Re: [Paddlewise] Cutting foam

From: Erik Sprenne <sprenne_at_netnitco.net>
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 21:36:31 -0500
> BTW, since we are talking about tools for cutting foam + I have
a pretty
> much fully functional shop, <snip list of tools>
>

Wow, Gabriel - I'm jealous.

Having carved entire seats and a number of thigh braces, I find
that a hand saw (rip for fast cuts, and crosscut for a smoother
edge) works fine for straight or gradual radius cuts on wide
pieces.  If the profile is traced on opposite edges of the foam
block, it's pretty easy to keep the cut from wandering.  Concur
that a serrated knife works great on thinner pieces for tighter
curves.

For contouring after the rough shaping, I've been using a 4 inch
low angle grinder with a 60 grit medium (careful!!!), and
finishing with 60 grit paper by hand.  After all the shaping, the
minicell surface is still a little fuzzy, and a quick once-over
with a propane torch melts the fuzz into a smooth finish.

Erik
(who recently bought some dragon skin for the next project)

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Received on Tue Apr 10 2001 - 19:36:53 PDT

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