Super Shear Foam Saw & Blades for Open/Closed Cell. Open cell sponge or open cell foam will have a specific set of characteristics in addition to features offered by the core elastomer. Fortunately, cutting foam is the easiest thing since pre-sliced bread. Before approaching the different foam cutting methods, it's important to address the materials you will need. Putting flattened cardboard on the floor to cut on is a better solution than a sturdy but small garage workbench your foam hangs off of. In this post, Foam Factory will give you a quick and easy overview on how to cut open-cell foam at home and get factory-quality results. The only drawback is that most everybody has at least one serrated knife in their house, while electric carvers are not as common and more expensive. Closed cell foam, also known as “expanded rubber or sponge rubber,” differs from open cell foam in that its cells are sealed off from one another, similar to a bunch of grapes. Your email address will not be published. Murmurs and hearsay about open-cell spray foam insulation have been gaining traction for a while. And when you have a reference point for the actual level of difficulty, cutting foam for a project becomes much less problematic. Copyright © 2021 Foam Factory, Inc.. All rights reserved. I founf that an electric kitchen knife is excellent for cutting all types of foam. When using a traditional serrated blade, make smooth and gentle back-and-forth cutting motions through the foam. As mentioned earlier, cutting foam is essentially the same as cutting bread, so it only makes sense that you would use the same type of knife as well. Here at Foam Factory, Inc., we offer a wide range of foam cutting services that can produce tens of thousands of identical pieces and precise, computer-controlled cuts made with a stream of water .005 inches in diameter. Instead of plunging the blade all the way through the foam though, only cut about 1/8″ to 1/4″ of the way through the foam… Your email address will not be published. You also want it to be large enough to hold the entire section of foam, as you don’t want it sliding off or “pulling” as you make your cuts. $26.10 shipping. Tags: Cut Foam, DIY, DIY Foam, Foam Inserts, Open-Cell Foam, Your email address will not be published. A serrated blade is the key when cutting open cell spray foam. There are only two types of knives you should use to cut foam; both will need to be as sharp as possible, but neither should feature a flat, straight blade. For open cell foam under 15mm thick, we recomend using 100mm/min with one pass. Like many things that you’ve never attempted before, cutting foam can seem daunting. The first thing to keep in mind is that you should never compress foam in an attempt to make a fast cut. Using Foam To Make An Interchangeable Sofa. Let the cutting motion and sharpness of the blade work through the foam, not applying any pressure. Put on goggles, a mask and protective clothing. Throw away the excess pieces of spray foam with your regular trash. If you need precision in your order, or thousands of identical pieces, The Foam Factory’s custom-cutting services will exceed your expectations. Required fields are marked *. Let the motion and sharpness of the blade work through the foam, not forceful pressure. Cutting properly only takes a minute or two longer and is definitely worth the effort once you see your straight, smooth edges. Serrated blades cut foam cleanly when you take your time. Always use a straight-edge when marking off cutting lines. In addition to the knives and cutting surface, there are two more things you need to know to be able to cut foam like a pro. How is open cell foam made? For jobs like this, cutting foam at home is not only an affordable option, it’s also a surprisingly easy one. Even if it means you overshoot the exact measurements of what you’re making by a fraction of an inch, foam’s compression will let it easily squeeze into any cushion cover. Open cell foams have interconnected pockets that permit the passage of substances such as water and air when die cut foam gaskets are compressed. Your email address will not be published. Be sure to cut slowly so the foam doesn’t compress while cutting and be sure the angle of the knife is consistent throughout the cut. As mentioned earlier, cutting foam is essentially the same as cutting bread, so it only makes sense that you would use the same type of knife as well. Thinking about the project in familiar terms will often make it much less intimidating as well. Open-cell spray foam isn’t as dense, so it’s easy to trim. Some people think since foam is so squishy, they can flatten it and cut through quickly with a single slice. Many common tasks only require a couple straight cuts on a smallish piece of foam. This is as important for safety as it is for easily working on the project. For jobs that need a personal touch, we also have decades of skilled hand-cutting experience on our team as well. It should not be confused with polyethylene foam which is a type of closed cell foam. As you can see, cutting foam isn’t nearly as difficult as you may have originally thought. Foam is usually classified as “open cell” when more than half of its cells are open. There are only two types of knives that should be used to cut foam at home. Let the cutting motion and sharpness of the blade work through the foam, not applied pressure. And in the case of foam, having the right tools is generally more important than having foam-working skill. The C I Cutter uses a … This item: Milwaukee FoamZall- Foam Saw - Foam Trimming Saw with Open Cell Clean Up Trimming Blade $460.00 In stock. cut with hacksaw, gouged with utility knife … Sliced bread is a fitting analogy, as cutting bread is a great way to think about cutting foam. With a sharp blade and gentle cuts, you'll pass through the foam without any effort. Just like when cutting with a carving knife, let the blade’s sharpness work its way through the foam, rather than forcing it through for a quicker cut. Method 1. One, because a slight over-cut will compress into its case and look full, and two, an under-cut is a mistake you can’t undo. On something like foam crown molding, this gives you a little room for error, as a less-than-perfect cut will compress against another piece of molding and mask a poor cut. A flat, stable surface that won’t be damaged is top priority for a foam project, for safety as much as for cutting. For these jobs, cutting at home is not only the cost-effective option, it’s also the easiest. Not to mention, it’s nice to get a little more use out of the carving knife besides the one or two times you get it out during the holidays! Unlike open-cell foam, closed-cell materials should be cut with a straight, non-serrated blade … It rots roofs, people have told me. The second cutting option is a bit surprising to some people, but works wonders. Once your cutting line is established and your straight edge in place, begin your cut just the way you did with the single-pass method. Conventional scissors are usually meant for … While understandable, this reluctance is actually unfounded, as the reality of the situation is that cutting foam is  incredibly easy. The Closed Cell C I Cutter will cut Open Cell foam also. Structurally speaking, open cell foam is very different from closed cell foam. Many tasks only require a couple straight cuts, or quickly trimming foam to size. Closed cell … You don’t want a surface that’s unstable or not level, since you can make a mistake cutting, or worse, cut yourself. TurboCutz Foam Cutting Tool, Foam Saw For Open & Closed Cell. However, every project does not require the level of detail computer-programmed machines offer. Die cut foam materials are used for sealing, cushioning, shock absorption, insulation, noise control, and vibration dampening. If you have a project that requires exactness, difficult cuts, or thousands of identical pieces, Foam Factory’s custom-cutting services will exceed your expectations. If you need to cut back closed cell, you could use a file as well because the material is much denser, but that’s not … Installers of open-cell spray foam will fill a 3.5-inch-deep cavity completely, allowing the foam to expand until it is proud of the studs. If you’ve placed cutting guidelines on the foam, always be sure that you cut on the outside of the lines. I founf that an electric kitchen knife is excellent for cutting all types of foam. Ships from and sold by Spray Foam Systems LLC. Option one is a serrated carving knife or bread knife. At The Foam Factory, we offer a broad range of foam cutting services, from bulk runs in the tens of thousands, to incredibly precise, computer-controlled cuts made with a stream of water .005 inches in diameter. Starting at an edge of the foam and cutting slowly at a 45 degree angle with a serrated blade can give you a perfectly flush edge you probably didn’t think was possible at home. When using a serrated blade, make smooth and gentle back-and-forth cutting motions through the foam. It is designed with triangular teeth to trim Open Cell foam quickly and … Can Charcoal Firm Foam be custom cut to fit my items? COVID19 Status: Normal Processing Times, Curbside Pickup Available (, Free Shipping On All Orders Over $75 Within The Contiguous United States. Some open cell sponge or open cell foam is very unique because it … The open pores in the foam allow for water and air to pass through, making Dry Fast foam … … When using a serrated blade, make … The other cutting style is a bit surprising to some people, but it works wonderfully. While the right work surface is important for safety, the right cutting tools will give you the cleanest cuts. The top priority when preparing to cut foam is a flat cutting surface that won’t be damaged. Once cured, the soft foam … Something as basic as flattened cardboard on a garage floor is a better solution than a smallish workbench that your foam hangs off of. Required fields are marked *, The Foam Factory Closed cell foam … Starting at an edge of the foam and cutting slowly with a serrated blade can give you a perfectly flush edge you probably didn’t think was possible at home. If you’ve traced guidelines with a marker, always cut on the outside of these lines. The reason it can’t cut farther in one pass is that the focus gets very large on the bottom, so it will not cut anymore. Polyurethane foam is an example of open cell foam. Having no money, I cut through five-inch-thick foam sections by making repeated swipes with a cheapie utility knife like the one above. You want your entire piece of foam to be able to fit on the cutting surface, as you don’t want to have to worry about holding it up or sliding off in mid-cut. Company Site. Open cell foam … Over-cutting means you can always trim a little bit more off if needed. You are absolutely right! The last thing anybody wants to do is make a mistake and ruin a new foam insert or mattress topper. One of the things I neglected to mention in my banquette-building post was how to cut the foam. 00. Cutting slowly with fully expanded foam only takes a couple minutes longer and is definitely worth the straight edges you’ll ultimately end up with. SIGN IN | SIGN UP for price and shipping options. I recommend small beauty scissors, some medium sewing scissors and then a pair of good fabric scissors. Closed cell foam has a closed off cell structure, which makes it more water resistant. If the foam that’s applied in a … The last thing anybody wants to do is accidentally ruin a brand-new foam insert or mattress topper. Always cut away from your body so you don’t hurt yourself if the knife slips. The first is that you should never compress foam when cutting. I'm looking at making some custom foam inserts and I'm curious what options there are for laser cutters that could cut them out for me. Be sure to cut slowly so the foam doesn’t compress while cutting and be sure the angle of the knife is consistent throughout the cut. $1,950.00 $ 1,950. If … The problem with this is that it is impossible to get balanced pressure on the foam by hand, and when you release it after the cut, the edge is sloppy and wavy. So while having the right workspace is vital for safety, having the right cutting instruments is what will give you the cleanest, straightest cuts. Not long ago, someone even told me that in Florida, roofing companies won't let their workers go up on roofs with open-cell spray foam … It's the dumb way to cut foam. 2 Cut down and into the foam -- perpendicular to joists or studs -- with smooth, even strokes. The other item involves cutting when you are following traced lines. Even angle cuts are easy to do. 2 foam mincell blocks cut from horsecollar pdf retrieved from the Andrea Doria holding Momo boat tweeters fitting into windshield corners/dashtop. The article link will be included in the email automatically. It will leave a slightly rougher finish than the Open Cell Cutter and is a little harder on electrical outlets, wiring and plumbing. Like most new experiences, cutting foam can seem intimidating to the uninitiated. You'll probably want a few of different lengths. The only drawback to an electric knife is compared to a traditional knife, they aren’t in every home, and are slightly more expensive. Dow Froth-PAK 650, Spray Foam Insulation Kit, Class A fire Rated 650 … Both types need to be as sharp as possible, but neither should be straight blades. An electric turkey carving knife gives you even more control than a traditional blade and is like a smaller scale version of the saws used to cut shapes professionally. You get a clean, straight cut every time. Just like when cutting with a standard knife, let the blade saw its way through the foam, rather than forcing it through with pressure. 2.1 out of 5 stars 2. As mentioned earlier, cutting foam is essentially the same as cutting bread, so it only makes sense that you would use the same type of knife as well. In fact, the amount of skill you need to have to cut foam is negligible as long as you have a few basic tools, which we will go over next. Specifications Your dream come true for trimming spray foam! What is Open Cell Foam? In this post, we’ll give you a quick and simple rundown on how to cut open-cell foam at home and wind up with factory-quality results. Begin cuts at the edge of a … Doing so results in uneven pressure that translates to a wavy, jagged edge when released. With their similar textures, the cutting processes are virtually identical. This, in addition to having decades of highly-skilled hand-cutting experience on our team. Dry Fast Open Cell Antimicrobial Foam is a great-quality open cell foam, also known as reticulated foam, with a solid, firm feel. Open cell foam is a rubber-like product made by incorporating an inflating agent, such as sodium bicarbonate, into the rubber compound; this agent gives off a gas, which expands the rubber during vulcanization.. The electric turkey carving knives used during Thanksgiving give you even more control than a traditional knife, and mimic the industrial saws that are used to cut shapes professionally. This saw will cut open and closed cell foam … Open cell foam, on the other hand, has an open cell structure, which means liquid can soak into the material. It … You get a clean, straight cut every time. In fact, slicing bread is the perfect way to think about cutting foam, as their similar textures make the cutting processes virtually identical. If you’ve decided your project doesn’t quite need the custom cutting services Foam Factory offers, stick to these cutting suggestions and you’ll be able to cut foam like butter. On something like foam crown molding, this is particularly important, both to leave a little room for error, and because a little extra material compressing against another section of molding will give you a perfect edge or seam. The Open Cell C I Cutter is built with precision machined aluminum parts and the highest quality bearings and power-head. This type of foam is created by reacting diisocyanates and polyols together. However, not every project requires computer-programmed precision or challenging angles and contours. If the project you’re considering doesn’t need the degree of precision that custom cutting services from The Foam Factory offer, stick to these cutting suggestions and you’ll be have a great-looking project and a few extra dollars in your pocket. It was time-consuming, messy, far from accurate, and doing the curves was a real pain. Foam Factory Upholstery Supplies: Great for DIY or Small Businesses. Cutting Styrofoam with Electric Tools Use an electric knife to cut thicker pieces of styrofoam. The other tip involves cutting around traced lines on the foam. … It’s one of those things that sounds strange at first, but makes so much sense when you see in action. Foam By Mail’s 100th Blog Post (A Compilation)! Best way to cut the open cell foam is with a sharp knife or electric turkey knife, just repeat in 1 direction over and over again in one direction to get a clean cut. In addition to the knives and cutting surface used, there are a couple more things you need to keep in mind to be able to cut foam like a pro. Option one is a serrated carving/bread knife. Yes, the best way to cut this foam is with a sharp knife or electric turkey knife. Ideally I'd like to be able to cut up to 1.5 inch open cell polyurethane. As you can see, cutting foam is a lot easier than it may seem at first. Is a Great way to think about cutting foam is the key when cutting open cell foam..., a mask and protective clothing this item: Milwaukee FoamZall- foam Saw & for! Trimming spray foam isn ’ t as how to cut open cell foam, so it ’ s also a surprisingly easy.... 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