how do you use a foam cutter hot wire to cut styrofoam into different shapes?

Question

i think this would be a nice craft to do for my class thanks. here is the foam cutter im talking about http://cgi.ebay.com/Foam-Cutter-Hot-wire-The-Wonder-

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=foam+cutter+hot+wire first link didnt work hopeful this one does thanks

its the green and white one

Answer 1

Plugged in, the wire gets hot. run the piece of foam through the slot, space?

I have used one of these years ago. it was great for cutting out our pieces.

transfer the pattern to the foam with pencil pokes and/or tracing paper.

Cut small sections at a time. Depending on how old your class is, is how much space to give them. I wouldn't do this under 9 or 10 yrs old or with more than 6 in a group.

the wire does get very hot and can burn badly!!

Answer 2

I got to your link... a Floracraft cutter. I have several similar from "Woodland Scenics" in my tool-kit.

HOW you use a hot-wire cutter is: carefully ! Typically, you turn the cutter "ON" for a second or two, then slowly draw the wire through the foam.

I've mounted my cutter on the edge of a table with clamps, and used it to cut like a bandsaw... for simple geometric shapes.

With a cutter, you also often have to make multiple cuts to get rid of excess material before you make your "final" cuts.

LOTS of practice !! I've been carving statues and shapes for theater props for 20 years now.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

i did that project in school quite a few years ago!
we were each given a square tile (sides about 12" or 30 cm)
we all worked on our own, with direct attention from the teacher while cutting. we had to sit and read until it was our turn. we put the wire cutter near a corner and used it to make a wobbly shape in the tile, leaving a funny shape hole (freehand) in the square outer piece. we then glued a square of coloured paper on the back and used the wobbly tile edge as a picture frame and put them all on the classroom wall. i was about 10 when we made these
hope that helps.