I'm using foam core to rebuild my Banana River and am about to start cutting foam for the interior of the hull. I know I need to wear safety goggles to prevent dust from getting into my eyes and a respirator to make sure I don't inhale it but do I need a tyvek suit or the like? It's standard 1" divinycel.
I can't find a good answer.
Thanks.
Cutting foam core- safety measures?
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Re: Cutting foam core- safety measures?
All I wear is sometimes gloves to reduce skin exposures.
The product you are using would have an msds. Look for it in the manufacturers website.
The product you are using would have an msds. Look for it in the manufacturers website.
Re: Cutting foam core- safety measures?
Can you use a hot knife to cut it? No dust just smoke if it burns. When I set up my hot wire to cut large blocks (as high as 24" blocks) of Styrofoam very little smoke and zero dust. It would be like using a band saw but easier to use a fence to make straight cuts.
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Re: Cutting foam core- safety measures?
Some core's produce toxic fumes when cut with a hotwire, some do not. It is best to use the appropriate method depending on the core.OrangeQuest wrote: ↑Tue Aug 07, 2018 8:07 pm Can you use a hot knife to cut it? No dust just smoke if it burns. When I set up my hot wire to cut large blocks (as high as 24" blocks) of Styrofoam very little smoke and zero dust. It would be like using a band saw but easier to use a fence to make straight cuts.
- Evan_Gatehouse
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Re: Cutting foam core- safety measures?
Yes, I've thermal formed Corecell and if heated too much it gives off nasty smelling fumes.
For cutting it - score with utility knife and just snap it like drywall / gypsum board. Or cut curves with a jigsaw. It's quite benign.
For cutting it - score with utility knife and just snap it like drywall / gypsum board. Or cut curves with a jigsaw. It's quite benign.
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Re: Cutting foam core- safety measures?
There is always a fan blowing across my work bench to keep fumes away. I also use a variable voltage/current regulated power supply that I adjust the temperature to just able to cut through the foam. I use a Nichrome wire that does a nice job of keeping the same heat all across the cut. Easy to adjust the temp by increasing the voltage till it's to hot to touch. Styrofoam melts at such a low temperature. Things smoke when to hot and burn.
I have to push the blocks through very slowly because the wire is so thin and temp so low that to fast and it breaks. Because I build the cutter every time I can adjust the angle of my cuts and cut up to 40" or buy the wire in a spool and go even wider. To make my cutter I have a small hole in the center of my work bench and feed one end through and attach to a brass nut and bolt. Clamp a board to the table top that I screw an upright to. 1/4" bolt and nut to allow the upper arm to pivot on. Another brass nut and bolt to attach the cutting wire to. Adjust a bungee cord just enough to keep the wire tight. Wire gets longer when it heats up. Use a protractor to set angle. Clamp long board to table for fence. Can stack multi sheets for repeat cuts or patterns.
I have to push the blocks through very slowly because the wire is so thin and temp so low that to fast and it breaks. Because I build the cutter every time I can adjust the angle of my cuts and cut up to 40" or buy the wire in a spool and go even wider. To make my cutter I have a small hole in the center of my work bench and feed one end through and attach to a brass nut and bolt. Clamp a board to the table top that I screw an upright to. 1/4" bolt and nut to allow the upper arm to pivot on. Another brass nut and bolt to attach the cutting wire to. Adjust a bungee cord just enough to keep the wire tight. Wire gets longer when it heats up. Use a protractor to set angle. Clamp long board to table for fence. Can stack multi sheets for repeat cuts or patterns.
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Re: Cutting foam core- safety measures?
That sounds like a slick setup. Do you have any pictures of it?
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