how to cut up an egg carton?

Question

I know this is a stupid question but...I need to know how to cut up an egg cart so it doesn't look torn or messy. I need it for a craft I am doing with my sunday school class. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

The heavy, soft cardboard egg cartons are made of are really too thick to use scissors on, as the scissors are likely to bind and give you torn, squashed or jagged edges. A bread knife won't give you a very neat edge either because of the serration.

My suggestion is to use a craft or utility knife (the kind that's basically a handle that holds a retractable razor blade). Use long, steady strokes and don't push too hard; you're not necessarily trying to cut through on the first pass. Just keep going over the cut (it should probably only take 2 or 3 passes) with a steady motion and the sharp blade will give you a neat, clean cut. Just be very careful of the blade, as it will be (and should be) VERY sharp (make sure it is a relatively fresh/sharp blade or you won't get neat results).

If you don't have one of these knives in your toolbox they're available at any hardware store or the local wal-mart, target, etc for a few bucks. The smaller versions (the "craft knives" as opposed to "utility knives" are usually only about a dollar and will suit this task just fine; they're available at the same places in either the tools, crafts or paint sections. The heavier-bladed utility knives are almost always with the hand tools.

PS: It's not really a stupid question, anyone can hack a given object to bits, but cutting odd materials neatly requires specific tools and techniques.

Answer 2

Use a pair of sharp scissors or a retractable knife ( be careful NOT to cut yourself) - will work for either foam or cardbord egg carton.

Answer 3

open the cartons each and every of ways, positioned a bead of warm glue down the backbone of the carton, stick it to the wall verticly. use a heavy accountability stapler to atach the tabs to the wall, layer from the middle of the exterior u attempt to cover, out to its area. additionally attempt putting a small barier between your self and your mic.

Answer 4

go slow, and make a sort of line with a mechanical pencil (with the led not sticking out) lightly (but so you can see), and then cut along it.

makes it 10 x easier.

Answer 5

Use heavy scissors, like kitchen shears.
Failing that, try a serrated bread knife.