require much effort.

Disadvantages:

- cut is not perfectly smooth;

- a sufficient amount of crumbs is formed;

- It is impossible to use in the absence of power supply

Hand saw on wood . If the thickness of the foam reaches 40 mm, it is better to cut it with a tree with a tree. The method is quite simple and fast, without the cost of special physical effort.
Better fits saw having small teeth. This tool is used only to obtain rectilinear sections.

"Bulgarian" . The advantages of the Bulgarian is that it, as it, herself cuts the foam, if you use the thinnest circles.

However, the thick material of the grinder is not recommended. You will not receive a qualitative result, but the garbage will be extremely much.
In addition, this option is not very good due to a squeal arising from the interaction of foam plastic with a circle of machine. Plus it is added to the tool engine noise. Therefore, in the case of cutting a large number of foam plates, you should wear headphones from the very beginning. Add to this list of electricity consumption, which will need to be paid.

Nichrome wire cutter . The practice of working with foam shows that high-quality sleep is formed when using a tool with heated wire. The edges are smooth, smooth, and the crumbs are practically no. The advantages of the method can be adding high cutting speed and performance in the volumes of similar industrial.

The active use of the method prevents complexity with its acquisition due to the lack of in stores. With an acute need in the machine, the output is one - make a cutter yourself. This is a separate question, which is devoted to many good articles on the Internet containing step-by-step instructions and illustrations.

Easy cutting method

Cutting can be carried out with steel thin wire. It should be fixed on wooden handles. They are placed at different ends of the surface intended for cutting. Cuts resembles the process of sawing firewood. You will need an assistant who will take one of the handles. From friction takes the heating of the string, so the cut line is flat and smooth.

Observe the safety rules, given that when heated is heated, the selection of substances harmful to the body occurs. It follows to work in a well ventilated room or on the street.

Outcome

From the review, it is possible to make a general conclusion that the process of cutting foam is sufficiently simple and quickly. The processing method is selected depending on the selected tool, work volumes, shape (straight, winding or volume), in which the result should be obtained.

When working with a foam, almost each of us has ever encountered such a problem, how to cut a sheet of foam at home to certain parts. The most common option is a spill, but this method will not allow to achieve even the edges and accurate dimensions.

In addition, with fault, a huge amount of garbage remains in the form of material balls, which are almost uncontrollable, as they quickly stick to all objects around us. Therefore, in this article we will look at options and methods, the better cutting the foam in order not to crumble, without surplus and accurate sizes.

Properties and characteristics of foam

Unconventional methods of cutting foam

Above, we listed all the ways than cutting the foam in a flat line. But what if we need to cut, for example, some kind of figure, pre-painted on the foam, semicircle, zigzag, circle either even in a straight line, but perfectly even in large quantities. Here we will not help the knife, electric logs or saw.

1. There is such an exotic option how to cut a foam with a hot nichrome wire. Yes, you did not hear! Such a tool also enjoy designers to implement design solutions. In addition to all such a machine for cutting foam, it is not difficult to collect my own hands at home.

In order to make such a machine for fast and high-quality cutting of foam at home, we need nichrome wire, a small transformer for 24 volts and a spring. The table will be needed at an angle of about 20-60 degrees. Then you need to pull the wire in the middle across the table. On the one hand, the table firmly fix one end of the wire, and on the other, fix - through the spring.

Next to both ends of the nichrome wire, the wires coming from a 24 volt transformer, which is powered by a power grid. As soon as the current serves, the wire begins to heat up (this is noticeable) So from above the wire it is necessary to put a sheet of foam, respectively, along the markup line. Because of the tilt of the table, the insulation sheets under the influence of their own weight will slide down and gradually cut through the material.

For neat work, it is necessary that the wire flies slightly, but it is impossible to allow it to be fused too much. Since a large temperature will not cut, and mercilessly melting as a result of the incision can be very wide.

As a rule, during heating, the nichrome wire is stretched and becomes a little longer, so you need the above-mentioned spring, which should be elastic and strong. It promotes wire length adjustment.

2. You can try to cut it with your own hands and at home with the help of a grinder and disk for metal, although this is not the best option. It is recommended to use the most thin disk. This option is not very practical, because there will be a lot of noise from the grinder, and the garbage will spread in all directions. Therefore, it will be better if you apply a diamond disk for the Bulgarian.

3. Polyfoam can also be cut at home by a simple soldering iron. Using it, you can neat and quickly cut off the material. The end (sting) of the soldering iron should be desirable to be thick, if not, it will take it a little flattering with a hammer. After that, the manufactured special detail is dressed on it: sharp blades are attached to the metal cap from ordinary handle. Such a device can be easily cut not only flat lines, but also curly, semicircular, that is, details of various shapes.

Video: Machine for cutting foam

Polyfoam is widely used as insulation for walls, floor or ceiling. The main thing when applied is the correct cutting of the material. It is important not to open the polystyrene foam and make the most accurate and smooth cut. For these purposes, various tools and methods can be applied at home.

Varieties of tool for cutting foam houses

The tool for cutting the foam can have a different form. Cutting type determines the efficiency of using the tool. Allocate 2 main varieties of fixtures.

Types of cutters:

• Mechanical;
• Thermal.

Mechanical tools are used to perform a small amount of work. Perform cutting in mechanical exposure simply. But at the same time, the cut can be low-quality.

Thermal instrument refers to professional equipment. It is widely used by the construction sphere.

Thermal cutter is used for different type polystyrene. With it, you can quickly and efficiently perform a cut. The basis of the thermal instrument is a split thread or wire.

Over the type of assembly, the tools are classified on branded and self-made. The first option is represented by cutters made in production. Professional equipment includes both knives and thermosakas.

Ways how to cut foam at home with your own hands

Soft material thickness up to 4 cm can be chopped using a conventional knife at home. At the same time, the blade needs a constant form. Otherwise, the cut will come out uneven and will crumble.

During operation there will be a fairly unpleasant sound of cutting. The process is advised to perform in headphones or earrings.

For a smoother and smooth cut, it is advised to heat the blade before work. Also at home for cutting you can take a grinder or a jigsaw. But at the same time the edges will be uneven, too much noise from work and waste. Thicker foam (8-10 cm) is cut with a hacksaw. This is a fast and efficient way. Work should be performed by a tool with small cloths. It will make a slice smooth.

Advantages of using hacksaw:

1. The effectiveness of the method - is attached less effort than when working with a knife;
2. Not attendable;
3. You can cut thick foam.

Often for cutting apply steel wire. On both sides of the wire will need to fasten the handles. And then on the outlined markup perform cutting. While working the wire heats up and starts to melting the material. The edges are obtained by smooth, and there is no garbage. But two must perform actions.

Professional device for cutting foam independently

If the scope of work is greater and the curious processing is required, then you should pay attention to the professional equipment. Experts use a soldering iron with a knife nozzle. Red-hot blade helps to create any cut.

While working should comply with safety techniques so that the red oil does not fall on the body or clothing.

At home, self-made equipment with nichrome thread can be used. The method has already shown its effectiveness and convenience. Waste is a bit. The edges are searched, and the material does not lose their properties.

Required materials for creating a homemade tool:

• Wire;
• Long needle;
• Transformer;
• Reafety;
• Necessary electric pipes.

The needle is fixed on the table and stretch the thread between her ends. Then connect the sequential diagram of connecting items. During the flow of current, the thread should only redden. Too hot thread provoke an uneven and wide cut. If a large amount of work is planned, it is better to purchase a special tool in the store. It is quickly heated and guarantees quality of work. But has a high cost.

Cutting foam has some features at home. So the preparation requires accurate marking using a sharp pencil. When performing work, you should cut the material from yourself to the side. Cutting should be done in a well ventilated room or on the street. When heated, the foam begins to release toxic substances.

Effective cutting of polyfoam string house

There are a lot of ways to cut the foam. But it is important not only to perform work, but also to make a smooth smooth edge so that the material does not crumble. The best device is a cutting string. You can make such a device with your own hands at home.

The manufacturing process requires attentiveness, no special skills need. Figure cutting is popular, so thermosak is needed for work. The cutting tool is the nichrome thread attached to the handle. But some cases do not require a special cutting device.

Required tools for work:

• Metal line;
• Pencil;
• Stationery knife.

To begin with, with the help of a pencil there is a markup of the future section. Further to the line you need to attach a ruler and use the stationery knife. No need to try to completely cut the knife to the plate. After that flip the slab and complete the cut. Then you manually end the cut.

How to make a homemade machine for cutting foam: stages

The machine with nichrome thread is considered the best option for cutting at home. Perform its manufacture is simple enough. Enough to stock the necessary tools.

Materials and tools for work:

• Old table or construction from wooden bars and plywood;
• Spiral;
• Spring;
• Rheostat;
• Low power tracer;
• Wires;
• Two bolts with nuts.

On both sides of the table in the center you need to retreat 20 cm and drill holes. Then the bolts are inserted into the holes and the nuts are tightened. Other materials can perform the role of racks, it all depends on the presence of girlfriend. Then one rack at an altitude of 10 cm from the surface stretch the nichrome thread. We screw the spiral to the second and only then connect the thread.

Such a fastening of the thread is due to the fact that when heated, the material begins to expand and saves. And this reduces the quality of cutting.

Then the wires are applied to the racks. It is advised to connect from the bottom so that they do not interfere with when working. Then the wiring is connected to the trazifer.

The choice of the transformer is due to many factors. It affects the length, thickness and composition of the nichrome thread. In some cases, the electric supplies apply a row. This decision is considered more secure, since unregulated power can be supplied through the tracer.

The transformer is fixed under the tabletop. On this, the homemade apparatus is considered completed. The device is connected to the power grid and you can start work.

How to cut a foam at home (video)