Hot Wire Foam Cutting ....

[GPW]

There ya’ go !!!

Speaking of ... I tried out some Eneloop NIMH batteries (Sanyo) and they really are MUCH better than ALL the other rechargeables we’ve tried ... Great Charge retention over time ... They finally got that right !!

[allan1]

Allan, Just don’t get carried away ... It can be addictive ... We would cut up a giant block of bead board in an afternoon ... had wings for months ... FUN !!!
Best turn a fan on .... it does stink and who knows about later ???
I guess next we’ll be discussing gravity cutting ???

Gravity cutting? I need to get some 1/4" slices to be able to make my model. Slanted table with a fixed bow cutter? Any info about wire types and sizes would be appreciated ... of course I'll do the internet research too.
I'll learn to post pictures tomorrow and post some. Bye the bye, I saw a youtube video about a retail hand held cutter that runs on d cell batteries - if I run across it again, I'll post a link.

[allan1]

the battery powered hand held hot wire cutter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E4RFE1EUSg

and another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBVinzcahLA

[allan1]

smaller pics next time ... couple others in gallery. What a versatile process. Woodworking in foam! Crown molding for the inside, baseboards ... hmm, an art deco or craftsman theme maybe.

[atahoekid]

smaller pics next time ... couple others in gallery. What a versatile process. Woodworking in foam! Crown molding for the inside, baseboards ... hmm, an art deco or craftsman theme maybe.

What exactly did you do/use to make those cuts? That is awesome

[atahoekid]

Here’s a drawing of a typical router like cutting fixture .... shape the wire any way you want ... we use music wire for these ... thick enough to hold the shape , but not so much as to require a lot of current to heat up ...

When you say music wire are we talking about piano wire? Here's a stupid question... Are there different wires for a piano? Is so, what do I ask for when I walk into the music store? If not piano wire, what is music wire?

I love listening to music, I just don't know how to play it...

[GPW]

Music wire actually comes from the Hobby shop , it’s very stiff, comes in many sizes ... Guitar G strings come from the music store and work fine for bows... or solid “leaderâ€

[allan1]

[/quote] What exactly did you do/use to make those cuts? That is awesome [/quote] A Weller trigger style solder gun. There's a pic of it and a couple more in my album. It's a bit crude in that the wire has some play to it - smaller diameter than the holes in the gun and it's awkward / heavy to hold for accuracy. Could be okay for crude cutting though. A better way to insert wire is to not pass through hole in nut but through the hole tapped into the side of the barrel - snugger fit. Too bad that the output is still AC, it could have been adapted as a power supply but much too dangerous for accidental shocks as is

[GPW]

Alllan , I think your Foam moulding is a Wonderful idea for decorating inside , and maybe outside too ... Could get pretty “Ornateâ€

[pete42]

Glen I think it is to late for Allen he's hooked.
Allen good looking cuts keep it up and we will be asking you for help.

Again I used aircraft safety wire for my cutter.
I would think solid wire used to hang pictures could also be used.

pete

[Larry C]

Actually Music wire (spring tempered wire) comes in many diameters. I have a roll of .018" that would probably perfect for cutting. If you want to try some for just the price of the stamps, PM me.

Larry C

[allan1]

Larry C thanks for the offer. I'm going to play around with the different types I've got stashed away for the next couple weeks but might take you up on that.

In my internet ramblings, some of the polystyrene carving that I've run across and the architectural molding is amazing. I'm very impressed by the flexibility and versatility of the material. Combine that with different process's for rigidity and

just thinking about some of the reading I've been doing in the foamie section in regards to the fear of winds, trailering at higher speeds, etc. Could an air foil be made for them that would provide drag that might ground their fears.

[GPW]

Allan , a Lot of those fears are unfounded , myth , speculation ... The most AWFUL thing that’s happened so far is a couple bubbles in Eagles’ trailer ... caused by cinch straps .. The rest is just “Awfulizingâ€

[allan1]

[quote="GPW"]Allan , a Lot of those fears are unfounded , myth , speculation ... The most AWFUL thing that’s happened so far is a couple bubbles in Eagles’ trailer ... caused by cinch straps .. The rest is just “Awfulizingâ€

[GPW]

Allan , not to worry .... like you I sometimes have to keep my mouth shut because what I think is funny is usually too controversial ...